7 Steps to Organize & Prepare Winter Clothes for Spring Storage

Wool detergent Fabric shaver Storage box Another storage box Mesh bags

Zip up storage box Lavender sachet

When it’s a sunny 70 degrees outside it's tempting to toss all of your sweaters and winter clothes to back of the closet in exchange for lighter spring clothes. But you really shouldn’t, just yet.

Go ahead and wear the spring clothes, for sure.

BUT….

7 steps to organize & prepare your winter clothes for spring storage

This means putting away heavy sweaters, boots, coats, scarves, etc the RIGHT way first. Your life will be much easier when the temps turn cooler in the fall if you take a little time to properly organize your winter wardrobe. 

If you don't 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. Not fun or cheap to fix.

Here’s how you organize & prepare your winter clothes for spring:

1. Clean your sweaters. I wash 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 fold them 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

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. Check your pockets for forgotten treasures.

4. Evaluate your winter wardrobe. While you're cleaning, this is the perfect time to evaluate if you want to keep these 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 and 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. Store 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.

   Fold your sweaters to avoid permanent creases on the shoulders. Use lavender or cedar sachets in the drawers or fabric bins to keep them smelling nice and to ward off bugs. Cleaning them 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. You'll know exactly what you have and where it is so you don't waste time looking for your warmer clothes when you need them.

For more products like I mentioned in this post, see 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.