How To Store A Mattress

While it’s probably not something you have to worry about frequently, it’s good to know how to store a mattress should the need arise. Whether you are undertaking renovations, your living situation has changed, or you just need to store it for later use, there are a few must-have tips to ensure it’s kept in good condition. This will minimise mould, mildew and other damage, and ensure that its shape stays intact.

Also, because buying a mattress is a financial investment, it’s worth protecting and maintaining it for as long as possible. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to store a mattress.

Step 1: Clean your mattress

This is a critical step that will ensure pest infection and mould and bacteria growth are minimised, which can significantly extend the life of your mattress.

Spot-treat stains with a stain remover specifically designed for mattresses.
Sprinkle a layer of baking soda on one side of your mattress and leave it for a few hours so that it can absorb moisture and odours. Vacuum to remove the excess, flip your mattress and repeat on the other side.
Apply a specialised upholstery cleaner, following the manufacturer’s instructions. This will penetrate deeply into the mattress layers, breaking down dirt particles.
Once your mattress is completely dry, use your vacuum cleaner’s upholstery attachment to remove dust, dirt and other particles from the entire surface of your mattress. And pay particular attention to the mattress seams, as this is where vermin often hide out!

Step 2: Cover your mattress

In terms of how to cover a mattress for storage, you have a few options. However, the most important thing to consider is how to balance protection and breathability. Your material of choice must provide protection against dust build-up and inadvertent damage. But it must also provide a degree of airflow to discourage the formation of moisture.

If you are on a budget, you might consider using towels or blankets. Another option is plastic wrap — aim to entirely cover your mattress while trying to eliminate any residual pockets of air.

The ideal option is to cover it with a specialised plastic mattress cover. Many storage companies will offer these, or you can purchase one online yourself.

Step 3: Lay your mattress flat

The biggest mistake people make when storing a mattress is to lay it on its side. Yes, it saves space, but storing it this way for more than 12 hours can damage its internal structure. This is because mattresses are designed to maintain their shape under normal patterns of weight distribution — and that’s being laid flat — which will ensure a natural resting position.

This is the golden rule, regardless of the type of mattress you have and here’s why:

Hybrid mattress. Due to its heaviness, if you store a hybrid mattresses on its side, the coils could shift over time.
Memory foam mattress. Probably one of the most prominent characteristics of these types of mattresses is that they contour to your body as you sleep. Storing them on their side will compromise this feature. You should also be careful not to place heavy objects on top of them as they may compress the mattress.
Spring mattress. Due to their coil mechanisms (metal coils that are interconnected to form a single unit), spring mattresses will break down when leaned on their side.
Latex mattress. These tend to be quite heavy, making them easily bendable when positioned on their side. The longer it sits this way, the more distorted its form becomes.

Step 4: Choose your storage solution

Storing your mattress in a basement, garage or roof space is not recommended. This is because they are often humid or damp areas. This can lead to serious damage to your mattress, particularly as these conditions provide the perfect environment for the development of mould. Most mattresses are a serious financial investment, so it’s worth considering other storage solutions.

These include a storage unit. Storage units provide the ideal atmosphere for long-term storage. They provide low humidity and the perfect air temperature and are free from mould, dust, mildew and vermin.

Some companies (like ours) will alternatively transport a shipping container to your property, which may be a better storage solution for many people. Your storage needs will then be literally at your doorstep!

In terms of how to store a mattress in a storage unit, the basic rules are clean it, cover it and lay it flat!

When it’s time to remove your mattress from storage, remove the plastic cover and allow it to breathe before making your bed. This will allow any odours associated with the storage area or plastic wrapping to dissipate.

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