Housekeeping tasks never end. And as the seasons change, the recurring seasonal tasks need to be done.
As the days get warmer and the sun comes out more often, it is time to start putting away blankets after winter and to prepare winter clothes for storage. To store winter clothes and blankets properly and to make sure they are not eaten by moths, here are some steps you can take.
First, clean the blankets and any clothes you are putting away. This is particularly important for things like wool baby blankets which may have gotten dirty often. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and see if you can wash the blanket, or if you should take it to a professional dry cleaner. Even a small piece of dirt that goes unnoticed and is left on the blanket for its several months in storage can stain the textile. A thorough cleaning can also help to prevent insects from attacking it. If the material can not be washed, it is important to at least air it in the fresh air for a day.
An easy way to put away clothes and textiles is to get some plastic boxes in different sizes. If you have just a few pieces for storing, you can also try cardboard boxes, as long as they are clean. A plastic container is convenient, because it protects the textile from dirt and from bugs and also helps you to organize your clothes well. Storage containers can be labeled to help you find everything easily as you need it again after the summer.
Although many people use mothballs to prevent moths and other insects from nesting in stored clothing, there are some serious downsides to mothballs: they can be dangerous if a small child finds one. Natural products for keeping insects away include small sachets of dried Lavender, which can be bought in many natural health stores or online.
Another way to store your blankets is to place them in a cedar lined hope chest. This is a useful piece of furniture.
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