How to properly store summer clothes so they last for years
As autumn arrives and summer clothes get packed away, environmental educators recommend reviewing your wardrobe before sorting anything for textile recycling. Latvian survey data shows people already pass on used clothing, though repairing it is still less common.
As the season changes, summer clothing gradually disappears from daily wardrobes. Before packing it away for months, it's worth reviewing the whole wardrobe first, says Ieva Erta, environmental education expert at company Zaļā josta. She stresses that only after considering continued use, repair, or passing items on should anything be sent for textile sorting.
What the data shows
Across the European Union, around 5 million tonnes of clothing are discarded each year, roughly 12 kilograms per resident, and only 1% of materials used in clothing get recycled into new garments. Producing a single cotton T-shirt requires about 2,700 litres of fresh water. A 2025 survey by CleanR of 710 Latvian residents aged 15–75 found that in the Zemgale region, 47.6% of respondents sell, donate, or pass on still-usable items, slightly above the national average of 45.8%. However, only 11% of Zemgale respondents mentioned repairing clothes or shoes as a way to reduce consumption, compared to 14.9% nationally.
Storage advice
Before storing clothes long-term, they should be washed and completely dried, since even slight moisture can cause odours or damage fabric over months. Small defects in pockets, buttons, zippers, or seams should be checked, as they can worsen while stored. Light garments can be hung, knitwear is better folded to preserve shape, and delicate fabrics should not be crammed into overfilled boxes. A dry, dark, cool spot away from direct sunlight is recommended. Shoes should also be cleaned and dried before storage and kept from being squeezed together.
Sorting as the last resort
Erta notes that emptying a wardrobe entirely isn't the most sustainable choice — if clothing is still in good condition, passing it on is more valuable than discarding it. Only genuinely worn-out items should go to textile sorting. Sorting bins accept dry, clean textiles free of contamination, packed in sealed bags. Drop-off locations can be found at videspratiba.lv or zalajosta.lv, and in areas served by CleanR, the seasonal "Tīrmāja" campaign also collects textiles.
