diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_connection.cpp b/esphome/components/api/api_connection.cpp
index 2914f15b4d..7413b0c419 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_connection.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_connection.cpp
@@ -638,13 +638,13 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_climate_state(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection
   if (traits.get_supports_fan_modes() && climate->fan_mode.has_value())
     resp.fan_mode = static_cast<enums::ClimateFanMode>(climate->fan_mode.value());
   if (!traits.get_supported_custom_fan_modes().empty() && climate->has_custom_fan_mode()) {
-    resp.set_custom_fan_mode(StringRef(climate->custom_fan_mode));
+    resp.set_custom_fan_mode(StringRef(climate->get_custom_fan_mode()));
   }
   if (traits.get_supports_presets() && climate->preset.has_value()) {
     resp.preset = static_cast<enums::ClimatePreset>(climate->preset.value());
   }
   if (!traits.get_supported_custom_presets().empty() && climate->has_custom_preset()) {
-    resp.set_custom_preset(StringRef(climate->custom_preset));
+    resp.set_custom_preset(StringRef(climate->get_custom_preset()));
   }
   if (traits.get_supports_swing_modes())
     resp.swing_mode = static_cast<enums::ClimateSwingMode>(climate->swing_mode);
diff --git a/esphome/components/bedjet/climate/bedjet_climate.cpp b/esphome/components/bedjet/climate/bedjet_climate.cpp
index 65fa092e8e..302229f254 100644
--- a/esphome/components/bedjet/climate/bedjet_climate.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/bedjet/climate/bedjet_climate.cpp
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ void BedJetClimate::reset_state_() {
   this->target_temperature = NAN;
   this->current_temperature = NAN;
   this->preset.reset();
-  this->custom_preset.reset();
+  this->clear_custom_preset_();
   this->publish_state();
 }
 
@@ -184,8 +184,7 @@ void BedJetClimate::control(const ClimateCall &call) {
     }
 
     if (result) {
-      this->custom_preset = preset;
-      this->preset.reset();
+      this->set_custom_preset_(preset.c_str());
     }
   }
 
@@ -207,8 +206,7 @@ void BedJetClimate::control(const ClimateCall &call) {
     }
 
     if (result) {
-      this->fan_mode = fan_mode;
-      this->custom_fan_mode.reset();
+      this->set_fan_mode_(fan_mode);
     }
   } else if (call.get_custom_fan_mode().has_value()) {
     auto fan_mode = *call.get_custom_fan_mode();
@@ -218,8 +216,7 @@ void BedJetClimate::control(const ClimateCall &call) {
                fan_index);
       bool result = this->parent_->set_fan_index(fan_index);
       if (result) {
-        this->custom_fan_mode = fan_mode;
-        this->fan_mode.reset();
+        this->set_custom_fan_mode_(fan_mode.c_str());
       }
     }
   }
@@ -245,7 +242,7 @@ void BedJetClimate::on_status(const BedjetStatusPacket *data) {
 
   const auto *fan_mode_name = bedjet_fan_step_to_fan_mode(data->fan_step);
   if (fan_mode_name != nullptr) {
-    this->custom_fan_mode = *fan_mode_name;
+    this->set_custom_fan_mode_(fan_mode_name);
   }
 
   // TODO: Get biorhythm data to determine which preset (M1-3) is running, if any.
@@ -255,7 +252,7 @@ void BedJetClimate::on_status(const BedjetStatusPacket *data) {
       this->mode = CLIMATE_MODE_OFF;
       this->action = CLIMATE_ACTION_IDLE;
       this->fan_mode = CLIMATE_FAN_OFF;
-      this->custom_preset.reset();
+      this->clear_custom_preset_();
       this->preset.reset();
       break;
 
@@ -266,7 +263,7 @@ void BedJetClimate::on_status(const BedjetStatusPacket *data) {
       if (this->heating_mode_ == HEAT_MODE_EXTENDED) {
         this->set_custom_preset_("LTD HT");
       } else {
-        this->custom_preset.reset();
+        this->clear_custom_preset_();
       }
       break;
 
