Released: June 07, 2001

Protect Winter Clothes During Summer Months

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Putting winter clothes away isn’t half as much fun as getting them out, but proper storage can protect clothing so that it will be free of moth and other insect damage and ready to wear when summer ends, said Marla Day, Kansas State University Research and Extension associate textile specialist.

People sometimes put off caring for winter clothing at the end of the season. Some are reluctant to spend the money to dry clean dressy or business clothes. Others say they don’t like the smell of mothballs, she said.

"While cleaning is recommended, mothballs are not – they are toxic to children. Adults shouldn’t touch them either, and, of course, the smell is difficult to remove," said Day, who offered these tips to protect woolens and other cold-weather clothes.

* Clean garments that have been worn. Food and other stains (from cosmetics, for example), and starch attract insects that may damage clothing. Use clothing care labels as a guide – some clothing can be washed and dried safely at home; dry cleaning often is recommended to prolong the life of dressy casual or business clothes.

* Ask the dry cleaner if a mothproofing agent is included in the dry cleaning solution – many offer the added protection without additional cost.

* Store clean clothes in a clean closet.

"Empty a closet before washing the walls and baseboards in it. If walls and woodwork are painted, consider adding a little unscented laundry bleach to wash water. Bleach is a disinfectant. It freshens the air in the closet as well, but remember to cover the floor to protect it from the wash solution. To complete the cleaning of the closet, vacuum or wash the closet floor," Day said.

Storing out-of-season clothing in an attic or garage that may not have adequate ventilation or a basement that may be damp is not recommended.

* Remove just-cleaned garments from plastic dry-cleaning bags, and hang clothing so that air can circulate around clean clothes. Crowding clothing may make it more attractive to insects, which can easily move from garment to garment.

* Store clean sweaters in a closet or unused suitcase. Vacuum the inside of a suitcase before using it for storage; place clothing in the suitcase, but don’t crowd it. Place the suitcase in the back of a closet or underneath a bed.

"Placing sweaters or other clothing in plastic storage tubs will not necessarily protect it," said Day, who noted that a tight ‘microenvironment’ can be subject to moisture or mildew damage. For example, if a sealed plastic tub is placed in a basement or other storage area that may occasionally become damp, the tubs may sweat. Condensation inside the tub can damage stored contents.

Storing clothing in cardboard boxes also is not recommended for long-term storage – cardboard may attract insects. Fabrics also may absorb the acids from the storage box, causing a permanent change in color.

Fabric garment bags or sweater cases, which allow clothing to ‘breathe,’ can add a layer of protection. Cedar also is thought to offer some protection, but its effectiveness diminishes with time.

And, it, too, is likely to be less effective if clothing is not cleaned before storage.

* Check stored clothing periodically.

"Moths like a dark environment – adult moths fly when exposed to light. To check a closet used as a storage area, keep the area dark until ready to check. If moths are present – they’re likely to fly when the closet door is opened and/or light turned on. Shifting the clothes slightly to make sure air circulates around them also can ‘wake up’ insects that might be present," Day said.

"Cleaning clothes can be costly, but it is important in protecting them. And, considering the cost of the clothing, the cost of dry cleaning them is a small price to pay for extending their wearability," she said.

For more information on clothing care, interested persons can contact the local K-State Research and Extension office.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson, Communications Specialist
npeterso@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News