A storage unit is a space where you can store your clothes and belongings. This room is sealed up so that nothing can enter or exit without being checked by the person who owns it.
In this article, we’ll take a look at whether clothes will get ruined in a storage unit. Turns out it really depends on what types of fabric your clothes are and whether you have a temperature controlled unit or not.
We’ll also cover how to keep clothes from getting ruined as well as what clothes should be stored in your storage unit.
Table of Contents
Storing Clothes in a Temperature Controlled Storage Unit
Clothes can be stored in a temperature controlled storage unit without much worry of getting ruined. So long as clothes are clean before you place them inside, there is no chance of clothes getting ruined inside the storage unit.
While it is unlikely that dust will cause damage to clothes while they are inside the storage unit (as long as there isn’t any direct sunlight), clothes that are left in the open could accumulate dust which will stick to clothes and cause them to get ruined. This is why clothes should be clean before being placed inside of a storage unit.
Storage units provide a closed environment , so there’s little chance for clothes to get ruined . However, clothes can become wrinkled or creased which makes them no longer wearable, just like clothes you find on the floor after they’ve been walked on . So long as clothes remain clean while stashed away in a storage unit, clothes won’t get damaged.
Store clothes that are clean, dry, and sealed with airtight bags
When you’re moving into a new place or simply wanting to get rid of clothes that don’t fit anymore, it can be tempting to just toss them in the storage unit. But clothes will not stay clean and undamaged during storage if they are not stored properly.
If you want your clothes to last and remain in good condition, follow these tips: -Cleaning clothes before storing them away is key! Make sure clothes are dry and free from dirt or grime when you put them into the unit. This way, any dust particles won’t stick to them while they’re packed away, which could cause rips or tears later on when you go back for an item.
Store clothes in sealed bags.
Air does nothing but cause clothes to collect more dust, so keep clothes protected by sealing them up in airtight bags or containers.
If you really want to take this up a notch, use a vacuum sealer for your clothes. Not only will this keep them airtight, your clothes will also take up way less space. Taking up less space could end up saving you money on the size of storage unit you need.
Seal your unit tightly.
This keeps out any outside particles that could harm clothes, along with the temperature and humidity levels of the storage unit staying consistent. (Assuming it’s a temperature controlled unit)
Storing Clothes in a Non-Temperature Controlled Unit
Can Heat Ruin Clothes in a Storage Unit?
This is hard to answer, clothes can become ruined because of heat in a storage unit. It really depends on if the clothes are made out of certain materials. For instance clothes with cotton fabric should be okay but clothes with synthetic material will melt or deform after time.
It’s probably not a good idea to put wax paper or other sensitive items into storage, just because these are highly sensitive materials that could be easily damaged by the elements.
When you’re packing up clothing for storage, it might help to pay extra attention to the temperature guidelines for these items so you don’t put them in conditions where they could self-destruct or warp under extreme temperatures.
If this is a concern with some of your clothing, then opt for a climate controlled unit. It may cost you a little extra, but it’s worth it if it means protecting your sensitive fabrics.
Humidity Can Ruin Some Clothing Fabrics
While clothes will not get ruined in a temperature controlled storage room, clothes that are made out of certain fabrics may be susceptible to humidity. This is especially true with cotton clothes which can become warped after they have been exposed to water for an extended period of time.
If clothes are moisture-sensitive, it’s best to keep clothes away from the room’s humidity . Fortunately, most storage units have air conditioning so this shouldn’t be too big of an issue. However, if it’s a non-temperature regulated unit (normally cheaper outdoor units) then you could get yourself in trouble.
After all, you wouldn’t want clothes getting moldy, would you? That would most likely ruin them.
Check your fabrics to see which ones are sensitive to heat and/or humidity. For instance, fabrics like fur and leather are particularly susceptible to being damaged by heat and humidity.
Extra Info
Make sure clothes are folded neatly before putting them into the storage unit to avoid wrinkles
Make sure clothes are folded neatly before putting clothes into the storage unit to avoid wrinkles or rolls in clothes. Is this totally necessary? Maybe not, because most of us are probably going to re-wash clothes we pull out of a storage unit anyway, but it’s nice to know your clothes are being well maintained while they wait to be used again.
Label all containers so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for later on down the road!
Labeling clothes and containers alike will make it easy to find the clothes you’re looking for when it comes time to do some clothes-shopping on a budget (ie. going through your own stuff!)
Final Thoughts
With clothes tucked away in storage, you’ll have more room in your closet on any given day, which makes getting dressed less of a hassle! This means not having to dig through clothes racks or scramble around to find what clothes match up well.
Storage units provide security by keeping clothes safe from fires, floods, bugs or theft so that clothes can be easily retrieved whenever needed.
Just keep in mind that clothes will not stay clean and undamaged during storage if they are not stored properly. Clean clothes before storing them away is key! Make sure clothes are dry and free from dirt or grime when you put them into the unit.
This way, any dust particles won’t stick to them while they’re packed away, which could cause rips or tears later on when you go back for an item.
Store clothes in sealed bags. Air does nothing but cause clothes to collect more dust so keep clothes protected by sealing them up in airtight bags or containers. Finally, be mindful of the how the temperature and humidity could effect your clothing fabrics. When in doubt, get a temperature controlled unit!
