What are some ways to avoid storing and storing clothes? [Absolutely not allowed!]

This may be a sudden question, but are you taking proper care of and storing your clothes?

When taking out clothes that had been put away,

" It was out of shape ."
" There was insect damage ."
" It was yellowed and stained ."

Have you ever had an experience like this?

In particular, during the season when people change their clothes, they often take out clothes that they have put away and put away clothes that they have been wearing.
To keep your favorite clothes for as long as possible, it's important to know how to properly care for and store them after purchasing them.

Even if you go to the trouble of buying stylish clothes, if you store or keep them in the wrong way, they may lose their shape and ruin the stylish design.

This time, we will thoroughly explain the wrong ways to store and keep clothes .

I hope this will give you an opportunity to reconsider your daily storage and keeping methods and see if there are any problems!

table of contents

It is not a good idea to store clothes without washing or cleaning them!

Don't put away your clothes without washing or cleaning them!

Even clothes that don't look dirty at first glance and have only been worn a few times can have dirt such as sebum on them.
If you store your clothes in this condition, the dirt will penetrate the fabric of your clothes and cause yellowing or stains .

Especially in autumn and winter, when we don't sweat much, there are no noticeable stains or sweat marks, so we tend to put away or store our clothes without washing them.

However, in reality, invisible dirt such as sebum, dirt from the outside air, and food spills while eating and drinking gradually accumulate.
If you leave invisible dirt on the surface until the next season, various types of dirt will appear as yellowing and stains a year later.

Don't assume that it's okay because you've only worn it once .

Be careful, as people often store winter clothes such as coats without washing or cleaning them when they no longer need them.

In addition, oily and sebum stains from food spills on clothing are said to easily become food for pests that feed on clothing fibers (so-called clothing pests).
It's not uncommon to find that when you try to wear your clothes the next season, they have moth holes in them.

Correct storage method

As a general rule, you should wash any clothes you have worn at least once at home or take them to the dry cleaners, even in the middle of winter when you don't sweat much.
The correct way to store it is to wash it and then store it in a closet or somewhere similar.

In particular, it is a good idea to have your clothes dry cleaned before changing seasons and storing them for a long period of time.

However, if you wash your clothes at home, there is a risk that you may unknowingly damage your clothes if you wash them incorrectly or if you do not remove the stains properly.
If you're worried, it's best to have it cleaned.

Also, when you take out your clothes for seasonal changes, we recommend that you wash or dry clean them before wearing them.
If you store it for a long time, it may get wrinkled or pick up unpleasant odors from the closet or dresser.

Of course, when storing your clothes, be sure to clean not only the clothes but also the storage area.
This can cause your clothes, which you have just washed thoroughly, to get dirty again.

It's a good idea to do a light cleaning when you change your clothes, etc.

Your mood will improve if your clothes are always clean and comfortable to wear ♡

It is not recommended to store clothes with the plastic bag cover still on them after dry cleaning!

Don't let your guard down just because you've sent your clothes to the dry cleaners.

It's not widely known, but you should never store your clothes with the plastic bag cover still on them after dry cleaning!

Plastic bag covers are not breathable, making it difficult for air to circulate inside and making them more likely to trap moisture.
Excessive humidity can lead to mold and mildew and create an ideal environment for it to grow.

Some people may feel that leaving it on somehow helps maintain a clean appearance, so they choose to leave it on, but this actually has the opposite effect.
Please remember that this is absolutely not allowed .

If you have any clothes on, remove them now!

Humidity can also lead to mold and mildew as well as damage to clothing caused by insects.
Some clothing pests prefer moist environments.

It can also cause your clothes to become more easily discolored.
When gases such as nitrogen in the air accumulate and come into contact with clothing, the components of the gas cause the pigments to break down, resulting in discoloration.

In particular, you should be careful with clothes that will be stored for more than six months, such as winter coats and down jackets.

Correct storage method

The plastic bag cover that comes with your item after cleaning is not for storage.
It simply serves as a simple protective sheet to prevent it from getting dirty when you take it home.

So, when you bring it home, remove the plastic bag cover immediately and store it in a well-ventilated place.

However, they may be covered with a non-woven fabric cover to protect the clothing from dust and dirt.
Non-woven fabric covers are breathable, unlike plastic bag covers, so there is no problem using them for storage as is.

It's also a good idea to check the finished garment immediately after removing the plastic bag cover.
In fact, cleaning problems are surprisingly common.

Depending on the fabric of the clothing, dirt and stains may be difficult to remove, or the clothing may shrink or other abnormal conditions may occur.
When you remove the plastic, you might find that it's someone else's clothing...

