Putting your sheets inside a sealed storage bag should keep them from absorbing storage smells. Adding a fresh dry sheet will also help keep your linen smelling nice.
Storing sheets in closed spaces without proper air circulation traps moisture and encourages musty smells to develop.
You can place cedar boards in your comforter storage containers or bags to keep them fresh and protected. Dryer sheets: You can place a dryer sheet in your comforter storage containers or bags to add a fresh scent.
To keep bedding fresh, ensure it's completely dry before storing to prevent mold or mildew. Use breathable storage containers to allow air circulation, and avoid plastic bags that can trap moisture.
Sprinkle with baking soda
Baking soda really is one of those magical ingredients. From neutralising odours to giving cookies a light and fluffy texture, it's an affordable, must-have item. The good news is you can also use it to freshen up your sheets because it naturally absorbs moisture and odour-causing particles.
For long-term storage, tuck the holiday bedding in a part of the linen closet where you won't come in contact with them as much. This keeps unnecessary dirt and dust from contacting the fabric itself. As with a bed comforter, you can also use fabric storage totes to pack away your bed sheets.
Hotels often use a diluted solution of bleach in the washing process to remove any lingering stains and to disinfect the fabric. For more sensitive materials, a peroxide detergent might be utilised as a safer alternative to traditional bleach, providing effective whitening while being less harsh on the fabric.
Make sure any linens you're storing in a closet or storage unit get plenty of air circulation by leaving space between items. Don't leave wet or damp linens in storage—they can develop mildew and musty smells. Consider using moisture-absorbing products to maintain optimal humidity levels.
Vinegar: Add one cup of vinegar to a bucket of cold water and soak your smelly clothes for up to 30 minutes. Baking Soda: Add one cup of baking soda to your wash load with your detergent and wash in cold water. Lemon Juice: Squeeze the juice of one lemon into your wash load to extinguish odor-causing bacteria.
As we sleep, our bodies naturally shed skin cells, secrete natural oils and may lightly sweat – although some people may sweat more than normal. [5] If you're sweating a lot at night, it could also mean bacteria is building up overnight, leaving an unpleasant smell to wake up to in the morning.
This is because keeping your bedding in a place without air can lead to mould due to moisture developing, creating that musty smell. Likewise, your bedsheets can gain the same musty smell if stored away for a few months. For instance, if you replace your winter bedding with summer bed sheets and vice versa.
Let's start with the basics: Dryer sheets are small slips made of polyester fibers coated with a blend of fabric softener, fragrance, and lubricants. They're the unsung hero of every laundry cycle that tames static, fights wrinkles, and leaves your clothes smelling irresistible.
Place natural odor absorbers in sealed storage containers with your clothes. Things like activated charcoal, baking soda, coffee grounds, and silica gel packets can help absorb and reduce unwanted smells in storage. Replace the odor absorbers every few months to keep them effective.
Adding natural deodorizers such as cedar blocks or lavender sachets not only keeps them smelling pleasant but also protects them from pests, ensuring your bedding stays in perfect condition. Aromatic red cedarwood pieces that repel moths and other pests, protecting your clothing and linen from damage.
If you choose to use plastic bins for linen storage, consider bins with ventilation holes or select ones specifically designed for textiles and bedding. These containers provide some airflow while still protecting your linens from dust, moisture, and pests.
Employ the Bed-in-a-Bag Method
Put the sheets and pillowcases into a pile and slide everything into the remaining pillowcase. This not only keeps the set together, but it also keeps the bedding compact so it fits more easily into a small space.
Try baking soda
If you're after a long-lasting fresh scent (as opposed to a fragrance), simply place an opened box of baking soda inside your closet, which will help absorb smells for up to a year.
Mix one part white vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle, and lightly spritz the affected areas of your clothing. Allow it to air dry, and the vinegar smell will dissipate, taking the unwanted odors with it. This method works well for removing musty smells and is safe for most fabrics.
When you are looking for longer term storage (more than a few months), avoid packing clothes for storage using vacuum sealed bags. While vacuum sealed bags are a great way to save space and maximize your storage space, the effect that they can have on clothes can be detrimental.
Vacuum Pack Bedding
By vacuuming your bedding, you get rid of all the air inside the duvet which makes the bedding very compact to store. Vacuum-seal storage bags can be used for most bedding as they'll spring right back to life when you're ready to use them again once you've given them a good shake.