Preventing musty smell packed away items

[YeOldeTrout]

Is it inevitable that textile things packed away for yrs will stink, or is there some way to prevent this?

Vacuum pack it.

why does that help, reducing mould spores, maybe?

I've had kids clothes stored away for years and they were fine when I got them out again. I think vacuum packing does help - I'm no scientist but I think lack of air/oxygen keeps things fresher. It's also airtight which means no moisture can get in.

Items stored in the loft haven't smelled, either. They are completely open (in loose plastic bags) rather than vacuum packed, though. And it is cold up there.

My theory is that closed in a box but not vacuum packed is the recipe for stink.