A question about linens that have been stored away for awhile.

[polkanut]

I've just changed the flannel sheets on our bed, and put on the regular bedding.  The regular bedding was washed before being put in the drawer over winter, and had acquired that stored away smell to them.  Does anyone else besides me wash them to freshen them up before putting them back on the bed?

 

[dirtybuck]

That "Musty" Smell?

It's also happen to me too. There are some times when I'll put them in the laundry hamper and take them to the laundromat for a re-washing, or I'll bite the bullet and put them on the bed. It generally goes away after a day or two.

 

[polkanut]

Yes, it's sort of a musty smell combined with the scent the wood gives off.  Also, combined with the fragrance of the detergent and/or the fabric softener used last fall before they were put in the drawer over winter.

 

[westingman123]

I love that "drawer smell". Particularly if they've been line-dried. My linen drawers are cedar, are yours something else?

Grandma's farmhouse often produced that other, faintly musty, smell. While not the most pleasant, it makes me nostalgic. Guess I'm the odd man out on this one!

 

[kevin313]

I don't bother re-washing them because they are clean. If they really have that "put away" smell, I may toss them in the dryer with Downy sheet to freshen them up.

 

[polkanut]

We keep our spare bedding in a chest of drawers in our guest bedroom.  It is probably made with some cheap secondary wood.

 

[frigilux]

What's this? A thread about linens and not a word from Launderess? Someone pour that girl a glass of wine and get her over here!

 

[xraytech]

I store my spare bed linens as well as some overflow clothing in my Lane cedar chest as well as in my cedar lined armoire.

Only linens stored elsewhere is tablecloths as they are dry cleaned, pressed, and hung neatly with that protective plastic over them.

 

I dont rewash stored linens, I occasionally use them but usually I hang them out on the clothesline to refresh them

 

[whirlykenmore78]

A quick rinse

and a tumble in the dryer with 1/2 sheet of Bounce freshens them right up.

 

[toploader55]

Frigilux...

Where's Laundress ? Pour that girl a glass of wine and get her over here"

 

Too Funny

 

[launderess]

Did Somebody Call My Name?

Don't "store" linens away for seasonal use per se, but do follow the age old French custom of placing newly laundered linens at the bottom of the a drawer or stack of things in cupboard so as to keep items in regular rotation.

At least once a year all linen drawers/presses are opened, contents removed, cleaned, aired,and lining paper replaced. Whilst linens are out quick inventory of items is made with an eye to what needs replacing, mending, reworking or simply taken out of regular use and a new purpose found.

Oh, also follow another old French custom by placing herb (mainly lavender) sachets in with linens. One day years ago took some old tulle and linen fabric that was lying about spare and ran up some empty packets. Filled with dried lavender leaves/flowers (puchased in bulk from France), then tied with a ribbon to close.

No musty scented linens here.

It may be worth one's time to empty all dresser drawers and take them out doors on a brisk day and let mother nature do the work. Sometimes a good airing can do wonders.