Packing your bedding might seem like one of the easiest moving tasks, as some think it’s soft, cuddly, and unbreakable. But anyone who’s tried cramming a king-size comforter into a box knows it’s not that simple. Bedding takes up a surprising amount of space and needs the right care to stay clean, fresh, and fluffy after the move. How you pack them can make a big difference in your comfort later on.
That’s why here’s a guide for you. We’ll walk you through the best way to pack bedding, sheets, pillows, comforters, and more to make sure you’ll arrive in your next home stress-free and with a cozy night after the move.
Essential Packing Materials
Before you start, gather your materials. Having the right packing materials and supplies will make your packing process smoother and safer for your items.
Moving Boxes (Medium and Large) – Used to hold and protect bulky items like pillows, blankets, and comforters during the move.
Storage Bags – Choose between vacuum storage bags, duffel bags, or breathable fabric bags depending on your needs. These bags save space and protect items from dirt and moisture.
Padded Hangers and Pins – Use to hang delicate fabrics, such as curtains or bed covers, to prevent creasing and slipping.
Packing Paper (Newsprint) – Use this to wrap fragile or decorative bedding pieces to prevent dust buildup and fabric damage. Avoid using printed newspapers as the ink can stain.
Packing Tape – Used to seal boxes securely and keep them from opening during transport.
Markers – Used to label each box clearly so you’ll know what’s inside and where it should go when unpacking.
What to Know Before Packing Linens and Bedding
Before you start packing your linens and bedding, it’s important to prepare them properly. Here are some essential tips on cleaning, sorting, and organizing to keep them fresh and clean.
Clean Your Bedding, Linens, and More
Always wash and completely dry all your linens before packing. This prevents mold, mildew, or odors from forming inside boxes or bags. Wash everything according to its care label (delicate fabrics like silk or wool may need dry cleaning).
Ensure each piece is 100% dry before storing or packing, as even slight dampness can lead to mildew during transit if you’re short on time, at least air out comforters and pillows in the sun to remove moisture.
Sort Out Your Bedding
Sorting your items properly will make the packing and unpacking process much easier. Separate your bedding into the following categories.
By Material
Group similar fabrics together, such as cotton sheets, silk pillowcases, and fleece blankets. This ensures delicate fabrics get proper care, and the heavier ones don’t crush them.
By Use
Separate daily-use bedding (like what’s on your bed) from guest or seasonal bedding (like flannel sheets for winter or spare pillows).
By Type
Categorize each bedding type: sheets, pillowcases, comforters, blankets, towels, and draperies.
By Room
Pack items according to their destination room, like “Master Bedroom,” “Guest Room,” or “Kids’ Room,” to make unpacking stress-free later.
Keep Your Bedding Fresh and Odorless
Keeping your bedding smelling fresh until you unpack it can be challenging. Even clean fabrics can develop a musty odor if they’re stored in a warm or humid environment. To prevent this, you can prepare a few natural odor preventers to put inside your boxes or bags.
Small sachets filled with dried lavender, baking soda, or cedar chips work wonders in keeping your linens fresh and clean. If you don’t have those, even a sheet of fabric softener placed between layers of bedding can help maintain a pleasant scent.
Avoid using strong liquid air fresheners or chemical sprays, as they can cling to fabrics and irritate sensitive skin later.
Proper airflow also helps. If your bedding will be stored for a few days before moving, avoid sealing bags immediately; let them breathe for a bit before closing them completely.
How to Pack Bedsheets
Packing bed sheets is one of the easiest parts of moving since they’re lightweight and don’t take up much space. To start, line a clean, medium-sized box with soft packing paper for extra protection. Carefully fold your bed sheets to make them compact and neat. This helps save space and keeps them wrinkle-free. Once folded, place them flat inside the box to maximize room and prevent bunching.
After filling the box, cover the top layer with another sheet of packing paper to keep everything clean and secure. Then, close the box tightly with packing tape and label it clearly as “Bed Sheets.”
You can also use older bed sheets to fill gaps inside boxes that hold fragile items. This way, they serve as natural padding and reduce the need for extra materials like bubble wrap, saving you money and space.
How to Pack Blankets
Moving blankets are one of the best moving materials professional movers use in their work. That’s because blankets aren’t just soft, flexible, and easy to pack; they can also be incredibly useful during a move. Before you pack your blankets, line a sturdy box with packing paper to protect your blankets from dirt and moisture. Fold each blanket neatly instead of just tossing it in, as this helps you make the most out of the available space and keeps your boxes organized.
