How to Store Bedding Properly

Bedding is best when it feels fresh, clean and comfortable, but when it has been stored away for months, it can easily lose these qualities, becoming musty and discoloured. You should be able to use your sheets for many years to come, without needing to spend money buying sets every season.

In this guide we’ll give you our advice on how to store your bedding so it’s protected from mould, bacteria and dust, ensuring you can use it all year round. 

The global home bedding market was estimated at USD $113.49 billion in 2024, and with the average household owning three to five extra sets, it proves that we all like to have a clean sheet. And with all these sets at home, you need to find a good place to store them.

Why Storing Bedding Correctly Matters

Storing bedding correctly protects it from mould, pests, fading and structural damage — and the single most important rule is to store it clean, fully dry, and in a cool, dark place. Get those three right and bedding can last for many years; get them wrong and the consequences range from creasing and discolouration at best to bad odour, mould growth and pest infestation at worst.

Dirty or damp bedding, especially when sealed inside an airtight plastic container, creates ideal conditions for mould and provides a hospitable environment for pests. Dead skin cells, skin oils and food particles attract moths, carpet beetles and other insects — which is why washing bedding before storage matters as much as where you store it. Light is the other quiet enemy: silk and high-thread-count fabrics fade with too much exposure, and ambient humidity gradually weakens fibre structure over time.

Before You Store — The Essential Prep Steps

Before storing bedding, follow four essential prep steps: wash it, dry it completely, inspect it for damage, and fold it properly. Skipping any of these is the most common reason bedding comes out of storage musty, mouldy or moth-eaten.

Step 1: Wash bedding 

Even if your bedding looks clean, wash it before storing to remove oils and dead skin cells. Any residual dirt attracts moths and carpet beetles. Check the care label — silk, cashmere and wool may need professional cleaning.

Step 2: Dry completely

Bedding must be fully dry before storage. Damp bedding is the single biggest cause of mould in storage. Don't overload your tumble dryer with bulky items like duvets — they won't dry evenly. Wool dryer balls help separate laundry, improve circulation and reduce drying time. Air drying is best for delicate fabrics and adds a fresh scent, with the bonus of being better for the environment. Always check bedding feels dry all the way through, not just on the surface.

Step 3: Inspect for damage

Check for loose threads, holes and pilling. Treat any stains now — they become significantly harder to remove if left for months in storage.

Step 4: Fold properly

Use the KonMari method for fitted sheets, so they stand upright and stack neatly. Lay the sheet flat, tuck the corners into the corners until it forms a rectangle. An alternative KonMari approach is to put the fitted sheet, flat sheet and one pillowcase inside the second pillowcase — creating a complete bedding set bundle that folds and stands upright.

When it comes to your comforter, roll it loosely and tie it with a ribbon so it maintains its loft. Fold your duvet in wide, soft folds, avoiding sharp creases. Stack your blankets at the bottom and don’t place any weight on top of the bedding.

Choosing the Right Storage Container

The best container for storing bedding is a breathable cotton or canvas bag, which protects from dust without trapping moisture. Avoid sealed plastic bags for long-term storage — they trap moisture and encourage mould — and only use airtight containers when bedding is fully dry and a silica gel packet is added.

Where to Store Bedding (Best & Worst Locations)

The best places to store bedding at home are linen cupboards, bedroom wardrobes, under-bed storage and ottomans — anywhere with good airflow, stable temperature, low humidity and protection from sunlight. Avoid attics, basements, garages and sheds, where heat, damp and pests destroy fabric over time.

Best locations:

• Linen cupboard — good airflow, stable temperature, naturally dark
• Bedroom wardrobe — usually has shelving and keeps bedding away from humidity sources
• Under-bed storage — easy access for frequently rotated sets; use breathable bins or drawers
• Ottoman or storage bench — functional, space-efficient and out of direct light
• Bedroom wardrobe drawers — ideal for sheets and pillowcases

Locations to avoid:

• Attics — temperature swings and excessive heat damage fibres
  
• Basements — high humidity and moisture risk
  
• Garages and sheds — pests, damp, and temperature fluctuation

Integrated bedroom storage is becoming increasingly popular for good reason, particularly in smaller homes. In the UK, search interest for Ottoman beds and storage beds has grown 35–40% year-on-year, reflecting increased demand for built-in bedroom storage. (Furniture News, citing the Salience 2025 Beds & Mattresses Industry Report)

How to Store Different Types of Bedding

How to Store Sheets & Pillowcases

Store sheets and pillowcases by keeping each bedding set together — typically by bundling the fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcases inside one of the matching pillowcases. This keeps sets matched, makes them easy to find at changeover, and saves cupboard space.

Once bundled, you can stack the sets on a linen cupboard shelf, place them in fabric bins, or store them vertically in a drawer using the KonMari method. Storage organisers and bands are an alternative for keeping sets together.

If you prefer to store pillowcases separately, sort sheets by size — particularly useful in households with multiple bed sizes, where mixed-up sets become a common annoyance. Avoid stuffing bedding into tight spaces, and add a lavender sachet to the drawer or cupboard to keep stored sheets smelling fresh.