Early inspection can help you avoid or resolve various issues quickly.
If you find any problems, they may be able to fix them immediately after cleaning, so be sure to check the finished product.

The best place to store your clothes is out of direct sunlight and in a place with as little humidity as possible.
If you store your clothes in the wrong place, all your hard work in cleaning may be ruined!

It is not a good idea to store your clothes on hangers that do not fit them!

Don't store your clothes on hangers that don't fit!

Hanging clothes on a hanger that does not fit the size or shape of the clothes can cause them to lose their shape or become damaged.
Some people may use hangers of the same shape to keep their clothes organized, but this is actually a no-no.

Hanging everything on hangers has become popular recently, but depending on the fabric, the shoulders may become distorted or stretched.
Also, thin hangers can reduce breathability, which can lead to mold and discoloration.

Because of gravity on Earth, there is always a downward force that pulls something down when it is hung on a hanger.
You may be casually hanging your clothes on a hanger, but there is always the risk that they will lose their shape.

Of course, this is not always the case, as there are also clothes made from synthetic fibers that do not lose their shape easily.
However, it is important to remember that clothes tend to lose their shape when hung on a hanger.

Correct storage method

There are many different types of hangers to suit not only clothing but also other fashion items.
They vary in size, shape, and material, and are suited to different uses.

Therefore, it is important to choose the appropriate hanger depending on the size and fabric of the clothes to prevent them from losing their shape.

■ Types of hangers

• coat hanger
• jacket hanger
• Dress shirt and blouse hangers
• Pants and skirt hangers
• Tie and belt hanger
• Hangers for kimono
• etc...

Choosing the right hangers for your clothes will also help them last longer.

We will introduce how to choose the best hangers for each fashion item.

■ How to choose a hanger

Dress shirts and blouses (thin tops)	A hanger that is neither too thick nor too thin. A hanger that is the same width as your shoulders.
Coats and jackets (heavy clothing)	Thick hangers made of durable material
Pants and skirts	Hangers with clips called "slacks hangers" or "skirt hangers"
Ties and belts (accessories)	Hangers with hooks that fit the shape of small items

If you are storing clothes for a long period of time, we recommend using thick wooden hangers.

Wooden hangers have the ability to absorb moisture, are breathable, and are expected to be effective in preventing mold, insects, and odors.
This prevents damage to clothes even when stored for a long period of time.

Furthermore, thicker hangers provide a wider surface area to firmly support your clothes, reducing the risk of your clothes stretching under the weight.

Wire and plastic hangers are inexpensive and readily available, and many of them come in stylish designs, making them convenient for hanging out laundry, but they are not suitable for long-term storage.
If you don't like wooden hangers because they're expensive, you can use plastic hangers instead.

However, thin tops such as dress shirts and blouses are best suited to narrow hangers as they are light and have narrow shoulders.

Clothes that shouldn't be hung on hangers

In the first place, you need to be careful because there are some clothes that are better not hung on hangers depending on the fabric, etc.

In particular, if knitted materials are left hanging on a hanger for a long period of time, the fabric may not be able to withstand the force of gravity and may stretch, especially around the shoulders.

■ Clothes that should not be hung on hangers

• hoodie
• Sweatshirts
• Knit sweater
• Cotton T-shirt
• etc...

It is recommended that you fold the above types of clothing neatly and store them in a dresser or clothing case to prevent them from getting wrinkled or losing their shape.

Some hangers do not have shoulder protrusions.
If you really want to store knitwear and T-shirts on hangers, we recommend using hangers with rounded shoulders.

Additionally, some hangers have anti-slip pads to prevent the shoulders from slipping, providing firm support for even heavy garments.

It is not recommended to store clothes without using insect repellent or deodorizer!

Don't store your clothes in a place without using insect repellent and deodorant!

Clothing pests are hard to see, so they can breed and create holes in your clothes without you even noticing.
In particular, high-quality natural materials such as wool, cotton, linen, and cashmere are known to be susceptible to damage from clothing pests, so care must be taken.

You don't want your favorite clothes that you paid a lot of money for to be ruined, right?

Be sure to keep moth repellent in your closets and dressers where you store your clothes.

Additionally, odors tend to linger in enclosed spaces such as closets and dressers.
Therefore, it is also necessary to bring a deodorizer along with insect repellent.

Unscented deodorizers are fine, but if you're concerned about everyday odors, you might want to choose a scented deodorizing air freshener .
However, if the scent is too strong, it may mix with your natural odor and turn into a bad smell, so we recommend a subtle scent.

