Storage Tips

With the weather getting warmer and warmer, the need for heavy quilts slowly vanishes, and at one point you make the important decision that winter is over and the time for duvet storage is here. It might sound simple enough, just fold the thing and put it away, but there is actually more to the whole storing process. [post_walkthrough title="Table of contents:"] How to store duvets and quilts Storing feather duvets Storing pillows [/post_walkthrough] How to store duvets and quilts Start off by vacuuming any leftover debris and dirt. Check the label and see if the bedding can be machine washed. If you get confused by all the symbols illustrated there, see the explanation behind each washing symbol. If the duvet is too big and barely fits in the machine, you can either wash it by hand or go to a laundromat. In case you’d rather clean it yourself, pay special attention to the drying instructions to avoid damage. Most of the times, the best option is to leave the quilt or duvet to air dry someplace shady, away from direct sunlight. It might be a good idea to dry it directly on top of the grass or something else. Avoiding hanging the duvet will keep its fillings from gathering alongside the edges. Now that the duvet/quilt is dry, it’s finally time for storage. For any fabric, the best option is always a vacuum-sealed plastic bag. It will save you a ton of space while protecting your quilt from dust mites, insects and humid weather. Never use black bags as they do not ventilate moisture properly. Vacuum-sealed plastic bags are transparent and will not protect your duvet from sunlight, keep that in mind. If you wish to keep the original fresh colour of the bedding, make sure you store it in a cool and shady place with low humidity. If you do not have a vacuum-sealed bag, you can store your duvets and quilts in a linen bag, or by wrapping them in natural fibre cotton. In both scenarios, it’s always a good idea to slip in a dryer sheet, to keep the bedding fresh. How to fold a quilt before storage The best way to store a quilt is to not fold it at all, and just lay it flat somewhere, but not many people have this kind of capacity in their homes. In order to save even more space and give the best possible summer vacation to your quilt, you need to fold it right. If it’s small and thin, just roll it in a tube and place it in the vacuum-sealed bag. If this is not possible and the quilt is too big, fold it like you normally would but also place a sheet of acid-free paper between the different layers. Put little crumbled pieces of the same paper right where the folds are to prevent them from becoming permanent. [cta_info_box cta-title="Book Storage" cta-href="https://www.fantasticservices.com/storage-service/"]Those winter covers sure look heavy and bulky. If only you had someone to call in and take them off your hands and in safe storage...[/cta_info_box] Storing feather duvets First of all, you need to forget about plastic bags if you are storing a feather duvet. Use bags made out of breathable fabric. We already mentioned how to properly wash duvets and let them dry, same goes for feather duvets. Although, we advise you to dry clean because machine washing is highly inappropriate for anything with feather stuffing. Considering the price range of such items, it will be best to limit the risks. Storing pillows First of all, you need to decide which pillows will be stored, and which won’t. Categorise your pillows in three main groups. Pillows for the bedroom would be the first category. Those are most likely the best pillows in your house, so they will need extra care. The other category would be the pillows from anywhere else in the house laying around on furniture and leisure areas. Those would be the pillows that you will store somewhere in the back of the closet. And finally your “throwing pillows”. Those that you take with you in the garden, or you kneel on whenever doing something around the house and so on. Those would be the pillows that you most likely won’t store anyways. The pillows from your bedroom need to be well cleaned and put in a clean cover. Now the pillow is ready for storage. It needs to be stored in a bag and left somewhere on top of other items. Don’t just stuff your pillows in small packages, they won’t expand to their previous state after storage. Also, don’t cover your pillows with other items because it will ruin them. Let them just sit and be as fluffy as possible next time you need them. [note type="tip" icon-text="true"]You can flip the pillows now and then if possible, it will only preserve their fluffiness even more. Remember to dry clean your pillows if they are with feather filling.[/note] Takeaways Before storing any beddings it is of most importance to make sure it is clean and absolutely dry. It is essential that you check the labelling of your beddings to see for any washing instructions. You may not realise how delicate the fabrics are. After dealing with the tricky washing and drying process it is time to figure out your storage space. Folding your duvets may not be the best and easiest option, but often it is the only one. Once again, you can check with any labelling on your beddings for storing instructions, if provided. In general, you should avoid plastic bags and in some cases vacuum bags. Remember to always store your pillows with fresh covers and avoid compressing them in tight spaces. *** You know a better way to protect your winter beddings during the summer? Please, do share your expertise in the comment section below. Images source: shutterstock / by Breadmaker

