Think of storing your summer wardrobe the same way you think about storing a bottle of good wine: how you treat it now decides how it greets you later. Toss it in the wrong conditions and you’ll end up with something flat, funky, and barely recognizable. Store it properly, though, and you’ll uncork next May’s first warm day with clothes that feel as fresh as the season itself.
Most people treat seasonal storage like an afterthought: cram everything in a bin, shove it under the bed, and hope for the best. But clothes are moody—they wrinkle, fade, absorb weird smells, and hold grudges. If you want your summer wardrobe to survive hibernation with its dignity intact, you need to give it the send-off it deserves.
Here’s how.
1. Start Clean or Don’t Bother
Storing dirty clothes is a cardinal sin in the laundry room, right up there with washing whites and colors together. That “just one wear” linen shirt is holding onto body oils, sunscreen residue, and a faint whiff of tequila you probably don’t remember. Left unchecked, those turn into permanent stains, yellowing, and funky odors that no detergent can save next year.
Wash everything first. Yes, even swimsuits. Yes, even the T-shirts you swear look “fine.” Summer sweat has a long memory.
2. Fold with Intention
You don’t need to roll everything into military-grade cylinders, but sloppy folding guarantees wrinkles that set like concrete over months of storage. Lightweight fabrics like linen and cotton are especially prone to creasing. Fold them neatly and stack them flat—future you will be grateful when you don’t spend the first warm day of spring hunched over an ironing board.
3. Choose the Right Containers
Plastic bins work fine if you’re storing clothes in a clean, dry closet. But if you’re tucking things into a garage, basement, or attic—basically anywhere that smells vaguely like cardboard and regret—go with airtight containers.
Skip cardboard boxes entirely. They trap moisture, attract pests, and leave your silk cami smelling like last year’s moving day.
4. Store Your Clothes with Dryer Sheets
This is where most people drop the ball. Clothes in storage don’t just sit there—they marinate. And unless you intervene, they’ll smell like stale air when you dig them out next May.
The easiest hack? Slip some dryer sheets between the folds. It’s subtle, it’s effective, and when you use Laundry Sauce dryer sheets, they keep your clothes smelling like they vacationed in a five-star resort instead of a musty basement.
Plus, when you finally pull your clothes back out, it’ll feel like a small luxury: that little hit of fragrance that says, Oh right, I do have good taste.
No matter what your care tag says, these must-haves keep your clothes looking and smelling their best—minus the guesswork.
5. Store in a Cool, Dark Place
Light fades fabrics. Heat breaks down elastic. Dampness breeds mildew. Basically, the environment is out to ruin your wardrobe. The best spot is somewhere cool, dark, and dry—like the top shelf of a closet or under the bed. If you live somewhere humid, toss in a few silica packets to keep moisture in check. Your swimsuits will thank you.
6. Don’t Forget About Shoes and Accessories
Those woven sandals and straw hats need the same TLC. Clean them, dry them thoroughly, and store them separately so they don’t crush your clothes or lose their shape. Stuff shoes with tissue paper to help them keep form—rolled-up socks if you’re resourceful.
Elevate Your Off-Season
Your summer wardrobe isn’t disposable—it’s a collection. Treat it like one. Clean it, fold it, and protect it. By the time the sun comes back around, you won’t be unpacking stale leftovers. You’ll be uncorking a vintage: bright, crisp, and ready to wear.
So before you shove those linen shirts and sundresses into storage, remember—the clothes you love deserve the same care as the wine you save. Next summer, you’ll thank yourself with every fresh, perfectly aged piece you pull from the closet.
