1. Inspect every piece of clothing, inside and out. Fix any tears and loose seams, and replace missing buttons. "That way, if a surprise cold snap hits, everything in your closet will be ready to wear," says Amy Gray of Empty Your Nest Professional Organizing in Seattle.

2. Clean everything before putting it away. If you wore something, even just once — and even if it looks clean — you should wash or dry-clean it. Why? Even clear stains, like white wine, can ruin clothes. "They're invisible at first when they dry. But over time, they react with the air and discolor the fabric," explains Steve Boorstein, whose video, Clothing Care: The Clothing Doctor’s Secrets to Taking Control, was released in February.

3. Unwrap any professionally dry-cleaned clothes before they're stored. You'd think you should leave them in the plastic, but turns out that’s not a good idea. In humid summer weather the plastic traps moisture, which can make clothes smell musty. And if any stains didn’t come out completely, they'll end up even more ingrained.

4. Invest in shoe trees. Tuck them into every boot and shoe you own -- they'll help footwear keep their shape and prevent deep wrinkles from forming due to set-in moisture and perspiration, says Boorstein. In a pinch, you can use wads of newspaper instead.

5. Cover up your clothes. Put them on plastic or wood hangers (just like Joan Crawford said, don't use wire, except for men's dress shirts -- they can leave marks or dimples in the fabric) and hang them in breathable garment bags (Linens 'n Things and The Container Store have canvas ones starting at $15). Or group a few items together in your closet and cover them with a freshly washed cotton sheet, which will protect them against dust, damage and fading.

6. Box up or bag your better shoes. "When you just leave them in the closet, they're exposed to light, dust and particles, and they can rub against each other and get scuffed," Boorstein explains. Breathable bags or boxes (we like The Container Store Clear Shoe Boxes, $2 each) help keep shoes supple and odor-free. Just wipe off any dirt and polish them first.

7. Take special care of your sweaters! If you hang them, they'll stretch; if you stuff them in a cardboard box, the moths may treat them like an all-you-can-eat buffet. ("The boxes are often put together with glue, which is a protein and attracts insects," Boorstein explains.) Instead, put them in breathable sweater bags (also great for bulky blankets), and store them under your bed. Try the Space Saver Under-Bed Tote, $20, spacebag.com.