Storage Guide to Make Your Household Bedding Last

What is the proper way to care for and store your bedding at home? Following the manufacturer's instructions for washing is not enough. Only a few homeowners know it, but how you store your bedding can affect its quality over time. You must know the proper way to store your bedding to make it last.

This guide will give you some storage techniques to help maintain its quality over the years, especially if you need to put your bedding away for an extended period. 

Washing Your Bedding for Long-Term Storage

The most crucial step to storing your household bedding is to ensure it’s clean before you put it away. Yourbed sheets, blankets, and other types of bedding come into contact with your skin during sleep. As a result, dirt, dust, and oil accumulate on the fabric during use. Therefore, washing your bedding is essential to keep it clean and in good condition before you put it into storage.

If you don't wash your bedding before you store it, it can cause damage to the fabric. It also promotes mold and mildew formation on the fabric and causes unpleasant odors. Therefore, you should always wash your bedding before you store it, especially if it’s for several months. It’s also a practical tip since fresh bedding will be available when you need it.

If you wash your bedding before storing it, ensure the fabric is completely dry. Dampness on the material can promote mold and mildew formation. 

Washing Tips Before Storing Your Bedding

Take note of these washing tips to ensure that your bedding is adequately cleaned and in excellent condition before you store it away:

• Use cold water and put your washing machine on a delicate cycle. Hot water can degrade the fabric's quality during the washing process. Using only a small amount of detergent is essential, as too much can damage the fabric over time.
• Use medium to low heat when drying the bedding. You can add dryer balls to prevent the fabric from bunching and ensure all bedding parts are evenly dried.
• Avoid overstuffing the dryer. It’s crucial that your bedding is thoroughly dry before you store it. One way to ensure that, is not to overload the dryer. It would be best if you dried larger sheets separately.
• Take the bedding out of the dryer immediately. Leaving your sheets in the dryer can cause wrinkles to form, damaging the fabric over time, especially when stored. 
• Check the label for the proper way of drying your bedding. For example, some fabric types require air drying; putting them in the dryer can cause excess fabric damage. 

Keeping Your Bedding Fresh & Clean

How do you keep your bedding fresh and clean in storage? Regardless of where you’re storing your bed sheets and other types of bedding, there are ways that you can keep it fresh and clean until you're ready to use it.

The first step is to use dryer sheets. When folding your bedding, add a dryer sheet in between each layer. The use of dryer sheets maintains freshness in the fabric while in storage. 

Another technique is to use an odor absorber. You can make one at home by mixing baking soda with your favorite essential oil and putting it inside a mason jar. Create holes in the lid of the jar before placing it inside the closet with yourhousehold bedding. The odor absorber removes that unpleasant smell on the bedding when it's been in storage for several months. 

Finally, you can also air dry your bedding before storing it. Hanging your bedding out in the sun ensures it is completely dry. The sun's rays are also a natural deodorizer, helping to kill any odor-causing bacteria that could get stuck on the fabric. Air drying your bedding ensures a completely dry and odorless fabric. 

Where to Store Your Bedding

So, your bedding is clean and dry. It’s now time to set it aside for storage. But first, know the best spots for storing your bedding to make it last longer. Here are some guidelines to consider when choosing the ideal storage spot for your bedding.

1. Choose a cool and dry storage space.

The ideal storage space for your bedding is cool and dry. Avoid damp areas because they can damage the fabric and cause mold, mildew, and other unpleasant odors. Therefore, you should avoid storing your bedding in the basement or garage, which can get humid. Moisture is not suitable for your bedding.

2. Choose a space that allows the fabric to breathe.

As mentioned above, the ideal storage space for your bedding must be cool and have good airflow. Consider this tip when storing natural fibers like wool and cotton. Excess amounts of moisture can damage natural fibers. 

With that said, you must avoid storing bedding inside a plastic bag. The lack of airflow can trap moisture inside, making it a breeding ground for molds. 

3. Fold your bedding

If you have limited storage space, folding the bedding before storing it is best. Properly folded bedding and sheets take up less space, making your storage area more organized. Finding specific bedding when you need to use it later is then also easier. In addition, folding your bedding can prevent creases that could damage the bedding. 

4. Use bedding storage containers wisely

Another way to get organized in storing your bedding is to use storage containers. Your options include hangers, storage bags, ottomans, and storage baskets. Again, take note of the tips above when using these storage containers to prevent damage to the fabric. 

Final Words

Caring for your household bedding requires planning and commitment. It also pays to know the proper storage ideas to make it last longer. Investing in the appropriate care and organization for your bedding before you put it in its storage space can make a world of difference when you need to use it. Plus, it’s a practical approach since you won’t have to keep replacing your bedding.