How best to store clothes

Have you ever found yourself grabbing the first thing you come across in the wardrobe to wear in the morning? If that sounds familiar and your wardrobe is fit to bursting point, then now is a great time to divide everything into summer and winter clothes and think about storing away all those skimpy little dresses and cropped linen trousers until the daffodils begin to appear next spring.

Apart from a few staples like jeans and sweatshirts you should be ruthless in what you decide to put away. Use this opportunity to do a clothes audit and scrutinise each piece of clothing as you go. If there is anything that no longer fits or that you are waiting to wear when you lose weight put it to one side to take to the charity shop if it's still in good condition. As a rule of thumb if you haven't worn something for the whole of the summer the likelihood is that you will never wear it, so clear that out too. And sort out damaged clothes into ones which are beyond repair to those that need a new zip or hem fixing and see if your local dry cleaners offer a repair service.

Next check for any clothes that need to be cleaned. Washing and dry-cleaning garments rids them of moth and beetle eggs and any stains or caked-in food that are left untreated can attract moths and insects. Always follow the care instructions carefully and use a stain remover like Ace Liquid which is specially designed to safely remove tough stains and to revive the brightness of your clothing - particularly good for all those stunning colours around this summer.

Wherever you decide to store your clothes remember it's important to keep them somewhere clean. Choose a dark place, which will help prevent them from fading, don't expose them to too much heat and make sure the area is completely dry - the slightest amount of moisture can attract mildew and insects. Even though mothballs are usually associated with winter clothes it's amazing what the little terrors are prepared to dine on so use natural substitutes like cedar blocks to keep them at bay. Using plastic containers is fine for a few months, but avoid leaving clothes for any longer as they won't be able to breathe and some plastics may degrade fabric over a long period. Re-sealable plastic bags are good too for keeping pests out but for extra care, protect special items in cotton first before you store them.

And don't forget to swap all your shoes and accessories over as well. Be equally tough and if those sequinned flip flops have seen better days throw them out. Just think, you won't have to justify yourself to anyone next year when you insist you need some new ones!