In the Houston area, storing clothes is mostly a fight against heat and moisture. Long, humid summers, mild winters and frequent rain mean the air in a closet can stay damp for months. Clothes that would sit safely in a dry climate can pick up mildew, odors, yellow spots and insect damage here. Good storage habits prevent most of that.
Clean everything before you put it away
This is the most important step, and the one people skip most often. A sweater or jacket that looks clean after one or two wears still carries body oils, perspiration, deodorant residue and small food or drink spills that you cannot see.
Over months in storage, several things happen to that residue.
- Oils and sugars oxidize. Spills that were invisible in spring can show up in fall as yellow or brown spots. By then they have aged and are much harder to remove.
- Insects are drawn to it. Clothes moth larvae and carpet beetles feed on animal fibers such as wool, cashmere, silk and fur, and they are especially attracted to fabric soiled with sweat, oils and food. A clean wool sweater is far less appealing to them than a worn one.
- Odors set in. Perspiration and smoke odors become harder to remove the longer they sit.
Clean or launder each item according to its care label before storage, and make sure it is fully dry before it goes into a bag, bin or drawer. Even slight dampness trapped in storage is an invitation for mildew.
Skip starch and fabric softener on items going into long term storage. Starch can attract insects, and both can leave residues that are better removed before clothes sit for months.
The thin plastic bag is for the trip home
Many dry cleaners return garments in a thin, clear plastic bag. That bag is meant to keep clothes clean on the way home and in the car. It is not meant for long term storage.
Thin plastic film traps moisture against the fabric. In a humid climate, that can lead to mildew and musty odors. Some plastics can also contribute to yellowing on light fabrics over long periods, and the bag can hold in any lingering cleaning or finishing vapors. When you get home, take the plastic off, let the garment air out, and then hang it or move it into a breathable cover.
Use breathable garment bags and containers
For hanging items, cotton or other breathable fabric garment bags are the better choice. They keep out dust and light while letting air move through. A clean, old cotton sheet draped over a rack works too.
For folded items, a few options work well:
- Breathable fabric storage boxes or bins
- Acid free tissue paper between layers for delicate items, which helps prevent creases and color transfer
- Plastic bins only for items that are completely clean and fully dry, kept in a cool, climate controlled room, and opened from time to time to air out
Avoid cardboard boxes for long term storage. Cardboard absorbs moisture, can harbor insects, and contains acids that can discolor fabric where it touches.
Choose the right spot in the house
Where you store clothes matters as much as how. In the Gulf Coast climate, attics and garages are poor choices. Attics can get extremely hot in summer, and heat speeds up yellowing, weakens fibers and can soften glues in shoes, bags and fused garments. Garages are humid, swing in temperature, and often hold fumes from cars, lawn equipment and chemicals. Both are also open to insects and rodents.
A closet or under bed space inside the air conditioned part of the house is usually the best option. Choose an interior closet over one on an exterior wall if you have a choice, since exterior walls can run cooler and collect moisture. Keep stored clothes off the floor and away from water heaters, laundry rooms and bathrooms.
Keep mildew away
Mildew is a type of mold. It grows on fabric when moisture, warmth and still air come together, and it can leave dark spots, a musty smell and weakened fibers. Natural fibers such as cotton, linen, wool and silk are especially vulnerable, but it can grow on dirt and residue on synthetic fabrics too.
To prevent it:
- Store only clean, completely dry clothes.
- Keep air moving. Do not pack closets so tightly that air cannot circulate between garments. Leave closet doors open now and then.
- Run your air conditioning, which also pulls moisture from the air, and consider a dehumidifier in rooms that feel damp.
- Moisture absorbing products, such as silica gel packs or calcium chloride containers, can help in small enclosed spaces. Keep them from touching fabric and replace or recharge them as directed.
- Fix leaks and condensation problems near storage areas.
If you find mildew, take the item out right away, let it air outside its storage space, and have it cleaned before it touches other clothes.
What cedar does and does not do
Cedar is a traditional choice for protecting wool, and it has some value. The oils in aromatic cedar give off a scent that can repel clothes moths and may kill very young larvae. It also absorbs some moisture and adds a pleasant smell.
Cedar has real limits. It does not reliably kill eggs or older larvae, and it will not rescue clothes that already have insects in them. Its effect fades as the oils evaporate, so cedar blocks and hangers lose strength over time. Lightly sanding the surface can refresh the scent. Treat cedar as one helpful layer of protection. Clean clothes, sealed or covered storage, and regular checks do most of the work.
Mothballs are a separate topic. They contain chemicals with a strong odor that clings to fabric, and they are meant to be used only in tightly closed containers according to the label. Many people choose to avoid them.
Fold knits instead of hanging them
Sweaters and other knits should be folded, not hung. Over months on a hanger, the weight of a knit pulls it downward, stretching the shoulders and leaving bumps where the hanger sits. Fold knits loosely, put the heaviest items at the bottom of a stack, and place tissue paper in the folds of delicate pieces.
Woven garments such as suits, coats, dress shirts and structured dresses do better on hangers. Use wide, shaped wooden or padded hangers that support the shoulders, and avoid thin wire hangers, which can distort shape and sometimes leave rust marks.
Check on stored items
Do not store clothes and forget them until next season. Every month or two, open bags and bins and look for:
- Musty odors or damp spots
- Small holes, loose fibers or webbing that point to insects
- Shed larval cases or fine, sandy debris in folds and seams
- New yellow or brown spots
Shake out and air items briefly, refold knits along different lines to avoid permanent creases, and refresh cedar or moisture absorbers as needed. Catching a problem early can save the rest of the collection.
Questions about a specific item
If you have a question about storing a specific garment, call Tomball Cleaners at (281) 357-8600 or stop by the counter at 28145 State Highway 249 in Tomball.