what a nice idea Krissie. I have a lot of fabric, actually keep a large box of usable scraps under my sewing table for pockets, press cloths, etc. Will check w/my local hospitals for auxiliary groups that can use some.

If I were to do this-I'd cut the headboard into the style you like-from MDF-cover with a medium thick batting, cut your spread-llowing plenty to staple to the back side. Then to created the tufted look? Just use the hammered brass upholstry nailhead tacks-. However-if you want a different color-you can always spray paint them with Krylon paint color of choice, by sticking them in a sheet of styrofoam, to hold in place & spray the heads. Just make sure you place something soft & padded over each nail while pounding into the headboard, so as not to chip the paint.

I remember storing baby clothes that were put away clean, then when I got them out for the newest baby, stains had developed. Why, I don't know. So if anything is high dollar, like fancy-shmancy comforters, you might want to check with a dry cleaners about long-term storage, unless you've always washed them and don't anticipate stains. Also, I've had wonderful results from washing light-colored items with Oxi "White Revive." It cleans very, very well and smells great. I would use "Space Bags" because it seems like vacuuming all of the air out of the linens will help preserve your pillows and comforters, and make it less likely for pests to live in storage without air.

This is were I have an edge (at least I think) :-)~ I'm still sleeping on a waterbed...I love this thing. I've slept on water for over 30 years. So on that note I wipe down the vinyl mattress with a special spray cleaner every two weeks. My mattress can't harbor mites as it's a solid impermeable vinyl material. If there were any mites, they would be wiped away from the spray cleanser and cloth, their numbers would be kept to a extremely low number. Now on to the washing... Keep in mind I'm a clean freak so I'm clean when going to bed. I wash sheets & pillow cases / mattress pad / duvet cover every two weeks. They are all solid white and get a hot wash with bleach. I have three sets of sheets currently. The comforter (always in the duvet cover) gets washed twice a year in hot with bleach (the start of autumn and start of spring) it's solid white, cotton shell with synthetic stuffing.