Guarding Garments: The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your Wardrobe During a Move

Your clothes aren't just fabrics; they are investments, memories, and often, treasured items. As you transition to a new space, ensuring your attire is shielded from potential damage is crucial. Whether it's that vintage jacket, your collection of summer dresses, or the suit you wore to your wedding, every piece deserves care. This article provides additional steps to protect your clothing when using wardrobe boxes, ensuring they reach your new home in pristine condition.

1. Clean and Dry: Ensure all clothing is clean and thoroughly dry. Dirt or moisture can lead to mold or mildew during transit, especially if moving takes several days.
2. Use Garment Covers: Plastic garment bags can protect against dust, moisture, and potential spills. They're handy for suits, dresses, and other delicate items.
3. Group Similar Items: Grouping similar items, such as shirts with shirts and pants with pants, can make unpacking more manageable and reduce wrinkles as items of similar weights and materials hang together.
4. Button-Up and Zip: Buttoning up shirts or zipping up jackets can help maintain their shape and prevent tangling.
5. Add Tissue Paper: For delicate or formal wear, like evening gowns or suits, stuffing tissue paper in the sleeves or bodice can help the item maintain its shape.
6. Separate Shoes: If you place shoes in the bottom of the wardrobe box, ensure they are in a bag or box to prevent dirt from transferring to clothes.
7. Use Mothballs or Cedar Blocks: These can deter pests, but be cautious as they also have a strong odor. It might be best to refresh your clothing after the move if you opt for this.
8. Lavender Sachets: These give your clothes a pleasant scent and act as a natural deterrent for moths.
9. Avoid Overpacking: While it might be tempting to fit as much as possible, overpacking can strain the box and cause clothes to wrinkle.
10. Label the Box: Once packed, label the wardrobe box with the type of clothes inside (e.g., "Summer Wear" or "Formal Attire"). This not only aids in organization but also in deciding the priority of boxes to unpack.

By taking these precautions, you'll ensure your clothes remain in the best possible condition during moving.