Anyone who has ever purchased a suit will know that suits don’t exactly come cheap. They’re not your traditional, wear-and-tear outfit; they require special treatment as if they’re an investment piece – because that’s exactly what they are. With good maintenance, yearly cleanings, and proper storage techniques, your suits can last for decades and be passed down from generation to generation.
We do realize, however, no one really discusses proper suit storage, but at Fairfax City Storage, we’re here to change that and provide you with our expert tips of best practices, preparation, and, of course, storage that will help keep your suits crisp and fresh for years to come.
How to Store Suits in a Storage Unit
Before you store your suits, whether that be for long-term or short-term, you’ll want to ensure that they’re prepped correctly.
Whether you’re keeping your suits in a closet or a temperature-controlled storage unit, here are a few of our favorite prep tips that will keep your suits looking and feeling fresh all year round.
Have Them Cleaned and Repaired
If you know that you’re going to be storing your suits, make sure you have them professional dry cleaned beforehand to ensure that they won’t harbor bacteria or allow for any stains to set in. This will also be extremely beneficial when you need your suit next, as you’ve already done the pre-cleaning ahead of time.
To clean your suit at home, make sure you remove any lint, oils, stains, or insect damage from your clothes. This will not only make your clothes look better, but will also deter any creatures from calling your suit home.
Always Hang Your Suits
When it comes to both at-home storage and professional unit storage, it’s always best to hang your suits rather than fold them or placing them in a drawer. Folding a suit can cause the material to lose its shape over time. Opt for good quality, wooden hangers that support the rounded shoulders of a suit.
Best Practices for Storing Your Suits
Now that you’ve done the prep work, you can now store your suit. There are a few places we recommend storing an investment piece like a suit, but it’s always best to choose an area that’s temperature controlled in order to get the best results.
Here are our favorite tips for storing your suits.
Cover Your Suits with a Garment Bag
If you’re going to store your suit, you have to make sure it’s protected from the elements: sun, shifts in temperature, bugs, etc. Covering your suit with a good quality, breathable garment bag will add an extra layer of protection and prevent the development of mold or mildew from occurring.
Protect Against Bugs
The best suits are the ones made out of natural fiber materials like wool, but they’re also the ones that attract tiny creatures, do to their warm, porous nature. Moth balls used to be a good option, but today, you can prevent bugs with a clean, professional storage unit and a garment bag that are both designed to protect your belongings against external sources.
Avoid Sunlight
UV light and moisture are the two main enemies of longevity for any natural fiber or carbon-based material that can be broken down. Light, specifically from the sun, can affect the bonds of materials, causing them to break down and discolor over time.
Moisture should be kept far, far away from suits, as well. With moisture, comes mold which can destroy your suits permanently. So, before storing you suits, make sure they’re completely dry and in a temperature-controlled unit for extra protection.
Keep Your Suits in Perfect Condition at Fairfax City Self-Storage!
At Fairfax City Self-Storage, we have over 30+ years of experience storing everything from sleeping bags, suitcases, handbags, cast iron skillets, and more! Our knowledgeable team can help find you a storage unit that is temperature controlled and completely safe for your suits!
For questions about storing suits or to request a storage unit, please contact us today!