By the way, even if you use insect repellents or deodorizers, it is not a good idea to place them carelessly or to use insect repellents or deodorizers that are not intended for clothing.
Each insect repellent and deodorizer has its own specific placement and location.

Correct storage method

Be sure to keep at least one insect repellent and deodorizer in your clothing storage area.

However, placement is important in this case.

Insect repellents and deodorizers require a certain amount of space to store.
This is because it is necessary to spread the insect repellent and deodorizing ingredients around the clothing.

If you store your clothes in a closet, it's a good idea to hang them on hangers with mothballs or deodorizers between them.
If you are using a bottom-mounted insect repellent or deodorizer, place it near the center of the storage area.
If you have a large closet, it is important to adjust the volume and number of insect repellents and deodorizers depending on the size of the storage area.

Also, if you store your clothes in layers in a dresser or wardrobe, place mothballs and deodorizers on top.

By the way, while insect repellents are effective in protecting clothes from clothing pests, they are not effective against pests such as cockroaches and flies.
Therefore, if you want to prevent pests other than clothing pests, you need to choose an appropriate type of insect repellent.

Before using insect repellents or deodorizers, be sure to check how to use them.

It is not recommended to store clothes without using a dehumidifier or desiccant!

Never store your clothes in a storage area without using a dehumidifier or desiccant!

In order to store clothes for a long time while maintaining their quality, dehumidifiers and desiccants are just as important as moth repellents and deodorizers.
This is especially essential in humid seasons and environments.

Storing clothes in a humid place can cause mold and yellowing.

In particular, closets and dressers are closed spaces where air does not circulate and moisture tends to accumulate.

It is important to store clothes with adequate space between them to prevent moisture from accumulating, but there are limits to what you can do with just that.
To ventilate the storage area, it is important to set aside days to open the doors and drawers, and to take thorough measures to remove moisture using dehumidifiers and desiccants.

Correct storage method

Be sure to keep a dehumidifier or desiccant in your clothing storage area. You can also store them in the same place as mothballs and deodorizers.

Recently, there is a wide range of dehumidifiers and desiccants available that have anti-mite, anti-yellowing, and deodorizing properties.
It is useful for storing your favorite clothes and other items.

Also, if you install a dehumidifier or desiccant, it is effective to place it in a place where the air tends to stagnate, such as a corner of the storage area.

It is not a good idea to store clothes packed too tightly!

Don't pack your clothes too tightly!

Packing your clothes too tightly is something you should never do if you want to keep your clothes looking nice and lasting.
Clothes are pressed together, which can cause stubborn wrinkles and deformation depending on the fabric.

Also, when the contents are packed tightly together, the insect repellent and deodorizing ingredients are less likely to spread evenly, reducing their effectiveness.
The amount of clothing should be limited to about 80% of the storage space, leaving gaps to allow insect repellent and deodorizing ingredients to easily spread.

Furthermore, the dehumidifying effect of dehumidifiers and drying agents will weaken, and clothes will overlap, reducing breathability and making it easier for moisture to build up.
Humidity can lead to mold, yellowing, and the development of clothing pests.

This is true for any storage space, such as closets, dressers, and clothing cases, and there are no exceptions.

Correct storage method

Aim to keep your storage space usage to around 80% .
It is important to avoid over-packing and to create space, and to be conscious of having ample storage space.

Having more space not only helps prevent wrinkles, but also makes it easier to see and reach your clothes, making them easier to manage.

If you have so many clothes that they end up being crammed all over your closet, it's a good idea to sort them by color or type.
If you have a dresser or clothing case, using dividers or book stands will make it easier to sort.
By simply sorting your clothes, you may be surprised to find similar clothes or clothes that you don't need.

Also, if you don't wear bulky outerwear or knitwear during the off-season, it's a good idea to reduce the space they take up in the compression bag.

If you're not good at organizing, start by clearing up space in your storage area.

It is not good to store clothes by folding them carelessly!

Don't fold your clothes carelessly!

If you store it in a crumpled and wrinkled state for a long period of time, the pressure will cause stubborn wrinkles to form.
If your clothes have lines or wrinkles in odd places, you may not be able to wear them right away when you want to.

In particular, clothes made from materials such as cotton, linen, and rayon are prone to wrinkling, so be sure to fold them neatly.

If you store your clothes in a dresser or wardrobe, you will end up with a lot of clothes and will tend to store them in a haphazardly folded state, so you need to be careful.

Correct storage method

It may seem obvious, but the golden rule is to store clothes neatly folded so that they stay wrinkle-free for as long as possible.
If you don't know how to fold neatly, learn now.

