Wrangling Your Baby Clothes Organization System

If you’re a parent, you’ve likely experienced the bittersweet moment of realizing your sweet babe has somehow outgrown another favorite onesie. My four month old is currently in between sizes and I am -admittedly- having a hard time saying goodbye (see you later?) to some of her outfits. Since they change so much during their first year, having tangible proof that they’re growing just never gets any easier. So, what should you do with all of those baby clothes? Toss them? Donate them? Or, like many of us, save them for the next baby, a friend, or even for nostalgic reasons?

Storing baby clothes can feel overwhelming, but with a little planning and some simple storage strategies, you can keep memories safe without turning your closet, basement, or garage into a baby clothes museum. Learn how to store baby clothes by size and season, complete with vacuum-sealing tips that will help you save room and, possibly, even a bit of your sanity.

Why Storing Baby Clothes Matters

Whether you’re planning for more children, hoping to pass clothes down to a friend or relative, or just can’t part with those teeny-tiny pair of overalls, having a baby clothes organization system for storing them can be a game-changer.

First, it keeps your home from being overrun with boxes of clothes that no longer fit. Second, it makes it easy to find what you need when the next baby comes along. I had my girls 22 months apart and I know for certain that if I had not created this efficient system before my second came, there’s no way I would’ve found the clothes I needed for my youngest during her size transitions. And third, it ensures that those special outfits (like the one they wore home from the hospital) stay safe and sound for years to come. Plus, let’s face it, there’s something incredibly satisfying about opening a neatly labeled bin and seeing all those perfectly organized baby clothes, ready to be worn again.

Step 1: Sort by Size and Season

The first step in storing baby clothes is to sort them by size and season. This might sound like a daunting task, especially if you’ve got mountains of tiny outfits to sift through, but trust me, it’s worth the effort.

Start by gathering all the clothes your baby has outgrown. Lay them out in a designated area (a large table or the floor works well) and begin sorting them by size. Most baby clothes are labeled with their size, but if the labels have worn off or you’re dealing with hand-me-downs, just use your best judgment.

Once you’ve sorted by size, it’s time to tackle the seasons. Separate clothes into categories like winter, summer, spring, and fall. This will make it easier to find the right outfits when you need them again—because no one wants to dig through a box of winter coats in July!

As you sort, be sure to check for any stains or damage. If you find anything that’s beyond repair, it might be time to say goodbye. For clothes that are still in good condition but have a stain or two, consider giving them a quick wash or treating the stains before moving on to the next step.

Additionally, you can stay on top of keeping your baby clothes organization by following Steps 2 and 3 as they are growing. Once a season’s worth of clothes have been outgrown it’s helpful to group, fold, and vacuum seal them before they pile up in your home.

Step 2: Vacuum Sealing—The Magic of Space-Saving

Now that you’ve sorted your baby clothes by size and season, it’s time to make them as compact as possible. Enter the vacuum sealer, a parent’s best friend when it comes to saving space. Vacuum sealing not only reduces the bulk of stored clothes but also protects them from dust, moisture, and the occasional curious toddler. (Check out my favorite vacuum seal bags!)

Here’s how to vacuum seal like a pro:

1. Prep Your Clothes: Before sealing, make sure all clothes are clean and completely dry. Any moisture left in the fabric could lead to mold or mildew and, let’s be honest, you don’t have time to deal with that!
2. Group by Size and Season: Take the sorted piles from Step 1 and group them together. For example, all the 0-3 month winter clothes go in one pile, 6-9 month summer clothes in another, and so on.
3. Label Your Bags: Write out the size and seasonal contents of each bag (along with the types of clothes future you can find inside) on a piece of paper (I use notecards) with sharpie. You’ll be placing these inside the bags before vacuuming the air out. It’s challenging to attach a label to a bag once the air has been removed! This step is crucial—future you will thank you for it when you’re looking for that specific 3-6 month fall outfit a year from now.
4. Bag and Seal: Place each group of clothes into a vacuum-seal bag. Try to keep them as flat as possible to maximize space. I like to fold them a bit to help them stay flat. Then, place your paper or notecard labels inside so you can read them. Finally, use your vacuum to remove the air and create a compact, airtight package.

Vacuum sealing is a simple, effective way to maintain your baby clothes organization and keep them safe. Plus, you know there’s something oddly satisfying about watching all that air get sucked out of those bags.

Step 3: Store in Tubs (and Don’t Forget to Label)

With your baby clothes vacuum-sealed and labeled, the next step is to store them in tubs. Sturdy, plastic storage tubs are ideal for this job—they’re durable, stackable, and keep your clothes safe from pests and water damage.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Choose the Right Tubs: If you are starting this process from scratch, opt for clear plastic tubs. They allow you to see what’s inside without having to open them. If you already have opaque tubs, please do not go buy new tubs! You can just label them clearly.
2. Organize by Size and Season: Place your gorg vacuum-sealed bags into the tubs, organizing them by size and season. Depending on the size of your tubs and how many clothes you’re storing, you might be able to fit multiple sizes and seasons in one tub. If that’s the case, stack the bags with the smallest size on top and the largest on the bottom (or smallest to largest if storing the bags on their sides like I do).
3. Label the Tubs: Just like you labeled the vacuum-sealed bags, you can also label each tub with the contents inside. Include the size, season, and any special notes (like “Favorite Outfits” or “Handmade by Grandma”) so you know exactly what’s in each tub.
4. Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Finally, find a spot in your home to store the tubs. A closet, attic, or basement can work well, as long as it’s cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight. Remember, the goal is to keep these clothes safe and sound until you’re ready to use them again.

And just like that, you’ve turned a potentially overwhelming task into a manageable, organized system that will make your life easier down the road. Plus, you’ve saved precious space in your home, making room for all the new clothes your growing baby will need (because we all know they’ll keep outgrowing things way too quickly 😭).

Final Thoughts: Baby Clothes Storage That Works for You

Before I decided to tackle my baby clothes organization storage disaster I had baby clothes all over my house. I was SO overwhelmed by the task and honestly felt like such a failure because of it. During my firstborn’s first year I was shocked by how quickly they changed but, also, what came with them! My daughter was outgrowing not only her clothes but also her toys, shoes, bibs, and more. I didn’t know where to start.

All that to say, if you are feeling overwhelmed with all of your baby clothes and just, STUFF, you’re not alone! Not even a little bit. But please know, storing baby clothes doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By sorting by size and season, vacuum sealing to save space, and then placing those in tubs, you’ll create a system that’s easy to maintain and even easier to access when you need it (promise). Plus, you’ll be able to hold onto those sweet baby memories without feeling like your home is bursting at the seams.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to organizing your home. The key is finding a method that works for you and your family. It needs to stick. So, whether you’re saving clothes for your next baby, passing them down to a friend, or just can’t part with that adorable onesie, take comfort in knowing that you’ve got a plan in place.

And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll pull out those vacuum-sealed bags and take a trip down memory lane—without the clutter.

What do you think of organizing baby clothes? Is this something you want to tackle? Let me know in the comments!

If you want professional organizing help with your baby clothes storage organization, please reach out! I would love to help.