Tips to Keep Clothes Smelling Fresh in Storage

clothes hang

If you’re like me and have a lot of clothes that need to be stored, you know how important it is to keep them smelling fresh. 

Here are a few tips for making sure your clothes stay unwrinkled and fresh when they’re not in use:

Clean Your Clothes Before Storing Them

Use a mild detergent, such as Woolite, to wash the clothes. Make sure the clothes are dry before storing your items in a plastic container or bag.

Pack Small Sachets with Lavender, Vanilla, or Cedar Shavings, Then Place Them Among Your Clothes

To make the sachets, take a small piece of fabric and fold it into a triangle. Then secure with a string or piece of ribbon at the top. You can then place these among your clothes. For convenience, you can also use a muslin bag.

If you don’t have any lavender, vanilla, or cedar shavings to use as an alternative, try baking soda instead! 

Baking soda will absorb odor in clothing without leaving any residue. Replace the baking soda after a few days.

After Folding the Clothes, Put Dryer Sheets Between the Layers

Dryer sheets are known for their ability to keep clothes smelling fresh and free of static cling, but they’re also a great way to make your garments smell better. 

The scent from a dryer sheet is subtle enough not to overwhelm —but strong enough that you can still smell it even after years in storage.

You can use this trick on any type of clothing—or even non-clothing items like blankets or towels!

If You Have Access to Live Lavender or Rosemary Plants, Weave the Stems Into a Circle and Hang the Ring in Your Closet

Lavender is the best choice because it smells nice and is safe for dogs and cats, so you don’t have to worry about your fur babies checking out your closet. 

You can also use rosemary if you want something that’s not quite as fragrant, but still has a pleasant aroma and will help keep moths away. 

See my article on how to naturally keep moths away from your closet to read more about it.

Just Hang a Few Pieces of Fabric Softener Sheet on Hangers 

If you have a large storage area, you may be able to hang a few fabric softener sheets on hangers among your stored items. Hang them inside your closet or place a sheet in a bin.

The purpose of these sheets is not to freshen clothes but rather to absorb any odors and moisture that may be clinging to your clothes while they’re in storage.

The downside of this method is that the scent from fabric softener can sometimes leave behind a strong “clean laundry” scent. 

If you don’t mind the lingering smell of scented laundry detergent on your clothing, this method works well for keeping clothes smelling fresh during long-term storage periods.

Make Sure You’re Using Safe Products to Keep Your Closet Smelling Fresh and Clean

There are a few things to consider when it comes to the products you use to keep your clothes smelling fresh. 

First, don’t use harsh chemicals or toxic ingredients. Many of these products are not safe for humans and can cause allergic reactions, especially in children.

Next, make sure that the product is safe for storage with your clothing items. 

Some products contain chemicals that can damage fabrics or fade color over time; if you’re unsure whether a particular product will damage your clothes, test an inconspicuous spot first.

Finally, if possible try out different options on different pieces of clothing before buying in bulk so that you’ll know what works best with each type of fabric and garment type (like sweaters or silk).

Conclusion:

You can use these tips to keep your clothes smelling great and avoid that musty smell. 

Try some of the tips above yourself. I’m sure you’ll find one that will keep your clothes fresher and smelling fresh in storage longer.

Thanks for reading my blog.

-Baking Soda Guy

Photo by William Matt from Pexels