Kids grow up so fast, so you should try to preserve the memories and protect your beloved baby things. Pull your favorite items out of storage and give them a once-over to ensure they are not suffering damage from stains, improper storage, or environmental conditions. Use these tips to learn how to store and display your favorite baby items and preserve them for posterity.

Baby Clothes

There are specific instructions for storing and preserving baby clothes if you want them to stay fresh and crisp. First, dry clean each piece and have any stains treated by your dry-cleaning professional. Try to leave items hanging in the dry-cleaning plastic or packaging a couple days to ensure they are completely dry before storing. Some other tips for storing these cleaned items are:

• Stow the clothing in archival storage boxes made from acid-free paper to prevent yellowing.
• Use airtight plastic totes, but make sure that they are constructed from plastic #5, which is safest and won't discolor your items.
• Wrap and stuff items with archival tissue, and add a sachet to keep them smelling fresh.

Store your boxes or totes in a cool dry space and check on your things each year to ensure they are safe and protected from the elements.

Bibs

Place a favorite bib in a small frame and hang it in the kitchen. You may choose to label the frame with the child's name and year or not. If you have more than one child, consider doing a grouping of bibs to hang on a wall in your home.

Plush Toys

Other sentimental items that belonged to your children may include plush toys. Though these may become a bit dog-eared over the years, plush toys can be a treasured keepsake with a bit of care.

Store your baby's plush toys and stuffed animals in a dry, ventilated space that is not in direct sunlight, which may fade them. While you may want to line them up on a shelf or cabinet, this will inevitably make the toys dusty and is not the best way to preserve them for future generations.

Nursery Décor

Don't forget about other items that you may want to pass on or stash away, such as nursery décor. Store things like quilts and linens in the same way that you would your child's baby clothes. Talk to your drycleaner about cleaning and storing other items like mobiles, wall hangings, and bumper pads.

Christening Gowns

A christening gown is a precious item that you will want to preserve and protect from dust and debris. A fun idea for a nursery or kids' room is to have the christening gown professionally framed, such as you might do for team jerseys or sports memorabilia. Just make sure to have the item professionally dry cleaned first.

Baby Shoes

Your child's first pair of shoes is something special, so consider some clever and unconventional ways to display and enjoy them. Some folks enjoy having their children's baby shoes bronzed, or having them plated with gold, silver, porcelain, and pewter. You may also choose to create a baby shoe shadow box, which shows how much their feet have grown each year, by lining up a single shoe from a span of several years.

As your baby grows, preserve and protect their other keepsake items with the same thought and care. These items can includes things like team uniforms, graduation gowns, and prom dresses.

When you are ready to preserve and pack your beloved baby things, contact Crystal Cleaning Center so your baby's items can be cleaned properly before you store or display them.