Winter clothes also need love and care before they are forgotten for another year. So if you want to enjoy them after the summer is over, follow the instructions below. [post_walkthrough title="Table of contents:"] Storing winter coats and jackets How to prepare coats and jackets for storage How to store woollen sweaters How to store winter boots for the summer [/post_walkthrough] Storing winter coats and jackets Just like the duvets and quilts, wash your clothes before you put them away. For the coats and jackets that are made from natural materials like fur, leather, wool, and suede, dry cleaning is the safest option. Washing those fabrics in the washing machine will, most likely, result in damage to the clothes. For all the other fabrics, just read the label. In there you will find useful information on what temperature you should use, the proper detergents, and the right way to dry them. If you can’t decipher all the symbols you can check their meaning. Once you have dried all the coats and jackets, fasten all the belts, zippers, and buttons up. Check carefully for any damage and see if you can fix it or it needs a tailor. If you have extra “suit covers”, place the more sensitive jackets there for some extra protection. Hang them on hefty wooden hangers to maintain the original shape and reduce the wrinkles to a minimum. [note type="tip" icon-text="true"]Some of those suit covers have dedicated spots for notes. You can write which jacket or coat is inside, that way you will read the labels without having to unzip the covers. This proves practical, especially in limited spaces.[/note] How to prepare coats and jackets for storage Down jackets, parkas, and puffer coats In most cases, nylon and puffy down-filled jackets and coats, have no problem being washed in a machine, but that does not mean you shouldn’t read the label first. However, a gentle cycle with cold water and normal laundry detergent should be just the right way to wash them. You can help the fluffiness of your coats and jackets by adding a couple of wool dryer balls in the machine when you wash them. If you don’t have such, fresh tennis balls are also an alternative. Wool coats The important thing to understand with wool products is that you should never wash them with hot water, or dry them in the sun. Heat will shrink and damage the fabric. You have two options for DIY cleaning. You can put the wool coats in the washing machine on a very delicate cycle. Use detergents made especially for wool products and only cold water. The other way is to hand wash them in a tub with cold water and baby shampoo. Let the coats air dry someplace shady, away from sunlight. [cta_info_box cta-title="Book Storage" cta-href="https://www.fantasticservices.com/storage-service/"]It may be difficult to find a place for all those fur coats in your closet. Good thing our storage crates are large enough.[/cta_info_box] How to store woollen sweaters The above mentioned procedure applies perfectly to woollen sweaters as well. Gentle cycle with cold water and a special detergent is enough to clean your sweaters before you put them away for the summer. Remember that you should never iron them, because, as we mentioned earlier, wool and heat are not good friends, and you will only damage your clothes. How to store winter boots for the summer Take out all of your shoes and give them a good wipe up first, to remove all the general dirt and mud accumulated through the winter season. After that, each pair should be cleaned according to its material in order to prevent damage. Leather boots must be cleaned only with a special leather detergent and with a suitable sponge. Same goes for all the other sensitive materials. When you are done with the cleaning, leave the boots to air dry and finish off with a shoe protector or polish. Stuff the boots with old scruffed newspapers and magazines to maintain the general shape. The best case scenario would be to put them in the original boxes and store them in a cool place with low humidity. If the boxes are not available, place your shoes in a boot bag, or wrap them in a soft cloth. Place lavender sachets in each box, bag or cloth to keep the bugs and musty smell away. Riding boots and knee-high boots are a bit tricky. You need to secure the length of the boot while in storage. This will prevent the appearing of cracks and wrinkles. There are numerous options on markets for different inserts that you can use but you can get creative. Empty wine bottles are one of the possible solutions, at least for calf-high boots. However, it is not suitable for all lengths. You can also use a piece of plastic or cardboard that could be rolled to fit the boot. Basically, you need something to simulate your leg, being inside that boot. It will keep the form of the shoes and prevent sagging. [note type="tip" icon-text="true"]You can use a clothes peg to keep both boots together. Place the peg at the top of the boots.[/note] Takeaways Quality winter clothes can keep you warm and dry during the frosty winter. Storing those clothes correctly will only prolong their service. The storing process, as always, starts with a wash so always check the tags on your clothes for washing instructions. That way you won’t damage your clothes while washing them. It is also a great idea to invest in a couple of suit covers to protect your most delicate and favourite coats. Remember to opt for covers that have some form of tagging option, so you can easily see what is inside, without unzipping it. *** Have any awesome storage tips for shoes and clothes? Please, feel free to share them in the comments below. Images source: Depositphotos / by dalivl@yandex.ru

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