Guide to Preparing Fine Linen for Long Term Storage

model wearing jacaranda living white cotton nightgown on a bed
We are going to talk about preparing fine linen for long term storage and why it is important

Everybody who has a lot of stuff in their house and doesn’t like to throw anything away knows how life-saving storage units are in those situations. Storage is the perfect solution when you are moving, relocating your office, or simply making more space in your home. But to get the maximum use out of storage, you need to know how to prepare different types of items for it. You also have to know there is a difference between preparing things for long-term and short-term storage. Today we are going to simplify all of that a little bit. Specifically, we are going to talk about preparing fine linen for long term storage, especially items such as pillows, sleepwear, towels, and children’s dresses for long-term storage. Linen is a delicate material and should be properly stored.

The importance of preparing fine linen for long-term storage

jacaranda living nightgown with embroidery
It’s important that you separate linen from other materials when washing it in a machine

First, you may ask why it is important to know this.

Well, because linen is not an accessible material to store, you may damage your linen items if you are not careful. And according to experts at Best Long Distance Movers, it makes moving and packing things for storage much easier when they are prepped beforehand. So, knowing how to prepare linen for long-term storage properly is essential if you want to speed up that process. Same as cotton, linen is a natural fiber. But it’s more absorbent, and it dries faster. Also, linen items such as bedding can be costly, so preserving them while they are stored is necessary.

The first step- Pick the right storage

A cardboard box for packing. Packing carefully is important when preparing fine linen for long term storage
Use big boxes for packing to give your line items enough space

Before anything else, you must make an intelligent choice when it comes to choosing the appropriate type of storage. Because you want to store your items long-term, you should search for good temperature-controlled storage. Over time many things can cause damage to your belongings, such as sunlight, pest, and mildew. Temperature-controlled storage is designed for items, like pillows, beddings, etc., that require a certain temperature level so they don’t decay. Linen also needs to be sheltered from sunlight, so storage without windows is necessary. These types of storage are a bit more expensive but definitely worth it in the long run.

Step two – Cleaning

Cleaning and washing your fine linen items before storing them is a must. The good thing about linen is that you can both hand wash it and wash it in a washing machine. Both options will do fine. If you decide to hand wash it, follow these steps. First, fill a plastic wash basin with lukewarm water. Then add detergent, but not the one that’s too strong. Find some milder types of detergent; soak the linen item in the water for about 15 minutes. Then when washing, be gentle, so you don’t stretch the material. After that, rinse it a couple of times until you are sure the detergent is completely gone from the item. Hang to dry. The second option is the washing machine. There are a couple more rules to follow when washing linen like that. First, you must separate linen from other materials when washing it, especially if those linen items have anything embroidered on them, because other more rough materials can cause damage to it when mixed. Then you will also have to separate white and colored linens, so they don’t mix colors in the washing machine. When setting the dryer, avoid high temperatures because they can cause shrinkage to your linen items. Also, avoid strong detergents and find some detergent that is specifically for delicate fabrics. Don’t use fabric softeners, as they can cause your things to go yellow after a while. And a quick tip, if you decide to dry linen items in a dryer, don’t set it on too high a temperature.

Step three – Packaging fine linen

Organization is key when it comes to packing anything. First, prepare all the supplies you are going to need for this. Make a list of all the linen items you have to pack so you don’t miss anything. Boxes, paper, and markers are some of the items you are going to need. One thing to you have to avoid when packing linen items is plastic. Plastic is an easy target for mold, humidity, and pests, and your items will likely end up damaged. The best thing you can use is acid-free packing paper. Acid-free paper is beneficial for storing more delicate items for a long time. It prevents them from getting damaged and going yellow. And this paper can last more than 100 years.

When packing linen items, make sure they are loose and not too tightly folded. A fabric like fine linen needs some breathing space. Get a really big box for linen items so you can place them comfortably inside. Add a slit to the box to allow air to circulate through it. To keep your things smelling nice, add a sachet bag with a smell of your choice. Finally, if the whole packing process proves too challenging and overwhelming for you, you can always find experts to help you with preparing fine linen for long term storage. There are many moving and storage companies that can be useful when it comes to this.

