You might not know it by the weather, but spring is around the corner!  According to our friends at KGW, this week could bring high temperatures to Portland (fingers crossed for a few sunny days!). While it may seem wild to think about packing away your heavy sweaters and boots when Mt. Hood is still expecting snow, it's smart to get ahead of the seasonal switch-a-roo. We all know in the PNW, when the sun comes out in the spring, you’ll be too busy enjoying the outdoors and drinking that Vitamin D (check out our last article—Getting Ready for a "Wild" Spring Break!) to want to deal with organizing.
Depending on your personal preferences, it may already be too warm for your thickest coats. Keep out the raincoat, it is Oregon after all. But, don't let this past week's grey skies and pouring rain fool you, April is a week away, and while we’ll absolutely see some April showers, that means May flowers and brighter days are on their way! So let's get a head start on making the wardrobe change from winter cold to warmer weather.
Let’s Start with the Basics
If you’re a regular on the Downtown Self Storage blog, you’ll know that we have a few pieces of advice that bear repeating when storing basically anything, but they especially apply to clothes.
Always check for damage before storing. Do the once-over now before putting away your stuff. Look for loose stitches, buttons that may be loose or need to be attached, any holes that can be mended, and clean stains before the item goes into storage. Better to deal with it now than have a surprise in six months!
Washing or dry cleaning heavy coats before storage is a great idea. More generally, making sure things are nice and clean before you put them away means you’ll be able to use them right away when you need them again! If a full cleaning isn't necessary, then spot clean. Dry anything you get wet thoroughly before hanging it up for another year to avoid mold, discoloration, and ruining your clothing.
Don't forget the feet! We have a blog on boot care if you’re looking to store your winter footwear as well! Now is a good time to check for worn soles that might need replacing, as well as the usual seasonal footwear clean-up. Our shoe maintenance blog has all-season tips for prepping your shoes and boots for storage.
Keeping Your Winter Layers Fresh for Next Season
Outdoor, ski, and snow gear needs cleaning even though it's resilient and "normal" washing is not necessary. By following the steps below, you’ll be able to store it with no issue. It may seem a little dicey to wash waterproof clothing like ski jackets and snow gear, but it's less complicated if you follow some basic steps.
First, always check the care labels! Many of these garments are often made from nylon treated with polymers that repel water while allowing sweat to escape, keeping you dry and warm. It’s best practice not to dry clean but to wash at home with very gentle laundry soap or a cleaning product made the type of material - like Nikwax's Down Wash Direct, Nikwax Waterproof Spray, or Rivevex's Down Cleaner.
Don’t forget to check your pockets. It’s incredible what accumulates—Kleenex, cash, keys, and all kinds of stuff that should be removed before cleaning and storage.
Step one is consistent with any apparel maintenance: check for spots, rips, zipper issues, etc. Next comes spot cleaning. Again, check the label. A gentle spot cleaning works wonders before it goes into the wash. Zip and button everything up before putting it in the machine. Wash at a low temp or even cold (back to checking the labels), then shake out and hang to dry. We believe it’s best to avoid the dryer. Once completely dry, and if you’d like to bolster the waterproofness of your apparel, spray with a waterproofing product like Nikwax Waterproof Spray.
Special tip: Hand wash waterproof gloves with a very light detergent or a specialized cleaner (examples listed above).
Let’s Talk About Wool
Wool is a winter favorite and easy to maintain with a few important things to remember. Keep your cashmere or other wool items away from hot water and the dryer!Â
Washing Washing heavy wool coats can be done by hand, but our recommendation is to dry clean. The good news is that the trip to the cleaners is usually infrequent; spot cleaning throughout the winter season usually does the trick, and wool stands up longer than most materials against odor from sweating.
Treat your cozy knits with care! If you are going to hand-wash your wool items, use a pH-neutral solution like baby shampoo—or better yet, a wool-specific detergent. There are plenty of eco-friendly options out there too! Gently wash your knits in cool to slightly warm, soapy water. When it's time to rinse, switch to cool water. Whatever you do, resist the urge to wring them out! Instead, lay your sweater flat on a towel, roll it up to gently absorb excess water, and then hang it on a standing hanger to finish drying. Your sweaters will thank you!
Hats, especially wool, are hand-washable and neglected by many. The same soap type applies to wash wool hats and even socks, as with knits. Wash in slightly warm water, let soak for 20 minutes on soapy water, then rinse in cool water.
To Hang or to Fold
Hang items that will wrinkle and fold items that will lose their shape. Sweaters usually fall into the fold category, jackets, on the other hand, like to hang. Use a waterproof garment bag to keep the coats dry and dust-free.Â
When folding, you can take things a step further and use acid-free tissue paper to add an extra layer of protection! This is super useful for vintage items, items that are super delicate, or otherwise valuable. The paper also prevents fabric snags and color transfer. Make sure to stack lighter items on top of heavier ones (another good general rule). Clear plastic bins are a great way to keep your sweaters in tip-top condition.
Bugs!
Moths and other little crawlies famously love natural fibers! Wool is an organic material, so why not? If you're tired of finding holes in your favorite sweater, try our tips; it’s better to be safe than sorry.
We recommend avoiding chemicals and using more environmentally friendly products—much safer for you and your skin. Cedar is our number one option! Pieces of cedar smell wonderful, and bugs hate it! It also lasts a very long time with just a little work. Shave or sandpaper the cedar down slightly when the cedar scent diminishes, exposing some of the new wood underneath. You can also purchase cedar oil to spray on the cedar planks for an extra boost.
Another fascinating trick is putting wool items in a plastic bag and freezing them for a few days to kill any moth eggs and larvae. Also works for bedbugs, but that's another blog!
Lavender sachets are also wonderful bug deterrents, and storing sachets of it with wool clothes is a great way to keep things insect-free and smelling fresh! They last for some time but, once gone, will need to be replaced. Refreshing an old lavender sachet will work for a bit; gently squeeze the packets to get any extra essence out.
Wrap it up Right!
With your winter wardrobe clean, organized, and safely tucked away, you're all set to welcome the sunny days ahead! Taking the time now to prep your gear means no surprises (or funky smells) when chilly weather returns. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy Portland's spring blooms, outdoor adventures, and everything else that makes this season so great.
So, cheers to a fresh start — and to your sweaters, boots, and ski gear being ready to shine when winter rolls back around. Happy storing!
And, whatever you’ve got to store, Downtown Self Storage has been the Pearl District’s choice for indoor self-storage for almost 40 years!Â
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DOWNTOWN SELF STORAGE - DAVIS STREET
Website: Davis StreetÂ
1305 NW Davis Street
Portland, OR 97209
503-388-4060
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1304 NW Johnson Street
Portland, OR 97209
503-388-4061