Are you committing the following five clothes closet mistakes? If so, you could be damaging your clothing and even your home!
Take a look at the following common clothes closet issues and how you can solve them.
1. Using plastic
How many of us purchase something and then leave it in the plastic shopping bag until we can get around to washing and wearing it? Or what about storing clothing items in those convenient plastic boxes? Both plastic bags and boxes can be a be a set up for disaster. Plastic when it is closed can cause humidity and moisture to build up, and this is a breading ground for mold and mildew.
Plus some experts believe that the off gasses from plastic could damage your fabrics.
2. Dry cleaning bags
One type of plastic we know can damage clothing, causing it to yellow or discolor is the dry cleaning bag. It will trap the dry cleaning fumes preventing them from escaping, and those fumes will cause problems.
3. Over crowding
When you stuff too much into your closet, you prevent airflow, which is necessary for keeping clothing fresh and wrinkle free. It is okay to stack items, such as sweaters, for example, just stack them loosely instead of trying to cram them shelf to ceiling. Clothing on hangers should have a little space in between each item.
4. The washer and dryer
One of the trends in new homes or new home design is to put the washer and dryer in a walk in closet or tiny room. In this room clothing may also be hung, or it may be close to a wardrobe. The problem is that whenever you use the washer or dryer, you open the door and let a lot of moisture in the air and directly into your clothing. Natural fibers are susceptible to this change and can get damaged over time.
5. Starch
I experimented with starch and soon found that I was better off without it. I got just as good results just with using steam or sprinkling the clothing with water as I ironed.
I’m glad that I gave it up when I read about the bad side of using starch. Apparently, starch can be a magnet for little bugs, such as silverfish. They think of starch as a tasty meal. So, the next thing you know, silverfish will be feasting on your clothing, creating holes (and you though it was moths).
If you can’t give up the starch, hang these items separately from the rest of your wardrobe.