How to store baby clothes

Whether you’re storing them for the short term while you move or as precious keep-sakes once bub has outgrown them, these simple steps will help keep baby clothes free from stains, mildew, mould and unpleasant odours while in storage.

Start by organising your baby clothes

Little people have surprisingly extensive wardrobes, not only in terms of the outfits they wear (they can easily go through three or four outfits per day) but also accessories, such as bibs, burping towels, flannelettes, nappies, waterproof pants, plushies and cotton blankie comforter toys (to name only a few).

When preparing to put your baby’s clothes and accessories into storage, it’s important to get them properly organised and inventoried. You don’t want to be rummaging through one box after another, probably in the middle of the night – just to find Ollie the giraffe when he suddenly becomes bub’s absolute must-have toy, despite that fact that he’s spent the past 6 months at the bottom of the toy chest.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to get organised and prepare baby’s clothes for packing and storage.

1. Wash and dry everything

Even if it looks clean. This will remove any lingering skin cells and food residues that could attract pests as well as preventing mould and mildew. It also removes left-over traces of chemicals and dyes that may remain in the fabric after manufacturing. Make sure all items are completely dry prior to packing to prevent musty odours.

2. Sort clothes by size, type and season

Separate summer and winter clothes, so it’s easy to only unpack the clothes you need for the particular season.

Pack all items of the same type into a single box. Inventory and label these boxes, so you can see at a glance which boxes contain the nappies and waterproof pants and which contain the jumpsuits and onesies, etc.

If you’ve ended up with certain items in a few different sizes, you can separate the clothes into three piles: those that bub has outgrown, those that fit, and those that they will grow into.

Choose the right storage containers

Acid-free archive boxes are ideal for storing baby clothes as they do not contain the acids that leech out of common cardboard boxes, causing damage, discolouration and deterioration of the fabric. They also allow airflow, which stops moisture from building up in the fabric and can lead to mould, mildew and musty odours.

Store bulkier clothes in vacuum-sealed polyethylene bags to save space.

Packing baby clothes and accessories into your storage unit

Label boxes clearly so that you know which items are stored where. Pack the items you’re likely to need access to closer to the entry of your storage unit. This will make it much easier to find bub’s clothes, bedding, toys and accessories when you need them.

Select a clean, modern, well-maintained, powered self storage unit that will protect your baby’s clothes and possessions. Where possible, add a climate control unit to ensure your stored items are protected against temperature extremes and humidity.

Lighting in your storage unit will make it easier to find things if you do have to make that midnight dash to retrieve a favourite toy that accidentally ended up in storage.

For more tips and advice on how to store baby clothes, toys and much more, talk to our friendly team today.