Now that summer has unofficially begun, it feels safe to pack away all the truly cold-weather pieces in my closet. Here are 3 important things to do right now to maintain your wardrobe, year in and year out.
1) Always clean your wool and cashmere pieces before packing away.
Moths LOVE soil and stains. And, leaving dirt and body oils on the fibers will cause them to deteriorate more quickly. PRO TIP: you can wash at home! Click here to read how; or take everything to your favorite dry cleaner.
Click to shop these wash-at-home supplies ↑
2) Clean your shoes and boots before packing away.
Wipe off any dirt or debris and/or take to a cobbler to restore the leather and heels or toes. Leather will dry out and crack if not treated regularly and replacing a heel can add years of life to your shoes or boots. Don't have a cobbler close by or want to try something new? Click here for a new online cobbler service which looks so cool and easy to use. Thank you Annie Sullivan for the recommendation!
3) Launder your jeans and other washable items before packing away.
They will be fresh and ready to go when you need them next Fall. I machine wash my jeans inside out in cold water, delicate cycle, then pop them into a hot dryer for 5 minutes (tops!) to steam, then hang on “clippy” hangers to dry completely. Stand right beside your dryer if you do this—don’t walk away and forget about them in there. Here’s more info on the best way to wash denim. PS—When it comes to jeans, I recommend owning different washes and silhouettes. Here are 3 great examples:
Bonus tip: Pack items away by category: all your tops together, all your pants, dresses, T-shirts, etc. Hang what you can, in color and garment order, in other closets and/or use clear plastic bins to protect everything while allowing you to see what’s inside for easy access when the seasons change again.