How to Pack Away Winter
Well, it took a little while, but it appears spring has finally arrived in New Hampshire. With warmer temperatures and the sun shining, it feels good to leave the house without bundling up. Part of your spring cleaning routine should be packing away the winter gear. The changing of the seasons in and around the house not only keeps things uncluttered, but it’s practical, too. No one wants to trip over mittens and snow boots while they’re looking for sunglasses and flip flops. Finding a temporary place for those bulky sweaters opens up a lot of room in your closet, too.
How can you store your cold weather stuff efficiently so you know exactly where everything is and you are fully prepared when winter returns? We’ve collected a few ideas.
Gather
The first step is to gather coats, sweaters, and winter accessories and take inventory. This is a great time to get rid of the things you won’t wear again. If there are items of clothing you haven’t worn in a year or so, don’t bother keeping them. Donate outgrown kids’ coats, toss mismatched mittens or gloves and worn out boots that won’t last another season.
Clean
Once you’ve pared down the winter wardrobe, clean everything. Drop off all your coats at the dry cleaner to get them fresh for next winter. This is the time of year dry cleaners offer spring cleaning coupons and discounts — look for them online or in the mail. Items that are machine washable and less bulky can be cleaned at home, such as gloves, hats, and scarves.
Repair
Check for missing buttons, broken zippers, holes, or other damage. Mention it to the dry cleaner, who can make repairs, or do it yourself. You don’t want to be disappointed when you pull something out in November and can’t wear it because you forgot to fix it.
Treat & Protect
Boots should be wiped down or brushed to get rid of the winter grime that likely built up. Before packing them away, sprinkle a bit of baking soda into each boot or shoe. Baking soda will help absorb any odors, and keep them from spreading to whatever is stored with them. It’s a great idea to apply waterproofing treatment now, too, so they’re ready to wear when you need to pull them out at the first signs of a significant winter storm.
Store
When it comes to storage, plastic bins with tight fitting lids and vacuum seal bags will do the trick. Choose opaque bins to keep light out instead of clear bins. You can organize each person’s winter gear into his or her own container so that it’s easy to identify next winter. Putting winter clothes in extra suitcases you don’t use often is another good idea to save storage space. Put a sheet of white tissue paper in between each item of clothing in a pile. Clothing should not go in the attic or garage, where humidity and critters can wreak havoc.
Taking the time to properly pack away your winter wardrobe will not only cut down on the number of items that go missing between seasons, but you’ll also lengthen the lifespan of your clothing. Do you have any favorite tips? Please share them on our Facebook page.
Once you’ve packed away winter for good, go ahead and enjoy spring and summer!