I pulled my favorite wool coat out of storage last fall and found a hole in the sleeve. A moth had moved in during the summer and brought friends. That coat was gone, and it was my fault.

Storing winter coats is not just about making room in the closet. It is about keeping the fabric, the shape, and the critters out.

Clean Them First, No Exceptions

Never store a dirty coat. Food crumbs, sweat, and body oils attract moths like a free buffet. Dry clean or wash every coat before it goes away for the season. This one habit would have saved my wool coat.

Pick the Right Storage Spot

Coats need a cool, dry, dark place. Heat and humidity ruin fabric and feed pests. A spare closet in the house beats an attic or garage, which swing in temperature and invite moisture.

Hang Heavy Coats, Fold Knits

Heavy coats like wool and down belong on wide, padded hangers so the shoulders keep their shape. Sweaters and knit coats should be folded, not hung, because hanging stretches them out. Store folded knits flat in a bin, not stacked too deep.

Use Garment Bags and Cedar

Put hanging coats in breathable fabric garment bags, not plastic. Plastic traps moisture and can yellow the fabric. Toss a few cedar blocks or lavender sachets into the closet and the storage bin. Moths hate the smell, and your coats smell better for it.

Check Once Mid-Season

Take a quick look in the summer. If you see tiny holes or little gray moths, deal with it before it spreads. Caught early, a moth problem is a five minute fix with cedar and a vacuum.

This year my coats went into storage clean, bagged, and cedar-guarded. Next fall, they are coming out exactly the way they went in.