Many people think a linen closet or a bathroom closet should store bed linens. I am here to tell you that this is not a wise assumption. A linen closet is primarily used for things you would use in the bathroom if it is located in the bathroom. If the linen closet is outside the bathroom, you may think it is a justifiable place to store bed linens. I am here to tell you that it is not. This post will hopefully explain why you should not store bed linens in a bathroom closet.
There are several benefits to not storing bedding in a linen closet; read the list below, and hopefully, it will convince you.
The Benefits of Storing Bed Linens in a Bedroom
It will help reduce mold spores on bed linens.
If your linen closet is in the bathroom and you don't have an exhaust fan, or if you use it frequently, it may attract moisture to the bed linens. Mold can grow in several areas of the home, especially the bathrooms. While conducting my research for this post, I came across an article from the CDC that explains how mold can particularly grow on certain materials, such as fabric, among others.
Since bedding is changed infrequently (once a week or so), it is likely to absorb mold spores when these items are stored in a bathroom. Then, when you decide to use the bedding, you may transfer the mold spores to your bed, where you want to relax and sleep well.
Some people are sensitive to these molds, which can result in severe to mild reactions when exposed to them, ranging from itchy eyes to shortness of breath. While each person and each home is different, when it comes to mold, taking precautions with your bedding in a bathroom closet will help reduce these ailments.
It will save space in a highly used linen closet.
Bed linens are usually bulky and can take away space for other supplies and towels that are used more frequently.
It will save you time when you are making the bed.
When making the bed, it is easier to have the sheets closer to the task at hand, which can save you time.
There will be no confusion about which bed linens are for which bed.
Since each room will have its own sheets, there will be no confusion about which sheet belongs to which bed.
It will help remind you which bed to change and clean next.
If you change sheets for each room on alternate weeks, you can easily remember which room is next in the cleaning cycle.
Where to Store Bed Linens in a Home?
Now that we've discussed why you shouldn't store bed linens in the bathroom closet let's discuss where you SHOULD store these items.
Each room should have its own designated area for linens. Make it easy to find by the bedroom inhabitants but out of the way to not interfere with day-to-day activities. Below is a list of areas you may want to store these bed linens.
Store the bed linens in a dresser drawer
Some people have extra dresser drawers in their bedrooms because their walk-in closet stores most of their clothes. I know I do! So, keeping these linens in an extra drawer is a no-brainer. If you want to add a special fragrance to the sheets, add a Sachet Bag (affiliate) like the one I found here on Amazon (affiliate).com (affiliate).
Stick with scents that are relaxing for you. It could be lavender or vanilla. The subtle sense works best.
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Add the linens to a zipper bag and store them on a top shelf in the closet.
If you are sensitive to dust mite droppings, you may want to use a Space Saver Bags Jumbo (affiliate) for the bed linens. This allows you to squeeze the air out of the bag, minimizing dust.
Add the Bed linen to an Unused Nightstand Drawer.
If you only change the sheets and not the blanket, a nightstand (affiliate) drawer may be perfect for you. It's an easy place to pull from when you need to change the bedding.
These options are wonderful for storing the bed linens in your bedrooms. However, to improve productivity when making the bed, each bedroom should have its own storage location. After deciding on a place for each room, be sure to inform the family where these bed linens are located. This will minimize confusion when they need to clean their sheets.
I hope this post helped you realize the importance of placing bed linens in the bedroom, rather than in the linen closet or bathroom. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below. I would love to hear from you.
Visit our post about what to store in a well-organized linen closet for helpful tips. If you have unique narrow linen closets, check out these posts for help. Narrow Linen Closet Storage Options Made Easy and The Ideal Narrow Linen Closet Laundry Basket Option
Visit our other bathroom organization and DIY posts!
Katherine Macey says
This is something I hadn't thought of before, but it makes sense to keep linens close to the bed, especially if you have specific sheets for specific beds. Usually it makes sense to store like items together, but this may be an exception!