How to Store Duvets & Duvet Covers

Store duvets in a breathable cotton bag in a linen cupboard, with plenty of space — never squashed into a tight container, which flattens the fill and damages the bedding. Vacuum-seal bags are a workable space-saving option for guest duvets or seasonal duvets you only use part of the year, since they remove excess air.

Duvet covers can be folded away with their matching sheets. Keep each cover bundled with its matching pillowcases or full sheet set inside one of the pillowcases — the same bundle method used for sheets.

How to Store Comforters & Heavy Blankets

Store seasonal comforters in breathable zippered storage bags, cotton storage bags or under-bed fabric containers — anything that protects from dust without trapping moisture. For everyday comforters and heavy blankets, fold them neatly into a linen cupboard or ottoman.

Don't stack heavy blankets on top of one another. The weight flattens the fill, and it makes the bottom layers awkward to reach when you need them.

How to Store Wool & Specialty Blankets

Never hang wool, cashmere, alpaca or mohair blankets — hanging stretches and distorts the fibres. Fold them loosely instead, store in a breathable cotton bag, and keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

For more delicate fabrics like cashmere, place acid-free tissue paper between the folds to prevent creasing and protect the fibres long-term.

How to Store Pillows

Make sure your pillows are clean and dry before storing so they don’t lose their shape. Pick a cool and dry place with good airflow. Pillows can be put away in your linen cupboard or a breathable fabric bin. Similarly to duvets, they shouldn’t be crammed into a space, as this can cause them to flatten and lose their support.

Memory foam or latex pillows should be stored in a protective cover or breathable bag away from heat or direct sunlight, as these factors can break down the materials.

Seasonal Bedding Storage Tips

Rotate your bedding twice a year — swap to lighter covers in spring, heavier ones in autumn — and air out stored bedding for a few hours before putting it back on the bed. A small amount of organisation here makes seasonal changeovers far easier.

A few extra tips:

• You generally don't need to re-wash bedding that was stored clean and dry — unless it has been in storage for over six months, in which case a refresh wash is sensible
• Label storage bags with their contents, size and season
• For households with multiple bed sizes, a simple linen inventory (a spreadsheet or labelling system) saves real time at seasonal changeovers 

Common Bedding Storage Mistakes to Avoid

The most common bedding storage mistakes are storing it damp, not washing it before storage, sealing it in plastic, and choosing the wrong location. Each of these accounts for the majority of mould, pest and odour problems people experience with stored bedding.

The full list of common mistakes:

• Storing damp bedding — guaranteed route to mould and a musty smell
• Skipping the pre-storage wash — invisible oils and skin cells attract pests and cause discolouration over time
• Sealing down or delicate fabrics in plastic — compresses fill and traps moisture
• Storing in attics, garages or basements — temperature extremes and humidity destroy fabric
• Stacking heavy items on top of down bedding — permanently flattens the filling
• Skipping pest deterrents — cedar and lavender aren't optional extras; they meaningfully reduce moth damage
• Overpacking storage containers — restricts airflow and causes set-in creases
  Never rotating long-term stored bedding — creates mustiness and uneven wear

Conclusion 

To get the best out of your bedding even after storage, follow these simple steps: wash bedding, dry it completely, put away in a breathable container, and store in a cool, dark, dry place. Whether you’re storing your sheets, pillows, duvets, comforters, or blankets, these steps help prevent musty odors, moisture damage, pests, and unnecessary wear and tear.

Good bedding storage does more than keep your linen cupboard tidy. It helps preserve fabric quality, extend the lifespan of your bedding, and ensure your linens feel fresh, clean, and bed-ready every time you need them.

For more bedding care tips, explore our related guides on How to Wash Your Duvet and How to Transition Your Bedroom from Winter to Spring. 

FAQs

1. Should you wash bedding before storing it? 

Yes, you should wash your bedding before you store it, because if you don’t it can become odorous and mouldy. 

2. Can bedding grow mould in storage? 

Yes, bedding which becomes mouldy in storage is usually due to it not being completely dry when put away, or the place in which it’s stored is damp and humid. 

3. Is it OK to store bedding in plastic bags?

Plastic bags don’t make good storage containers because they’re not breathable. 

4. What is the best container for storing bedding? 

The best container for bedding storage is a cotton or canvas bag as they’re soft and breathable.

5. Where should you store bedding at home? 

The best places to store your bedding at home are dedicated linen cupboards, under your bed, bedroom drawers or an ottoman. 

6. How do you store a duvet long-term? 

A duvet should have a lot of space in storage and not be squashed into a container. Fold your duvet loosely and put it into a cotton storage bag. 

7. How do you keep stored bedding smelling fresh? 

To keep your stored bedding smelling fresh, wash beforehand and put it in a breathable container away from direct sunlight, dampness and humidity. You can add lavender and cedar block fresheners in the area with your stored bedding.

8. How often should you wash bedding in storage?

If you wash your bedding before it's stored, when you retrieve it you won’t need to wash it before putting it on your bed. However, if it has been stored away for over six months you should clean it again before use.

9. Can you store bedding in a vacuum bag? 

Yes vacuum bags are a good option for duvets that you use infrequently as they remove excess air.