A fixed set kept at the summer house
Short answer: Keep a set of everyday clothes, two sets of bedding and four towels at the summer house permanently. Then only underwear and socks need packing each time, turning the trip into a bag instead of a full suitcase.
What saves the most time
Bedding and towels take up the most space in a bag and are largely the same no matter who is going. If they already stay there, packing becomes a bag of personal clothes instead of a whole suitcase that has to be thought through every single time.
What still has to come along
Underwear and socks need to come every time, since they are used daily and have to fit each person. Everything else, like bedding, towels and everyday clothes, can stay there permanently, so nothing gets forgotten or has to be dug up in the last minute before leaving.
A set that covers a weekend
One set of clothes, two sets of bedding and four towels cover most weekends without anyone having to think about it. See bamboo underwear for men , which dries fast if the wash has to wait until home, and takes up little room in the bag that comes anyway.
Storage between visits
Keep the textiles in closed boxes that can still breathe, and away from cold outer walls, where moisture collects first. A plastic box with no ventilation can do more harm than good, since the moisture then gets trapped right against the fabric.
Wash everything at the start
Wash the whole set at the start of the season, even if it still looks clean from the last visit. A house that has stood empty for months leaves a faint smell in textiles no matter how neatly they were put away. See bamboo bedding and bamboo towels , both suited to frequent washing.
Damp in an unheated house
Textiles can smell damp even when they look dry, especially in a house that is not heated between visits. Airing the whole house on arrival, windows open for half an hour, makes a real difference before bedding goes back on the bed.
Guests at the summer house
One extra set of bedding and two extra towels usually cover a weekend with guests without anyone needing to pack more. Keep the extra set separate from the permanent one, so it is always ready and the family does not end up using what is meant for guests.
Tidy up after every visit
Wash worn clothes and bedding after every visit, or bring them home if the machine is not free right away. Worn textiles simply put back in the cupboard already smell within a couple of weeks and pass that on to everything else stored there.
A small system that keeps working
Write a short list of what stays there permanently, and hang it inside the cupboard, so it is easy to see what still needs washing or replacing. A small system like that keeps the permanent set actually working year after year.
Frequently asked questions
Do textiles get damp in an unheated house
They can easily smell damp after a long stretch without heating. Boxes that breathe and a thorough airing on arrival solve most of the problem without much further effort.
What about unannounced guests
One extra bedding set and two towels usually cover a normal weekend visit. Keep it separate from the permanent set so the family does not end up using what is meant for guests.
Does everything need washing after every visit
Yes, or bring it home to wash there instead. Worn items left unwashed in the cupboard for half a year smell noticeably and pass that smell on to the rest of the stored linen.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
