How to Store and Preserve Baby Clothes as Keepsakes

Some baby clothes are just clothes. They get worn, washed, and handed on. But then there are the others. The outfit you brought them home in. The romper they took their first steps in. That sleepsuit you’ll never forget because they wore it every night for weeks. These pieces hold moments, not just fabric.

If you’re wondering how to keep them safe for years to come, here’s a guide to storing and preserving your most treasured baby clothes - and some creative ways to give them a new life.

Start with a Gentle Clean

Before you put anything away, wash the garments following the care instructions. For most cotton or jersey pieces, a cool 30-degree wash with a gentle, baby-safe detergent works best. Avoid fabric softeners that may leave residues and always dry completely before storing to prevent mildew.

For guidance on washing baby clothes for the first time, see our blog post: Do You Need to Wash New Baby Clothes?

Choose the Right Storage Method

How you store your keepsakes will make a big difference in how well they last.

• Memory Boxes: Acid-free, archival-quality boxes are best for preventing yellowing or fabric damage. Brands like The Empty Box Company offer beautiful UK-made keepsake boxes.

• Vacuum-Sealed Bags: Good for saving space, but ensure clothes are bone-dry before sealing to avoid trapping moisture.

• Fabric Bags: Cotton or muslin bags allow airflow while keeping dust at bay. Avoid plastic tubs unless they are acid-free and kept somewhere cool.

Protect Against Damage

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.

• Add natural moth repellents like lavender sachets or cedarwood blocks.

• Avoid folding along the same crease for years - refold every so often to prevent permanent lines.

Creative Keepsake Ideas

Preserving baby clothes doesn’t always mean keeping them in storage. You can transform them into something you see and use every day:

• Memory Quilts: Turn favourite sleepsuits and rompers into a cosy quilt. Love Keep Create in the UK specialise in this.

• Teddy Bears & Animals: Memory Bears will create a keepsake teddy from your baby’s clothing.

• Framed Outfits: Display a full outfit or just the most sentimental pieces in a deep photo frame.

• Bunting: Perfect for nurseries, cut small triangles from clothing to create a fabric garland. This YouTube tutorial is a good starting point: DIY Fabric Bunting from Baby Clothes.

Sustainable Sentiment

If you have more keepsake clothes than you can realistically store, consider choosing the most meaningful pieces and donating or reselling the rest. Our Lottie & Lysh Members Group on Facebook is a great place to pass them on to another family who will love them just as much.

A Lasting Connection

Storing and preserving baby clothes is about holding onto more than fabric - it’s about keeping a tangible piece of a moment in time. Whether you tuck them away in a keepsake box, display them in your home, or turn them into something new, they’ll always carry the warmth and love of those first days, weeks, and months.

For more tips on sustainable and sentimental baby fashion, explore our full Baby Clthes Collection and discover timeless pieces worth keeping forever.

Written by Lottie, Founder of Lottie & Lysh

Lottie has been designing ethical childrenswear from our Cornwall studio since 2015. Every piece is made with care to last, share and love again.

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