I want to try to save the tubers from my dahlias this year. Last year I lost them all because I started to clean the beds in late October. I just dug the clumps up (the tubers were huge), and then I read something about cutting the stalks and waiting a few weeks for eyes to develop.

I can't remember the specifics so if you could help me out I'd appreciate it.

Also could you give me the storing info again? I put some in cardboard boxes and they totally dried out and shriveled. I put the rest in plastic bags in the cardboard boxes and of course they turned to slimy mush!

Sorry you lost your tubers- it's a dahlia lover's nightmare. Perhaps you'd care to try this storage this time around with some of your tubers. It has produced pretty good results for folks here.
You'll have to google "no fuss storage" and see the link there.

Good info abounds here:
http://www.dahlias.net/dahwebpg/CultureIndex/Culture.htm

or at the link below

For dahlia, you are given a clue when to dig and store.
Allow a killing frost to visit which will turn the foliage black. That is your cue to remove them and carefully dig up your clump ...and use a garden fork...its safer. As the clump comes up, cut the stem but leave about 6" of stalk to grab hold of. Much easier to lift out.

Then, use either of two methods to store.

If you have a cold cellar or a place in your basement that is cool---35 to 50 degrees fahrenheit...possibly a crawl space that has a floor that is not just bare ground....that will do nicely.

Knock off any loose soil from around the roots. DONT wash them...that just delays their drying.
Then, into a cardboard box to which you have placed some drying material such as peat moss, vermiculite or sand.
Keep the clumps separate from one another. Bury them in the drying material.
Then just take them to the cool where you leave them alone until you are ready to put them back into the ground next spring.

OR...and I had to be convinced of this method but it is a tried and true way of doing it.

As the clumps come up, separate each and every tuber from the clump. Don't be concerned about whether the tuber has "eyes" or not....just take each tuber away from the juncture of the root.

Each tuber then is allowed to dry for a day or so in the garage or shed.

Then each tuber is wrapped in plastic Saran Wrap. Cocoon each tuber in this way. Hopefully, we avoid wrapping a tuber that is still damp which could lead to mildew or root rot.
Then store in your basement.

It may sound silly...but that's the new way of over-wintering dahlia.

I would take exception to your clause about "do not wash them" I have tons of rocks, worms, wet soil clinging to tubers (we're in Wet WA after all,) come digging time. I would no sooner store a tuber unwashed than I would go to work without a shower! In late Fall it takes 24-72 hours to dry out washed tubers here undercover. They are all clean, dried, and hopefully labelled correctly with my No Blot ink pencil at my side, then dusted in sulphur to further kill of any residual fungi before storing. I have been known to drop tubers or clumps in bleach water to clean them up as well. Squeaky clean.

I just think of "dark and damp" as a huge opportunity for fungus and bacteria to thrive and out here, at digging time it is horribly cold and wet- always.

I've said it before and I say it again: give that woman a gigantic bouquet of flowers for her wonderful idea. And Dr. Peters and you get slaps on the back.

Lost almost all my tubers...don't use potting soil.
They shriveled up.
All my non-dahlia bulbs in peat moss were fine.
Sigh, I'm not alone. We had such nice dinner plates.

Also, if the weather gets rainy and my stalks haven't gone brown yet,
I pull out with some of the garden soil
and let the plant die down in pot out of the rain.