How to Keep Clothes in Good Condition for Your Next Baby

Learn how to keep clothes in good condition for your next baby, a task that contributes to your economy and to the well-being of the planet.

As your child grows, you have to think about how you’ll store the clothes that no longer fit them. This is especially true if you want to keep clothes in good condition for your next baby.

There are a few secrets when it comes to doing this correctly so that your clothes maintain their colors and look good for when you need to use them again.

Look at these tips and put them into practice today because you don’t know how long they’ll remain in the closet.

Tips to store and keep clothes in good condition

The idea when doing this meticulous task is that the garments don’t get damaged and that they can be used by the next baby in the family. Follow these steps and you’ll see that your little one’s clothes will have a second use in the same conditions as they find themselves now.

1. Choose all the clothes you’re going to store

Make a selection to see what condition the clothes are in and separate those that are worth saving. Either because they’ve had very little use or because they’re still in excellent condition.

2. Wash everything carefully

Use the usual mild soap to wash clothes and don’t use fabric softener. Check the fabrics well for food stains and remove them, as organic matter retains moisture and this favors the development of mold.

3. Hot iron, yes or no?

There are divided opinions on this step. On the one hand, ironing the clothes allows you to arrange them better and without wrinkles that can mark the fabrics. But you also have to be very careful, as a hot iron can fix those stains that you won’t be able to remove later.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you iron your clothes, you have to allow them to air out completely before folding them and putting them away for good. This way, you’ll ensure that there are no traces of steam or moisture left on the fabrics.

4. Remove metal accessories to store clothes and keep them in good condition

Buttons and metal parts can stain fabrics with rust stains and are therefore best removed.

Once you take them out, put them in a separate bag or box and keep them in the same place as the clothes. This way, you can reposition them when you’re ready to use the clothes again.

5. Group the garments according to size

Make a scale to divide the clothes, for example, from 0 to 3 months, from 3 to 6 months, and so on. This organization will allow you to find what you really need when the time comes to use it.

6. Containers: What’s the best way to store clothes and keep them in good condition?

This point is very important, although the choice of how you will do it will depend on the storage space you have at home.

The safest way is to store clothes in linen or cotton bags and separate each garment with tissue paper. All of these materials are breathable and allow air to circulate so moisture doesn’t build up. This prevents the clothes from taking on a “storage smell”. This system is perfect if you have a dry place for storage at home.

But if your storage location doesn’t meet the perfect conditions, you can opt for plastic boxes with lids and place the bags there as we’ve explained. These containers have the advantage of not allowing moisture to pass through and of being transparent, which helps you to see what’s inside without having to open them.

7. Don’t use mothballs!

Mothballs contain active ingredients such as naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which are converted into toxic gases to kill moths and their eggs.

However, the National Pesticide Information Service of the United States has reported that when these gases are inhaled by people, they can cause unpleasant symptoms: Headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irritation of the eyes and nose, and coughing.

Avoid the use of naphthalene or any chemical product that can be impregnated in the clothes because it can cause bad odors and put the health of the future baby at risk.

To scare away insects and moths, it’s better to use bags with lavender, which is a very effective natural repellent and also has an exquisite aroma.

8. Label everything

Once you’ve assembled the boxes, write on a piece of paper what you’ve stored there. Stick it on the outside to be clear about what’s in each container.

Storing baby clothes: An ancient custom that continues among us

Storing baby clothes is an ancient tradition that all moms know and practice. In other times, this was done because the garments were made by hand and the fabrics used cost a lot of money.

Today, clothing is more accessible and replaceable. However, mothers maintain this custom that, in addition to collaborating with the family economy, contributes to sustainability and respect for the environment.

Now that you know how to store clothes and keep them in good condition for a future baby, we recommend that you get organized, buy everything you need, and do it every 3 or 4 months. This way, you’ll have everything well organized if, suddenly, the happy news arrives: You’re going to be a mom again!