Clothes go musty in storage when they go in slightly damp or unwashed, or are sealed away from the air. To stop it, wash or clean everything and let it dry completely, pack it in something that lets air through rather than sealed plastic, and keep it off the floor and away from the walls of the unit. Our units aren't climate-controlled: they're clean, dry and secure, but the temperature and humidity inside aren't regulated. So the steps you take before the clothes go in make most of the difference.
Why clothes go musty
Fabric soaks up moisture from the air very easily. Museums Galleries Scotland's guidance on caring for textiles explains that fibres swell as they take on moisture and shrink as they dry, growing weaker each time, and that changes in humidity make the damage worse. In warm, damp conditions, mould can permanently stain and weaken fabric. That's the musty smell.
Three things make it far more likely:
- Moisture going in with the clothes. A coat put away after a wet walk, or washing that felt dry but wasn't.
- Dirt and body oils. Worn clothes give mould and moths something to feed on.
- No air. A sealed bag or tub traps whatever moisture is already inside.
Before they go in
- Wash or dry-clean everything, including things you only wore once.
- Dry it completely. Leave washing an extra day, and check seams, collars and pockets.
- Empty pockets, and take out anything that could leak or mark the fabric.
- Pack on a dry day if you can. Clothes packed straight off a damp line or out of a steamy bedroom start with moisture already in them.
What to pack them in
| Good for | Watch out for | |
|---|---|---|
| Wardrobe box with a hanging rail | Coats, suits, dresses and shirts: they hang, stay uncreased and get air | Needs clean, dry clothes going in |
| Breathable cotton garment bags | Special pieces: wedding dresses, suits, good coats | Keep them away from the floor |
| Clean, strong cardboard boxes | Folded jumpers, T-shirts, bedding | Not on the floor or against a wall; avoid boxes that have held food |
| Plastic tubs | Stays of a few weeks, and dust protection | Only for bone-dry clothes, and don't seal them completely for anything longer |
| Vacuum bags | Saving space for a few weeks | Crush natural fibres, and trap any moisture left in them |
Museums Galleries Scotland also warns that chemicals in some plastics and poor-quality card can damage fabric over time. For anything precious, use cotton covers or acid-free tissue.
In the unit
- Keep boxes off the floor. A pallet or a layer of boxes of hard items underneath keeps soft things away from the ground.
- Leave a gap at the walls so air can move.
- Put the heaviest boxes at the bottom and the clothes on top, so nothing crushes them.
- Don't store food in the unit. Our terms don't allow it unless it's sealed against pests, and it attracts the insects that also go for wool.
- Check on them. If you're storing for months, open a box every so often. Our terms advise inspecting your unit before you store and from time to time while you do, and a quick look tells you early if anything's wrong.
- If nobody can check, because you're away for months, the preparation is your protection, so be strict about clean and dry. You can also name someone you trust to access the unit for you.
Wool, silk and special pieces
Museums Galleries Scotland notes that moth and beetle larvae feed on wool, silk, fur, hair and feathers. For good knitwear, suits and anything with fur or feathers:
- clean it first (moths go for dirty fabric);
- wrap it in cotton, not plastic;
- add a moth deterrent, especially if nobody will be checking;
- check it every couple of months if you can. The warning signs the museum guidance lists are holes, droppings and cocoons left on the fabric.
Everyday coats and suits are fine hanging in a wardrobe box. Wedding dresses, christening gowns and vintage pieces are worth a breathable garment bag each. The same guidance notes that gravity can change the shape of a textile, so store heavy, beaded or fragile pieces flat and supported rather than on a hanger. Pad any folds with acid-free tissue so they don't set into creases.
Duvets, pillows and bedding
Bedding follows the same rules as clothes: wash it, dry it right through, and pack it where air can reach it. Duvets and pillows hold moisture deep inside, so give them longer to dry than you think they need. Feather and down fillings are food for the same larvae that go for wool, so treat them like good knitwear: clean first, cotton or breathable covers, and never sealed in plastic for months. Large boxes suit folded sheets and towels; a big breathable bag suits a duvet.
If they already smell
If there is no visible mould, try:
- wash them again, adding a little white vinegar or bicarbonate of soda;
- dry them outside in fresh air if you can.
Check for spots of mould, especially in the seams. Staining from mould may not come out, which is why keeping moisture out in the first place matters.
Your stored clothes must be insured, through our contents protection or your own policy. For pieces that matter to you, check whether your cover includes mould or damp damage before they go in.
Getting the right space
Our wardrobe boxes with hanging rails are made for moving and storing hanging clothes. You can get a price for a unit online. If you're storing clothes between seasons rather than for a move, our guide to freeing up wardrobe space by storing seasonal clothes has more ideas.
Related questions
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