Friends, it’s time to manage the baby clothing storage like a pro once and for all. This is one thing you don’t make a plan for as a new parent. It can get overwhelming quick, so hopefully this post will keep you ahead of the game!
It’s that time of year when we’re all getting antsy for flannel, fireside chats, and fresh, crisp air (oh, and I better not leave out Pumpkin Spice ev.er.y.thing). But, there’s something else that mothers everywhere are dealing with while chugging their “Pumpkin Spice-whatever”… And that is the Storage Tote Challenge – Fall 2019 Edition.
You may have never heard of it (because I just made it up), but I’m talking about purging all the kids’ crap clothes and prepping for what is needed for the next season. The “challenge” is to see juuuust how many items of clothing we can cram in a tote while still being able to shut the lid easily and have it remain sealed tight without popping off or relying on a stacked tote above it to hold it down (am I right?!).
I hear ya, Friends.
I went through the kids’ clothes late last week in preparation for some fall garage sales and upcoming consignment sales (check out my review of the Take2 Consignment Sale coming up in October!). I’ve always been able to stuff a six-month age range of clothing into ONE tote, but it is getting tough!
If you’re new to this challenge, or maybe just need to learn a simple way to not lose your mind over this madness and chaos, please read on!
I started doing this when my first was a baby, and it’s just worked so I’ve kept it going my other kiddos, too. It’s simple, easy to maintain and keep up with, and affordable.
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How to Manage the never-ending baby Clothing Storage Cycle like a Pro
first step
Get yourself these Sterilite totes in bulk. I get them at Menards, six or so at a time. I like them for two reasons: 1. They are clear, so you can see what’s inside easily. (side note: I only buy clear totes for all of our storage needs.) 2. They have four clasps to keep the lid sealed tight (even if you cram a little too much in there!).
Second step
Make your labels and attach them to the side of your tote. You can even put the label on the inside, so it doesn’t get damaged or removed over time. I like these Washi Crafting tapes. They come in fun colors and are easy to work with. They’re not a heavy-duty tape (like duct tape), but perfect for something like this. You can get real fancy with labels these days. I’m not there yet, so I just hand-write on a tag and tape it on.
Label Attached with Washi Tape. 
Left tote is complete, right tote is just starting!
I keep my tubs in six-month increments for the infant/baby stages. For instance, I have a Boy 0-6 mo. tub, and a Girl 0-6mo. tub. Then I go up from there. Then I try to do one or two sizes per tub as the kids get bigger (because the clothes get bulkier).
Third step
Start filling up your totes as the kids outgrow clothes. The process I use is to put outgrown clothes in the laundry right after the last wear (I make a mental note as I’m putting it on them), then I know to set it aside for the tote when I’m folding the clothes.
I keep the tote/s sitting at the bottom of the kids’ closet so that it’s easy to get to. I am also able to see it every time I’m putting clothes away, so it’s a nice reminder to be on the look-out for outgrown clothes.
About two times a year (or seasonally) I do a full sweep of every drawer and closet and gather all the shoes and accessories. I then get them all sorted and placed in the tote for storage. This also helps me to prepare for what they need next.
I try to get most items at garage sales (you’d be surprised how good of quality and name-brand items you can find for a fraction of the cost at garage sales, y’all) or on Facebook Marketplace. I go to the Take2 Consignment Sale in Des Moines twice a year (Spring and Fall). This usually fills out their wardrobe really well. I’ll get other random items as we need them (or whatever I can’t resist at Target, BabyGap, or Old Navy!).
Final Step
Once you’ve got a full tote, you take that sucker to the basement where it will likely sit, untouched, for 15 years (unless you have another bambino or two!). Then you get a new tote and repeat the process.
As I said, this isn’t a really complex strategy. The key is to stay on top of it and go through things fairly frequently. I try to make a mental note when one of the kids is wearing something that’s getting snug, and then I just put it right in the tote after it’s washed and folded.
This is easier for me to manage rather than waiting to do it all in bulk. I also feel like we cycle through all the clothes they have instead of wearing only a few outfits because it’s hard to know what fits and what doesn’t and things get lost and forgotten (I hate stumbling upon a cute outfit that has been outgrown already and never been worn!).
Final Tip: only buy what they really need
Another tip I have would be to really, really try to only buy what they need. My kids are at home with me 90% of the time. They are playing and being active. They need play clothes. So, that’s what I get. They have a few nicer outfits they can wear when we’re going to do something, but I really attempt to limit how many clothes they have at any one time. And I also make sure they are the right kind of clothes (i.e. play clothes). I like to think of it as a capsule wardrobe of sorts. Laundry is also a lot more manageable this way, too.
It’s really hard to pass up a super cute outfit sometimes (side note: this is where my Monthly Shopping Trip comes in handy. I’m not in stores frequently enough to be tempted to buy more, but it’s just not practical for the stages they’re in right now. I want them to be comfortable, and I don’t want to have to worry about them getting their clothes dirty or stained – because it’s going to happen. And, I’d like to spare myself a conniption fit (there’s plenty of those to go around).
That’s it. Just a straightforward, easy, and affordable way to manage the never-ending baby clothing storage cycle like a pro.
How do you organize and store your kids’ clothing as they grow? Do you even keep the clothes or do you get rid of them somehow? Let me know your strategy in the comments!
To the Chaos!
-MG
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