Maintaining the Fresh Scent of Clothes in Storage

You go to grab a jumper from your wardrobe that you put away last winter. It smells stale. Or maybe you don’t even go to your wardrobe to get the jumper, you just grab one of the jumpers from the drawer that you hadn’t worn in a while and it also smells stale. Clothing can lose its fresh scent, even after a washing, if it’s stored away for a long time.

It’s a common problem, especially if your wardrobe is against a cold wall and you don’t have much storage space.

If you are wondering how to keep your clothes smelling fresh in storage, it actually starts before they are put away. When clothes are washed and completely dried, and storage materials and airflow are taken into account, it makes a huge difference.

Sachets add a nice fragrance to your wardrobe, but they don’t solve problems caused by dampness and storage conditions.

Whether it’s packing away winter clothes, organizing your drawers, or storing clothes for a long time, use the tips provided to you to make your wardrobe ready to wear at all times.

Why Do Clothes Smell Musty After Being Stored?

It’s not uncommon for clothes that were smelling fresh when you put them away to develop smells that are far from it. Storage boxes and clothes absorb the dampness and odors from the surrounding environment.

Jumpers can look clean after wearing once, but can still contain sweat, skin oils, and perfume. Leaving these on fabric over a long period of time can cause odors.

Common Causes of Bad Smelling Clothes in Storage

There are several reasons why clothes develop bad smells over time when stored in various places.

The most common of these reasons include:

·         Clothes being stored while still slightly damp

·         Sweat and skin oils being left in fabric

·         Dusty or dirty storage containers

·         Poorly ventilated storage containers

·         Clothes being pressed too tightly together

·         Inappropriate plastic bags being used for storage

·         Mold and moisture issues in the same room as storage

If a number of your clothes in storage develop a bad smell, check the storage area for issues before washing all the clothes again.

Bad odor issues can come from the area or container rather than the clothes.

Effects of Damp and Lack of Ventilation on Stored Clothes

Moisture is the most problematic factor for storing fabrics.

Damp air that becomes trapped between the fabrics of a poorly ventilated wardrobe can create the ideal condition for mold to grow and musty smells to develop.

In homes in the UK during the fall and winter, moisture can become a significant issue because of lack of outdoor air and high levels of condensation.

Wardrobes that are situated next to an outside wall can be at a higher risk of mold and moisture problems.

Musty smells in clothes can be prevented by keeping the area where the clothes are stored dry and well ventilated.

How to Prevent Clothes From Smelling in Storage: 8 Useful Tips

Most of the work is in prepping your clothes for storage and selecting an appropriate storage area.

Here are eight habits worth following.

1. Wash Clothes

Always start with clean clothes.

Even if a shirt looks perfectly fine, there may be body oils or food residue left behind from before.

These can build up and become noticeable in storage.

Be sure to wash everyday clothes and follow care labels for delicate clothes.

If you have a lot of clothes to wash, you can enlist the help of a laundry service.

2. Allow Clothes to Dry

This step is absolutely essential.

A shirt may feel dry to the touch on the front, but there may be moisture along the seams.

If you fold it and place it in a drawer along with other clothes, that moisture can ruin the other clothes along with it.

Check thicker areas along the fabric before storing.

If drying directions are not listed, try using a drying rack.

Never store damp clothes.

3. Choose Appropriate Storage Containers and Bags

Not all containers are made for all clothes.

Breathable garment bags can prevent dust build up on hanging clothes while allowing air circulation.

Plastic storage boxes can also be used to store off season clothes as long as the environment is not humid.

Fine fabrics and delicate clothes can also be stored away using the methods mentioned above.

Avoid leaving clothes in the thin covers provided by dry cleaners for a long time.

Those covers are for short term protection.

4. Keep Your Wardrobe and Drawers Clean

Dust can build up in storage furniture. Before putting away clothes for the season, take a few minutes to empty and clean the furniture.

Fully dry the furniture and use the proper way to clean it according to the type of furniture.

If an empty wardrobe smells musty, investigate the cause.

5. Improve Ventilation and Control Moisture

Condensation is one of the causes of damp smells.

Do not hang clothes so closely together that they touch.

Opening wardrobe doors can help if the humidity in the room is not too high.

Use a dehumidifier if condensation is a long term problem.

Mould is a sign of a moisture problem.

6. Don’t Overstuff Clothing Storage

We’ve all been tempted to overstuff a drawer with one more jumper when space is limited.

Tightly packed clothes are more difficult to examine and can retain moisture if the storage conditions are not ideal.

Fabrics can become badly creased and stretched if they are overcrowded.

Try not to stuff clothing so tightly that the drawers can’t be closed.

