How to store your cosplay costumes: You’ve spent months of hard work, sweat, tears, and more super glue than you care to admit into your costumes, so why not protect them for multiple future cons rather than wearing them out to only one?
Storing Your Cosplay Costumes
Cosplay is a highly popular activity with a growing, active culture, and any cosplayer will tell you: It’s hard to stop with just one costume! With that being said, it’s also hard to find space at home for a bustling collection of fabrics, EVA foam, handmade cosplay props (like weapons, body shields, knee armors, foam heads, etc.), and other equipment.
Renting a storage unit for your cosplay can be a great solution, offering you an affordable, accessible, and safe place to store both finished cosplays, work-in-progress (WIP) costumes, and all your supplies.
Self-Storage and Cosplay Costumes: Features to Look For
Anyone who’s spent a convention season poring over their cosplay costume creations knows that the material used in the costume creation process can be delicate and sensitive to the elements. Cosplay artists also know how quickly the hobby can consume one’s space at home. So, what do you need in a self-storage unit for cosplay?
Let’s start with the ideal costume storage unit size. Cosplays can take up a large amount of space, and most cosplayers would kill for some extra closet storage! Thankfully, a 5×5 or 5×10 storage unit provides just that. This size storage unit can serve as the perfect amount of space for your cosplays to be safe and orderly, and you can always bump up a size should you go pro and need even more room for your costume storage.
Additionally, you’ll want to consider finding a storage facility with climate-controlled self-storage units for your cosplay. This is especially important if you live in an area that experiences extreme seasonal weather. Fabrics can grow mildew in humid conditions, EVA foam can and will warp in high heat, and any electronic components can malfunction after extreme temperature changes. A storage unit with climate control will keep your cosplay in a maintained temperature and humidity level, ensuring they stay in show shape for when you need them.
Cosplay Costume Storage Tips
When using self-storage units for cosplay costumes, there are some key things you can do to get the most out of the experience. For starters, make sure you clean your costume prior to storage—you don’t want to cause your storage containers to build up any germs, bacteria, residue, or stinky smells. Cons are extremely fun, and networking is a blast, but let’s be honest, wearing a massive, intricate cosplay costume can cause the cosplayer to endure a sweaty time. Sweat can cause yellowing in fabrics over time, as well as cause smells to form.
If you plan on frequently accessing your costumes, you’ll want to develop a personalized storage method for ease of access and, most importantly, organization. Clearly labeling any storage boxes, storage cubes, and vacuum storage bags will become your best friend. You could also draw up a floor plan of your storage unit to keep your expertly labeled storage boxes, storage containers, cosplay tools, cosplay wigs, cosplay weapons, and any other storage bags easily accessible, locatable, and organized inside your storage unit.
It’s also best to line the walls of your costume storage unit with your cosplays rather than stacking a load of giant storage boxes in the center of the unit. This way, you can conveniently see everything in storage rather than having to dig around repeatedly.
Cosplay is an amazing time of fun, don’t let the stress of storing your costumes get in the way. Use our online directory and filter to find the perfect storage facility for your cosplay and reserve online today!
Thanks for using Storage.com for your cosplay self-storage needs!