As you’re excited to unpack your stored bedding for the new season, you might notice a faint musty odor reminding you it’s been tucked away for a while. Or perhaps there’s a crease or two that just won’t smooth out. Though these might frustrate you at first, they can easily be resolved with the right knowhow, and this article is here to guide you through it. We hope you find it helpful!

Why Your Bedding Needs Refreshing After Storage

Bedding that’s been in storage often picks up smells, dust, or even signs of moisture that can leave it feeling anything but fresh. While it’s tempting to toss it straight onto the bed, taking the time to refresh your bedding ensures it’s clean, comfortable, and free from anything that could irritate your skin or disrupt your sleep.

Among the reasons why refreshing your bedding is a must:

• It May Smell Musty: Storage spaces, especially those with limited airflow, can leave bedding smelling stale or damp. A good refresh eliminates these odors, restoring your bedding’s clean and cozy scent.
• Dust and Allergens Build Up Over Time: Even in sealed bags, dust and allergens (like house dust mites) can find their way onto your bedding. Washing or airing out your items ensures a healthier, allergen-free sleep environment.
• It Could Harbor Moisture or Mildew: If your bedding was stored in a humid area, there’s a chance moisture seeped in, leading to mildew or mold. A proper cleaning removes these harmful elements and prevents unpleasant surprises.
• Wrinkles and Creases Impact Comfort: Folded bedding often comes out of storage with deep creases or wrinkles, which can feel rough and uncomfortable. Smoothing them out ensures your bedding looks and feels its best.
• Stale Fabrics Feel Uninviting: Textiles like cotton, linen, or microfiber can lose their softness after being stored for long periods. Refreshing restores their plushness, making them feel inviting and luxurious again.
• Lingering Odors Can Transfer to Your Mattress or Pillows: Bedding that hasn’t been refreshed can pass odors or moisture to your mattress or pillows, making the issue harder to fix. Starting with clean, refreshed bedding avoids this problem entirely.

Best Ways to Remove Odors From Stored Bedding

Bedding can take on smells that aren’t exactly inviting, especially when stored in confined spaces. Whether it’s a musty scent from lack of airflow or an odd smell from storage materials, it’s frustrating to deal with bedding that doesn’t feel fresh.

Luckily, there are plenty of easy and effective ways to banish those odors and restore your bedding to its fresh, clean state, starting with the following:

Air It Out Outdoors

The simplest and most effective method is to let your bedding breathe. Hang it outside on a sunny, breezy day—fresh air and natural sunlight work wonders to eliminate odors while killing off any bacteria or dust mites.

Sprinkle Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that’s perfect for stored bedding. Sprinkle it generously over the surface of your comforter or sheets, let it sit for a few hours, then shake it off or vacuum it up before washing.

Use White Vinegar in the Wash

Adding a cup of white vinegar to your washing machine’s rinse cycle can neutralize tough odors. Don’t worry about the vinegar smell—it fades away once your bedding is dry, leaving it fresh and clean.

Steam Clean for a Quick Refresh

If washing isn’t an option, try using a garment steamer to remove odors. The steam penetrates the fabric, loosens trapped smells, and can also help smooth out wrinkles while you’re at it.

Dry with Essential Oils

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a dryer sheet or wool dryer ball and toss it into the dryer along with your bedding. Scents like lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus will leave a gentle, refreshing aroma.

Try Activated Charcoal Bags

For long-term storage, keep activated charcoal sachets in your storage containers. These absorb moisture and odors while keeping your bedding fresh, so it’s ready to use when you unpack it.

Refresh with Fabric Spray

For a quick fix, lightly mist your bedding with a fabric freshener spray. Look for one that’s non-toxic and safe for delicate fabrics, and avoid oversaturating the material.

Check Bedding for Mold and Mildew

The unmistakable smell of mold or mildew on stored bedding is impossible to miss—it’s damp, earthy, and far from pleasant. Mold and mildew can develop when bedding has been stored in humid or poorly ventilated areas, leaving not only a bad odor but also potential health risks. Before putting your bedding back into use, it’s crucial to check for these issues and address them properly to ensure it’s clean and safe.

