How to Store Winter Coats for Summer

Steps

1. 01

   Vet every coat

   Pull all your coats out and try them on. Set aside anything that no longer fits, is worn past repair, or went unworn all winter, then donate or mend it now so you're not storing dead weight.

2. 02

   Empty and inspect

   Check every pocket for receipts, gloves, transit cards, and loose change, then shake each coat out over a bin. Run your hands along the seams and underarms looking for moths, tears, or stains you missed.

3. 03

   Clean before storing

   Dry-clean wool and structured coats, and wash down or synthetic fills according to the care label. Body oils and food stains left on fabric attract moths and set permanently over the summer.

4. 04

   Upgrade the hangers

   Move coats onto sturdy wooden or padded hangers that support the shoulders. Thin wire hangers distort the shoulder line of a heavy coat over months of hanging.

5. 05

   Bag wool, box puffers

   Slide wool and cashmere into breathable cotton garment bags. Keep down and puffer coats loosely folded in a lidded bin rather than vacuum-compressed, which crushes the loft and kills the warmth.

6. 06

   Add moth protection

   Tuck cedar blocks or lavender sachets into each bag and bin. Skip mothballs if you have kids or pets, since cedar and lavender deter moths without the fumes.

7. 07

   Store high and dry

   Move the stored coats to a top shelf or an under-bed bin in a cool, dark, dry spot. Avoid attics and damp basements, where humidity breeds mildew inside the fabric.