When you’re done, add another layer of packing paper on top, seal the box securely with tape, and label it “Blankets.”
Pro Tip:
You can use your blankets (if they’re not expensive and high-value) as protective covers for furniture or fragile items like mirrors and glassware. They work just as well as moving blankets and give your belongings an extra layer of cushioning during transport.
How to Pack Comforters and Duvets
Comforters and duvets are among the bulkiest items you’ll need to pack, so managing space is the key to this. The smartest way to pack these soft, voluminous pieces is by using vacuum storage bags. If you don’t have vacuum bags, you can still use large moving boxes, but keep in mind that one box might only fit one comforter or duvet. This can take up unnecessary space, so it’s best to reserve this option when vacuum bags are unavailable.
To use a vacuum storage bag, simply place your comforter or duvet inside, seal it tightly, and use a vacuum hose or hand pump to suck out the air. Once sealed, you’ll be surprised at how flat and manageable your bedding becomes.
How to Pack Pillows and Cushions
Pillows and cushions can easily take up too much space when packed in boxes, but with a little creativity, you can save this problem. One practical tip is to use them as padding materials for fragile items. Their softness provides excellent protection for breakables like glassware, dishes, and picture frames. For pillows or cushions you’d rather not use as padding, pack them properly to keep them fresh and clean.
Start by placing each pillow inside a plastic bag to protect it from dust and moisture. Clean trash bags can work as long as they’re new and sturdy. Once covered, arrange them neatly inside a large box lined with soft packing paper. Gently press each pillow down to release excess air so you can fit more inside without squishing them.
When the box is full, add a final layer of packing paper on top, close it securely with tape, and label it clearly as “Pillows and Cushions.” If you’re short on space, you can also store pillows in creative spots such as the bottom of wardrobe boxes or inside empty drawers.
How to Pack Drapes and Curtains
Drapes and curtains can easily get wrinkled or damaged during a move, so it’s important you handle them with care. Start by taking them down and making sure they’re clean and completely dry before packing. If possible, keep your curtains on their padded hangers to help them maintain their shape. You can cover each set of your curtains with a garment or wardrobe bag to prevent dust and dirt from settling on them.
For those without hangers, gently fold the drapes lengthwise and roll them, rather than folding them into sharp creases. This helps reduce wrinkling. Once they’re neatly rolled or folded, place them inside a clean, lined box or breathable fabric bag. When everything is packed, label the box clearly as “Drapes and Curtains” so you can easily identify them when settling into your new home.
How to Pack Towels
Packing towels is one of the simplest parts of moving. Before proceeding, ensure that all your towels are freshly washed and completely dry. Start by lining a medium or large box with clean packing paper to keep the towels fresh. Fold each towel neatly and stack them firmly inside the box to make the most of the space. Once full, place another sheet of packing paper on top, seal the box securely with tape, and label it “Towels.”
Also, don’t forget to set aside a few towels for your essentials box, the one you’ll open right away at your new home. Having fresh towels easily accessible after moving day makes settling in much more comfortable.
Best Packing Technique for Packing Bedding, Linens, and More
Packing bedding and linens the right way helps save space and protect your fabrics during transport. Here are two most efficient methods and packing tricks to keep everything clean, compact, and easy to unpack later.
1. Using Space Saving Folding Method
It’s important to fold your bedding and linens properly. Here are some of the smart folding techniques to save you space:
Option 1: Square Fold
Square fold works perfectly for most sheets, blankets, and clean pillowcases. This method helps stack your bedding evenly, preventing bunching or uneven edges and giving your boxes a more organized look.
Option 2: Rolling Method
The rolling method is excellent when you’re trying to maximize limited space. Rolling your sheets, towels, or lightweight blankets tightly reduces air pockets, allowing you to fit more items in one box or bag. It’s also useful for preventing hard creases that can occur with folding.
This technique works particularly well for smaller linens, such as pillowcases, bath towels, and lightweight blankets.
Option 3: Layering Strategy
The layering strategy helps when you have a mix of different fabrics to pack. This strategy keeps the weight balance and ensures nothing gets crushed during the move. To do this, start by placing heavier items, such as comforters or quilts, at the bottom of the box. Then layer lighter materials like sheets or pillowcases on top. Between each layer, you can add a sheet of packing paper or a fabric divider to prevent friction and keep your bedding fresh.
