How to Store a Mattress
Knowing the best way to store a mattress is very important. This is because they're a costly investment - you want to make sure you're taking care of your mattress! In this guide we'll explain the best way to store your mattress to prevent damage and to keep it in great condition.
Our tips on how to store your mattress:
- Keep the mattress well protected
- Place it flat on the floor
- Don't store anything on top of it
This advice applies to all types of mattresses, so read on to find out exactly how to store a mattress.
10 simple steps to store your mattress
Want to know exactly how to store your mattress and keep it in perfect condition? Read on to discover 10 easy tips!
Step 1. Decide the best place to store it
Where you store your mattress is very important. This is because mattresses are big items that need to be stored somewhere they won't be disturbed.
Storing a mattress in your house
If you're storing your mattress in your house, then your garage would probably provide the best conditions for your mattress. This is because it's out of the way and cooler than the rest of the house, reducing the risk of damage to the fillings and cover.
However, you should always check that the area is clean and dry before storing your mattress there.
Storing a mattress in a hired space
You should make sure that the storage space is well ventilated or climate controlled to keep your mattress smelling fresh and keep the comfort fillings in good condition. The room should be clean and hygienic and have enough space to lay your mattress flat on the floor.
The price of storage units for storing mattresses usually depends on the size of the unit and how long you're planning on keeping it there for. However, prices can differ depending on where you live and demand for storage.
Step 2. Prepare your space
Before you move your mattress to the chosen room, you should make sure the surface where the mattress will be resting is clean.
If you're laying the mattress on the floor, you should vacuum the space beforehand and clean up anything that could potentially stain or damage the mattress.
If you can only rest your mattress against a wall, wipe down the surface with a cloth first and dust around the area.
Once your surfaces are clean, make sure that it's thoroughly dry before you move your mattress to storage.
Step 3. Clean your mattress
You don't want dirt and bacteria inside your mattress while you store it! Before you put it into storage you should give your mattress a good clean to keep it nice and fresh until you come to use it again.
Our comprehensive mattress cleaning guide can take you through all the steps to mattress cleaning, but here's a quick summary:
- Remove all bedding
- Vacuum your mattress using an upholstery attachment
- Spot clean any stains with mild detergent
- Allow the mattress to air out and fully dry
Step 4. Use a mattress bag or a plastic cover
To protect the mattress, you should either put it in a mattress bag or wrap the mattress in breathable plastic. This is because the mattress could be easily damaged during transport if you're storing it with other items.
Mattress bags are made from heavy-duty plastic to protect your mattress from dirt, dust, water, pests and light exposure.
Here's how to use a mattress bag:
- Put the bag around one end of the mattress
- Ask someone to lift one end of the mattress while you fully cover the mattress
- Fully seal the bag and check over for any tears before you start to move it
If you don't have a mattress bag, you can use other plastic coverings to wrap your mattress in.
Here's how to wrap your mattress in plastic:
- Put the sheet of plastic on a clean space of floor
- Place the mattress on the plastic sheet
- Carefully fold the plastic over the mattress
- Use duct tape to seal it all together
- Check over for any tears in the plastic before you move it
Step 5. Transporting your mattress
Now it's time to move your mattress!
When you carry your mattress, make sure that your path is clear before you start so you don't risk injuring yourself. If possible, ask someone to help you carry the mattress and another person to direct you.
If you're transporting your mattress in a van, make sure that you're using a mattress bag or other plastic to keep it safe. You can also use blankets to help secure it in place during the journey.
Check there's nothing leaning against the mattress or anything near it. This is just in case anything moves on the journey and damages it.
Step 6. Keep the mattress flat
For every type of mattress, it's best practice to lie it flat on the floor as this keeps all the fillings in place. This is especially important for pocket sprung and natural filling mattresses.
When you lean a mattress on its side, the fillings can be disturbed and can move. This can impact on the comfort and support it provides when you take it out of storage. However, storing foam and latex mattresses on their side is fine as the materials won't move much.
