How to Properly Store Comforters and Blankets

Published: January 31, 2022

If you’re planning a move, renovating your home, or need to put your comforters and blankets in storage for another reason, you’ll want to make sure they’re stored properly. 

Simply stuffing your blankets into open plastic bags is a bad idea, whether you’re preparing your bedding for short or long-term storage. Taking proper care can help prevent mold, bugs, dust, and dirt from ruining your comforters. 

Bedding can be quite expensive and storing them appropriately will help maintain their longevity and your pockets in the long run. Unfortunately, comforters are one of many items people often absentmindedly store incorrectly. 

Here’s how to store your comforters and blankets to preserve their quality and save storage space.

Give them a wash

Make sure you thoroughly clean and dry your comforters, blankets, quilts, and duvets before you stow them away. We recommend washing them in cold water on a delicate cycle because hot water can damage the fabric over time. If necessary, dry clean quality comforters if they need thorough a deep clean. It’s vital that you make sure your comforter dries completely before packing to prevent mold and mildew growth. 

Pick good protection

There are several storage bags and covers on the market that you can use for comforters and other bulky bedding. Choosing the best option comes down to personal preference and the type of blanket you’re storing. 

Cotton bags are a good option because they protect your bedding from dust and bugs while safely allowing moisture to escape. The cotton material allows your blankets to breath without too much compression, preserving their original shape. 

Another popular choice is the vacuum storage bag. You can fit several blankets into this type of bag, use a vacuum to suction out excess air, and shrink the bag’s size to save space. Vacuum bags aren’t ideal for feather-stuffed comforters but work well with cotton or polyester-style ones.

Whichever option you choose, make sure to avoid storing your comforters in plastic trash bags because they are not airtight and can trap moisture inside which will allow mold and mildew to grow. That’s bad news for your comforter!

Also, make sure not to store anything on top of your covers, especially if they are feather stuffed. Heavy items can crush the internal feathers, which will make your comforter lumpy when you’re ready to use it again.

Handle delicate covers with care

Remember we told you to make sure your blankets are completely devoid of moisture before storing? Well, if they are handmade or delicate, consider air drying them. They take longer to dry, but in exchange, this added step can prevent your comforter from getting damaged under the high heat and aggressive tumbling of your dryer.

You might also consider using a comforter hanger, which is a specialty hanger that helps quilts increase airflow. Another option is an acid-free box. You can fold the blanket flat between slips of tissue paper and place it inside. Acid-free boxes are great if you plan to store your comforters long-term.

Find the optimal storage location

You may not have enough closet space to store several big, bulky comforters, and if you are trying to avoid clutter, you’ll want to store them outside of your main living space. It’s important to pick the ideal storage conditions for your comforters that allow them to breath while protecting them from damage. In general, it’s not a good idea to store you blankets in your garage, basement, or attic because of their high probability of humidity, temperature changes, rodents, and moisture. 

You’ll want a climate-controlled space that’s not in the way of your everyday belongings, such as a local storage unit. If you live in Greater Baltimore or its surrounding counties, UNITS of Baltimore provides large, portable storage containers and has two locations – one in Linthicum and the other in Aberdeen. Learn more by filling out their online form or giving them a call.