The 8 Best Containers for Storing Clothes

Many storage bins—let’s be honest—aren’t particularly chic, but this one is aesthetically pleasing, surprisingly sturdy, and available in a range of colors. During testing, we found that the low profile and compact size easily fits up on high closet shelves, while the plastic viewing windows make identifying contents a breeze.

The fabric is reinforced with metal so it keeps its shape, and it’s easy to retrieve items thanks to the durable zipper. The best part is that you can choose from a variety of sizes to accommodate your storage needs. We also noticed that clothes stay fresh, even over a long period of time.

These bins are great for storing lightweight and off-season items, but given their size, they’re not ideal for storing bulky winter items like sweaters and scarves.

One overall drawback to buying a fabric storage bin versus a plastic one is that there may be a chance for moths to get inside, so you may want to throw in a couple moth balls or other bug deterrent like lavender before storing anything long-term. With that said, we found the fabric of this organizer set to be more puncture-proof than other cotton-fabric options on the market.

While they’re lightweight and easy to move around given the side handles, the one change we’d make is the addition of a front handle (in case you want to pull it down from the closet).

_{Type: Box set | Material: Linen, metal, and MDF}

Compared to our best overall pick, these fabric containers are a bit wider, making them a better option for storing sweaters and even bigger items king-size comforters (which we tried out).

We stored these bins in both a closet and basement and found that the flexible material is not only great for stacking, but the containers can squeeze into tight places in closets. The handles are reinforced, making the containers easy to transport around the house, even when they’re stuffed to the brim.

While we love the clear windows, they may attract dust over time and there’s no labeling system or tags to help with organization. Also, the sides aren’t reinforced, so if you don’t pack them just right, stacking might be a bit awkward.

Still, they’re ideal for storing seasonal clothes, blankets, and any bulky fabric, as you’re able to fit a lot of stuff in here (compared to, say, a plastic container with a lockable lid). And for under $30 for six of them, you’re getting a really good bang for your buck. 

_{Type: Box | Material: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and fabric}

One of the best aspects of this option from The Container Store is the hard plastic material, which makes it great for storing wool or bulky sweaters without worrying about dust or moths getting inside.

It’s also great for storing up on high shelves or even stacking. Since both the body and lid are clear, it’s easy to see at a glance what’s inside (especially if it’s been tucked away for multiple seasons or forgotten in an attic). We loved the secure, snap-on lid, too.

While the product definitely has more depth than other storage bins, it was a bit smaller overall than we expected. The price is certainly on-point though, at just under $7 per bin, so you can grab a few to organize and stow away an entire seasonal wardrobe.

One note: We couldn’t find a super efficient way to stack up sweaters within the bin, so organizing may end up being more like a game of Tetris. Though, The Container Store does offer a full line of coordinating boxes if you have other sizes you want to try and want to match your containers.

Also this bin is not particularly heavy duty and we suspect that it’s probably not shatterproof, so plan accordingly if you’re moving or expect to be making lots of adjustments with contents. But for everyday use, it holds up well and keeps clothes fresh, clean, and in the same condition as when you first stowed them away.

_{Type: Bin | Material: Polypropylene}

This Sterilite Garage Tote is a bit pricier than the sweater box (at around $16 each), but it’s also a lot sturdier and holds much more, which is why we like it for long-term storage. Given the increase in height, you can easily store several winter coats or sweaters, as well as square-shaped items like vinyl records.

As with the sweater box, the snap-closure lid is very secure and keeps contents protected in climate controlled environments. Our belongings were in the exact same condition at the end of the testing period as they were when we first packed them—clean and neatly folded, with no dust or other contaminants present.

We also found this storage bin fits best inside a closet on the floor (not on a shelf) and the clear plastic makes it easy to identify your items. While the plastic lid may accumulate dust over time, we found that it can be easily wiped away with just a damp cloth.

If you live in a small home or apartment, however, this one may be a bit bulky for you, as it takes up more space than other storage bins (it won’t fit under a bed due to its height).