@@ -275,7 +272,7 @@ void BedJetClimate::on_status(const BedjetStatusPacket *data) {
       this->action = CLIMATE_ACTION_HEATING;
       this->preset.reset();
       if (this->heating_mode_ == HEAT_MODE_EXTENDED) {
-        this->custom_preset.reset();
+        this->clear_custom_preset_();
       } else {
         this->set_custom_preset_("EXT HT");
       }
@@ -284,20 +281,20 @@ void BedJetClimate::on_status(const BedjetStatusPacket *data) {
     case MODE_COOL:
       this->mode = CLIMATE_MODE_FAN_ONLY;
       this->action = CLIMATE_ACTION_COOLING;
-      this->custom_preset.reset();
+      this->clear_custom_preset_();
       this->preset.reset();
       break;
 
     case MODE_DRY:
       this->mode = CLIMATE_MODE_DRY;
       this->action = CLIMATE_ACTION_DRYING;
-      this->custom_preset.reset();
+      this->clear_custom_preset_();
       this->preset.reset();
       break;
 
     case MODE_TURBO:
       this->preset = CLIMATE_PRESET_BOOST;
-      this->custom_preset.reset();
+      this->clear_custom_preset_();
       this->mode = CLIMATE_MODE_HEAT;
       this->action = CLIMATE_ACTION_HEATING;
       break;
diff --git a/esphome/components/climate/climate.cpp b/esphome/components/climate/climate.cpp
index 9f9a0ca5d6..5bf32e4c28 100644
--- a/esphome/components/climate/climate.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/climate/climate.cpp
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ void Climate::save_state_() {
     // std::vector maintains insertion order
     size_t i = 0;
     for (const char *mode : supported) {
-      if (strcmp(mode, custom_fan_mode) == 0) {
+      if (strcmp(mode, this->custom_fan_mode_) == 0) {
         state.custom_fan_mode = i;
         break;
       }
@@ -415,7 +415,7 @@ void Climate::save_state_() {
     // std::vector maintains insertion order
     size_t i = 0;
     for (const char *preset : supported) {
-      if (strcmp(preset, custom_preset) == 0) {
+      if (strcmp(preset, this->custom_preset_) == 0) {
         state.custom_preset = i;
         break;
       }
@@ -441,13 +441,13 @@ void Climate::publish_state() {
     ESP_LOGD(TAG, "  Fan Mode: %s", LOG_STR_ARG(climate_fan_mode_to_string(this->fan_mode.value())));
   }
   if (!traits.get_supported_custom_fan_modes().empty() && this->has_custom_fan_mode()) {
-    ESP_LOGD(TAG, "  Custom Fan Mode: %s", this->custom_fan_mode);
+    ESP_LOGD(TAG, "  Custom Fan Mode: %s", this->custom_fan_mode_);
   }
   if (traits.get_supports_presets() && this->preset.has_value()) {
     ESP_LOGD(TAG, "  Preset: %s", LOG_STR_ARG(climate_preset_to_string(this->preset.value())));
   }
   if (!traits.get_supported_custom_presets().empty() && this->has_custom_preset()) {
-    ESP_LOGD(TAG, "  Custom Preset: %s", this->custom_preset);
+    ESP_LOGD(TAG, "  Custom Preset: %s", this->custom_preset_);
   }
   if (traits.get_supports_swing_modes()) {
     ESP_LOGD(TAG, "  Swing Mode: %s", LOG_STR_ARG(climate_swing_mode_to_string(this->swing_mode)));
@@ -572,20 +572,20 @@ void ClimateDeviceRestoreState::apply(Climate *climate) {
   if (this->uses_custom_fan_mode) {
     if (this->custom_fan_mode < traits.get_supported_custom_fan_modes().size()) {
       climate->fan_mode.reset();
-      climate->custom_fan_mode = traits.get_supported_custom_fan_modes()[this->custom_fan_mode];
+      climate->custom_fan_mode_ = traits.get_supported_custom_fan_modes()[this->custom_fan_mode];
     }
   } else if (traits.supports_fan_mode(this->fan_mode)) {
     climate->fan_mode = this->fan_mode;
-    climate->custom_fan_mode = nullptr;
+    climate->clear_custom_fan_mode_();
   }
   if (this->uses_custom_preset) {
     if (this->custom_preset < traits.get_supported_custom_presets().size()) {
       climate->preset.reset();
-      climate->custom_preset = traits.get_supported_custom_presets()[this->custom_preset];
+      climate->custom_preset_ = traits.get_supported_custom_presets()[this->custom_preset];
     }
   } else if (traits.supports_preset(this->preset)) {
     climate->preset = this->preset;
-    climate->custom_preset = nullptr;
+    climate->clear_custom_preset_();
   }
   if (traits.supports_swing_mode(this->swing_mode)) {
     climate->swing_mode = this->swing_mode;
@@ -617,18 +617,18 @@ template<typename T1, typename T2, typename T3> bool set_alternative(T1 &dst, T2
 }
 
