Yes, definitely consider installing a cedar closet if you have the space to dedicate to off season garment storage. Cedar has long been considered an ideal storage environment in the fight to stave off insect damage. While there are no guarantees, a well sealed, and periodically renewed cedar closet is a wonderful asset when it comes to home storage.

Avoid attics, basements and garages as a general rule! While there may be exceptions, in most instances these areas do not have the same level of temperature and humidity control as the main living areas of a home.

Remove all plastic bags from your clothing before storing them for a period of time. The bags you receive your clothes in from the dry cleaners are meant for short term protection only. By not allowing the fabric to breathe, these bags can trap heat and humidity and contribute to the oxidization of stains and general discoloration of fabrics. To protect garments from having dust settle on them, simply throw a cotton sheet or large towel over the top of the rack. This still allows the fabrics to breathe.

It's important to make the right choice between hanging and folding for storage. It's generally very simple to make that determination. Sturdy tight weaves do just fine on a hanger, and require very little maintenance when it is time to reactivate them. Most knits, especially the looser and thinner ones, should be folded (using acid free tissue to soften the folds) to prevent distortion of the shape. A beautiful knit can become horribly distorted if stored carelessly.

Never mix the cleaned with uncleaned clothes. Clothes that have NOT been cleaned should never be stored in the same area with those that HAVE, regardless of how little they have been worn.

An appropriate area to store clothes should be:

• Well ventilated
• Free of excessive moisture or humidity
• Free of large temperature fluctuations
• Free from direct sunlight or artificial light
• Free from dust

The single most important precaution is to clean all your clothes before you put them away for the season, even if they don't appear to need it. Some people think cleaning is "bad" for clothes. However, if you talk to anyone in the fashion world, the universally accepted notion is that cleaning is good for clothes...and only "bad" cleaning is bad for clothes.