In conclusion

This was a quick guide to preparing fine linen for long term storage. If you follow these steps, your linen items should be fine in storage. But don’t forget you can choose just any type of storage. All this prepping of linen items will go to waste if you don’t find appropriate storage. As we said, temperature-controlled storage is a bit more expensive than regular storage but extremely worth it. No amount of washing and careful packaging can save your fine linen items from a storage unit that is full of sunlight, humidity, mold, and all kinds of pests. Picking the right storage is half of the job. And finally, don’t hesitate to get some professional help. It’s better to get professionals to do it for you than risk damaging your fine linen items.

Towel Display Ideas That Will Make Your Bathroom Look Luxurious

If you are looking to give your bathroom a luxurious look, you don’t need to invest in expensive renovations. The key to achieving this lies in the smallest details, such as bathroom accessories. Therefore, we’ve prepared several towel display ideas that will help you give your bathroom a simple makeover that can make a huge difference and give it a luxurious feel. From ways to fold your towels to decorative storage tricks, we made sure to cover everything. If you are about to renovate and lack inspiration, we’ve prepared simple bathroom remodeling tips as a bonus. Now, let us begin!

Remodeling tricks to make your bathroom look luxurious

Renovating a bathroom is not an easy task. You need to organize the process efficiently and think about functionality and aesthetics at the same time.

A luxurious bathroom with a big bathtub, tall plant, and a ladder used to display towels
Adding plants and a ladder as a towel storage are great ways to make your bathroom look more luxurious.

Before we reveal our easy tricks for displaying towels, here are a few bathroom remodeling ideas that can make even the smallest bathroom look luxurious.

  • Choose colors wisely – Even though you might be a fan of bright colors and patterns, if you want to make your bathroom look luxurious, consider choosing neutral and pastel colors for both walls and decor.
  • Incorporate plants – Another great way to make your bathroom look more expensive is to add plants or even artwork depicting plants. Also, consider letting more natural light in by updating your window treatments.
  • Think about lighting – Soft lighting can make you feel like you are on a spa retreat while relaxing in your bathroom. Therefore, consider updating your lighting fixtures.
  • Double sink or double shower – Depending on your bathroom size, consider adding a double sink or double shower. They are reminiscent of high-end hotel suites and can make your bathroom look luxurious. If you have a small bathroom, a walk-in shower with either a glass door or stylish shower curtains could be a perfect choice.

Towel display ideas that will make your bathroom look luxurious

Changing the smallest details in any room of your home can make a big difference. For instance, a simple thing such as covering your tissue box can add a more lavish feel to your living space. To help you add a luxurious glow to your bathroom, here are our simple towel display ideas.

Ways to fold towels

The way you fold your towels can help make your bathroom pop. But first, make sure that you invest in high-quality towels as you can’t make your bathroom look luxurious with towels made from cheap and synthetic materials.

Stacking towels

Luxury is often closely related to minimalism. That’s why many high-end hotels choose the simplest ways to display their towels. Adding monograms to your towels is also a great way to add a luxurious touch to your bathroom.

hydrangea guest towels in bathroom
Beautiful embroidered Hydrangea guest towels hanging in the bathroom.

The most efficient but, at the same time, beautiful way to display towels is to stack them. You can also organize them by size and type before placing them on your shelves. Classic and timeless, this technique is very simple to learn.

Fold it over around two-thirds after laying the towel horizontally on a flat surface in front of you. Before folding the remaining third, smooth the edges. The next step is to fold it in half, smooth the edges and fold it in half once more. The folded spine should be facing outward when stacking.

Rolling towels

If you want to add a spa vibe to your bathroom, consider rolling your towels. Besides looking great, this is also the best and most efficient way to pack your towels too. For instance, if you are preparing for a move, you can simply fold your towels this way, place them into a moving box and get in touch with zippyshellphl.com to help you relocate to your new place. It’s as simple as that!

embroidered guest towels from jacaranda living
Embroidered terry guest and bath towels will give your bathroom a spa feel.

To perfectly roll your towels, lay them down on a flat surface, fold the left bottom corner to the center and repeat the same with the right-bottom edge. The next step is to smooth the towel and flip it upside down. Roll it tightly, then tuck in the flap after you’re done.

Towel display and storage ideas

The open storage trend is slowly becoming a favorite in interior design. You can incorporate these pieces into your bathroom and display your beautifully folded towels. Here are some bathroom storage ideas that will make your bathroom look luxurious.

