I have fabric that has been in totes for years. Recently we moved and I unpacked it all, refolded and sorted it into 4 floor to ceiling wall cabinets with doors- no more totes for me. None if the older fabric had any fading. I don't plan to refold any time soon. As DebraK said, some of it gets refolded at audition time anyway. I think if the fabric is protected from dust and light, it should be fine for the long term.