5 Steps to Store Winter Gear Properly

Clean everything before storing Moth larvae eat sweat and food crumbs on coats. Salt from boots rots leather over summer. Five minutes of cleaning now saves money later.

Wash coats by their material Read the tag. Dry clean wool coats. Wash down or synthetic on gentle with special detergent, then tumble dry low with tennis balls to fluff the down.

Wipe and dry boots completely Remove all salt and mud with a damp cloth. Let boots dry naturally away from heat sources. Apply leather conditioner to leather boots.

Stuff boots with newspaper Newspaper holds the boot shape and absorbs leftover moisture. This prevents cracking and mildew during months of storage.

Store in breathable containers Never use plastic bags. Use a cotton garment bag or clean pillowcase for coats. Put boots in a cardboard box or cloth bag in a cool, dark place. Avoid attics and basements.