7 Steps to Organize & Prepare Winter Clothes for Spring Storage

When it’s a sunny 70 degrees outside it's tempting to assume spring is here for real and forget all about your sweaters and winter clothes. Bring on the lighter spring clothes! But you really shouldn’t, just yet. #fauxspring

But it is a good idea to start the process of preparing your winter clothes for storage. Especially the heavier sweaters in darker colors, heavy coats, and other accessories that you’re no longer wearing.

This post is for anyone anywhere but understand in the south spring comes quickly!

7 steps to prepare your winter clothes

for spring storage

Store winter clothes the right way so they are ready for you when cooler temps return. This means putting away heavy sweaters, boots, coats, scarves, etc the RIGHT way first.

If you don't properly put winter away first, you run the risk of ruining your clothes, shoes, boots, coats, etc. and losing an investment you made in your wardrobe. This happened to me several years ago. The drawer where I had stored my sweaters had a moth infestation so I had to throw away every single sweater that was in it.

Follow these steps to prepare your clothes and winter gear for storage :

1. Clean your sweaters. Whether you dry clean or wash at home, make sure your sweaters are clean before putting them away. I was a lot of my wool and cashmere sweaters and scarves in mesh bags on the gentle cycle in my washing machine with a sweater detergent. After they dry on every flat surface in my bedroom, I depill, fold, and put them away. 
   
   DO NOT store sweaters or winter clothes in plastic bags, like the ones from the dry cleaners. They are natural fibers and need to breathe. Store in cotton zip up boxes if you need to contain them. This one fits under your bed.

   This is a fun follow on Instagram for all the expert cleaning advice.
   
   

2. Don't forget to clean your scarves & shawls. These sometimes get overlooked in the coat closet but the same applies: they need to be cleaned before putting away.
   
   

3. Dry clean winter coats & hats that can't go in the wash. If you wore it, clean it. Don’t forget to check your pockets for forgotten treasures.
   
   

4. Evaluate your winter wardrobe. AKA Declutter now! While you're cleaning is the perfect time to evaluate if you want to keep all of your winter clothes.
   Did you wear everything? If it doesn't fit or flatter, determine what you can do to make it work. Alterations needed? New buttons? Right shoes or top to wear with it?
   If not, it's time to pass it on to someone else. Do NOT let it take up valuable real estate in your closet if you don't wear it or love it. Give to a friend or donate to charity.
   
   

5. Match up gloves & mittens. I can't tell you how many hall closets I've worked in that had a bin of single mittens and gloves. Make a concerted effort to find the mates and then get rid of any remaining singles. 
   
   

6. Clean your boots and other winter shoes. This is so important, especially if they have salt or mud on them. Depending on the condition of the boots or shoes, you may have to get them professionally cleaned.
   At a minimum, get all of the dirt off the heels and soles.
   Now is the time to evaluate if they need repair like new tips or soles.
   
   

7. Pack away. All of these clothes that you're not going to wear for a while can now be placed in a less convenient location in your closet or home. Everything that you're currently using and wearing should be at eye level or have the easiest access.
   
   Experts agree that clothing to be stored for longer periods is best done in fabric containers so that they can breathe. There are a variety of options but these fit under the bed and these fit well on shelves.

   Fold your sweaters to avoid permanent creases on the shoulders. Use lavender sachets in the drawers or fabric bins to keep them smelling nice and to ward off bugs.

   Don’t forget about protecting your hanging clothes. Again, take them out of the plastic before storing.

   Cleaning everything first is essential!

It may seem like a lot to do at once but if you put winter clothes away properly, they'll be ready to wear when cooler temps return. Cleaning a few sweaters at a time makes the task a little less arduous. Focus first on the really heavy clothes in darker colors that are meant for fall & winter.

For all of the products I mentioned in this post, see the links below.

Click the photo to get links to these products.

I also have more recommendations on my Amazon Spring Cleaning & Organizing Shop. This is an affiliate link and I may receive a small commission if you purchase at no additional cost to you.