Storage Smarts

When you vow to store items out of sight or tidy things up, resist the urge to quickly dump them into a box. Proper storage is key to the longevity of nearly any item.

Filed under: Storage, Housekeeping

Avoid hanging clothing in plastic bags, such as those from the dry cleaner. These bags don’t let the garments breathe and can cause mildew to form, especially during the summer months. Invest in fabric garment bags instead.
The bathroom seems like a logical place to store medicines. However, capsules and tablets are actually better stored in a moisture-free environment. Remove the cotton plug after opening the container; if it’s left in, moisture can form inside the bottle. Keep medicines in their original containers; save the cute pillboxes and other containers for travel purposes only, and use them only if you’re unable to bring the original container.
To prevent shoes made of fabric or another pliable material from losing their shape, lightly stuff them with tissue paper or newspaper.
Keep unused blankets from gathering dust by storing them in a king-size pillowcase or a zippered bag from a bedspread. Similarly use a pillowcase to store folded-up sheet sets. When it’s time to change the bedding, everything you need is in the pillowcase, so you won’t have to rummage through the shelves.