Perhaps the most space in any linen closet is taken up by bedding sets. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a children’s set or a family set, a single-size or euro-size – each includes a sheet, at least one duvet cover (and often two) and pillowcases. Considering that there are several sets in any home, you get a whole bunch of things!
Plain double bedding set
We don’t have much space in our closets, so the question of how to compactly fold bed linen is relevant for most.
Proper organization of laundry storage is a simple process if you know all the nuances
There are several options for folding bedding. The most common methods are:
- classic (in stacks);
- vertical;
- storing the kit in a pillowcase.
Classic method
Linen in the closet in piles using the classic method
The essence of this method is the traditional storage of linen sets in piles. In order to take up less space in the closet, an important step is preliminary ironing: this will allow you to fold things as compactly as possible.
After washing the clothes, it is very important to iron them - ironed clothes will take up less space in the closet
The ironing process can be replaced by thoroughly shaking items before drying. True, shaking a duvet cover or sheet so that they become more or less even is not so easy: you will need a certain force.
After ironing, sets of linen must be sorted into sets
The items of the set are neatly folded, corner to corner, into small rectangles (for example, double duvet covers or sheets are folded approximately ten times, pillowcases - four times) and placed on top of each other in piles. The stacks are then placed on a closet shelf or dresser drawer.
Option for storing bed linen in piles
A hanging fabric shelf has proven itself to be excellent for storing bed linen.
The disadvantages of the method are the difficulty in removing linen from the shelves: with a high degree of probability, when you try to get one set, you will touch or crush another.
With this storage option it is inconvenient to remove the set from the shelf
You can sort your laundry into sets and tie them with a beautiful ribbon
How can you store things compactly?
- Socks. Carefully place one sock on top of the other, roll them both into a tight roll and put the top of one sock on the other to secure “success”. Or we put a thin elastic band on the roll. It is the tight roll that ensures compactness! Now we take out a box, divided from the inside into neat cells with cardboard partitions (the average cell size is about 15 cm), and put our colored rolls into it.
- If you are already confused in your short (and not so short) skirts, and are tired of pulling them wrinkled out of piles of clothes because there is not enough space in the vertical compartment, then we use a chain hanger. On which we hang special thin hangers vertically from top to bottom. We choose hangers with clothespins to hang skirts neatly and quickly. However, if there is no vertical space at all, then you can roll up skirts too! To do this, fold the skirt in half (lengthwise, of course), and then roll it into a roll and put it in a box. This method is no less compact and convenient.
- We also roll T-shirts and T-shirts into neat rolls. Or we use a special express method for folding them (fortunately, there are plenty of similar instructions on the Internet today). Next, we lay the T-shirts in a “gradient” pattern, according to their intended purpose or according to another type of division. However, to save space, you can, like skirts, hang T-shirts on a vertical chain, on thin hangers.
- Jeans. These clothes take up a lot of space in the closet! Moreover, finding the right jeans, especially if there are 10-12 pairs of them, is almost impossible. The “roll” method will again help us fold the jeans compactly: fold the jeans in half and roll them into a tight roll. This way, the jeans don't wrinkle and take up less space. We put the denim rolls in a tall box or lay them out on a shelf so that the “core” of each is visible.
- Underwear. As you know, there is never too much of it. And the issue of storage is always acute. You can fold panties in rolls, rolls, envelopes, or just squares. The main thing is to find a convenient storage place. And the most convenient place for panties is, of course, a drawer or box with compartments. You can make drawer dividers yourself or purchase them in a store. Special boxes for underwear are sold everywhere today. And if you want to save money, then a regular shoe box with cardboard cells will do. In addition, the panties can be folded into a beautiful, neat zippered laundry organizer suitcase (a very fashionable device for storing laundry today).
- Bras. These items are very bulky, and simply throwing them into a bag is inconvenient, ugly and impractical. What can be done? If there is a separate compartment of vertical space, hang it on soft hangers. Option 2 – a chain and vertically placing all the bras on hangers on it at once (the chain can be hung directly on the inside of the closet door). Option 3: a drawer or box in which we place bras vertically one after another, cup to cup. And option 4: we throw each “bust” over the bar of the hanger - about 3-4 bras will fit on one hanger. The hangers themselves are in a vertical compartment or on a chain.
- Handbags. We make beautiful vertical compartments for them on the top shelf of the closet - the handbags should not wrinkle. Or we hang it on the door - on special hooks.
- Scarves. They sell special hangers with rings for them. There can be up to 10 large rings on one hanger - we thread our scarves through them so that they do not wrinkle and hang in one place.
- We also place straps and other small accessories in boxes with compartments, containers or on hangers.
Vertical method
Marie Kondo's method - vertical storage method
This method of folding bed linen came to us from Japan. Things are rolled up not into flat rectangles, but into thick rolls, and are not placed on top of each other, but placed in rows.
Vertical method of storing linen with storing bed linen in rolls
So, if a standard duvet cover folded in the classical way is folded three more times (of course, it all depends on the size), then the result will be a small rectangular package, and it must be stored by “placing” it on the narrow part. Sheets and pillowcases are “placed” side by side.
