The best time to clean your summer clothes isn’t next summer—it’s now.
As September comes to a close and cooler temperatures begin to settle in, it’s time for one of those seasonal rituals: swapping your summer wardrobe for fall. The shorts, sundresses and lightweight linens come out of the closet, while sweaters, jackets and fall favorites take their place.
But before you pack away your summer wardrobe, there’s one important step you shouldn’t skip: Clean it first.
It may be tempting to put away a summer dress after one last wear or toss a stack of beach towels into a storage bin because they look clean. But clothing and linens can hold onto sweat, body oils, sunscreen, food, beverages and other residues that aren’t always visible. And months in storage can make those problems worse.
Why You Should Never Store Clothes Dirty
A garment may look perfectly clean and still have invisible residue left behind. Throughout the summer, clothing is exposed to perspiration, sunscreen, deodorant, lotions, food, outdoor pollutants and more. Even small amounts of residue can become a problem when a garment sits untouched for several months.
Stains can become more difficult to remove over time, odors can develop, and certain residues can attract insects that can damage fabrics. Cleaning your summer wardrobe before storage gives you a fresh start when the seasons change again.
Your End-of-Summer Wardrobe Swap
Before you put everything away, take a little time to organize your seasonal wardrobe:
1. Clean before you store. Don’t wait until next spring. Have garments and linens properly cleaned while stains and residues are still fresh.
2. Inspect for repairs. Look for missing buttons, loose hems, broken zippers or other small repairs. Taking care of them now means the item will be ready to wear next season.
3. Decide what is worth keeping. If you didn’t wear something all summer, ask yourself whether you’ll really want it next year. Seasonal swaps are a great time to donate or discard things you no longer need.
4. Store appropriately. Avoid overcrowding storage containers or closets. Give garments room to breathe and follow the care recommendations for each fabric.
5. Choose the right storage location. Keep seasonal clothing and linens in a cool, dry environment away from excessive heat, moisture and direct sunlight.
6. Label everything. A simple label such as “Summer Dresses,” “Beach Towels” or “Summer Linens” can make next year’s wardrobe swap much easier.
Don’t Forget Your Summer Linens
Seasonal storage isn’t just about clothing. Many of us also put away lightweight bedding, beach towels, table linens and other household textiles at the end of summer. These items deserve the same attention as your wardrobe.
Clean linens before storing them, too. Your future self will thank you when you pull them out next summer and they’re clean, fresh and ready to use.
When Professional Cleaning Is the Better Choice
Not every garment should simply be tossed into the washing machine. Delicate fabrics, structured garments, linen, silk, suits, special-occasion pieces and items with difficult or unknown stains may require specialized cleaning.
That’s where a professional cleaner can make a difference.
At Fabricare, we look at more than just the stain. Our team considers the fabric, construction, care requirements and condition of the garment to determine the best way to clean and care for it. We’ll help make sure your seasonal items receive the proper care before they go into storage, so they’re ready for you when summer comes back around. We even have an APP for easy (and free!) pickup & delivery.