Open shelves or towel ladders

Ladders or open shelves can do wonders in your bathroom. Not only are they great storage options that can help you maximize your space, but they can also create a Pinterest-worthy look. Simply lean ladders on a wall next to your bathtub or shower and display your perfectly ironed towels.

Towel stools or baskets

Depending on the style of your bathroom, you can consider adding a rustic stool and placing rolled towels on it. On the other hand, consider adding towel baskets if you want to give your bathroom a spa look. You can place rolled towels inside of them and leave them on display.

A wooden table or stool with towels stacked on it in a bathroom
A rustic bench or side table could be a perfect addition to your bathroom and a great storage solution for your beautifully folded towels.

Towel hooks or rings

If you have a smaller bathroom, that doesn’t mean you can’t add a luxurious feel to it. Add stylish towel hooks or rings and use them to display your towels. They can be a perfect solution, especially if you don’t have enough room for a towel rack.

Vanity with cubby holes

If you are looking to invest in a new vanity, consider having one custom-made with cubby holes. It’s a great way to have dedicated space for freshly rolled towels. It will look even more luxurious if you have a double sink.

Final thoughts

We hope our towel display ideas inspired you to make small changes in your bathroom and give it a luxurious vibe. Remember, the most important thing you should focus on is buying high-quality towels, as, without quality, you can’t give your bathroom the look it deserves.

How Often Should You Change Everything in your Bedroom?

A bedroom

Even though it seems as though we are always on the go, we actually spend around 1/3 of our lives in bed. Our beds and bedrooms are our sanctuaries. How well or how bad we sleep affects our entire lives – everything from general happiness to emotional and physical health and well-being. So, it goes without saying that we should give this room a lot of love. And, sometimes, that means changing everything inside. But, how often should you change everything in your bedroom? That is a good question! The answer may vary depending on the items in it. Namely, different things have different life spans! With that said, we are here to help you take care of your bedroom and everything you have inside. Keep on reading to find out more.

Pillows 

How often you need to change everything in your bedroom. The National Health Foundation will tell you to change your pillows every two years. Pillow sellers selling all kinds of pillows on the market will tell you to change them every five to ten years. But, if you ask us, we will tell you that you should change your pillows as soon as you notice that they are losing their support and comfort as sleeping on those can be extremely bad for your head, neck, and spine.

Moreover, you should replace your pillows whenever you notice stains or dirt on them. They can be extremely dangerous for people who have allergies or asthma. To prevent all these health risks from happening, our advice is to wash your pillowcases and covers every week, wash your pillows every six months, and change everything every three years.

girls on bed
Little girls jumping on the bed wearing their white cotton Amelia dress.

Sheets 

We lay directly on our sheets, and because of that, they start to accumulate sweat, oils, dead skin cells, hairs, etc. Of course, all of this can be fixed, and our sheets can look and feel brand new as long as we wash them regularly – once a week. However, we cannot do this forever. Sheets, too, have a life span – around two years. Sheets of greater quality can last even longer if you take care of them properly. But, at the end of the day, how often you should replace your sheets depends on their look – if they look thinned out and scratchy, it is time to buy new ones. Luckily, they are not as expensive as all bedroom items mentioned before, so replacing them should not be a problem.

A woman lounging on her bed
Decorate your bed with embroidered boudoir pillow covers and bolsters to keep you supported and comfortable while lounging in bed.

Blankets 

We love our blankets as they provide us with comfort and warmth! Most people also feel emotionally attached to their blankets because they had them from an early age or because they were a gift from their parents or grandparents. The good news is that blankets do last for a very long time. If you take care of them properly, they can last for decades. To make sure that happens, have them washed professionally at least once a year when you start preparing for the winter months. And, take them out in the sun during summer, as that will remove any bacteria, dirt, or dust from them.

A woman stretching
A good mattress foundation is just as important as your mattress and your PJs. Wearing soft, comfortable pajamas will help. 

Duvets 

Just as blankets, we take out our duvets only during colder months. And, because of that, they tend to last a lot longer than sheets or pillowcases, for example. If there are no stains on your duvet, you can keep using it for up to 20 years. But, using a duvet for that long means that you need to take care of it rightly. Doing this is easy, same as blankets. Wash them professionally before every cold season, air them out once a month (when there is a lot of sun outside preferably), and make sure to always keep them in thick duvet covers. In the end, how often you change everything in your bedroom will depend on how well you take care of your belongings.