Tag: clothing care

Before You Pack Away Your Summer Clothes

Storing summer clothes is one of those tasks that feels simple until you’re sitting beside three piles, reconsidering every tank top you own.

Before everything disappears under the bed, a little preparation can make next spring’s unpacking much easier. And possibly less confusing.

1. Review what actually got worn
Start with the clothes that never left the hanger.

Were they waiting for a special occasion, missing something to pair them with or simply uncomfortable? Those answers matter more than whether you technically still like them.

Try on anything you’re unsure about before deciding to store it. If it needs a repair, put it in a separate pile with a plan to fix it. Otherwise, you’re just packing a future chore.

2. Clean first, even if it looks clean

Check care labels and clean clothing before putting it away for the season. Pay attention to sunscreen, perspiration and small spills that may be easy to overlook.

Make sure everything is completely dry before packing. The same goes for swimsuits and beach towels. “Mostly dry” is not the standard we’re aiming for here.

3. Store by when you’ll need it again

Instead of putting all summer clothing into one bin, separate everyday seasonal pieces from vacation items.

A small, accessible pouch with a swimsuit, cover-up and a few warm-weather outfits can save you from unpacking an entire storage system for one weekend trip.

Keep a few layering basics in your regular closet, too. October has been known to change its mind.

4. Let the storage space decide the container

Measure your under-bed clearance and shelf dimensions before buying bins. Include handles, lids and enough room to pull the container out.

For delicate or structured pieces, avoid packing so tightly that everything gets crushed. Follow garment care guidance, and save compression bags for items that can tolerate them.

A container that fits your apartment is more useful than a matching set that doesn’t.

5. Leave yourself a useful label

“Summer” is a start. “Summer tops, shorts and swimsuits” is better.

For mixed bins, take a quick photo of the contents before closing the lid. Keep the photo in a phone album labeled “Seasonal Storage” so you can find one item without conducting a full excavation.

A seasonal closet change should make daily life easier, not relocate the clutter. Browse RPM Living communities and explore floor plans that fit the way you live – wardrobe included.

Your Apartment Laundry Routine Is Missing One Important Step

Most apartment laundry tips focus on sorting colors, checking pockets and remembering to move your clothes before someone else needs the machine. Helpful, yes – but if your clean laundry still feels stiff, smells slightly off or loses its shape too quickly, the problem may be happening somewhere less obvious.

Use less detergent than you think you need
More detergent does not necessarily mean cleaner clothes.

Using too much can leave residue behind, especially when washing smaller loads. That buildup can make towels feel stiff, trap odors and leave dark clothing looking dull.

Check the detergent instructions for your load size and machine type rather than filling the cap automatically. If your clothes feel slippery or overly scented after washing, that may be a sign you are using too much.

Stop crowding the machine
A washing machine needs enough open space for clothing to move through the water.

As a general rule, you should still be able to fit your hand comfortably between the top of the clothes and the inside of the drum. If you have to push everything down to close the door, split the load.

This is especially important for towels, jeans and bedding – all of which become heavier once wet.

Wash items based on texture – not only color
Rougher fabrics can create friction against softer ones.

Try washing jeans, towels and clothing with zippers separately from lightweight shirts, activewear and delicate fabrics. Close zippers before washing and place anything with hooks, straps or Velcro inside a mesh bag.

Your white shirt may survive being washed with a white towel, but that does not mean it enjoyed the experience.

Give damp towels somewhere to go
A towel tossed directly into a hamper may stay damp for hours, creating the perfect conditions for a musty smell.

Hang used towels until they are completely dry before placing them in a hamper. If your hamper has a fabric liner, wash that occasionally, too. Clean clothes will not stay fresh for long in a basket that has been collecting damp fabric for months.

Take laundry out of the machine promptly
Clothing can begin developing an unpleasant smell when it sits wet inside a closed washer.

Set a timer on your phone as soon as you start the load. If your community laundry room is shared, the timer also helps keep machines available for your neighbors.

Before leaving, quickly check the drum and door seal for socks, washcloths or other small items. The missing sock may not be gone forever – it may simply be pressed against the back of the machine.

Let everything dry completely
Clothing that feels even slightly damp should not go into a drawer or closet.

Thicker waistbands, pockets and sweatshirt hoods often take longer to dry than the rest of the item. Give those areas a quick check before folding. If something needs more time, hang it in an open area rather than placing it in a packed closet.

A few small changes can help your clothes feel cleaner, last longer and avoid the dreaded second wash. If an in-home washer and dryer or convenient laundry space is high on your next-home wish list, browse RPM Living communities to explore your options.