Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Storing haberdashery correctly means keeping materials in a cool, dry and dark place, in closed packaging, without pressure or tension, arranged by batch so that older stock is used first. Elastics are the most sensitive – heat and light accelerate the ageing of the elastic threads. Ribbons and lace lose colour in sunlight and crease if wound incorrectly.
Why storing haberdashery matters
Haberdashery is bought months in advance and sometimes stays in the warehouse between two seasons. If conditions are poor, the material changes without it being immediately apparent: the elastic looks fine on the reel, but once sewn it does not recover after stretching; the ribbon fades along the edge that was exposed to light; the lace has permanent creases. These defects come to light in the finished product and lead to complaints. Good storage is the cheapest way to avoid them.
Basic rules for the warehouse
- Temperature: room temperature and stable, with no heat sources next to the shelves – radiators, dryers, presses.
- Humidity: moderate; a damp room leads to odours and stains on cotton materials, while one that is too dry makes some fibres more brittle.
- Light: no direct sunlight and away from strong lamps; UV rays bleach dyes and accelerate the ageing of elastic.
- Packaging: closed boxes or the original packaging, to keep out dust.
- Pressure: reels must not be crushed under heavy cartons.
- Chemicals and oils: away from lubricants, solvents and cleaning products.
Storage by type of haberdashery
Elastics
The elastic threads in elastics – latex or elastane – are the most vulnerable part of haberdashery. Latex is more sensitive to heat, light, ozone and oils, while elastane is more resistant, but it too ages. Keep elastics loosely wound, without tension, in a cool and dark place. Do not leave them stretched around objects and do not store them next to electric motors, which give off ozone. Use them in order of delivery.
Ribbons
Satin ribbons crease easily and show every fold, so keep them on their original spools and do not fold them. Grosgrain and herringbone tape are more durable but also fade in light. If you need to rewind a ribbon, do so without tension so the fabric does not stretch.
Lace
Lace is stored rolled or loosely folded, in paper or a textile bag, not in plastic, which traps moisture. Stretch lace requires the same conditions as elastics. It is best to keep dark and light lace in separate boxes so that dust and colour do not transfer.
Cords and hook and loop
Cords are relatively durable, but their ends must be sealed so they do not unravel. Store hook and loop tape with the two parts separated – if they stay fastened for a long time, the loops are crushed and the fastening weakens.
Table: risks and measures
| Material | Main risk | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Elastic with latex | loss of stretch from heat and light | cool, dark, rotation by batch |
| Elastic with elastane | ageing during long storage | no tension, closed packaging |
| Satin ribbon | creases, fading | original spools, no light |
| Lace | creases, dust, yellowing | paper or textile bag |
| Cotton materials | moisture, stains | dry, well-ventilated room |
| Hook and loop | crushed loops | parts separated, no pressure |
Organisation and record-keeping
Arrangement is as important as conditions. These simple habits save time and money:
- A label on every box: article number, type, width, colour, batch and delivery date.
- The "first in, first out" principle: older batches are used first.
- Keeping batches separate: do not mix reels from different deliveries in one box – the shade may differ.
- A check sample: keep one piece from each batch to compare the colour with the next delivery.
- Regular stocktaking: at least once a season, check what has been in stock longest and include it in the next orders.
How to check old haberdashery before use
If a reel has been in storage for a long time, do a quick check before releasing it for sewing:
- stretch a piece of elastic several times and check whether it returns to its original length;
- look for cracking of the elastic threads and for a "rustling" sound when stretched;
- compare the colour of the outer and inner turns of the reel;
- wash a small sample together with the fabric and check the shrinkage;
- with lace – check for yellowing along the folds.
If the material fails the check, do not use it in a series product. The cost of a new reel is much lower than the cost of a batch of garments returned under complaint.
Planning so you do not build up stock
The best protection against material ageing is not to keep it too long. Order the core elastics and ribbons in smaller but regular deliveries, and special articles per project. When the supplier has large stocks of the standard items, you can rely on shorter replenishment cycles instead of stocking up for a whole year.
Polkom – haberdashery with planned deliveries
Polkom is a Sofia-based manufacturer and wholesaler of garment accessories with over three decades of experience. We keep large stocks of standard haberdashery – elastics, ribbons, cords, lace and hook and loop – and make custom articles in the client's colour and with logo. We deliver across the EU and make samples quickly. Get in touch via our contact page so we can plan replenishment around your production schedule.
