Alright, I got one for the group. I live in a prewar one-bed near the 7 and I have exactly one skinny closet for everything. Last year I put my winter wool in a big plastic bin with a lid, shoved it under the bed, and when I pulled it out in October it had that musty old apartment smell. Now I’m seeing those vacuum-storage bags everywhere and I can’t tell if they’re actually worth it or just a way to ruin a coat. What are people actually doing? I don’t need my stuff flattened like a pancake, I just need it to survive without smelling like a basement. Recs for specific bags or bins that actually seal? Or is the answer just clean it before storing and hope for the best?

I’ve tried the cheap vacuum bags from the drugstore and half of them leaked air by week two. The ones with the double zip and a rubber valve are better, but you really can’t put knits or anything with structure in them. I use clear bins from the Container Store for sweaters and the vacuum bags only for puffy jackets. Throw in cedar blocks and one of those silica packs from shoe boxes. The real game changer is putting a dry towel in the bottom of the bin.

I use my suitcase. It’s already taking up floor space under the bed, might as well be full. I pack off-season stuff in there with an old dryer sheet and zip it. Downside is you forget what’s in there and spend 20 minutes opening every suitcase in April. But it keeps the dust off and I don’t have to buy more bins that I’ll just trip over.

Unpopular opinion but maybe the storage problem is really a too-much-stuff problem. I get that NYC closets are tiny, but every time I’ve bought bins, bags, or whatever, I ended up storing things I didn’t wear again. The best off-season storage system I ever had was a one-in, one-out rule: if I buy a new winter coat, an old one leaves. That solved the musty-bin issue completely because there wasn’t anything sitting around for six months. I know not everyone wants to hear that, but it’s true for a lot of people.

In my experience, the key isn’t the bag or bin — it’s what’s on the clothes when they go in. I live in a co-op in Elmhurst and I’ve gone through basically all the storage methods. Vacuum bags work if you get ones with a double-zip and a valve that isn’t flimsy, and if you don’t over-stuff them. But if a coat has even a tiny bit of food residue, skin oil, or wool moisture, sealing it up just concentrates that in one place. Same thing with bins. You have to clean everything first, and I mean actually clean it or dry clean it, not just ‘it looks okay.’ This reminds me of the earlier thread on pantry moths in a prewar cabinet over the radiator: Pantry moths in a prewar cabinet over the radiator: is airtight actually airtight enough? — the conclusion there was that airtight isn’t always airtight enough because of what’s already inside. Same principle with clothes. Desiccant packs and cedar only help if the thing going in is already clean and dry. Otherwise you’re just marinating it. I also avoid the thin plastic dry cleaner bags for long-term storage. They trap moisture and can stick to leather. Use cotton garment bags for anything structured.

I learned the hard way with a wool sweater that had a tiny coffee spot. I thought it was fine, sealed it up, and it came out looking like a science project. Now I run a small dehumidifier in the bedroom and use cloth garment bags for wool. Vacuum sealing knits makes them lose their shape, but for puffers it’s fine. Also, moths are real. I lost a nice cardigan before I started using cedar.

Yeah the one-in one-out thing is cool if you’re starting fresh, but I got a leather jacket from my dad that I’m not ditching. I think I’ll do suitcases for the bulky stuff and maybe not vacuum-bag my wool. Still worried about the musty smell though. Maybe I’ll wash the bin out with vinegar this time.

The moisture issue in older buildings is worse than people realize. Radiator heat dries the air in winter, but in the closet or under the bed, you get dead air pockets where humidity sits. I’ve stored uniforms and formal clothes in a no-closet railroad apartment for years. What works for me: wash or dry-clean everything first, let it air out completely, then put it in a cotton or canvas garment bag, not plastic. Plastic bins with tight lids can trap whatever is already inside. If you do use bins, drill a few small holes or leave the lid slightly ajar for the first week, then close it once the contents have adjusted. Also avoid storing shoes and clothes in the same bin unless the shoes are wrapped separately. The leather conditioner from shoes can migrate and stain fabric. It’s tedious, but it beats buying new coats every fall.

@railfan_ray that shoe thing is real. I once stored a pair of boots next to a cream sweater and the leather oil left a yellow line on it. Now I never mix shoes with clothes in the same bin. Also yeah, dry cleaning before storage is expensive but cheaper than replacing a coat with moth damage.

What about those under-bed bins with wheels? I saw them at HomeGoods and almost bought one, but my floors are so uneven they’d probably roll out into the middle of the room while I’m asleep. Am I overthinking it? I just want something I can slide out without throwing my back out.

The wheels are a gimmick. You don’t need wheels; you need a bin that’s light enough to lift and a bed frame with enough clearance. If your floors are that uneven, a wheeled bin will just roll to the low spot every time. Maybe shim the bed frame instead. But honestly, under-bed storage is just moving the closet clutter to a different location. It’s still clutter, just with dust bunnies on it.

@Billy_Bridge I partially agree that decluttering helps, but seasonal storage is legitimate for people with outdoor work clothes, uniforms, or gear that you can't just eliminate. I've found the best solution isn't buying a specialized system, it's repurposing what you have. Suitcases and duffels under the bed are nearly free and keep things dry. A canvas garment bag over a suit or coat hangs on the back of a door without crushing the shoulders. The only thing I'd avoid long-term is the thin plastic dry cleaner bags. Those trap condensation and the plastic can degrade and leave a residue on leather or wool. If you must use a plastic bin, put a layer of acid-free paper or a clean cotton sheet on the bottom before piling clothes in, and don't stack them to the lid — leave some air space.

This thread is making me want to move somewhere with a real closet. Until then I'm doing suitcase + cedar. Also don't sleep on those moisture-absorbing buckets in the corner if you're in a prewar. They fill up scary fast. Good luck to everyone pulling out musty coats in October.