Mattress storage is a common experience for many of us, whether you’re in the process of moving and needing temporary storage or you’re in the market for a new one, but still plan on holding onto your old mattress. Whatever the reason may be for you to need to store your mattress, this guide will walk you through the steps to properly store it away and protect it from potential damage until you’re ready to use it again.
How to Store a Mattress in 5 Easy Steps
Don’t just move your mattress into storage without following these steps to ensure it keeps its shape and keeps out mold and pests.
Step 1: Clean the mattress
Before moving your mattress, the first thing you should do is give it a thorough cleaning. Depending on the condition it’s in, cleaning may involve as little as a using your vacuum upholstery attachment to suck up any debris. If you have stains on the mattress, this is a good opportunity to give it a deep cleaning. Not all stains or mattresses should be treated the same though, so be sure to follow these steps on how to clean a mattress before putting it in storage or bundling it up when moving.
Step 2: Use a cover
Providing adequate covering for your mattress is essential to protecting it. Even if all you can do is wrap your mattress in a tarp, some protection is better than none. Don’t leave your pillowy-soft mattress at the mercy of dirt and bugs. There are a variety of mattress covers to choose from including mattress bags, plastic mattress covers, or vinyl mattress covers.
Step 3: Lay it flat when storing
You may have heard that standing a mattress on its side is the best way to store a mattress in terms of saving space. That statement holds true, but it’s only appropriate if you’re hauling your mattress away for a short ride in the moving truck – standing a mattress upright on it’s side is not ideal for storage. Mattresses primary function is to lay flat, so try to keep it flat when you place it in storage. Storing your mattress in a flat position will keep the padding in place and prevent any drooping over time.
Step 4: Don’t stack items on top
Avoid stacking items on your mattress at all costs. Doing so will cause permanent impressions in your mattress, making it impossible to use later on. We understand, mattresses take up a lot of space. In fact, depending on your bed’s size, your mattress could take up a good third of your 10×10 storage space, so be sure your storage space will fit your mattress beforehand.
If you’re tight on space or unsure, remember you can stack your mattress on top of level stacks, boxes, or other furnishings you have in the same storage space, but don’t put anything on the mattress itself.
Step 5: Store it away from the elements
When it comes to the environment you store your mattress, there are a few elements in particular to keep in mind and avoid:
- Exposure: Choose to store your mattress somewhere indoors that provides climate control. This will help reduce the risk of your mattress being damaged from the harsh effects of being exposed to pests and the outdoor elements.
- Humidity: Humidity can lead to your mattress accumulating mold or mildew, making it virtually unusable. Even if you are storing your mattress in a climate controlled environment, humidity could still sneak up on you. For example, if you decide to hole up your mattress in your basement, you should make sure dampness isn’t an issue. Store your mattress elsewhere if humidity levels are too high. If you live in a naturally humid place and your entire home is constantly full of wet air, try using a dehumidifier or other ways to lower the humidity.
- Extreme temperatures: Extreme temperatures can be detrimental to furniture, so the storage shed out back might not be your best bet. High temperatures can cause wear or elasticity of the material, depending on the type of mattress you have. Meanwhile, freezing temperatures can risk accumulating freeze damage or mildew in your mattress.>
Taking Your Mattress Out of Storage
When you’re ready to take your mattress out of storage, regardless of the duration it’s been tucked away, here are some steps to take to prep it for use again.
Air it out
Once your mattress has been in storage for months while moving, suffocating under those layers of plastic, it needs a breather. Take the cover off your mattress and let it air out for a while before putting sheets on it. This will get rid of any musty smells and prevent mildew growth.
Clean it thoroughly before use
Once your mattress has been aired out, give it another thorough clean before sleeping on it. Everything in storage seems to develop odors and get coated in debris no matter how careful you are. Your mattress will likely be in need of a bath, even if you can’t see or smell any abnormalities. Pull out your vacuum and upholstery cleaner, and give that thing a good scrub.
Where to Store a Mattress
Mattresses need very specific sets of conditions to maximize their lifespan and last. Because these conditions are so specific, and even more so depending on the type of mattress you own, you won’t be able to get away with storing a mattress just anywhere.
Here are some things you should look for when determining the perfect place to store your mattress:
- Access to AC/heater
- Low humidity
- Plenty of room
- Free from dirt and bugs
- Away from direct sunlight
Use Neighbor to Store Your Mattress
Need help finding a space that can provide all of these things? Try using Neighbor to find storage space listings near you! You can refine your search by specific amenities, size and price. After you’ve found the perfect space, you can get in touch with the host and move your mattress or other furniture in ASAP. Payments are automatic so you won’t have to stress about that mattress anymore once it’s put away.
Browse all our helpful storage guides:
- Storage Unit Size Guide
- Average Monthly Storage Unit Costs
- Types of Storage Units
- Storage Unit Insurance Guide
- How to Calculate Square Footage
