The Complete Guide to Storing Your Mattress: Best Practices and Tips

If you want to preserve the quality and extend the lifespan of your mattress, proper storage is essential.

Whether you’re moving temporarily or need to store it for an extended time, taking the right steps can help to avoid damage, so your mattress can remain in excellent condition.

We’ll take you through every aspect of storing your mattress correctly, from preparation to wrapping.

Preparing Your Mattress for Storage

Deep Cleaning. The first step in preparing your mattress for storage is deep cleaning. This is necessary because, if dirt, dust, or stains are left on the mattress, over time, unpleasant odors may come out. The worst case would be the growth of mold.

Start by vacuuming. Take an upholstery attachment and start vacuuming the entire surface of the mattress to rid it of any particles that may have settled on it.

Stain Removal. Next, use either mild upholstery cleaner or a combination of water and mild detergent to remove stains. Apply the cleaner with a soft cloth by softly dabbing at the stained area rather than vigorously rubbing it. Care should be taken not to soak the mattress, as excess moisture will cause mold growth.

Deodorizing. Once you have spot cleaned, it’s a good idea to deodorize it. Baking soda is good at absorbing odors along with moisture. Sprinkle it all over the surface of the mattress and allow it to sit for a few hours, then vacuum it completely.

Drying. Make sure your mattress is thoroughly dry before you begin to wrap it for storage. Hang it out in an extremely well-ventilated room or speed up the process with the help of fans. This will be an important step to avoid wrapping up a damp mattress, which could lead to mold growth.

How to Properly Wrap Your Mattress

Wrapping your mattress is a very important step in ensuring that it does not collect dust, dirt, and other unwanted pests while it’s stored away.

Mattress bags were designed for mattresses to stay safe during storage. They are available in different sizes, varying with different types of mattresses like memory foam or hybrid. 

Once you have wrapped your mattress, seal the bag or wrap tightly using duct tape. Ensure that there are no gaps or holes.

Choosing the Right Storage Location

The choice of a storage location for your mattress is equally important as its preparation. Where possible, choose a climate-controlled storage unit. These units maintain temperatures and humidity levels within a consistent range, preventing extreme conditions that could contribute to heat or moisture damage.

Climate-controlled storage units also protect against environmental elements like rain and snow that could damage your mattress if it were to remain outside, or in any unshielded area.

If renting a storage unit isn’t an option, a spare bedroom is a great place to store your mattress, laid flat on its bed frame or floor with protection underneath. You can also keep it in a finished basement that doesn’t suffer from dampness. But avoid areas prone to moisture, like garages or attics.

Storing Your Mattress Correctly

Always store your mattress flat. Keeping it upright or on its side can cause the inside material to shift or sag over time, which can result in permanent deformation of the mattress structure with uneven wear. By keeping it flat, you help maintain its shape and support system.

Another important aspect is to take your mattress off the floor. Putting your mattress on wooden pallets or platforms raises potential dampness in floors and allows better airflow around the whole surface of the mattress. This step is extremely crucial for preventing moisture accumulation that might be conducive to mold growth.

Also, never place heavy items on your stored mattress. Heavy items may result in permanent indentations or damage, which could affect comfort when you remove the mattress from storage.

Long-Term Storage Tips

If you are going to store your mattress for an extended period, there are some other tips that you can follow to ensure the best preservation conditions until you decide to use it once again.

Check on your stored mattress every few months. Look for any signs of moisture, mold growth, or pest infestations.

If you are taking out your stored mattress after some time, give it at least a few hours to aerate in a well-ventilated area before using it again.

How to Store a Mattress

Proper preparation and storage of your mattress will keep up its quality for when you’re ready to use it again.

Whether you’re storing your mattress short-term or long-term, try these tips to extend its lifespan and ensure it’s just as comfortable as it was when you put it away.