When it’s time to place your clothes in seasonal or long-term storage, you’ll need a plan to keep your wardrobe items smelling fresh – and away from mildew, moths and silverfish. Aside from learning the best ways to pack and protect your garments, most of all, you’ll want to keep them in a dark, cool and well-ventilated, commercial storage unit, home basement, garage or attic to avoid irreversible damage from sunlight and pests.

If you store your clothes without cleaning them first, you will attract pests who will munch on your clothing. Deodorants and perfumes that linger on clothing can also fade fabrics over time, so have your garments dry-cleaned or washed before placing them in storage. Avoid starching men's dress shirts and using fabric softeners on your family’s garments, because these chemical additives may attract moths and beetles to your clothes. When organizing garments for storage, it’s best to hang dresses, men's suits, blazers, formal wear, skirts and men's trousers on wooden hangers covered with polyester batting and unbleached muslin; do not use satin, wire or foam-covered hangers. Fold lightweight knits, baby clothes, jeans, T-shirts, shorts and embellished or sequined garments, to prevent these items from stretching out on a hanger.

Because mildew grows in humid and warm conditions, the best storage facility is dry, cool and airy. The ideal temperature is between about 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If you must store clothes in a basement, garage or attic, make sure that the space is well-ventilated, won’t expose clothing to heat, fumes or grease, and is not damp; generally, these spaces are not ideal for long-term clothing storage. You can also use a mechanical dehumidifier in non-air-conditioned spaces.

For seasonal or long-term storage, do not place linen, silks, leather clothing or cotton articles in synthetic garment bags, vacuum-sealed bags or plastic bags from the dry cleaner. These synthetic materials do not allow clothing to breathe and can trap in moisture and mold. Instead, cover suits, woolen or cashmere outerwear, leather goods and dry-clean only fabrics with breathable cotton sheets, white pillowcases, or muslin or canvas zippered garment bags to keep the dust off clothing during storage. Store coats in an acid-free wardrobe box with a built-in hanging rod -- but store fur coats only in a climate-controlled, professional fur storage facility to preserve pelts. Because the acids in cardboard boxes can cause linen and cotton clothes to yellow during long-term storage, wrap them first in acid-free tissue or unbleached cotton fabric. To further prevent damage, fold and store them in acid-free wardrobe boxes.

Keeping your boots and leather shoes in tip-top shape during their storage siesta is your highest priority. Use a wire brush to remove dirt from the soles. Next, wipe down leather shoes with a clean white cloth to remove surface dirt. Then clean the tops and sides of suede shoes with a suede brush. To retain their shape during storage, stuff boots with tissue paper, newspaper or boot trees. Also, slip shoe trees into loafers and lace-up shoes to keep your footwear pristine. For long-term storage, place leather boots, shoes and athletic footwear in lidded plastic storage containers.