4 Biggest Linen Storage Mistakes Organization Experts See Too Often
So, you’ve taken a big step and invested in high-quality linen bed sheets? Welcome to a new and improved you.
Not only will it give your entire bedroom a Pinterest-worthy uplift, but you’ll also see an improvement in your sleep patterns. In order to take advantage of these luxurious benefits, you need to take proper care of your new best friends so they last a lifetime.
While we’ve previously detailed how to properly wash your linen so they last for years (and years), how you store them after they’re clean is just as - if not more - important when it comes to saving your sheets from general wear and tear.
If you’re worried you’ve been storing your sheets incorrectly (and consequently shortening their lifespan), we sought professional help from the founders of professional organisational company TIDEE, Emma Rosham and Michelle Rubin.
Since launching in 2019, Rosham and Rubin have worked to create calm in people’s everyday lives by decluttering countless spaces and homes, and sharing their transformative organisational hacks with sustainability at the forefront of their brand. They’ve even collaborated with household names including IKEA and Dulux, so when it comes to organisation mistakes, they’ve well and truly seen it all.
According to Rosham and Rubin, there are four common linen storage mistakes they see too often in the homes they’ve stepped inside. So, how many are you making?
4 Biggest Linen Storage Mistakes
1. Having too much
You’ve heard the saying ‘less is more’, yes? Well, this applies to your linen cupboard. “Hanging onto items that don’t serve a purpose anymore is a common mistake, so linen that’s worn, discoloured and not used anymore,” Rosham and Rubin explain.
“What you get is too much linen and not enough room to store it all.”
Solution:
Do you keep extra linens for those “just in case” times, but never actually use them? Spend some time Marie Kondo-ing your linen cupboard and saying goodbyes to those items that have done their job and you no longer use.
2. Not folding items
It sounds so simple, but unfolded linens in a cupboard is a problem Rosham and Rubin come across frequently.
“This leads to mess and difficulty finding your beloved linens. Plus, if it’s stored in a mess then it can get pulled in desperation to get to it, which can lead to tears and rips.” Lesson learned: just fold your sheets.
Solution:
“Label baskets to keep similar items together or use storage bags for larger items such as pillows and blankets.” All Bed Threads bedding and sleepwear come neatly packaged in a 100% flax linen storage sack, which you can actually use to neatly store your linens when they’re not on your bed (plus, there are countless other ways you can reuse these chic sacks which you can read here).
One material Rosham and Rubin recommend avoiding is plastic: “Plastic should be avoided as it can create humid environments where nasties such as mould, can thrive.”
Plus, it can also make your lovely linen develop a yellow hue. Why? Linen is a natural fibre (it’s created from the flax plant), so it needs to breathe.
3. Storing them damp
Are you guilty of pulling your linen sheets off the washing line before they’re fully dry? If you want them to last the distance, it’s highly suggested just waiting - as inconvenient as it may feel - until your bedding is dry as a bone. “Linen must be completely dry otherwise it can smell rusty or even worse, it can lead to mould growth.”
Solution:
To help assist with any dampness, they suggest placing jars of baking soda in your linen cupboard, which can help absorb any dampness. Another trick of theirs is to avoid squishing items too tightly together so there’s air circulation.
4. Not cleaning linen properly
It sounds like a no-brainer but Rosham and Rubin cannot stress more the importance of making sure your linens are absolutely clean before they’re stored.
“If they’re not clean, it can lead to discolouration from body oils, perspiration and so forth, or it can become a breeding ground for insects like silverfish and moths.” Is this enough to gross you out?
Solution:
This one is pretty self-explanatory - just ensure you’re not storing dirty items amongst your clean sheets. If you want to go one step further, here are six of the best eco-friendly detergents to use that will keep your linens fresh and buttery soft.
For more from Rosham and Rubin, follow them on Instagram @tideelife.
