The changeover, in order
Start by stripping the bed completely and leaving it stripped for a few hours with a window open. This is the one moment all year when the mattress is genuinely accessible: vacuum the surface, including the seams and the edges, rotate it head to foot, and let it breathe while you deal with everything else. Pillows get the same treatment — a shake, an airing over a chair back, and an honest assessment of whether they still spring back when folded.
Next, the winter set. Wash covers and sheets before they go on the bed, even though they were clean when they were stored; a single wash and a full dry removes the cupboard note entirely. Check the label for temperature rather than guessing, wash them alone rather than crammed in with other textiles, and skip the softener — a dose of white vinegar in the rinse compartment does the softening job without leaving residue that will haunt you in April.
Then the summer bedding, which is the half most people rush. Wash it, dry it far longer than you think it needs, and only then fold it away. If you can, leave it out in an airing cupboard or on a shelf for a day after drying before packing. Store it in a cotton pillowcase, an old cotton bag or a breathable storage bag rather than sealed plastic, tuck in a lavender or cedar sachet without letting it touch the fabric directly, and keep the box somewhere dry rather than somewhere convenient.
