Storing summer clothes in autumn: 6 steps to an organised wardrobe
When warmer clothes move to the front of the wardrobe in autumn, review your summer clothes before buying storage containers. The aim is simple: keep what you need and know where to find it in spring. Work through this household checklist one shelf or drawer at a time.
1. Start with a small inventory
Choose one group, such as T-shirts or summer trousers. Sort them into four groups: wear now, store, repair and pass on. Try on items whose fit is uncertain. Do not hide a broken zip or missing button among the stored clothes: note the repair separately.
2. Read the care label before cleaning
Follow the garment's care label. GINETEX explains that the number inside the wash-tub symbol is the maximum permitted washing temperature. Do not select one programme for everything just because it will share a box. If the label is missing or unclear, ask a professional cleaner rather than experimenting with intensive treatment.
3. Pack only clean, dry clothes
IKEA's storage guidance recommends putting clothes away clean and dry. Before packing, check pockets, waistbands and layered details separately. Empty pockets of papers and other objects. If an item is still damp, postpone packing it. Keep clothes awaiting cleaning separate from those ready to store.
4. Measure the space before choosing a box
Measure the available height, width and depth on the shelf or under the bed. Allow room to open the lid or pull the container out. Try a clean box you already own before buying another. For a second-hand container, inspect the inside, corners, lid and catches; request its exact external dimensions. If the storage space seems damp, choose another location and investigate the cause before packing.
5. Make things easy to find
Group clothes by person and type, with a label on the visible side. “Summer: T-shirts and shorts” is more useful than “clothes”. Add the packing date and a short contents list. Number multiple boxes and keep a note on your phone showing which shelf each box occupies.
6. Keep useful items within reach
Do not pack away everything you also wear as a winter base layer. Put items for a possible trip or sport somewhere easy to find. Schedule a review before the next season of use: check the contents and sizes before buying anything else.
Before closing the box: pockets empty, care completed, clothes dry, contents listed and location recorded. An item in good condition that you no longer use can be set aside for sale or passed on. The purpose is not to fill more boxes, but to keep the things you actually need.