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There’s just nothing like being in bed while it’s raining outside, wrapped up in a warm blanket, reading a good book or watching your favourite show, feeling as cosy as you can be! Blankets and comforters are undeniably a symbol of cosiness and comfort, no pun intended!
But there comes a time when the temperatures start rising once more. All those fluffy, warm blankets, duvets and comforters are of no use until the cold comes back once again, so you have to put them away somewhere. And we’re here to explain where, how and in what to store them!
Clean the blankets and comforters first
Although they might look clean at a glance, our beddings are full of the oils our body secretes, the skin and hairs we (and our pets) are constantly shedding and more. If stored like that, all these substances could not only lead to discolouration and damage, but they could potentially attract pests looking for a snack! So the logical first step you need to take before you store any of your blankets or comforters is to give them a good wash and dry them completely.
Don’t store damp items
On the topic of drying – make sure that your stored items have no moisture in them whatsoever. Storing away damp or even moist items of any kind is a royal invitation for mould and mildew to come and have a go at all your goods.
However, even if your items have been dried extensively, keeping them in a dank place like a basement, garage or attic could undo all that effort and still lead to mould and mildew growth. So make sure to dry everything properly, place it in moisture-proof containers and store it in a space that isn’t damp and mouldy.
Protect your bedding from pests
Even if your beddings have been thoroughly cleaned, they could still possibly fall victim to pests if stored improperly. Avoid cardboard boxes if you can, as they tend to be good nesting material for mice and other little critters. Store them in closed, sturdy containers which keep out both moisture and pests.
But even if you’re storing your blankets and comforters in closed containers, it never hurts to take an extra step to protect them from pests. Pack your items together with a couple of cedar blocks and/or some desiccant sachets to help deter most pests. The cedar blocks will also provide a pleasant aroma to your items, preventing them from acquiring a stale smell over time. A similar aromatising effect can be achieved by using dryer sheets, lavender packets or any other sweet-smelling goodies.
Fold properly to save space
Folding your comforters properly saves more space than you can imagine. Learning how to fold your bedding properly will keep everything orderly and free up more storage space for other items. So here’s one easy way to go about doing it:
If you’re folding a fluffy comforter, blanket or duvet:
- Lay it flat.
- Fold it in thirds widthwise, with both sides coming into the middle.
- Fold it in half lengthwise, then in half again.
For thinner comforters:
- Lay it flat.
- Fold two opposite corners in to meet in the middle.
- Fold the unfolded corners in to meet in the middle.
- Fold it in half and then in half again.
Use vacuum bags
Another smart way to save space is to use vacuum bags. These bags allow you to stuff your bedding inside them and then suck out all the air, compressing your bedding to but a shadow of its former self. Besides saving space, removing all the air from the equation limits the ability for any mould spores present to begin growing and ruin your blankets.
As ingenious as they may sound, vacuum bags are not without their flaws. Duvets filled with down feathers should not be compressed in such a way, as the feathers could end up getting broken and forming clumps. If that happens, much of the insulation that the duvet provides will be diminished.
Choose the proper containers
It’s important not only where you store your bedding, but in what you store it, as well. There are many different kinds of containers available, so picking the right one might seem difficult.
One of the best options for storing your fabrics are plastic storage bins, which are among the best, most affordable options you can choose from. They are sturdy, protect against moisture, and don’t attract pests.
If you’re feeling a bit fancier, you could store your comforters in cedar-lined chests, which offer good protection against pests, will aromatise your comforters and can also look incredibly good! If you want to keep the aroma coming steadily, make sure to sand the cedar lining every so often, so you can free more of the oils present in the wood!
On the topic of bags – whatever you do, don’t use plastic trash bags to store your bedding. They are not airtight, so they will allow the intrusion of moisture, which will then remain trapped inside and could lead to mould and mildew growth. Cotton bags are also a good storage choice, as they protect against dust and bugs but also allow moisture to escape.
If you’re worried you won’t have enough space for all these beddings and containers in your home, there’s no need to worry. Secure self-storage options are available for putting away all your comforters or other items you might not have enough space for!
Refresh comforters and blankets after storage
So you’ve stored your bedding safely and securely for all the seasons. You won’t need them. But the days go by, months roll over and here comes the time to pull out those warm comforters and duvets again!
You might have stored them away with something to keep them smelling nice, but the best way to really refresh them after taking them out of storage is to simply hang them outside in the sun. This will freshen them up and help to remove any deep creases that may have developed during the time they spent in storage.
Conclusion
Blankets and comforters are a must-have for living comfortably during the dark and cold days of the year. But everything has an end, even the winter months that seem to drag on forever. But now that you’ve read this article, you know how to correctly put away all your blankets, comforters and duvets, so they are just as comfy and fresh when you need their cosiness!
