5 Ways to Refresh Your Fall Bedding

With the weather finally beginning to dip, it’s time to pull out your warmest winter bedding in preparation for the winter ahead. However, sometimes the bedding we store away the previous fall before can get a little stale after sitting around for a year and washing every piece of bedding is something no one should have to do, especially around the bust holiday season. Lucky for you, we can help. With these five simple tips, you’ll be able to refresh your fall blankets, sheets and more, ensuring all your dreams are sweeter—and snugglier!

Lift mattress odors with lavender oil

The perfect way to give your mattress a mood-boosting makeover? “Just put 1⁄4 cup of baking soda and 6 drops of lavender essential oil in a sieve, and sprinkle onto your mattress,” advises Becky Rapinchuk of CleanMama.com. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum it up. The baking soda neutralizes odors while the lavender oil adds a relaxing bedtime scent.

Soften fleece blankets with vinegar

Nothing says fall quite like fleece blankets. How to up their “cozy quotient”? “Wash them on the hottest cycle the fabric permits and add 1 cup of white vinegar in the fabric softener compartment,” advises Katie Berry of HouseWifeHowTos.com. The vinegar will dissolve the soapy buildup from previous washings, restoring the blankets’ softness.

Revive bed sheets with a simple soak

Musty odors can cling to bedsheets, seeping into their fibers. To the rescue: Fill your sink with hot water and add 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 Tbs. of dish soap. Soak sheets overnight, then wring them out a bit and place them in your washing machine along with 1⁄2 cup of baking soda. Wash in hot water and voilà: Your sheets will smell and feel like new again!

Perk up pillows with a good shake

Over time, skin cells and body oils build up on our pillows, making them go from perky to pancake-y. The clever solution: Just place your pillow in a trash bag with 1 cup of cornstarch. Give the bag a good shake, then remove the pillow and brush off the powder. The cornstarch absorbs body oils, returning your pillow to its fluffy glory.

Fluff up comforters with a fall breeze

The easiest way to re-fluff your down comforter? Simply hang it outside on a clothesline for a few hours—the dry fall air moving through the feathers will break up clumps. Don’t have a clothesline or porch railing? Just toss your comforter into the dryer along with a couple of tennis balls, which will “knock” the comforter back into shape.