If you need to store off-season clothes, divide them into more manageable lots and store in individual bags.

7. Use Wardrobe Fresheners Carefully

A nice scent when opening a wardrobe can’t be beat.

Fragrance can be subtle with the help of fabric safe scents and other wardrobe fresheners.

Strong fragrance oils should not be applied to clothing as they can discolor and damage clothes and are not always removable.

Remember, a good fragrance doesn’t always mean clothes are clean.

If musty clothes are packed away, air them out or take them out to be cleaned instead of masking the problem with a fragrance.

8. Inspect Stored Clothes

It’s a good idea to inspect stored clothes, especially if they’ve been stored away for several months.

Odors, dampness, stains and insects are all issues that should be checked for.

If something stored away smells stale, it should be removed and aired out or washed instead of being returned to storage.

Don’t return it to a damp container.

They can also become storage areas for bad odors.

The best approach for preventing bad smells will depend on whether the clothes are hung, folded, or packed away.

The first step to taking care of smells in a wardrobe is to take care of any smells in the wardrobe itself.

If there is a bad smell when the clothes are not in the wardrobe, that is a sign that there is a moisture problem.

It is important to not overcrowd a wardrobe and give all hanging items space to air out.

It is especially important to fully clean clothing that has been worn before putting it away for storage.

When you are done using a heavily worn jacket or coat, don’t hang it back up in a tightly packed wardrobe.

To keep clothes smelling fresh in a drawer, avoid storing too many clothes in a drawer.

Drawers can also get musty.

If you want to put a fragrance in a drawer, use a fragrance product that is safe to use on fabric, and put the product in the back of the drawer.

These include:

·         Scented sachets

·         Moisture absorbers (used according to instructions)

·         Breathable garment covers

·         Clean, dry drawer liners

·         A room dehumidifier

How to Store Clothes Long Term So They Don’t Smell

Long-term storage is more work than putting a clean t-shirt in a drawer.

If you store clothes for many months, little scents can turn into huge smells.

To keep stored clothes smelling fresh, make sure they are clean and totally dry before you put them away, and use a storage method that is ideal for the fabric of the garments.

Preparing Clothes for Long Term Storage

Before packing away, examine each article of clothing for minor stains and broken seams.

Stain and filth care instructions.

If the items are fully dry, creases can be brushed out or steamed out.

Store garments for many months in a cool, dry area that is airtight and proof against pests.

Use archival quality items for clothing that is sentimental and valuable .

Bulky garments can be a useful use for vacuum storage bags. When wearing structured clothes, be careful how you compress the fabric.

Delicate objects or those filled with loft can also not be ideal for long-term compression.

Breathable garment bags are a better alternative for goods that need to preserve their shape (such coats and jackets, and formal dress).

How to Keep Clothes Fresh in Plastic Storage Boxes

Plastic crates are fantastic for seasonal garments but they need to be used the right way.

Make sure to clean and dry the box before placing clothes in it.

Do not put clothes in a box if it is even a little damp.

Do not store them in a humid or unheated place. A excellent indoor storage place.

If you’re storing garments for longer than a few months, make sure to check them every once in a while for dampness and/or smells.

Even the least delicate goods may be better stored in breathable or conservation-grade storage materials for longer-term storage.

How to Keep Seasonal Clothes Smelling Fresh

Seasonal clothing is a good way to free up space.

But clothes that are going to be stored for long periods of time are a different matter.

Doing a few things before packing clothes can prevent the need to wash and re-wash a whole season’s worth of clothes.

How to Store Winter Clothes Without Musty Smells

Check clothes for stains and dirt and check care labels for cleaning guidelines before storing for the season.

Jumpers and coats can get dirt and body oils.

Clean jumpers and coats and scarves according to care labels and make sure they are totally dry before storing.

Fold jumpers and coats and store them in a cool and dry place.

Storing Wool Coats, Jumpers and Delicate Fabrics

Wool is a very particular fibre and requires special attention.

As some wool fabrics have a low moisture regain, some woolen clothes can be hand or machine washed (using an approved program). Others require dry cleaning.

Many wool fabrics can lose their shape and consequently, a structured coat should be stored on a hanger.

Heavy knit jumpers can be folded and stored out of shape.

Dry cleaning does not protect fabrics and linings from damage.

For silk garments and other fabrics requiring special storage, a professional cleaning service can provide information.

For other garments, if you are unsure how to clean them prior to storage, you can seek professional advice from a dry cleaning service.

How to Keep Clothes Fresh in Suitcases

Suitcases are great for travelling, but not so great for long term storage of clothes.

Make sure your clothes are completely dry before packing, and that your suitcase is completely dry before use.

Don’t pack dirty clothes with clean clothes.

