All you need to know about storage solutions for mattresses

A mattress is such an important part of your life – you spend about a third of every day sleeping on it! However, sometimes it is necessary to put your beloved mattress away for a little while, whether it’s long term or just temporarily. The question is: How can you safely and properly store a mattress? Keep reading to find out all you need to know about mattress storage with The Mattress Warehouse.

Why Should Mattresses Be Stored Properly?

Most people need to make the decision between selling/throwing away their mattress or storing it until they can use it again. While the easy solution might be to just get rid of it, I’m here to make the alternative a tad less of a challenge.

Good quality mattresses are expensive and worth the trouble of storing. That being said, unless the storage is done right, your mattress could suffer damage to such a large extent that you will have to get rid of it in the end, regardless of your intentions.

Putting in the effort of properly storing your mattress could improve or safeguard the longevity of your mattress. The Mattress Warehouse is here to help you do that so that when you take your mattress out of storage, it’s still as good as new.

You Will Need:

• Bicarbonate of soda
• Vacuum cleaner
• Plastic wrap or a mattress storage bag
• Tape (not necessary if you have a mattress storage bag)
• Waterproof mattress cover (optional)

What To Do (Long-Term Mattress Storage)

Clean Your Mattress:

If you want to put your mattress away for any amount of time, the first step is to ensure that it starts off clean. Mattresses can easily collect dust while stored, and you don’t want to trap anything in the mattress during the storing process. The best way to avoid odours and to see to a fresh mattress is to clean it thoroughly before even putting it away.

There are various ways to clean a mattress, but the easiest way is to use Bicarbonate of soda.

Step One: Vacuum your mattress thoroughly to get rid of any excess dust on the surface.

Step Two: Sprinkle sicarbonate of soda onto the mattress in a thin, even layer. This layer helps remove any lingering odours. Let it sit for 30 minutes.

Step Three: Vacuum the mattress again.

Step Four: Let the mattress air out a little before moving on to the storage part of this process.

For a more detailed description on how to clean and care for your mattress, click here.

Note: If you used any liquids to clean your mattress, it is vital that you let it dry out completely before moving on to the next steps! Failing to do so could lead to mould and a terrible smell that is impossible to get rid of.

Wrap It Up:

Some of the biggest threats to your mattress in storage are dirt, dust, moisture and pests. Luckily, there is an easy solution! By thoroughly wrapping your mattress in a plastic layer and securing it with high-quality tape, you’ll combat most of these issues.

During an interview, Greg Sammons, the executive vice president of US-based Campbell Mattress, explains that “For safekeeping, you will want to store it in a heavy-duty plastic bag with micro holes so that the mattress can breathe”. 

Alternatively, you can purchase a mattress storage bag, which was made for this exact purpose. This alternative might be a bit more expensive, but the extra quality might be worth the investment.

Furthermore, depending on the length of the storage period, as well as your personal budget and needs, consider purchasing a waterproof mattress cover/protector for an extra layer of protection against moisture.

Tip: If you are planning on leaving your mattress in storage for an extended period of time, unwrap the mattress every few months and let it air out before wrapping it up again.

Finally, avoid buying tape that is anything but the best quality, as lower-quality tape tends to dry up and pull away from the plastic over time.

Transport in a Covered Vehicle:

While transporting a bulky mattress can be challenging, it is important to do it right. Keep it covered during transportation to protect your mattress from the elements. This means that you should only be transporting your mattress in a covered vehicle and not in an open truck.

Do not strap your mattress to the top of your car for transportation!

Doing this is a recipe for disaster: rain and wind damage to your mattress, warping of the shape from the tight bonds, and, the worst of all, your mattress falling off. All in all, it’s just not worth it!

Lay the Mattress Flat:

Let us approach this from a logical perspective: mattresses are made to stay flat.

Therefore, while it might save more space and be more convenient to store a mattress on its side, lay it flat if at all possible. It might lose its shape and uniform density if stored upright for too long.

“Gravity is going to drag it down. They’re heavier, so at some point, you’re going to get this pinching spot and that is why laying a mattress down flat is better. You don’t want gravity working against it, that is why I suggested earlier if you must stand the mattress on its end or side you pancake, or sandwich the mattress and box spring together tightly, so the layering is supported. Think of it like bookends for a mattress.  You are fighting migration on the materials from gravity.” -Greg Sammons

Memory foam mattress storage: These mattresses, in particular,- cannot support their own weight when stored upright. This may lead to a hunched shape that could turn out to be a permanent deformity.

Hint: If you are unable to store your mattress flat, due to a lack of space, or any other reason, make sure to rotate the mattress every month.

Do Not Store Anything on Top of Your Mattress:

You know when you’ve had a mattress for a few years and you start noticing a ditch where you usually lie? The same applies when placing objects on top of stored mattresses.

Mattresses are made to hug and adapt to the shape of your body and will do so with any object on top of it. Avoid placing anything on your mattress in order to ensure that it keeps its shape during storage.

This is especially important if you have a memory foam mattress, as they adapt more easily to the shape on top of them, and the deformity may become permanent.

Find the Best Place for Mattress Storage:

Two things to watch out for when picking a destination in which to store your mattress, are humidity and temperature changes. These conditions can easily cause mould and mildew, which will not only ruin your mattress but can also cause serious health problems once you start using your mattress again.

Thoroughly consider all of your storage location options before making a decision. Humid and inconsistently heated areas, such as garages, attics and basements, should be avoided if possible. If you need to store the mattress in your house, rather choose temperature-controlled rooms within the house itself.

The best option is to hire a climate-controlled storage unit. While this might be the most expensive option, it is worth it to keep your beloved mattress intact throughout the storage process.

Hint: If your only option is to store your mattress in a temperature fluctuating area, consider purchasing a dehumidifier. This will at least keep the moisture at bay.

Clean Your Mattress Again:

Once you’re ready to use your mattress again, it is important to extract your sleeper correctly too. Repeat the mattress cleaning step, and let it air out for a few hours once your mattress has been successfully extracted from storage.

This ensures that your mattress is fresh and ready for you to sleep on once again.

What Not To Do When Putting Your Mattress In Storage

Now that you know exactly what to do, let’s revise what not to do:

• Don’t put the mattress into storage while it is wet/damp.
• Avoid buying low-quality tape and plastic.
• Do not transport your mattress in an open vehicle/strapped to the top of your car.
• Try not to store the mattress on its side.
• Do not place anything on the mattress while in storage.
• Don’t store your mattress in an area rich in moisture with fluctuating temperatures.

The consequences of making these mistakes are quite severe. They range from mould, mildew, dust mites, damaged, or even a deformed mattress. It could be as dire as resulting in you having to purchase a new mattress. Therefore, it is important to avoid these mistakes as much as possible.

Short-Term Mattress Storage

Short-term mattress storage is very similar to long-term mattress storing. However, the consequences of making storage mistakes are slightly less dire.

Covering it up properly and transporting it in a covered vehicle is still very important. However, you can get away with storing it on its side, or even placing something on top of it.

To maintain the longevity of your mattress, it is advised to follow all the steps properly.

If you find yourself in need of a new mattress, don’t hesitate to have a look at the Mattress Warehouse. On our site, you can shop online for all of your mattress needs!