Summary
While it's tempting to simply pack away your winter coats or summer silks, proper seasonal garment storage is crucial, especially for your luxury and cherished pieces.
As the seasons change, so does our wardrobe. While it’s tempting to simply pack away your winter coats or summer silks, proper seasonal garment storage is crucial, especially for your luxury and cherished pieces. These aren’t just clothes; they’re investments that deserve meticulous care to maintain their beauty and longevity.
The Pre-Storage Essential: Professional Cleaning
Before any garment goes into storage, whether for a few months or longer, professional cleaning is non-negotiable. Even seemingly clean clothes can harbor invisible threats:
- Hidden Stains: Perspiration, body oils, food spills, or even perfume can oxidize over time, leading to permanent yellowing or fabric damage. What looks clean now can become a set stain later.
- Pests: Moths and other insects are attracted to residual food particles, skin flakes, and natural fibers. Storing uncleaned garments is an open invitation for these destructive pests.
- Odor Prevention: Lingering odors can become deeply embedded in fabrics during storage, making them difficult to remove later.
Owl Cleaners’ specialized cleaning processes ensure that your garments are free from all contaminants, protecting them from long-term damage and pest infestation.
Beyond the Closet: The Benefits of Professional Storage
While a clean garment is the first step, how and where you store it is equally important. For truly valuable or delicate items, consider professional storage solutions:
- Climate-Controlled Environments: Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can cause fabrics to degrade, warp, or even encourage mold and mildew growth. Owl Cleaners’ facilities offer stable, climate-controlled conditions that are ideal for preserving delicate materials like silk, cashmere, leather, and furs.
- Pest-Free Zones: Owl Cleaners’ storage facilities are meticulously maintained to be free from moths, carpet beetles, and other pests that can wreak havoc on natural fibers.
- Acid-Free Packaging: Garments are stored in breathable, acid-free materials (like specialized garment bags or tissue paper) that prevent discoloration and fabric breakdown over time. Plastic bags, while convenient, can trap moisture and lead to mildew.
- Security and Insurance: Rest easy knowing your valuable wardrobe is protected in a secure environment, often with insurance coverage for added peace of mind.
Professional storage extends the life of your garments, ensuring they remain in pristine condition, ready to be enjoyed season after season.
At-Home Tips for Everyday Garment Care
For items you prefer to store at home, here are a few best practices:
- Clean Before Storing: Always, always clean garments thoroughly before putting them away.
- Use Proper Hangers: Invest in padded or wooden hangers for coats and delicate items to maintain their shape. Avoid wire hangers, which can cause stretching and creases.
- Breathable Storage: Use breathable garment bags made of cotton or canvas, not plastic, to allow air circulation and prevent moisture buildup.
- Cool, Dry, Dark Space: Store garments in a cool, dry, dark place, away from direct sunlight, humidity, and extreme temperature changes. Attics, basements, and garages are generally not ideal.
- Cedar or Lavender: Use natural repellents like cedar blocks or lavender sachets (placed directly in pockets or drawers, not touching fabric) to deter pests.
Invest in Longevity with Owl Cleaners
Your luxury wardrobe is an investment in quality and style. By entrusting your garments to Owl Cleaners for professional cleaning and storage, you’re not just putting them away; you’re actively preserving their beauty, integrity, and value for years to come. Let us help you protect what you love.
Ready to prepare your seasonal garments for perfect storage? Contact Owl Cleaners today!
P: 866-OWL-CLEAN (695-2532) E: info@owlcleaners.com
