As the crisp autumn air sets in, it’s the perfect time to reach for your cozy sweaters, warm coats, and stylish scarves. Preparing to layer up for the cooler days means bringing your autumn wardrobe out of storage. However, after months packed away, your garments might carry a musty scent or reveal unexpected damage from moths.
To restore your clothes to their best—moth-free and freshly-scented—follow our expert guide on reviving garments from storage in 4 easy steps:
Step 1: Check for Damage.
The first step in revitalising your seasonal wardrobe is having a thorough check for any potential damage that occurred during your time away. Lay out each item out, carefully, to examine it for signs of damage. Look for holes, tears, or any forgotten-about stains.
If you discover a moth hole or two, don’t immediately throw it away!
Instead, read our guide on how to DIY repair a moth hole and you'll have it looking and feeling back to new in no time. If the damage feels a little out of your control, then our team of expert seamstresses are always there to carry out those trickier repairs.
Remember that investing a little time in maintenance now can save you money and keep your favourite autumnal pieces in rotation for years to come!
Step 2: Clean Them Up.
Chances are, your cozier clothes have been sitting in storage for months, gathering dust and odour. To begin the process of adding some life back into them, separate your garments into different piles of clothes that need washing, or those that just need a little refresh.
For those that aren’t dirty or stained, but just smell a little musty, we recommend giving them a spritz of our Clothing Spritz. Like dry shampoo for your clothes, our Spritz is bursting with natural essential oils of White Tea and Mint that remove any lingering odours and must. It'll save you from putting your clothes through an extra wash while giving them a refresh.
For your everyday clothes that have minor marks or could use a freshen-up, toss them in a gentle cold wash with our eco-friendly laundry detergent. Our Basil & Mandarin Leaf Detergent formula works wonders on low-temperature cycles, leaving your wardrobe and home filled with its delightful fragrance.
For delicate pieces that need to be washed, but in gentler conditions, such as wool and silk fabrics, allocate them to a separate pile for hand-washing. For your wools, check out our specialist Cashmere & Wool Detergent, designed to protect the fabric fibres while providing natural moth defence, thanks the essential oils we use! For your silks and delicates, our Silk Detergent effectively cleanses fragile fabrics while keeping them luxuriously soft.
Step 3: Protect Against Moths and Mildew.
Moths and mildew can be the nemesis of your autumn and winter wardrobe.
Inspect your clothes for any signs of moth damage, which often appears as small holes in natural fibres like wool. To prevent further infestation, try our natural moth-repellent Scent Bags that protect your clothes while making your wardrobe smell delightful!
Alternatively, you can our Knitwear Mists which can be sprayed directly onto your clothes for an instant moth-repellent. Of course, mildew can thrive in damp environments, so it's important to make sure your clothes are completely dry before putting them away in your wardrobe or drawers.
Step 4: Organise and Reassess.
Now that your cold-weather clothes are clean and damage-free, it's time to organise them. Begin by sorting your items by type (jackets, sweaters, scarves, etc.) to add to the ease of locating what you need throughout the Autumn season.
So there you have four easy steps for giving your autumn clothes some post-storage TLC!
With just a little upfront effort, your autumn / winter wardrobe can remain in top-notch condition year after year, allowing you to embrace the cooler, frosty months with confidence and comfort.
For more expert clothing care tips, check out more blogs from our care journal, such as how to hand wash clothes. Or use the links below to discover our range, from Detergents and Mists to Care Tools and Accessories, perfect for every fabric type.
