Storing delicate fabrics is more than just packing away your wedding dress or stuffing your heirloom table runner into a box. It’s a chance to preserve cherished memories and keep your pieces beautiful for years to come. Knowing how to properly protect these fabrics is tricky, so we’ve compiled all the best fabric storage solutions for your delicate items.
Why It Matters
Let’s start by defining “delicate fabric.” Anything with a complex weave or decorations is usually considered a delicate fabric. This includes materials like silk, cashmere, wool, linen, chiffon, satin, lace, etc., and clothes with embroidery or beading, like wedding or prom dresses.
Properly storing these fabrics is crucial to prevent damage like snags, discoloration, and deterioration. With a few simple steps and basic fabric storage techniques, you can keep fabrics intact, colors vibrant, and enjoy your clothing, decor, and keepsakes for years.
Getting Delicate Fabrics Prepped for Storage
Successful storage of delicate fabrics starts with proper preparation.
Inspection
Before packing up your delicate clothing or fabrics, give them a thorough once-over. Check for any loose threads, tears, stains, or other damage. Take care of any mending and repairs before diving into other fabric storage solutions.
Cleaning
Your fabrics need to be completely clean before you put them into storage. Residual dirt, oils, or stains get harder to remove the longer they stay on the fabric, possibly resulting in permanent damage. They can also attract pests, which can quickly destroy your delicate items.
Delicate fabrics generally require special attention when washing. Delicate cycles with gentle detergent or hand washing can generally do the trick, but more intricate items like wedding dresses should be taken to the dry cleaners. Look at the tag for specific instructions for each piece, and when in doubt, go for the gentler cleaning option.
Give your fabrics plenty of time to get 100% dry before you start packing them to prevent moisture buildup, mold, and mildew during storage.
Fabric Storage Solutions: Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices
Once your clothes and fabrics are clean, dry, and ready to go, it’s time to pack them up and find the right storage spot. Let’s go over a few pointers to keep your fabric in good repair.
Packing Materials
It’s crucial to choose the right materials when packing delicate fabrics, as certain boxes and padding can be acidic or short-lasting, which ruins both your fabrics and the packaging.
Don’t Use
- Temporary fabric storage solutions like plastic bags
- Vinyl clothing covers
- Cardboard boxes
Instead, Use
- Muslin garment bags or other breathable materials
- Acid-free tissue paper
- 100% undyed, untreated cotton
- Plastic bins—but be sure to put something between your fabrics and the plastic and air out your items frequently to prevent moisture buildup
Hangers
Heavy items like wedding dresses tend to get stretched out when they’re hung up. Wire or plastic hangers are especially likely to leave dents in your sleeves or stretch out clothes, and wire hangers can leave rust marks. If you must hang items, use padded hangers to protect them.
Folding Techniques
Folding delicate fabrics creates creases and weak spots that can lead to damage, so the ideal fabric storage solution is laying items out flat or rolling them.
This can be difficult with larger pieces, so if you do need to fold them to fit a space, don’t stress. Get them down to a more manageable size using as few folds as possible, fold along seams, and pad folds with acid-free tissue paper or cotton. Refold your items every once in a while to prevent damage and give your items a chance to air out.
Storage Conditions
Delicate fabrics do best when kept in cool, dry, dark areas that stay at a consistent temperature and humidity. Finding a space like this can be difficult if you live in a humid or variable climate, especially if your storage areas like the garage or attic don’t have central air or heating.
Climate controlled storage units are great fabric storage solutions for keeping your pieces cool, dry, and safe throughout changing seasons. Find a storage unit at Protection Self Storage. We offer climate controlled units and prioritize security so your fabrics will stay safe.
What About…?
Different fabrics require different care. Here’s a closer look at a few fabric storage solutions where you’ll want to give your belongings a little extra attention before storage.
- Cashmere: Always fold rather than hang cashmere and be sure to use moth traps or other pest prevention.
- Silk: This one shouldn’t go in the plastic bins. Make sure your silk is stored in an area with plenty of air circulation and breathable materials.
- Antique pieces: Archival boxes are specially designed to preserve fabrics. They can be expensive, so they’re best used when you really need them, like for vintage heirlooms.
Preserve Your Fabrics with Protection Self Storage
At Protection Self Storage, we understand the sentimental value that comes with different clothing, decorations, or other fabrics. That’s why you can always find the best fabric storage solutions with us, including climate controlled options.
If you need a safe place to store your delicate fabrics, Protection Self Storage is your answer. Head to our main site to find your unit today.