Spring is THE favorite season in our house. The moment the temps rise above 55-degrees my kids are begging to wear shorts as they run outside to play.
Some of my boys’ bigger winter clothes from this year may still fit them in the fall. Fingers crossed! So, I make sure to store them safely so they look as good as new in September.
Over the years I’ve come up with a simple little process for keeping not only my kids’ clothes looking new but also making sure they’re organized so I don’t forget about them. It’s happened more than once….
Now that spring is here, we’re sharing a few easy tips for how to store winter kids’ clothes. These tips work equally well if you want to pack away one kid’s clothes as hand-me-downs for your younger kids as they grow.
How to Store Winter Kids’ Clothes Quickly and Easily
- Keep A Hand-Me-Downs Bin in the Closet
It took me a few years before it dawned on me that I could sort my kids’ clothes throughout the season rather than all at once. In their closet are several bins with one dedicated to clothes that no longer fit but are still good enough to save.
Find a shirt that doesn’t fit? Throw it in the bin! Super simple and a huge time saver. And it keeps clothes that are too small from cluttering up their closet and drawers – my favorite part! - Wash Clothes Before Packing Them Away
Yes, this tip does require extra laundry but it’s worth it! I like to put away clothes when they’re fresh and I confidently know they’re clean – and not going to sit for the next six with who knows what on them. - Label Each Bin by Size
If you don’t have a ton of clothes to store, you can probably skip this step. But, if you have a lot of clothes to sort or just want to stay hyper-organized, organizing clothes by size can be a big help. - Opt for Quality Bins Stored in a Dry, Cool Room
Choose storage bins with lids that fit snug, or clamp shut. This will keep stale air, moisture, and bugs far away from the clothes you’re trying to protect. Old moving boxes are not your friend when you’re trying to keep hand-me-downs looking like new.
No matter what bins you choose, store them in a cool, dry room. Damp basements and humid attics aren’t the best choices for textile materials sensitive to mold and mildew should one of the bins crack or break.
When You’re All Done with Your Hand-Me-Downs, Swap Them for Bigger Sized Clothes
When your youngest child eventually grows out of the kids’ clothes you’ve stored, swap hand-me-downs with other families. It’s the most eco-friendly and cost-effective way to extend the life of your kids’ clothes so you end up buying less.
At Hunt + Gather, we’ll take your ‘like new’ hand-me-downs and swap you for secondhand styles in your child’s new size – and style. Take our Kid’s Style Survey to get started.