 bool Climate::set_fan_mode_(ClimateFanMode mode) {
-  return set_alternative(this->fan_mode, this->custom_fan_mode, mode);
+  return set_alternative(this->fan_mode, this->custom_fan_mode_, mode);
 }
 
 bool Climate::set_custom_fan_mode_(const char *mode) {
   auto traits = this->get_traits();
   const char *mode_ptr = traits.find_custom_fan_mode_(mode);
   if (mode_ptr != nullptr) {
-    return set_alternative(this->custom_fan_mode, this->fan_mode, mode_ptr);
+    return set_alternative(this->custom_fan_mode_, this->fan_mode, mode_ptr);
   }
   // Mode not found in supported custom modes, clear it if currently set
   if (this->has_custom_fan_mode()) {
-    this->custom_fan_mode = nullptr;
+    this->custom_fan_mode_ = nullptr;
     return true;
   }
   return false;
@@ -636,17 +636,19 @@ bool Climate::set_custom_fan_mode_(const char *mode) {
 
 bool Climate::set_custom_fan_mode_(const std::string &mode) { return this->set_custom_fan_mode_(mode.c_str()); }
 
-bool Climate::set_preset_(ClimatePreset preset) { return set_alternative(this->preset, this->custom_preset, preset); }
+void Climate::clear_custom_fan_mode_() { this->custom_fan_mode_ = nullptr; }
+
+bool Climate::set_preset_(ClimatePreset preset) { return set_alternative(this->preset, this->custom_preset_, preset); }
 
 bool Climate::set_custom_preset_(const char *preset) {
   auto traits = this->get_traits();
   const char *preset_ptr = traits.find_custom_preset_(preset);
   if (preset_ptr != nullptr) {
-    return set_alternative(this->custom_preset, this->preset, preset_ptr);
+    return set_alternative(this->custom_preset_, this->preset, preset_ptr);
   }
   // Preset not found in supported custom presets, clear it if currently set
   if (this->has_custom_preset()) {
-    this->custom_preset = nullptr;
+    this->custom_preset_ = nullptr;
     return true;
   }
   return false;
@@ -654,6 +656,8 @@ bool Climate::set_custom_preset_(const char *preset) {
 
 bool Climate::set_custom_preset_(const std::string &preset) { return this->set_custom_preset_(preset.c_str()); }
 
