The bite of winter’s chill is finally yielding to the warmer, sunnier days of spring. As the calendar shifts, so does our closet. Farewell heavy parka, hello lightweight sweater. It’s a relief for many to pack away their winter wardrobe and not think about it for months.
But understanding how to store winter clothes properly is essential if you want garments to endure beyond a single season. Down parkas can run anywhere from $100 to $2,000. No matter how much you spent, you don’t want to waste that investment. Storing winter clothes with durability in mind can turn a one-season coat into a multi-year staple, saving you hundreds — possibly thousands — over time.
5 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Cold-Weather Gear
You might be tempted to squash that down parka into a box and stow it in the attic. After all, you need the closet space for warmer attire. Resist that urge. Down needs ventilation. Follow the guidance below and let the coat hang freely in the closet. When you’re ready to wear it again — and who wouldn’t be — toss it in the dryer on low for roughly 10 minutes to fluff it back up.
Wool coats, on the other hand, can be kept in insect-proof garment bags and stored in an attic or basement. Continue reading for more practical pointers.
1. Fix Damage Before You Pack
Winter is rough on clothing. For many of us, it means snow, wind, slush and road salt. All of those elements can compromise the condition of your favorite cold-weather pieces.
Packing up winter clothing shouldn’t be a hasty process of stuffing items into plastic sacks, shoving them under the bed and calling it a day.
Start the storage process with repairs. And thanks to nationwide services, mending a tear doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive.
Patagonia provides free repairs for its branded apparel, for instance. Fill out a repair assessment form and Patagonia will handle the shipping and repair costs for your item.
REI also helps prolong the life of outdoor gear before you tuck it away. Whether it’s a backpack, jacket, shirt or winter footwear that needs attention, REI can assist and will give you a free estimate for repairs.
Tailor fees vary; for a moderate rip, expect $30 to $50. If you have a good rapport with a local cleaner, their seamstress may do it for less. On a cheap coat, a repair might not make financial sense, but if you spent $200+ and only used the coat for one season, consider fixing it.
2. Restore Waterproofing Before Storing
Many winter garments are treated to repel water — handy for the snow, sleet and slush that define the cold months.
But waterproof coatings don’t last forever. Before tossing boots or jackets into storage, be proactive and revive their water-repellent properties.
There are numerous waterproofing solutions available, commonly sold as sprays or brush-on treatments that dry fast and won’t noticeably change the fabric’s look or feel. Most are under $20 and will help your winter pieces withstand many more storms.
Whether you want to bolster a winter coat’s weather resistance or shield a cherished sweater, refreshing the waterproofing before you pack will save time and money next season and beyond.
3. Patch Small Tears Yourself
Even sturdy winter gear can get snags, holes or abrasions. While services like Patagonia and REI can repair many items, sometimes a quick DIY fix is faster and more economical.
Sewing isn’t everyone’s forte; it can be tedious and fiddly. But with the right supplies, you can easily mend minor damage with iron-on patches. (Side hustle idea for savvy sewers: offer quick repairs to friends and fellow winter sports enthusiasts.)
Iron-on patches are inexpensive — often less than $5 — and only require a hot iron to adhere effectively.
There are patches formulated for different materials: some suit nylon gear, others are for denim, and some work with standard cotton fabrics.
Most big-box stores carry iron-on patches, so a quick trip to your local Walmart or Joann Fabrics will let you prepare your winter wardrobe for long-term storage cheaply and quickly.
4. Keep Pests Away
Taking preventative measures is smart. Steps to deter clothing-loving pests like moths and mice will help keep your winter gear intact.
To repel moths and other insects, spend under $25 on a bag of cedar chips. Put the chips in the storage box, plastic bag or closet where you keep winter garments and let the cedar’s fresh scent naturally discourage pests. Cedar won’t harm fabrics, making it an inexpensive way to preserve clothing freshness.
While insects are often the chief threat, mice can also ruin clothing kept in long-term storage or hastily packed containers.
Aside from traps, ultrasonic mouse repellers are a humane and less messy option to deter these rodents.
For about $20, you can buy ultrasonic devices to place in closets, small spaces or attics to keep your winter items safe for another year.
5. Clean Everything Before Stashing It
It may seem obvious, but washing winter items before putting them away helps preserve fabrics and — bonus — keeps garments smelling pleasant the next time you reach for them.
To launder a down jacket, use a front-loading washer when possible (top-load agitators can stress or deform down). Wash the jacket with similar items, select cold wash and rinse cycles, and use a detergent made for down.
For synthetics and water-resistant fabrics like Gore-Tex, a damp towel with mild soap can usually remove the season’s grime. The same approach works for many winter shoes and boots.
Make sure down-filled items — and all winter gear — are completely dry before storing them for months. Down items can be put in a dryer on low heat. For other things such as boots, use a low-heat hairdryer or simply air-dry.
Winter clothing is seldom cheap and often affects your budget. From boots priced over $200 to specialized pants and accessories starting around $50, it pays to know how to store winter clothes properly. When done right, your gear will last for years — perhaps decades — and you could save enough to treat yourself to that ski trip you’ve always wanted.
If you’re preparing outerwear for storage or the season ahead, don’t forget to winterize your car as part of your seasonal checklist — coordinating care for both your clothing and vehicle will help you get the most from your winter investments.
Colorado-based lifestyle writer Hannah Reed focuses on wellness and seasonal living. She contributes regularly to Savinly.
