We usually think that a wardrobe is a living thing, that whatever you have in there is going to be dynamically moved in and out seasonally so you always have a fresh set of outfits. Perhaps that’s something which inspires you and a process you like to follow. However, it’s true that as we get older, we tend to accrue stuff. Sometimes that can be clothes or fashionable accessories, and sometimes those are valuable or very sentimental.

Think about a wedding dress, for example. Or a jacket passed down through generations. Maybe it's that designer piece you saved up for, knowing it would last a lifetime. When you have items like these, storage isn’t just about finding a place to put them—it’s about keeping them safe.

Because nothing ruins a treasured piece faster than mold, pests, or just plain neglect. Here’s how to make sure that doesn’t happen:

Watch Out for Pests

Moths love cashmere even more than you do—and they don’t stop at sweaters. Silverfish go after cotton and linen, and if you ever find mouse droppings near your storage, well… you know that’s bad news. Lavender sachets can help, but if you’re dealing with an infestation, it’s worth calling in a professional service such as Terminix pest control before your wardrobe becomes a buffet.

Consider Your Storage Boxes

They might seem fine at first, but cardboard absorbs moisture, attracts bugs, and breaks down over time—definitely not ideal for a wedding dress or an heirloom quilt. Instead, go for acid-free boxes to prevent yellowing and deterioration. If you really want to play it safe, conservation-grade storage with pH-neutral materials is the way to go. Plastic bins work too, but only if they’re made from the right types of plastic (#5 polypropylene or #2 and #4 polyethylene) so they don’t cause damage.

Dehumidify Your Closet

Closed closets are notorious for being the hardest place in your home to keep mold out of - a few months after moving into my 100 year old house, I found some mold on my shoes tucked deep in my closet and had a complete panic attack - you can't mess with my shoes! I started using Damprid moisture absorbers but soon realized that a much more sustainable option is to keep this exact small dehumidifier running in my closet (there wasn't an outlet so I just used a thin extension cord to keep it exactly where I need it.) When the water tank gets full, I empty it onto my plants to keep a sustainable system.

Keep a small humidity monitor in your closet to make sure the humidity level stays under 70%

Think About Security

Clothes might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about home security, but if you own high-end designer pieces, vintage collections, or luxury bags, they can be worth serious money. Unfortunately, standard insurance policies don’t always cover clothing unless you specifically add valuable items.

Take photos of your most important pieces for insurance purposes, keep receipts for high-value buys, and consider whether your storage space is truly secure from theft, water damage, or fire. If not, a climate-controlled storage unit might be worth the peace of mind.

Because whether it’s an investment piece or something deeply sentimental, the right storage can make sure it lasts—no matter how long you want to keep it.