The average double bed has about 15 cubic feet of wasted space under it. It’s a pretty attractive storage area. But some things should never be stored there. Here are a few of them and the reasons why.
Heavy Items
Everything stored under the bed has to slide in and out. Heavy containers don’t slide easily on carpet and may scratch wood flooring. They are awkward to handle in cramped locations and heavy to lift off the floor.
Even lighter plastic containers can scratch floors. Felt furniture leg pads stuck on all four corners protect hard floors from scratches.
Empty Suitcases
Storing suitcases under the bed is a good idea–just not when they are empty. Fill the suitcases with seasonal or vacation clothing, spare linen, towels, or any other seldom-used items to take advantage of the containers and the space.
Frequently Used Items
Don’t store anything under the bed that you use or look for regularly–like socks, underwear, T-shirts, etc. Anything you use once a week should be stored in closets, dressers, or wardrobes where they are easier to access and see.
Important Documents
Documents stored under the bed are easily accessible to kids, crooks, and pets. Things like passports and bank records should never be stored under beds. Any pictures, cards, letters, and paper you have to store under the bed should be in tightly sealed containers that deter pests.
Breakable Items
Breakable fragile items should not be stored under beds–regardless of how well you pack them. They might get banged around and broken when anything is moved in and out. They are also usually heavy to lift off the floor.
Spare Pillows and Bedding
Don’t store bedding and towels that you use regularly under the bed. You spend too much time and effort getting them out and putting them away. Storing seasonal items like Christmas linen and towels or winter sheets that are pulled out once or twice a year makes sense.
Loose Clothing
Anything that is stored under the bed needs to be in a sealed airtight container. Clothes tossed into an open box or on top of a towel are an invitation to pests–moths, roaches, silverfish, dust mites, etc. They also get dusty, dirty, creased, and disheveled.
Food
Even canned or sealed food will eventually attract pests to the underside of your bed. A line of ants or predators like spiders in your bedroom does not contribute to restful sleep. Keep all food from under the bed.
Cardboard Boxes
Storing anything in cardboard boxes under the bed is a poor plan. Silverfish and roaches eat cardboard and get into the items the boxes hold. Mice chew through the boxes and ruin anything inside. Use only sturdy plastic containers with tight lids-or your zipped tight suitcases-for any items stored under the bed.
Clutter
Underbed storage benefits from a little organization and planning. Don’t use the space to toss things you don’t know what to do with. Or anything that is not boxed, labeled, and stored properly. Clutter attracts pests and dust. It is difficult to clean under the bed and you usually can’t remember what is there.