Sabrina Quairoli says
I agree! Thanks for stopping by and joining in the conversation. =)
Janet Schiesl says
Wow! I've never thought about this before. I do storage linens in my two upstairs bathrooms. Now that my kids are grown and out I will move them into the bedrooms. The dressers are empty, so that works for me.
Sabrina Quairoli says
That's great, Janet! Thanks for stopping by and joining in the conversation.
Hazel Thornton says
I'm the opposite of Julie in that I've never had a linen closet in the bathroom. There's usually been a cupboard of some sort for towels, though. And I'm like Linda in that I wash linens and put them back on the bed. So I don't have a lot of linens to store, but I do seem to accumulate pillow cases, which I swap out more frequently than I wash the sheets, and store in a bedroom drawer. So, I'm already following Sabrina's advice, but inadvertently.
Sabrina Quairoli says
That's great, Hazel! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. =)
Julie Bestry says
This is an interesting approach. Since leaving home, I've never had a linen closet in the bathroom, and it's always been so inconvenient! I grew up in a house with a fabulous linen closet in the bathroom (wide, not-too-deep, nice-height shelves, and a door that completely shuts) that was, effectively, the "guest" bathroom (so, rarely used), and it provided ample room for everything (including sheets). AND it had a door that firmly shut. There was a hall linen closet, which was narrow, too deep, and inconveniently built, and so it was used for rarely-if-ever items, like the huge volume of afghans my grandmother kept knitting us! I always think guest bathroom linen closets provide the best of all worlds for linens. Keeping bedding de-centralized in each room seems strange to me; do people only use certain sheets with certain beds, even when they're all the same size? Are these "little Mary's sheets" and never "little Joey's sheets?"
Sabrina Quairoli says
Actually, there is. The boys don't necessarily want colors of sheets that may be a color they don't like. Or, a girl wants their flowery sheets and doesn't want to share with others. Also, some people may be allergic to certain fabrics, like polyester, and others may not have an issue with it. Many situations can constitute separate bedding for each room. It is not just about the colors or fabrics; I also found that regular sheets do not fit deep bed sheets even if they are the same color; you can not use them on deep mattresses.
Lucy Kelly says
Great advice, Sabrina! I advise clients to store an extra set of linens under the mattress where possible - saves space and you're right there. Your concerns/solutions about mold spores are going to help many people sleep better and feel better!
Sabrina Quairoli says
Thanks, Lucy! I hope so. Sleep is so important, and we do not get enough of it. Little changes can make a huge difference.
Sabrina Quairoli says
That is a great option too! Thanks for sharing and commenting. =)
Linda Samuels says
This makes a lot of sense. Our linen closet is in the hallway and not in a bathroom, so that is fine. The bedrooms aren’t an ideal spot for us to store them because of space. I usually wash the sheets and put the same clean ones back on the bed. The linen closet stores the extra or guest ones.
Sabrina Quairoli says
That's great! I love that we all have modified our system to make it work for our home/family. Thanks for commenting and sharing. =)
Seana Turner says
Well, I have to admit you have me thinking on this one! Storing bed linens in the room where they belong is easiest if you have the capacity. I have a client whose closets for his clothes are in the bathroom, and I don't love this solution because the heat and humidity aren't great for the garments!
I think towels and bathroom overflow work well in a linen closet. They can also be handy for small appliances like fans, heating pads, etc.
Sabrina Quairoli says
I agree, small appliances, heating pads, are also great to store in linen closets if you have a large enough linen closet in the bathroom.
Diane N Quintana says
My habit has been to store linens in the linen closet in the hall. I love your idea of storing linens in a dresser drawer in the bedroom. Great tip!
Sabrina Quairoli says
Thanks, Diane! Thanks for stopping by and joining in the conversation!
Jonda Beattie says
I have always advised not storing medicines in the bathroom because of the heat and moisture but I never thought about bed linens. Thanks!
Sabrina Quairoli says
I'm glad the post was helpful, Jonda! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. =)