+void Climate::clear_custom_preset_() { this->custom_preset_ = nullptr; }
+
 const char *Climate::find_custom_fan_mode_(const char *custom_fan_mode) {
   auto traits = this->get_traits();
   return traits.find_custom_fan_mode_(custom_fan_mode);
diff --git a/esphome/components/climate/climate.h b/esphome/components/climate/climate.h
index 495d9f700f..0c3393028a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/climate/climate.h
+++ b/esphome/components/climate/climate.h
@@ -273,6 +273,8 @@ class Climate : public EntityBase {
   bool set_custom_fan_mode_(const char *mode);
   /// Set custom fan mode. Reset primary fan mode. Return true if fan mode has been changed.
   bool set_custom_fan_mode_(const std::string &mode);
+  /// Clear custom fan mode.
+  void clear_custom_fan_mode_();
 
   /// Set preset. Reset custom preset. Return true if preset has been changed.
   bool set_preset_(ClimatePreset preset);
@@ -281,6 +283,8 @@ class Climate : public EntityBase {
   bool set_custom_preset_(const char *preset);
   /// Set custom preset. Reset primary preset. Return true if preset has been changed.
   bool set_custom_preset_(const std::string &preset);
+  /// Clear custom preset.
+  void clear_custom_preset_();
 
   /// Find and return the matching custom fan mode pointer from traits, or nullptr if not found.
   const char *find_custom_fan_mode_(const char *custom_fan_mode);
diff --git a/esphome/components/thermostat/thermostat_climate.cpp b/esphome/components/thermostat/thermostat_climate.cpp
index 4e9c7e4d71..2c8e3e4d9a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/thermostat/thermostat_climate.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/thermostat/thermostat_climate.cpp
@@ -1172,7 +1172,7 @@ void ThermostatClimate::change_preset_(climate::ClimatePreset preset) {
     } else {
       ESP_LOGI(TAG, "No changes required to apply preset %s", LOG_STR_ARG(climate::climate_preset_to_string(preset)));
     }
-    this->custom_preset = nullptr;
+    this->clear_custom_preset_();
     this->preset = preset;
   } else {
     ESP_LOGW(TAG, "Preset %s not configured; ignoring", LOG_STR_ARG(climate::climate_preset_to_string(preset)));
@@ -1185,7 +1185,7 @@ void ThermostatClimate::change_custom_preset_(const std::string &custom_preset)
   if (config != this->custom_preset_config_.end()) {
     ESP_LOGV(TAG, "Custom preset %s requested", custom_preset.c_str());
     if (this->change_preset_internal_(config->second) || !this->has_custom_preset() ||
-        strcmp(this->custom_preset, custom_preset.c_str()) != 0) {
+        strcmp(this->get_custom_preset(), custom_preset.c_str()) != 0) {
       // Fire any preset changed trigger if defined
       Trigger<> *trig = this->preset_change_trigger_;
       // Use the base class method which handles pointer lookup and preset reset internally
diff --git a/esphome/components/web_server/web_server.cpp b/esphome/components/web_server/web_server.cpp
index 7901869b2f..a1bba22cdb 100644
--- a/esphome/components/web_server/web_server.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/web_server/web_server.cpp
@@ -1334,13 +1334,13 @@ std::string WebServer::climate_json(climate::Climate *obj, JsonDetail start_conf
     root["fan_mode"] = PSTR_LOCAL(climate_fan_mode_to_string(obj->fan_mode.value()));
   }
   if (!traits.get_supported_custom_fan_modes().empty() && obj->has_custom_fan_mode()) {
-    root["custom_fan_mode"] = obj->custom_fan_mode;
+    root["custom_fan_mode"] = obj->get_custom_fan_mode();
   }
   if (traits.get_supports_presets() && obj->preset.has_value()) {
     root["preset"] = PSTR_LOCAL(climate_preset_to_string(obj->preset.value()));
   }
   if (!traits.get_supported_custom_presets().empty() && obj->has_custom_preset()) {
-    root["custom_preset"] = obj->custom_preset;
+    root["custom_preset"] = obj->get_custom_preset();
   }
   if (traits.get_supports_swing_modes()) {
     root["swing_mode"] = PSTR_LOCAL(climate_swing_mode_to_string(obj->swing_mode));