Also, when folding and storing in a dresser or clothing case, storing them upright rather than stacking them makes it easier to see the whole picture at a glance and manage them.

Furthermore, by using dividers or book stands, you can roll up the books and store them upright without them getting wrinkled.
Thick tops such as hoodies and sweatshirts are less likely to wrinkle and can be stored compactly.

Let's make some improvements so that your favorite clothes don't end up buried deep inside your dresser or wardrobe and collecting dust!

The last resort is decluttering

Have you ever bought clothes impulsively and then realized that you had more than you expected?
People who fold and store their clothes carelessly tend to have too many clothes.

If you are one of those people, try decluttering regularly .

It is a good idea to change your clothes frequently and get rid of any clothes that you haven't worn even once in a year.
The first step to proper storage is to throw away clothes you don't wear and free up space in cluttered storage.

Even if you fold and store your clothes carelessly, you can always reset them and start over at the end of the day.

Also, if you find yourself shopping without knowing the type and amount of clothes you own and end up with a lot of similar clothes, try decluttering.

Do not store your clothes in cardboard boxes or paper bags!

Don't put your clothes in cardboard boxes or paper bags!

It's not widely known, but clothes and cardboard (or paper bags) do not mix well together, so storing them for long periods of time is absolutely not recommended.

At first glance, cardboard seems like an effective storage space, as it comes in a wide variety of sizes, can be repurposed, and is inexpensive.

However, because cardboard and paper bags are made of paper and have high water absorption and water retention properties, humidity tends to increase inside the boxes, making them prone to the growth of clothing pests and mold .

In fact, many people have stored their clothes in cardboard boxes or paper bags and have experienced damage from insects and mold.

Even if there appears to be no problem at first glance, there may be eggs of clothing pests attached to the cardboard or paper bags.
If you put clothes inside, they may be eaten by the eggs after they hatch, which may result in worm holes appearing.

In particular, since cardboard boxes cannot be sealed and there is not enough space inside, even if you use insect repellents, deodorizers, dehumidifiers, or desiccants, they will not be fully effective.
The smell of the cardboard itself can transfer to your clothes.

Cardboard boxes and paper bags are fine for temporarily storing clothes when moving, but keep in mind that they are not suitable for storage.
By the way, suitcases also have poor ventilation and tend to trap moisture inside, so you should avoid using them as storage locations.

Correct storage method

If you want to store your clothes folded, store them in a dresser or wardrobe instead of a cardboard box.

Plastic clothing cases are not as expensive as cardboard boxes, but they are often cheaper and come in a wide variety of sizes and designs.
Transparent plastic clothing storage makes it easy to manage your clothes, as you can see the clothes inside even when the lid is closed.

Even though cardboard is cost-effective, do not use it as a substitute for dressers or storage cases.

Do not store clothes in places exposed to fluorescent light or ultraviolet rays from sunlight!

Do not store your clothes in fluorescent light or in the UV rays of sunlight!

Sun exposure can cause clothing to deteriorate, fade, and become discolored.
When clothing is directly exposed to fluorescent light or ultraviolet rays from sunlight for a long period of time, the dyes that have soaked into the fabric undergo a chemical reaction, causing discoloration.

In particular, if clothing is continuously exposed to direct sunlight's ultraviolet rays, it will deteriorate rapidly.

The susceptibility of clothing to sun damage varies depending on the material.
Be careful with natural materials made from animal proteins such as wool, cashmere, and silk, as they are sensitive to light and easily deteriorate.

Correct storage method

Store it in a place away from light for a long period of time.
A shady, dark place with low humidity is best.

Direct sunlight on dry clothes can damage them even for just a few hours, so this is a big no-no!
If you do dry your laundry outside, try not to leave it out for too long.

What is also not widely known is that fluorescent light is also bad for clothing.
You will need to make sure that the storage location is not constantly exposed to fluorescent light.

Of course, there is no problem if it hits you when taking out or putting away clothes.

Basically, once clothes have faded and discolored, unlike odors, they cannot be restored to their original state.
Among the various prohibited actions, there is one that you should be especially careful about.

Summary: It's up to you to make your clothes last longer

What did you think?
I'm sure some of you have some idea of ​​storage methods that you should not do.

If you want to wear your favorite clothes for a long time, be sure to follow the correct storage methods we have introduced so far.

By paying attention to a few simple points when storing your clothes, you can significantly extend the life of your clothes.

Please use this as a reference during the season when you will be taking out and storing a lot of clothes!