Keeping your baby’s precious little clothes and blankets in good condition for future generations can be done easily. Imagine the joy or embarrassment your child will feel when you share those first clothes with a future spouse! This step-by-step guide will ensure that the items will be stored safely away.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 1 hour
Here's How:
- Make sure the garments or blankets are clean by laundering or dry-cleaning each piece.
- Purchase a storage box that is made of cast polypropylene which is an inert material used for archival storage. Rubbermaid and Sterlite offer boxes of every size in this material. Look for the #5 within the recycling triangle or the letters “PP” to ensure that you have the correct type of box.
- Purchase archival tissue paper that is both acid and lignin – a chemical compound derived from wood - free.
- Wash and dry your hands before handling items – no lotion or creams that can stain clothing. If there are any metal buttons, remove them and store separately. The metal can corrode and cause staining.
- Cover a flat area like a bed or table with a layer of archival tissue. Lay the items out face down on the tissue. Lightly stuff any sleeves, hats or dimensional areas with tissue.
- Beginning on one side and working around the garment, fold to the center interweaving each fold with a sheet or two of tissue. The tissue will cushion the folds to help prevent creasing. Continue around the garment until it is completely covered with tissue.
- Place the item in the storage box. Repeat steps with each individual item.
- Choose a cool, dry space for storage. The ideal spot is an interior space away from exterior walls and plumbing pipes that might burst. Avoid extreme temperatures areas like attics, basements and garages.
- Inspect the garments at least once per year. Look for any stains that may appear and treat them promptly. Refold garments slightly differently to minimize creases and stress to fabric.
What You Need:
- Baby keepsakes
- Polypropylene storage box
- Archival quality tissue paper