Below is a table with the different types of mattresses and how you can store them:
| TYPE OF MATTRESS | FLAT ON THE FLOOR | ON ITS SIDE |
|---|---|---|
| Pocket sprung |  | - |
| Standard sprung | | - |
| Memory foam | | |
| Latex | | |
| Natural fillings | | - |
| Hybrid | | - |
Top tips:
It's extremely important to not store anything on top of your mattress in storage. Mattresses are designed to support your hips, back and joints while you sleep. Putting heavy objects on top of your mattress may alter this support and make it uncomfortable to sleep on.
If you can't clean the floor of the storage unit you're using, you could buy a cheap block of plywood from your local DIY store. This means you can rest your mattress on top of that rather than the floor to keep it clean.
Step 7. Check the temperature
If it gets too humid in the mattress bag or plastic wrapping the mattress can get damp. This can damage your mattress and make it mouldy.
To avoid dampness, we suggest storing your mattress in a cool room. If you're renting a storage unit, make sure the room has climate control to avoid running into these problems.
The ideal temperature is between 18°C and 19°C to keep your mattress in perfect condition.
Step 8. Make sure it's ventilated
Another way to avoid damp issues with your mattress is to make sure that the room is well ventilated. Mattresses need air flow to stay clean and fresh.
If you're storing your mattress at home, you can open a window or use a fan to maintain airflow. In a storage space, ensure that your unit has air conditioning to prevent the room from getting humid.
When storing your mattress for an extended period of time, you should open the seal on the bag or plastic once a week to let the mattress breathe.
Step 9. Check up on your mattress
If you've stored your mattress for more than one week, you should check on it now and again.
Here's a list of things to watch out for and how to fix them:
| WHAT TO CHECK FOR | HOW TO FIX IT |
|---|---|
| Damage to the protective layer or the mattress | Find out what caused the damage and add more protection or padding around the mattress |
| Uneven fillings or other lumps in the mattress | Check that there's nothing under the mattress and remove anything on top of it |
| Moisture inside the bag | Wipe down the bag and and keep it open to let the mattress breathe |
| Damp patches on the mattress | Remove the mattress bag and allow it to fully air dry before resealing |
| Any significant changes in temperature | Use a fan or heater to get the temperature back to normal |
Step 10. Clean it before use
You should clean the mattress again to get rid of any dust, dirt or stains that the mattress may have gotten in the moving process.
We recommend leaving the mattress to air for 3 - 4 hours to eliminate any smells that it might have from the bag.
Now your mattress is all ready to be put back on your bed!
Can I store my mattress for a long time?
Yes, if you follow the recommended steps above and continually check up on it. This ensures your mattress stays in perfect condition throughout storage.
If you know you're going to store your mattress for a long time you should lie it flat on the floor to avoid damage to the fillings. Also if you know you're going to require a hired storage space for an extended period of time, you should consider having a climate controlled unit with air conditioning to keep it in good shape.
Should you roll a mattress for storage?
No, you should never re-roll a mattress under any circumstances. Even if your mattress arrived in a box, rolling it again will disrupt the materials inside and ruin the mattress.
Re-rolling could also invalidate your mattress guarantee or warranty. It also won't feel the same when you unroll it again.
Can you store a mattress on its side?
Generally speaking, yes - it's OK to store a mattress on its side. But we recommend that you store pocket sprung and natural mattresses flat. This is because storing it on its side can affect the fillings inside the mattress and change how it feels.
How to store a mattress topper
If you're looking to store your mattress topper with your mattress, we have some tips for you!
Storing a mattress topper is very similar to storing a mattress:
- Vacuum the topper
- Tackle any stains with mild detergent
- Wrap the topper in a protective plastic bag
- Store in a well ventilated, cool room
Now you know the best way to store a mattress until you can sleep on it again. The key points to remember are to: use a mattress bag, place it flat on the floor and keep it in a cool and ventilated room - easy!
