How to Store Your Winter Bedlinen Properly (and Keep It Fresh Until Next Season)

We are slowly but surely making our way towards warmer weather. As the season changes, it is time to start thinking about swapping your winter bedlinen for lighter alternatives. If you have invested in high quality bedlinen from FOXFORD, you’ll want it to last for years. As many of our Irish designs are limited editions, you'll want to keep your favourites safe. Proper storage is essential to maintain freshness, protect the fabric quality and extend the durability of your favourite bedding.

Whether you’re packing away your heaviest tog duvet or your favourite flannel sheets, here’s a complete guide to storing your FOXFORD bedlinen for summer.

1. Wash and Dry Thoroughly Before Storing

Before putting any bedlinen away, always wash it. Winter fabrics like flannel, jersey, and heavier cotton tend to trap body oils, dust, and moisture over time. Check your FOXFORD care label and follow the instructions carefully.

• Use a gentle detergent to protect fibers
• Avoid fabric softeners that can reduce breathability
• Ensure everything is completely dry to prevent mildew – this step is vital. Don’t be tempted to rush as mildew can build up quickly and ruin your favourite bed sheets.

2. Sort by Fabric Type and Duvet Tog

Different materials require slightly different care. Group your bedlinen by fabric type and warmth level:

• Flannel: Thick and soft, ideal for cold months but should be stored in breathable conditions
• Jersey: Stretchy and comfortable, but prone to creasing if compressed
• Cotton: Durable and versatile, but still benefits from some airflow

Also consider your duvet tog rating. Higher tog duvets are bulkier and should be stored in larger, breathable storage bags to avoid compression damage. Typically, customers store 13.5 tog or 10.5 tog duvets away for the warmer months of the year. However, each sleeper is different and requires different levels of heat. The most common duvet tog for summer months is 4.5 tog.

3. Choose the Right Storage Solution

Avoid plastic containers for long-term storage, as they can trap moisture. Instead, opt for:

• Cotton storage bags with a zip to close
• Your airing cupboard or hot press if it has good airflow
• Vacuum bags (only for short-term use, as over-compression can affect durability. Note, certain fabrics such as linen will become very creased if stored in vacuum bags)

Breathability is key to keeping your bedlinen fresh and preventing fabric breakdown so find the option that best suits your living space.

4. Store in a Cool, Dry Place

Humidity and heat are the biggest threats when storing your bedlinen. Choose a storage space that is:

• Cool and dry
• Away from direct sunlight
• Free from damp or temperature fluctuations

We often recommend storing your winter bedlinen under your bed if you have the space. This ensures it is kept clean, dry and easy to access. Adding natural moisture absorbers or lavender sachets can help maintain freshness without damaging fibers.

5. Avoid Overpacking

It might be tempting to fit everything into one container, but overcrowding can:

• Cause deep creases which can be challenging to get out, even after washing.
• Weaken fibers over time, especially when dealing with natural materials such as cotton or linen.
• Reduce the overall durability of your bedding

Give your duvet set and sheets enough room to breathe. Be mindful of stacking heavy things on top of your stored bedding as this can further compress your sheets.

6. Label and Rotate for Easy Use

Label storage bags with details like fabric type, size, and duvet tog. This makes it easier to switch back when winter returns. Rotating between different sets can also extend the life of each item.

7. Wash Before Re-using

Yes, you washed your favourite winter bedlinen before you stored it away, but it’s important to refresh it when you take it back out for the next season.

Summary

Quality bedlinen is an investment and does require some care to ensure it stays perfect for longer. Taking the time to properly store your winter bedlinen ensures it stays clean, comfortable, and durable.  By caring for materials like flannel, jersey, and cotton correctly, and paying attention to duvet tog and storage conditions, you can preserve both comfort and durability for seasons to come, making your investment go further.