| Author | Content |
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
March 28, 2009
08:34 PM Post #6333276
| I have a lot of clothes I don't wear at the moment, but I would like to keep them, and my storage space would probably be in the garage. Non-airconditioned, and we live in Southwest Florida. Does anyone have a suggestion? I can fold them up, they don't necessarily need to hang. But I need to keep them free from bugs and mildew.
I appreciate any advice. |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
March 28, 2009
08:53 PM Post #6333321
| How about those vacuum sealed storage bags--you put the clothes in and then suck/push all the air out. They're sealed nicely so bugs couldn't get in, and since the air is taken out I think you'd be less likely to run into mildew. |
handbright
Coral Springs, FL
(Zone 10b)
March 29, 2009
05:34 AM Post #6334425
| That sounds good ecrane. I've read that plastic can harm, though, depending on the fabric...Still for anything thats polyester it should be pretty straight forward. How can plastic harm plastic? Cedar (as long as it doesn't come in contact with the clothes) and those de-humidifier products that are sold in buckets placed all around the clothing might help. I have some clothing in an attic space (probably even worse than the garage) that is covered with sheets, hung on a garment rack, that I have used the de-humectant and cedar to maintain. And later if you find the dreaded yellow florida spots on the clothes, if they are washable, try an oxyclean soak to get them out. You might want to wrap them in some of that special acid free tissue paper too- before you store them. And make sure they are very very clean before you store them of course.
I face the same challenge here- but some of the clothing I have to store is really old, like from the 20's! And I have beautiful old OLD bed linen from france and germany too- its a challenge in south florida- Let me know what you come up with- I'm going to use all the advice you get!
:)
Amy |
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
March 29, 2009
05:52 AM Post #6334440
| If I used the tissue paper and then the vacuum bags... mmm I'm thinking here.
Most of these items are evening wear and so silks etc. We're not talking T-shirts... LOL
Thanks for the advice. |
handbright
Coral Springs, FL
(Zone 10b)
March 29, 2009
06:30 AM Post #6334477
| silk is especially fragile. Definitely get some GOOD tissue- for storing silk, it must be unbuffered. not grocery store tissue. Here is a link-
http://reviews.ebay.com/WHICH-Acid-Free-Tissue-Paper-Buffere...
|
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
March 29, 2009
08:06 AM Post #6334595
| Who knew there were so many kinds of tissue paper!?
Thanks for the help. |
handbright
Coral Springs, FL
(Zone 10b)
March 30, 2009
08:10 AM Post #6339292
| I know, it's pretty nuts. I was kind of amazed too- but being another Floridian from up north person here, what with the humidity and heat to deal with, I kind of got into the whole "store beauiful textiles" thing.
:)
L
|
quiltygirl
Wildomar, CA
(Zone 9a)
April 13, 2009
02:58 PM Post #6404648
| I live in Southern California where we are not known for humidity. I lived in the South Bay area of Los Angeles for years on a fat peninsula and was about 2-4 miles from the ocean on 3 side. We had the cooling breezes and fog, of course, during it's season. I then moved closer to the water, about 1 block and was surprised what a difference that made. Not just humidity, but salt air. I moved there in Sept and put all my Christmas decorations in the shed with floor that was under the carport.. WHen I took them out 3 mos. later to use, the brass was all dull and starting to corrode and the dough ornaments had become limp! From that time on I stored those affected items in one box in the house as well as the box with Christmas wearables. That was before the Vacuum bags which would seem like a really good idea as long as everything is very dry and you use archival tissue paper. |
rubyw
Crozet, VA
April 17, 2009
08:40 AM Post #6423023
| As a side note...I have never had very good results with the air vacuum bags. I could never get the air completely sucked out and the bags that I purchased just seemed to be inferior. Ziplock has just come out with very large bags that I purchased and they seem to be doing a much better job for me, even though they don't advertise these as being the ones to suck the air out.
How about garment bags? I am sure that if you looked around a bit you might be able to find some that are reasonable in cost. The Dollar Tree Stores used to carry the plastic garment bags for only $1.00 each.
I hope that you can soon come up with some ideas for storing the clothing Dutchlady. Good luck and let us know what you choose to do and how it is working.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Ruby
|
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
April 17, 2009
09:41 AM Post #6423229
| Thanks for all the suggestions. I have not yet decided on which way to go. |
caitlinsgarden
McGregor, IA
(Zone 4b)
June 18, 2009
09:33 AM Post #6704953
| I use sterlite see thru containers for storing nearly everything. I even put them in the humid basement. Just make sure they are snapped shut. |
gavafriend
Los Lunas, NM
June 18, 2009
11:44 AM Post #6705764
| PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, do NOT ever store quilts in plastic containers, bags, etc. Quilts should be stored in clean cotton pillow cases if they are to be stored. It would be better to use them on beds - treat them as you would the quilt maker. Refold occasionally and don't store in bright sunlight. Never throw them in the dryer. Always dry flat. I dry mine on a clean sheet covered twin bed with fan on it. A king size quilt will dry in a day on a twin bed. Just refold and turn every 4 hours. |
missingrosie
Hillsborough, NC
June 22, 2009
08:51 AM Post #6722135
| Gava
Your warning was so scary that I squished my big tush into that attic crawl space ...slid under the pipes (oh sweet claustrophobia...) (what DO those pipes do anyway and why are they soooo low to the floor??)
hauled out that quilts in the zippered plastic (mental note: ---be sure to tell somebody that I am going into that attic crawl space the next time I do it)and folded them in different places and ...and... now what?? I don't have a pillow case that will support these large quilts unless I really squish them and that would really keep them folded tightly. The attic is the only place I can store --the house is insulated with many inches of foam and so the attic crawl isn't hot or anything - but the space is tight and so I have to keep the quilts folded. |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
June 22, 2009
10:28 AM Post #6722600
| You might wrap them in bedsheets. |
gavafriend
Los Lunas, NM
June 22, 2009
02:48 PM Post #6723817
| yep, bed sheets are better than plastic bags. several of my quilting buddies make the pillowcases for them. I buy clean white pillow cases at the thrift stores. My sister said her guild will not accept quilts for their show without pillowcases to store them in before and after the show.
I don't take that kind of care with "cheap, chinese, crap" quilts - just those made by my sister, gramma, auntie, or myself. |
quiltygirl
Wildomar, CA
(Zone 9a)
June 22, 2009
11:36 PM Post #6726104
| One idea that I read from someone here on DG was to pile them all on an unused bed, if you have one. Pile is probably not the right word. Lay them on the bed just as you would if you were making the bed, just layers of quilts. You can have your own 'trunk show' right at home! Then, when guest come there will be someone to help with the weight of removing them - but what to do with them at that point, depends on how many you have, I guess. |
