During the winter months, many of us choose to layer up our beds with extra blankets for added warmth. Once spring and warmer weather roll around, you may be wondering about the best way to store these extra items. Your blankets may be bulky and take up too much space in the linen cabinet. Here are some of our best practices for storing your bedding and blankets.
Wash your blankets
This may seem obvious, but it’s important to make sure your blankets are clean before storing them away. Laying your foundation properly by washing all the items you are planning to store will remove dirt and oil will ensure that your belongings are not damaged while being stored. Also be sure that your items are completely dry before putting them away. Moisture can lead to mold and mildew and severely damage the items. That moldy smell can be nearly impossible to remove!
Find the right storage container
There are numerous ways to secure your extra blankets and bedding before you move them into storage. Cotton storage bags work great for items that need to breathe, like wool blankets. Vacuum bags are great for compressing those larger items that take up extra space. These plastic air-tight bags will shrink the items up to 80%, making them much more space efficient and easier to store. If you’re looking for storage items with more structure, plastic bins are the way to go. These are great for stacking and will keep your contents dry.
Keep your items fresh
Storing your blankets can leave them smelling a little stale. To help with this, consider placing a few dryer sheets in between the folds of your stored bedding. Mothballs are great for repelling those pesky insects, but can leave behind that unforgettable smell. We recommend using cedar chips instead. After you pull your blankets from storage, they may not necessarily need to be washed. Extra washing can cause unnecessary damage, so we recommend hanging your blankets in the sun to freshen them up. This is a great, natural way to remove odors and kill bacteria.
We hope these tips will help you to properly store your blankets and extra bedding. As with most things, remember to keep your items completely dry and you should be set up for success!