How to Store Bedding — 7 Ways to Keep Your Linen Fresh and Fancy For Longer
Expert advice on what you need to do with your favorite sheets when they're not in use
Knowing how to store bedding correctly is the key to keeping your chic linens and cozy cotton bed sheets clean and pristine. Storing your bedding is a big part of its care needs; you would not want to fold it away and drop it into a pile of clothing.
Linen storage ideas don't have to be a bore, think outside the box (literally) and make use of the space you have around you. Remember, different types of bedding have different needs, but when it comes to storage, we can all agree that it should be stored mindfully within the home.
So, how exactly should you store bedding and does it really matter? The answer is yes — and here's what the experts have to say about it.
1. Location is Key
Those bedding ideas have much to look forward to, especially when they've been stored in the right place. One of the most important pieces of advice that came from our cleaning and organization experts? Location. This factor cannot be underplayed as one of the central tenets to the success of your storage solution.
"Proper storage not only ensures bed linens remain in pristine condition," says cleaning expert and founder of Muffetta's Domestic Assistants, Muffetta Krueger, "but also enhances their overall lifespan, saving you time and money in the long run."
When choosing the right storage space, there are a few things to consider. "A cool, dry, and well-ventilated area is ideal for creating an appropriate storage space," says Muffetta. "Avoid areas prone to humidity or direct sunlight, as they can lead to mildew growth and color fading."
If you are lucky enough to have a laundry closet this is the optimal place, however, if not, there are other storage ideas for small bedrooms that work. "If a linen closet is not available, you can keep bed linens stored under the bed," says professional organizer Macie Kreutzer. "Use specially sized storage boxes for under-the-bed-storage and ensure the lid is sufficiently tight to keep the sheets protected."
2. Fold with Care
To keep your sheets looking tip top it is important to take care when folding them. "A neat folding technique helps to minimize wrinkles and save space," advises cleaning expert, Angela Rubin from Hella Maid.
"For bed linens, I like to fold fitted sheets and flat sheets together along with matching pillowcases and store each set inside a matching pillowcase for easy access and a tidy look," she says. This also allows for sheets to be stacked neatly for quick and easy access.
This trick will streamline your bed-making process and make sure the bed looks its best once made.
3. Use Storage Bins
The best bedding sets should be kept in a safe, secure and clean area. Storage bins are ideal for this as they keep things intact and help with the longevity of your home items.
Tina Priestly, a professional organizer and owner of Ready, Set, REFRESH tells us: "One of the best ways to keep bedding tidy is to use storage boxes. Select transparent containers so you can see what's within them and prevent the need to dig. Stackable options can save space and keep your closet or bedroom looking tidy."
The expert continues: "For instance, you can arrange bedding sets according to size or season by utilizing strong, stackable bins like the Rubbermaid Roughneck storage containers. You can also label them, which will help you quickly get what you need."
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4. Use Vacuum-Seal Bags
For those small bedroom storage ideas, Tina says it's ideal to use vacuum seal bags to store bedding. These Amazon Basics Vacuum Compression Space Saving Storage Bags, priced at $20.99, are the perfect storage solution.
"If you’re tight on space, vacuum-seal bags are a game changer! They make your bedding much smaller than it was before, giving you a lot more space," she explains. "Just stuff the bag with your pillowcases, sheets, and duvet, close it, and press the air out. These bags will remain fresh and dust-free whether you store them in a closet or move them beneath your bed."
5. Use a Closet Shelf or Above-the-Door Space
Using clever closet shelving ideas can be a great way to store your beloved bedding. It makes for a pretty little storage solution, and best of all, you'll never have to worry about losing your bedding.
"Maximize every nook by utilizing shelves in your closet," says Tina. "You can roll your bedding sets and stack them neatly on the shelves. It’s a great way to see everything at a glance."
If you have limited shelf space, Tina suggests using the area above the doors. "Install a simple shelf there for extra storage of less frequently used bedding," she adds.
6. Avoid Overcrowding
Many of the issues you currently face with your bedding can be easily avoided by not overstuffing your linens in a limited space. Choosing the best bed linen, and what looks good for the longest, has as much to do with storage as the quality of materials.
"Overstuffing can lead to creases, which can be difficult to remove, and can reduce air circulation, potentially causing musty odors," says Angela. If you allow sufficient space this issue will be irradiated. promoting air circulation and ventilation will dramatically improve the freshness of your linens.
"To prevent linens from developing permanent creases or folds, rotate the ones you use," says Muffetta. "This practice ensures that all linens get a chance to see the light and remain in good condition." Having a favorite set is something we are all guilty of, but consider having a good rotation cycle, it will help them all last longer.
7. Frequently Purge
Are you hoarding a bed set you've had since your college years? Or perhaps you have a sentimental attachment to every bed linen you own. Well, it is time to let them go. Part of the overcrowding problem is having too many sheets.
"Purging and organizing sheets regularly is a must," says professional organizer and founder of Your Organized Life, Lisa Dooley. This is necessary for an organized laundry closet but also as a way of adequately caring for your linens.
"This eliminates the unmatched and unused items and opens up storage space for the items that are in regular rotation," she says. "A useful rule is two sets of sheets per bed — one clean set and one set in the wash."
All these tricks will help you style your bed like a pro while keeping your space organized in the process.
FAQs
What bedding material is the easiest to store?
"Cotton is one of the easiest types of bedding to store. It doesn’t hold onto moisture as much, so it’s less likely to get musty," Explains Tina. "Linen is another good choice— it’s strong and doesn’t wrinkle easily, so it still looks nice after being stored. Both cotton and linen are lightweight, so they’re easier to fold and store neatly."
Why should I store my bedding?
It's important to store bedding, as it keeps things clean, fresh, and lasting longer. Tina tells us, "Storage keeps bedding clean and fresh, free of dust and pests. If bedding is left out, it might grow dusty and moldy, especially if it is in a moist area."
She adds: "Proper storage keeps it in good form and ready for use whenever you need it, eliminating the need to wash it again."
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Faiza is the Advice & Gardens Editor at Livingetc. To further her skills, she is currently taking on the 'Gardening in America' course with the American Horticultural Society (AHS). Faiza previously worked for The Independent as a News Feature Writer, where she crafted lifestyle, entertainment and news stories. She also worked as an Audience Editor for the newspaper for almost two years. Thriving in the busy newsroom, Faiza also spent her time crafting stories for Sky News as an SEO reporter, where she produced stories based on trending topics. Lifestyle and Interior design is a space she has been interested in for quite some time and as she blossoms in this field, she will continue to further her skills in design and gardening. Faiza has a background in SEO, social media and reporting. Her passion for writing goes beyond her work as she loves all things poetry and creative writing.
- Amy McArdleNews writer
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