As summer draws to a close and crisp autumn mornings return across the United Kingdom, attention naturally turns indoors. Alongside preparing your home for cooler weather, one seasonal job worth doing properly is switching your wardrobe.

Packing away summer clothes is more than simply pushing sandals, linen shirts and lightweight dresses to the back of the cupboard. Done correctly, seasonal storage can help protect your clothes from moisture, odours, staining and clothes moths, while making it much easier to find everything when warmer weather returns.

With a little preparation now, your favourite summer pieces can emerge from storage next year clean, fresh and ready to wear.

Start With a Thorough Wardrobe Sort

Before washing and packing anything away, take the opportunity to reassess what you actually wore during the summer.

Remove your summer clothes from drawers and wardrobes and go through them individually. Did you wear the item this year? Does it still fit comfortably? Is it in good condition, or has it been waiting for a repair that you never got around to making?

Clothes that have gone unworn for an entire season could be donated, gifted or sold rather than taking up valuable storage space. Items with loose buttons, small tears or other minor faults can be repaired before being packed away.

This approach has another benefit: the less you store, the easier it becomes to keep your wardrobe organised throughout the year. If you're planning a wider seasonal clear-out, you can also take inspiration from our guide to keeping your home clean and organised.

Always Clean Clothes Before Long-Term Storage

One of the easiest mistakes to make is putting apparently clean clothes straight into storage.

A garment does not need to have an obvious stain to benefit from washing before being packed away. Perspiration, body oils, food particles and other residues can remain in fabrics even when they are not immediately visible. Clothes moth larvae are particularly attracted to fabrics carrying traces of perspiration and other organic material.

For that reason, wash or dry-clean every item that is going into long-term storage, following the care label carefully. Pay particular attention to clothes worn frequently during hot weather, including T-shirts, dresses, shirts and lightweight knitwear.

Delicate fabrics such as silk and some structured garments may require professional cleaning rather than a standard washing-machine cycle.

Avoid assuming that an item is clean simply because it looks spotless.

Make Sure Everything Is Completely Dry

After cleaning, drying is just as important as washing.

Clothing should be completely dry before it goes into a drawer, box or storage bag. Trapped moisture can contribute to musty smells and create conditions in which mould and mildew can develop. Keeping the surrounding storage area dry and well ventilated is also important.

If you're air-drying clothes indoors, allow plenty of ventilation and avoid packing them away immediately after drying. Where possible, drying clothes outdoors can help reduce the amount of moisture released into your home.

This is particularly relevant during the colder months, when condensation can become more of a problem. For more ways to prepare your property for autumn, see our guide to the checks households should make when energy bills rise.

Fold Delicate Clothes Carefully

Once everything is clean and completely dry, think about how individual garments should be stored.

Lightweight summer clothing can generally be folded neatly, but avoid creating extremely tight, permanent creases in delicate fabrics. Heavier knitwear should also be folded rather than left hanging for months, as its weight can cause it to lose its shape.

For particularly delicate or valuable pieces, acid-free tissue paper can provide an additional layer of protection between garments.

Avoid overfilling boxes and drawers. Clothing needs enough space to avoid being unnecessarily crushed, while overcrowding can make it harder to spot moisture or pest problems.

Choose the Right Storage Container

Storage containers should protect clothes from dust while allowing you to manage moisture effectively.

Breathable cotton or fabric storage bags can be useful for many garments, particularly natural-fibre clothing. Cardboard wardrobe boxes can also work when kept somewhere dry and protected from moisture.

Plastic storage boxes can be practical, particularly for protecting clothing from dust and accidental spills, but they should only be used when the clothes and container are completely dry. Moisture trapped inside an enclosed container can become a problem if conditions change.

For delicate natural fibres, avoid storing garments in a way that leaves them heavily compressed for long periods. Structured clothing can lose its shape, while repeated sharp folds can place unnecessary stress on textile fibres.

If you use plastic containers, check them periodically rather than assuming that sealed storage means maintenance-free storage.

Pick a Cool, Dry and Dark Storage Area

Where you store your clothes matters just as much as what you store them in.

Avoid damp garages, poorly ventilated sheds and areas affected by roof leaks or condensation. A bedroom wardrobe, dry cupboard or suitable under-bed storage area is generally a better option.

Keep stored clothing away from direct sunlight too. Prolonged exposure can gradually fade fabrics and dyes.

If your home is prone to condensation, improving ventilation can help. NHS guidance recommends measures such as allowing fresh air to circulate and using extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms to reduce moisture levels.

For other ways of improving your home as autumn approaches, you may also like our guide to choosing a smart security camera for darker evenings.

Protect Your Clothes From Moths

Clothes moths are one of the biggest reasons to take seasonal clothing storage seriously.

The larvae, rather than the adult moths, are responsible for damaging textiles. They favour dark, undisturbed areas and can be particularly attracted to natural animal fibres such as wool and silk. Clothes carrying traces of perspiration or other organic residues can also be more appealing to larvae.

Regular cleaning and good housekeeping are therefore among the most useful preventative measures.

Before storing clothes, check seams, cuffs, collars and folds for signs of damage. Clean the wardrobe or storage area as well, paying particular attention to dust and debris.

Cedar, lavender and other scented products are commonly used as traditional moth deterrents, but they should not be considered a substitute for cleaning and monitoring. If you already have a significant moth infestation, professional pest-control advice may be more appropriate.

Local council guidance also recommends keeping clothes clean, regularly checking stored garments and maintaining dry, well-ventilated rooms.

Don't Forget to Check Your Clothes During Winter

Seasonal storage shouldn't mean forgetting about your summer wardrobe until spring.

Every few months, quickly inspect stored clothing for unusual smells, dampness, staining or signs of insects. This is particularly worthwhile for natural-fibre garments and clothing stored for several months at a time.

If you discover a potential moth problem, remove affected garments from the rest of your wardrobe and clean the surrounding storage area. The National Archives also highlights the importance of good housekeeping and appropriate storage when protecting textiles from insect pests and damage.

Give Your Summer Wardrobe a Fresh Start Next Year

Putting summer clothes away properly may take a little more time than simply throwing everything into a storage box, but the extra effort can make a noticeable difference.

Sort out anything you no longer need, clean every garment, allow everything to dry completely and choose a storage location that is cool, dry and protected from sunlight. Regular checks can then help catch moisture or pest problems before they become serious.

When spring and summer eventually return, you'll be glad you took the time to prepare your wardrobe properly.

And if you're using the change of season as an excuse to refresh your whole home, The Daily Reviews has more practical guides covering everything from home organisation and energy costs to seasonal living.