A new queen mattress costs anywhere from $300 to $5,000 or more, and most warranties won’t cover damage from improper storage. These seven steps show you how to store a mattress through a move, a renovation, or a gap between leases and bring it back out in the same shape.
Step 1: Strip the bedding and vacuum the mattress
Pull off all sheets, mattress protectors, and toppers. Vacuum the top, sides, and seams with an upholstery attachment to remove dust, hair, and dust mite debris. Pay attention to the sides, because seam dust turns into mildew once the mattress is sealed up.
If your mattress has a removable cover, check the care tag and wash it on the recommended cycle. Let it fully dry before it goes back on.
Step 2: Spot-clean, then deodorize
Mix a small amount of mild dish soap with warm water. Lightly dip in a cloth and dab at any stains, making sure to blot rather than scrub, so the mattress is barely damp. More moisture means more drying out time before it can go into storage.
Next, sprinkle baking soda across the whole surface and leave it for an hour.
Then vacuum up the baking soda, flip the mattress, and do the same on the other side. Baking soda pulls out any stale smell that could follow the mattress into storage.
Step 3: Let it air out
Give the mattress at least 3 hours to air out. Open a window, point a fan at it, or move it where it can catch some sunlight.
Here’s a simple way to check if it’s ready: press your hand flat against the surface in a few spots. If the mattress feels cool anywhere, it’s still holding some moisture and needs to dry out.
Step 4: Wrap it in a breathable mattress bag
Pick up a heavy-duty mattress bag before moving day. They cost under $20, come in every size, and keep out dust and pests the whole time the mattress is in storage.
Go for a breathable, woven bag over thin plastic, if you can, because plastic traps moisture.
Wrapping is a two-person job. One person lifts up an end while the other person slides the bag up and over it. Once the bag is on, seal the open side with the included strip or some strong tape. Give the whole thing a quick check for tears before you move your mattress.
If you only have plastic sheeting, lay it flat, set the mattress on top, fold the sheeting over, and tape it shut.
Step 5: Move it in an enclosed vehicle
A moving truck or covered van is the right call. The mattress should lie flat or stand on a long edge for the drive, never be folded or strapped to a roof. Folding bends innersprings and disrupts foam layers, and any moisture on a roof can soak straight through your bag.
If you’re moving the bed frame, too, take it apart at home and reassemble it at the storage spot.
Step 6: Lay the mattress flat in storage
Once the mattress is in the unit, lay it flat (on a pallet, if possible). Memory foam and latex can handle standing on a long edge for a few weeks if needed, but flat is the goal.
Step 7: Check on it monthly
Every 4–6 weeks, unzip the bag, let the mattress breathe for about 30 minutes, and look for any damp patches, signs of pests, or odd smells. Reseal and you’re done.
If you’re storing for 6 months or longer, rotate the mattress 180 degrees. It evens out any pressure from the foundation underneath.
Where to Store a Mattress
The right wrap can only do so much if your storage space is hot, cold, or humid. If you’re looking at any of these common storage spots, here’s what to consider:
Climate-controlled storage unit (best option)
A climate-controlled storage unit keeps the temperature at 55–85°F and humidity in check year-round. That’s the temperature range that major mattress manufacturers recommend. If you’re storing for more than a month or so, this is the right call.
Pick a unit big enough for the mattress to lie flat, with room to walk around it. A 5×10 fits a queen mattress and some boxes. A 10×10 handles a king plus most of a bedroom set. Check out our storage unit size guide if you’re storing more than just your bed.
A neighbor’s garage or spare room
Local storage spaces on Neighbor often beat traditional facilities on price and proximity. The thing to check is the climate. A heated, insulated garage with low humidity is a great fit, but an uninsulated, detached garage in Phoenix isn’t.
If summers regularly hit 95°F or winters drop below freezing, the layers in a foam mattress will degrade, and any glue in your mattress can fail. It’s one reason to keep a barrier between your mattress and concrete, and to wrap up your mattress tightly.
When you’re browsing listings, filter for “climate-controlled” or “indoor” options, message the host, and ask about the temperature range across seasons.
A basement
A finished, dry basement works. An unfinished basement with any history of flooding, condensation, or mustiness doesn’t. If you’re concerned, run a dehumidifier and check on the mattress more often.
A shed, attic, or covered porch (avoid)
Temperature swings can be extreme, pests have easier access, and moisture is almost guaranteed.