2. Using a Proper Storage Bag or Container
Not all bedding should be packed the same way. The best packing space depends on the fabric type, the size of the item, and how much space you have available.
Option 1: Using a Vacuum Storage Bag
Vacuum storage bags are one of the most space-saving solutions when it comes to packing large or bulky items such as comforters, duvets, and winter blankets. By removing excess air, these bags significantly reduce the volume of your bedding, making them easier to stack and fit inside moving boxes. They also provide an airtight seal that protects fabrics from dust, moisture, and insects during transport. This method is a convenient and effective choice for short-term moving.
Take Note:
Avoid storing natural-fill bedding, such as down or feather comforters, in vacuum bags for extended periods, as compressing them for too long can cause the fibers to lose their natural loft and softness.
Option 2: Using Sturdy Bags or Duffel Bags
For short-distance moves or when you’re managing the move yourself, sturdy bags or duffel bags are a practical alternative. These bags are easy to carry, flexible enough to fit in tight spaces, and can even double as extra padding in your moving truck or car.
You can neatly fold your sheets, blankets, or pillowcases inside them and zip them up securely to keep them clean. Since duffel bags are soft-sided, they prevent sharp creases or damage to delicate fabrics.
They’re also reusable, making them an eco-friendly option and cost-effective packing choice.
Option 3: Using Breathable Fabric Bags
If you plan to store your bedding for an extended period, such as while waiting to move into your new home, or if some items are seasonal, breathable fabric bags are the best option.
These bags allow air to circulate, preventing the buildup of musty odors or trapped moisture that can damage fabrics.
They’re especially recommended for natural materials like cotton, silk, or linen, which need airflow to maintain their texture.
Breathable bags also keep dust and pests away without suffocating the fabric, ensuring your bedding remains soft and clean.
Consider Help: DIY vs. Hiring Professional Movers
After knowing everything about how to pack your bedding and linens, you now have to decide whether you’ll DIY or hire professional movers.
Each option has its own advantages depending on your budget, time, and how valuable or delicate your fabrics are.
| DIY Packing | Hiring Professional Movers |
|---|---|
| Ideal for small moves or short distances. | Perfect for long-distance or large-scale moves. |
| You can control how each item is cleaned, folded, and labeled. | Movers are trained to pack delicate and bulky fabrics like duvets and drapes safely. |
| It’s more cost-effective, as you only pay for the supplies. | Movers bring the right materials (vacuum bags, wardrobe boxes, paper pads). |
| You can pack at your own pace and adjust as needed. | Professional movers set a timeline and schedule for the packing. |
If your move is small and local, packing your bedding and linens yourself can be manageable, especially if you prefer to handle your personal fabrics.
But for long-distance relocations or when dealing with premium items like silk sheets, feather duvets, or designer curtains, hiring professional movers can offer you peace of mind.
Conclusion
Packing your bedding the right way isn’t just about saving space, keeping it fluffy and clean; it’s also about protecting the comfort you’ve invested in. Clean, well-packed linens can make your first night in your new home feel peaceful and stress-free.
That’s why it’s important to have a plan and a guide like this to help you with your next move.
Moving can be exhausting, but your bed doesn’t have to be part of your struggle; it should be the reward at the end of the day.
FAQ
1. Should you pack pillows in boxes or bags when moving?
It depends on how far you’re moving. For short local moves, soft bags or duffel bags work perfectly; they keep your pillows clean and double as padding in the truck. For long-distance moves or storage, use large plastic bins or breathable fabric bags to protect against dust and moisture while maintaining the pillow’s shape.
2. How can you tightly pack a comforter without damaging it?
Use a vacuum-sealed bag for bulky comforters, especially synthetic ones. This method saves space and keeps them clean. However, avoid long-term compression for natural fill comforters like down or feathers, as they can lose their fluffiness. If you’re storing for months, use breathable cotton bags instead.
3. Is it worth hiring professional movers to handle bedding and linens?
Absolutely. Especially if you’re managing a large household or moving long-distance. Expert movers know how to pack delicate fabrics, use the right materials, and handle your belongings with care. They can also save you time, ensuring your bedding arrives fresh, clean, and ready to use at your new home.
