Mattress Storage

Whether you’re moving, remodeling your home, or just have too much stuff lying around, sometimes there just isn’t enough space. As you prepare your belongings for storage, there are some items that need to be prepared a certain way to ensure that they stay in good condition and are ready for you to use when they come back out. One such item is your mattress. Not only are mattresses heavy and bulky, but it’s also very important to keep them clean, dry, and protected when placing them into storage. Below, Porta-Stor will go over what you need to do for proper mattress storage, so you don’t find a moldy, torn mess when you go to retrieve it later.

Clean It

Before you take any other steps when it comes to storing your mattress, you need to strip off all of the linens and make sure it’s as clean as possible. Your mattress is an investment, and with the proper care, it can stay in good shape for many years. The first step is to vacuum both sides. One great trick is to sprinkle some baking soda onto the mattress and let it sit for a couple of hours before you vacuum up the powder. This helps naturally eliminate some of the odors that might be lingering on the surface. Once it has been vacuumed well, clean it with a good upholstery cleaner.

Wrap It in Plastic

Once you’ve cleaned your mattress and given it enough time to dry, you should wrap the entire thing in plastic. Don’t completely seal it up with a heavy plastic that will trap moisture inside, as this can cause your mattress to grow mold and develop a bad smell over time. Instead, use a light plastic covering with some ventilation for airflow. This will protect the mattress from dust, water, and minor scratches and dings while allowing it to stay fresh. Once you have your mattress wrapped in the plastic, secure it with clear packing tape to make sure that it stays in place as it’s moved from place to place.

If you think you will need to keep the mattress in storage for a long period of time, you might consider purchasing a mattress bag. These are designed to prevent mold from growing, and they help make sure your mattress stays dry and protected.

Get Ready to Move It

There are so many things to think about as you plan a move or remodel and go to place items into storage. Oftentimes, moving your mattress falls to the bottom of the list. It does need a plan in place though, because your mattress is bulky, difficult to move, and can get damaged if improperly stored. Make sure that there's enough clearance in your home and in the storage area, so that it will fit through all doorways and walkways. You don’t want to tear the protective plastic or bend and twist the mattress to the point that damage is done.

It’s also important to plan to use a vehicle that covers the mattress completely. Just tying a mattress down into the bed of a pickup truck or onto the top of a car is dangerous. It can get bent by the pressure of the wind, become damaged by the straps during sharp turns, or even come loose and hit the ground or another car. It can also collect dirt, bugs, and other debris from the road and surrounding air. The best solution is to place it into a shipping container or moving truck.

Putting Your Mattress into Storage

Once you’ve decided on a storage location and made sure there’s enough clearance and space for this large item, you should also ensure that it will be stored up off of the ground and laid flat. This will help prevent damage from floor debris, bugs, and water. Even if you have your mattress wrapped in plastic and secured, this step provides an extra layer of protection. You can boost it up using bricks, milk boxes, wooden boards, or other handy items.

Laying your mattress flat keeps it in the same position it’s in when being used on a frame and prevents warping over time due to gravity. If you store a mattress upright or leaning over for long periods of time, the coils can move out of position and the cushion can start to sag or even fall apart. For similar reasons, also don’t store heavy items on top of the mattress. If you follow these guidelines, it should still be in good shape when you’re ready to use it again.

Moving Your Mattress Out of Storage

When you go to move your belongings out of storage, including your mattress, you’ll want to follow many of the same steps listed above. Make sure there’s enough space and clearance on every step of the moving process, and move the mattress in a protective covering inside a shipping container while on the road.

Once you have safely moved your mattress from storage to its new home, unwrap it from the plastic coverings and let it air out for a couple of hours. For an extra boost of freshness, sprinkle some baking soda on it again and give it a good vacuuming on all sides. If it seems to need it, clean it again with your upholstery cleaner of choice. Then make sure that it’s completely dry before putting it into place and covering it up with sheets.

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Your mattress might be one of the last things you think about as you go to store your belongings, because there are just so many other steps to worry about during a move or remodeling job. Make sure you add all of your home’s mattresses to the list of priorities when it comes to planning to store your furniture. Mattresses are pricey, and even a little bit of damage can greatly affect your sleep, so it’s important to prepare them properly for storage.