It also lacks wheels, so if you’re moving it around your home—say, from the attic to the bedroom or taking it in from the garage—it may get a little heavy. To be fair, most of our picks don’t have wheels, but because this one is larger, the extra weight is more noticeable.

_{Type: Bin | Material: Polypropylene}

Whether you want something for under the bed use or to be placed neatly in a drawer, this no-frills IKEA case is great for storing clothes that you need to retrieve regularly. It’s almost like a packing cube, so it can hold a surprising amount of stuff, and we love the easy-to-use, two-way zipper to readily access clothing.

Since it’s not made of hard plastic, the storage case squeezes into tight places when you’re stowing it away, making it a great option for those in smaller living quarters.

It comes with thoughtful side straps, so you can quickly grab it from a shelf or from under the bed (as long as it’s facing outward), and the affordable price point makes it a solid value.

One downfall is the storage case lacks definitive structure or reinforced sides, so it can be problematic if you’re trying to stack several at once. It also doesn’t come with a clear label area, which makes identifying contents a bit more challenging—especially if you own several identical IKEA storage cases. With that said, during testing, it kept clothes fresh and free from pet hair, even in a non-climate-controlled area, making it terrific for everyday use.

_{Type: Bag | Material: Polypropylene and PET plastic}

Great for stashing under low-clearance beds, this storage option has wheels that glide smoothly on a variety of surfaces (including hardwood, carpet, and wool rugs), and that lock securely into place. They come in a set of two or four, and we tried them under two different beds and loved that the clear top allows for easy visibility and access to items.

It comes with faux-leather handles on both sides, which not only add a nice color pop from the standard gray shade, but also makes retrieval a breeze.

While you can certainly store things like sweaters and sheet sets, it veers on the shallow side, so you’re limited in height with this pick. And if you have thicker or bulkier items, there’s not as much room to stack multiple items inside the container.

Still, we found the wheeled design really appealing, and the overall stability was apparent when our cats chose to lay on these bags like a bed. Even after this extra usage, our clothes still remained intact.

_{Type: Bin | Material: PU Fabric and Metal}

StorageLab’s under-bed containers come in a set of two (so you can finally tackle your organizational needs in one go) and can be easily stored under a bed. We loved how the black zipper allows for easy access to clothing. Plus, the reinforced sides not only prevent items from shifting around, but also keep the bag from collapsing if it’s not entirely full.

These containers are made with an attractive, breathable fabric, and we loved how the clear plastic tops help easily identify items inside. They also look more high-end than other more standard fabric storage containers on the market.

Since they’re not super deep, at 4.5 inches high, you won’t be able to stack a ton of sweaters, but we found that they hold plenty of sweatshirts and tee-shirts with no problem. Technically you can store up to 60 liters within each container and each one comes with handy straps on both sides.

Overall, we found these containers to be well-constructed with a high-quality design, although we’re not sure how the plastic top will hold up with heavy use over a long period of time. Some buyers may also find the container a bit bulky itself (or simply larger than other under the bed storage options), so keep that in mind if you have a low-clearance bed.

_{Type: Bag | Material: Polyester blend}

This hard plastic, no-frills, under the bed storage option is surprisingly durable, even after many years of use, making it a favorite on this list. It easily glides under the bed due to its low profile, and can be stored on high closet shelves, basements, or attics thanks to its plastic design.

We found the transparent bottom to be great for easily identifying items from up high, if you happen to slip it onto a closet shelf (however it does have a slightly smaller capacity than expected).

The storage bin has a longer length than most, but you won’t be able to stack up a ton of sweaters in this one (and without a lockable lid, it may burst open if it’s overfilled). We also found that the plastic exterior attracts pet hair easily, so that’s also something to consider if you’ll be storing these near any furry family members.

But if you’re looking for something that holds up extremely well over time (one member of our testing team has used a bin like this one for nearly 20 years!) and comes at an accessible price point, this is an excellent budget-friendly option that would make a great storage solution for those with small spaces and limited room for storage. It’s also easy to transport around the house since it’s so lightweight.

_{Type: Bin | Material: BPA-free and phthalate-free plastic}