You can store packages in baskets or boxes if the shelves are inconvenient for vertical storage
This option for storing laundry is convenient because you can immediately find the desired accessories, and getting them out is quite easy.
Vertically folded bed linen in a dresser drawer - you can easily leave the necessary set without touching the rest
However, things folded in this way require either a special niche or high chest of drawers: keeping them on a standard shelf in a regular closet is inconvenient.
Convenient vertical storage in drawers
Preliminary preparation
Preparation for washing begins far from the washing machine - at the basket with dirty clothes. Not everyone knows, but soiled laundry can only be stored dry, in containers with holes and not for too long. Otherwise, due to dampness and long-term storage, mold will grow on the fabric, the unpleasant odor will increase, and dirt will penetrate deep into the fibers. It will be much more difficult to return such clothes to their original freshness and cleanliness.
But you cannot immediately send laundry from the basket to the machine. It is necessary to carry out a number of preparatory measures:
- sort by type of fabric (synthetics, cotton, delicates, wool and silk, wash separately);
- divide all things into three groups: white and light, dark and black, colored;
- Turn the pillowcase and duvet cover inside out;
- shake off hair, dust and animal fur from the fabric.
The next step is to assess the contamination of the items, since if there are stubborn stains, preliminary washing and boiling will be necessary. If some areas of the fabric are affected by grease or coffee, then these areas should be treated with a stain remover before loading into the washing machine. Afterwards, focusing on the type and color of the laundry, we plan the conditions for the upcoming cycle: water heating temperature, spin intensity, the need for rinsing and the appropriate mode.
Set in pillowcase
If you fold a folded duvet cover and sheet into a pillowcase and tuck the ends of the pillowcase, you will get a neat envelope
A very convenient option is to store folded bed linen in a pillowcase. This method has virtually no drawbacks: different things don’t get confused, neat stacks take up little space, and it’s very easy to get the right set without touching others.
A convenient and practical way to keep the entire set in a pillowcase - it’s easy to get the whole set out of the closet without unnecessary movements
Let's take a step-by-step look at how to put a linen set in a pillowcase:
- iron things (or carefully straighten and shake them off before drying);
- carefully fold the duvet cover corner to corner (about ten folds) so that it easily fits into the pillowcase;
- also carefully roll the sheets into an even rectangle;
- roll up all the pillowcases (except for the one in which we will “pack” the set);
- put all the items in the kit in one pile;
- place the stack in the remaining pillowcase, straighten the edges and bend them so that the linen lies in a kind of bag.
Bedding set for a double bed fits perfectly in a pillowcase
We put the resulting packed stacks on a shelf in the closet - and you’re done!
How long can textiles last?
Usually we don’t even think that bed linen may have a shelf life and service life. Often in our grandmothers' houses you can also find Soviet-made underwear. But how correct is it to use such bedding? To sew modern sleeping sets, various materials are used that have different shelf life. And for long-term use of bed linen, you should follow some rules:
- a product made of flannel, characterized by low density. The service life of such products is about 5 years;
- calico of medium density will last up to 7 years;
- products made from cotton, linen, above average in density, will last up to 9 years;
- artificial silk and satin - materials with high density will delight you with a fairly long service life of up to 10 years;
- Products made from natural silk are considered the most durable and pleasant to use, up to 15 years.
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Each of the presented materials has its own advantages and disadvantages in storage and use. If used properly, items made from them will last much longer and will not lose their appearance. It is also worth remembering that worn-out linen not only has an untidy appearance, but also poor hygienic qualities. Therefore, if the service life of bedding is coming to an end, you should not put off purchasing a new set for a long time.
Bed linen with elastic
Scheme for folding laundry with an elastic band
Recently, sheets with elastic have become increasingly popular: they are easy to use, practical, and do not bunch up after sleep. However, it may be difficult to roll them neatly when storing them.
For sheets with elastic, there is an option not only for folding, but also for twisting
There is an easy way to compactly roll up fitted sheets. To do this, you need to straighten the sheet and place all its corners one by one. In the resulting rectangle, you need to straighten out all the folds, and then fold it in a way that is convenient (depending on the chosen storage method).
A simple method for small and large fitted sheets
Rules for storing linen in the closet
You can use baskets or boxes to sort bed linens
To keep bedding fresh and smelling nice, even after lying in the closet for several months, you need to follow a few simple storage rules:
- Do not keep laundry in plastic bags under any circumstances - this may create a musty smell;
Plastic bags and packages are not suitable for storing bedding - on the shelf where the laundry is stored, you can put aromatic sachets, orange peels or a piece of soap without packaging;
Aromatic oils or special sachets with herbs or citrus notes will make your laundry fragrant
Wax sachet – fragrance for linen and closet with your favorite scents - Only completely dried items can be put into the closet, otherwise there will be a damp smell.
If you have rarely used bedding, you can pack it in vacuum bags and reduce the space you take up