Here are the best techniques to check and remove mold and mildew from your bedding:

Inspect Closely for Spots or Discoloration

Lay your bedding flat in a well-lit area and look for small black, green, or gray spots, which are telltale signs of mold or mildew. Check folds and creases where moisture is most likely to settle.

Do a Quick Sniff Test

Mold has a distinct musty smell. If your bedding smells off—even if you can’t see visible signs of mold—there’s a chance mildew might have started forming. This is especially common in humid storage conditions.

Pretreat Stains with White Vinegar or Hydrogen Peroxide

For visible mold or mildew spots, dab the affected area with white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide before washing. These natural cleaners kill spores and help lift stains without damaging delicate fabrics.

Wash Thoroughly with Hot Water (If Fabric Allows)

Mold spores are tough, so a hot water cycle is often the best way to remove them. Check the care label first—if your bedding can’t handle the heat, opt for warm water with a mold-fighting detergent.

Add Baking Soda to the Wash

Baking soda not only neutralizes odors but also helps scrub away mildew stains. Add half a cup to your detergent for an extra cleaning boost.

Air Dry in Direct Sunlight

After washing, hang your bedding outside in the sun. Sunlight has natural antibacterial properties that help eliminate any remaining spores and prevent mold from coming back. Plus, it gives your bedding a fresh, clean scent.

Use a Fabric-safe Mold Cleaner for Stubborn Cases

If the mold persists, invest in a cleaner specifically designed for textiles. Carefully follow the product’s instructions to avoid damaging the fabric.

When to Wash and When to Dry Clean

Although bedding items like sheets, pillowcases, and comforters are designed for regular use, not all of them should be treated the same when it comes to cleaning. Some can be safely loaded into your washing machine, while others need the expertise of a dry cleaner.

As such, knowing when to wash versus when to dry clean helps you keep your bedding fresh and in great shape without accidentally damaging it.

Washing

• Wash When It’s Everyday Bedding: Sheets, pillowcases, and lightweight cotton or microfiber comforters are typically machine-washable. These items can handle regular laundering at home and should be washed every 1–2 weeks to keep things fresh and hygienic.
• Wash When It’s a Stain You Can Spot Treat: If your bedding has small, manageable stains like spills or makeup marks, you can pretreat and wash it at home. Use a gentle detergent and a cold or warm cycle to avoid shrinkage or fading.
• Wash When It’s Linen or Cotton Bedding: Natural fibers like linen and cotton are durable and can usually handle machine washing. Use a gentle cycle with cold or warm water, and skip the fabric softener to maintain their softness.
• Wash When It’s Time for Regular Maintenance: Even if your bedding looks clean, regular washing removes sweat, dust mites, and allergens. This is especially important for pillowcases and sheets that come into direct contact with your skin.

Dry Cleaning

• Dry Clean When It’s Labeled “Dry Clean Only”: Always follow the care label! If your comforter, duvet, or throw blanket specifies “dry clean only,” it’s safest to trust the pros. Dry cleaning protects delicate fibers, such as silk or satin, and ensures fillings like down feathers aren’t damaged by water.
• Dry Clean When It’s Too Bulky for Your Machine: Oversized items like king size comforters, heavy quilts, or duvets with thick insulation can be too bulky and heavy for a standard washing machine. Dry cleaning ensures these pieces are thoroughly cleaned without overloading your washer or dryer.
• Dry Clean When It’s Vintage or Antique Bedding: Older, fragile textiles can be easily damaged by water or harsh detergents. A professional dry cleaner knows how to handle these items to carefully preserve their beauty and structure.
• Dry Clean When You Deal with Odors or Heavy Stains: For tough odors, oil stains, or deep-set grime regular washing can’t tackle, dry cleaning is the best way to get a deep clean without harming your bedding.