As seen in Hallak: The Couture Cleaner

Far too many fashionable New Yorkers discover Garde Robe after storing their wardrobe improperly and finding they have damaged or ruined garments.  Don’t let it happen to your wardrobe.  There are simple inexpensive ways to ensure your off-season and infrequently worn garments don’t end up with moth or mold damage, oxidized “invisible” stains and/or fabric damage from using the wrong storage supplies or choosing the wrong storage location.  Follow these four steps to ensure your wardrobe remains in pristine condition.

1. Cleaning-Send your wardrobe to Hallak prior to storing pieces for an extended period of time.  Even if the garment appears clean, if it has been worn it will have bacteria, body oils, antiperspirant, hair spray or perfume/cologne that will damage the fabric and potentially stain the garment permanently if left untreated for several months.
2. Supplies-You should always remove Hallak’s clear plastic bags as soon as possible as these bags were not intended as storage bags.  Use breathable protective garment bags, canvas accessories boxes and archival textile preservation boxes ONLY. Use acid-free tissue when folding items to prevent creasing.
3. Hangers-Be sure to invest in proper hangers. They may look pretty when they are all uniform, but you really should have many types of hangers at your disposal and always choose the hanger based on the style and weight of the garment.  Be sure to invest in wide shoulder, padded hangers-“slim line” hangers will save space, but will never crease certain items and were not intended for storing heavy garments.  Never use wire hangers for storage. Never use knits, stretchable pieces or heavily embellished eveningwear on hangers-fold them with tissue.
4. Storage location-Your delicate garments’ worst enemies are frequent changes in temperature and humidity, sunlight, moisture and material-damaging insects such as clothes moths, silverfish etc. Always store your wardrobe in a clean, dry temperature and humidity-controlled environment.  Avoid basements, cramped closets, infrequently visited second homes and rooms with skylights or windows. Use pheromone traps to attract male moths-check the traps regularly.

Follow these simple steps to protect your wardrobe.