How to Store a Mattress Based on Type
Not every mattress handles storage the same way.
| Mattress type | Store flat? | Store on side? | Special note |
| Innerspring | Yes | OK short-term | Coils can shift if left vertical for weeks |
| Memory foam | Yes | OK short-term | Heat is a bigger issue with memory foam |
| Latex | Yes | OK short-term | Heavy, plan for two people to move it |
| Hybrid | Yes | No | Layered construction sags faster if it’s on its side |
| Pillow-top | Yes | No | Top layer compresses unevenly if leaned |
| Boxed/rolled (new) | Yes, unrolled | No | Unroll within the manufacturer’s window or the warranty voids |
If your mattress is still under warranty, read the storage terms before you book a space. Many warranties are void if the mattress is stored on its side, kept on the floor, or left rolled in the box past the manufacturer’s deadline.
Can You Store a Mattress Long-Term?
Yes, and a mattress stored the right way can come out after a year or more in the same shape it went in. Most mattresses last 7–10 years when stored and used properly, so a little caution now protects you later.
The non-negotiables for long-term storage are:
- Climate control
- Breathable wrapping
- Flat positioning
- Checking in every month or so
If you know it’ll sit for 6 months or more, make sure to use a heavy-duty woven cover to keep out pests and dust.
Common Mattress Storage Mistakes to Avoid
When you’re moving anything big and bulky, it’s tempting to want it off your hands ASAP, but not so fast:
- Don’t wrap it before it’s fully dry: A mattress that feels even a little cool to the touch is still holding moisture, and sealing that up is how mold gets started. If in doubt, give it a few extra hours of air time before wrapping.
- Don’t stack boxes or bins on top: Mattresses are built to support weight for nights, not weeks or months at a time. Even light boxes will leave dents you can feel through your sheets, and stacking may void your warranty, too.
- Avoid leaving it on its side for weeks: Standing a mattress upright is fine for moving day, but lay it flat as soon as it’s in storage.
- Don’t lay it right on concrete: If your unit’s floor is concrete or dusty, set down a pallet, a sheet of plywood, or a clean tarp first. This keeps cold and moisture from wicking up through the wrapping, which is bad news for foam, springs, and the glue holding everything together.
- Don’t forget about it: You can solve a small leak or a pest problem if you catch it early, but no one should have to spring for a new mattress because of a preventable issue.
Let Neighbor Help You Store Your Mattress
Moving a mattress is stressful enough without a storage search. Neighbor lets you compare units at national facilities, like Public Storage and Extra Space, alongside local options like insulated garages. A neighbor renting out their basement doesn’t have the overhead of a facility, so you’ll often save up to 50%.
In a single search, you can compare photos and reviews of every space. And no matter what you book, you’ll get up to $50K in renter property protection. More than 705,000 reviews and a 4.9-star rating tell us that spaces on Neighbor are usually cheaper and closer than traditional options.
You can filter the search to see climate-controlled spaces for your mattress, wooden furniture, or anything else that doesn’t do well with temperature swings and humidity.
See what’s available near you, or call us to chat through a booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you store a mattress on its side?
Yes, but only short-term, sometimes just for the trip to your storage unit. Memory foam and latex mattresses handle vertical storage for a few weeks, but the fillings of pocket-spring, hybrid, and natural-fill mattresses shift with gravity, leading to sagging. A pillow-top can also compress unevenly if it’s on its side. Especially if you’re storing for longer than 1 month, lay your mattress flat.
How long can you store a mattress?
You can store a mattress indefinitely in the right conditions. Climate control and breathable wrapping are the two requirements you can’t skip. Storing it flat and checking in every 4–6 weeks are the rest.
Will storing a mattress void the warranty?
It can. Many warranties are voided if the mattress is stored on its side, stored right on the floor, or left rolled in the box past the manufacturer’s deadline. Read your warranty before you start storing.
What’s the best way to store a mattress in a garage?
The best way to store a mattress in a garage is on a pallet or plywood sheet and wrapped in a heavy, woven mattress bag. The garage should have low humidity and a temperature range of 55–85°F.
Do you need a climate-controlled unit to store a mattress?
For storage of longer than 1 month or so, yes. Climate control keeps temperature and humidity in check to prevent foam degradation, mold, and adhesive failure. But for just a few weeks in a mild climate, a clean, dry indoor space without climate control can work.