Seasonal clothes stored for a long period of time in a suitcase should be stored in a dry place indoors, and the suitcase should be inspected once in awhile.

Avoid storing the suitcase in a damp, musty place like a garage or a poorly ventilated Loft.

How to Prevent Damp Smells and Mould in Wardrobes

A persistent musty smell in clothes stored in a particular cupboard means that the environment is too damp for storage.

Simply rewashing the clothes will not prevent them from smelling musty again.

Recognizing Moisture Problems in Clothing Storage

These problems are often indicated by the presence of:

·         Condensation on walls or windows near your closet

·         Musty odor

·         Visible mold

·         Moist, damp areas behind furniture

·         Clothes feeling damp to the touch

·         Discoloration on walls or storage surfaces

If you notice any of the above, it may mean there is excess moisture in the room, or surrounding area, where your closet is located.

If mold is present, and dampness persists, you need to find the cause of the problem and get it fixed.

Do not store clothes in a moist, moldy space and risk ruining your clothes!

How to Improve Ventilation in Your Closet

Do not overcrowd your closet.

If you have the space, create a space around furniture in order for air to flow freely.

Properly ventilate the room and deal with condensation.

If you have a closet located on a cold, damp wall, you may want to consider relocating it to a different wall.

Do not dry wet laundry on a hanger in a closed-off, unventilated closet.

When to Use a Closet Dehumidifier

Use a moisture absorber in a small closet and an electric dehumidifier in a larger space.

The best option is dependent upon the size of the space and the source of the moisture.

Before using the dehumidifier, read the instructions. Keep the collection tanks and/or filters clean to prevent contaminating your clothes.

If mold is still present on walls after the use of a dehumidifier, then it probably will not be of long-term help in solving your moisture problem.

How to Get Rid of Musty Smells From Stored Clothes

Just because your stored clothes have a bad smell doesn’t mean they are ruined.

The right course of action relies on the fabric and what caused the odour.

When to Rewash Clothes After Storage

If the care label on ordinary clothes suggests they’re washable and they still have an odour after storage, a wash may help. Make sure you follow the instructions for the correct dosage of detergent and don’t overload the machine. Once the clothes are dry, store them in a clean, airtight container.

If you have ongoing problems with the smell of your clothes after they’ve been washed, read our article with more information and possible solutions.

How to Freshen Fabrics Without Washing

Some fabrics may simply need airing. If this isn’t the case then they may need to be washed.

Don’t apply household cleaning products or perfumes to delicate materials as they may damage the fabric or cause stains.

If you suspect any of your clothes has mould on it, don’t shake or brush it, as it may cause spores to disperse.

If you suspect you may need professional or specialist help, e.g. for valuable or delicate items, seek it before attempting to clean the items yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions About Keeping Clothes Fresh in Storage

How can I prevent my clothes from smelling musty when I store them?

Make sure to wash the clothes you plan to store carefully. Also let them dry completely. Make sure your storage containers and your wardrobe are clean. Make sure to store your containers airtight. The best place to store clothes is in a dry place. Make sure to check your seasonal clothes from time to time to see if they have a musty odor or if they are damp.

Why do clothes get musty when stored?

There are a few reasons for musty odors in clothes. Clothes can get musty because they are not well ventilated and moisture is left in the clothes. Clothes can also get musty if something is left on the clothes before they are stored. A damp storage container or box can also make clothes musty.

What can I put in my drawers to keep my clothes smelling fresh?

You can use fabric sachets made for fabrics. The most important thing is to make sure that the clothes stored in the drawers are completely dry and free of moisture.

Do vacuum storage bags keep clothes fresh?

Vacuum storage bags can be used to store dry, suitable clothes to prevent dust and also to save space. However, vacuum bags don’t keep clothes odor-free. Problems may occur due to the trapped moisture in the bags.

Should clothes be washed before putting them in storage?

It’s recommended to clean clothes before storage if they’re washable. Sweat, body oils, small stains, and other things can remain on clothes, even if they look clean. Follow the care label to make sure they are completely dry before storage.

Keep Your Clothes Fresh and Ready to Wear

Preserving the freshness of clothes in storage can seem difficult.

However, it can be simple when the right methods are employed.

There are several techniques that can help your stored clothes retain their freshness.

These techniques include: making sure clothes are completely dry before storing, using a moisture-regulated storage space, etc.

If you identify a musty odor on a stored piece of clothing, do not try to mask the odor by using a spray.

Rather, check to see if the conditions in the storage space are optimal.

If you’re planning to store a lot of clothes, it’s wise to have the clothes professionally cleaned before storing.

It is important to adequately prepare the clothes you intend to store for the next season.

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