A mattress is not something you usually move around much or change often. But eventually, you might decide to get a new one, renovate your bedroom, or other circumstances may lead to needing to store your mattress somewhere for the long term.
While it might sound like a pretty straightforward task, there are some specifics you must keep in mind if you want that mattress to feel just as good to sleep on when you end up needing it again. Read on to learn all there is to know about proper mattress storage!
Clean the mattress first
Even though you change and wash your bedding on the regular, your mattress still collects stains, dust, and everything else our bodies are constantly shedding. Over time, such substances could discolour the mattress permanently, lead to mould and mildew growth, or, even worse, attract insects and vermin of different kinds.
To avoid such unpleasant issues, it’s best to thoroughly clean your mattress before moving it into storage. It’s relatively easy to clean the mattress yourself, but if you’re short on time or just don’t think you’re equipped to deal with the dirt at hand, consider calling a professional cleaner for a perfect result.
Deodorise the surface
If you still feel like there is a strange odour on your mattress, either before putting it in storage or after you’ve taken it out of the unit, the solution is simple!
All you need to do is sprinkle baking soda on each side of the mattress, which will absorb all those musty smells. Wait for 10 minutes, and then vacuum the entire mattress. As an additional measure, you can spray the mattress with a natural deodorising spray. After all, this is done, make sure to let the mattress air-dry for at least 24 hours to avoid rebounding odours or mould growth.
Using this method, you’ll guarantee yourself a fresh-smelling bed, no matter how long your mattress was in self-storage for!
Wrap the mattress in plastic
Mattresses can get damaged fairly easily during transport, so it’s important to wrap them in breathable plastic or put it inside a special mattress bag. Covering the mattress in such a way will stop it from getting dirty while being moved around and protect it from any damage it could sustain in transit.
Make sure that the covering material is durable enough to protect the mattress and breathable enough not to trap any remaining moisture inside and stimulate the growth of different microorganisms, which you do not want happening!
Prepare the storage space
Where you store your mattress is just as important as how you store it. If you’re storing it somewhere in your home, vacuum/mop the space and let it dry out properly before you place the mattress there. If you’ll be using a hired storage unit, the floor might not be as clean as your home, so you should definitely clean it if you can, or you can place the mattress on something that keeps it off the ground, like a sheet of plywood or a wooden pallet.
Keep the mattress flat
Storing your mattress up against the wall might sound like a brilliant plan to save space, but not every mattress takes well to being stored like that. Mattresses with springs, natural fillings, and the like shouldn’t be stored upright, as their stuffing will be pulled down by gravity over time. Such a mattress won’t feel nice to sleep on anymore, which is not what you want to realise after painstakingly moving it in and out of storage.
Latex and memory foam mattresses can be placed both flat on the ground and up against the wall. This is possible because their fillings can’t move around, so the mattress won’t feel any different no matter how you store it.
Don’t stack mattresses on top of each other
While the big, flat surface of a mattress looks like the perfect place to store more stuff, you should avoid putting anything heavy on top for long periods of time. Mattresses are built to support your hips, back, and joints while you sleep. If you stack heavy objects on top of it, like other mattresses, furniture, boxes, etc., you might end up deforming the shape of your mattress and end up with something that just won’t be comfortable to sleep on anymore.
Never fold or bend the mattress
Your mattress might have come folded or rolled up when you bought it, but that doesn’t mean you can do that again when storing them. The manufacturer uses special machinery to achieve this effect, something you just can’t recreate at home. Moreover, your warranty will be void as soon as you try to fold or roll your mattress, as you will end up damaging it in your attempt to compact it, something that no manufacturer will cover.
If you’re short on space at home, there’s no need to consider such extreme options – just look towards renting a self-storage unit for your mattress. Let the storage experts pick up your mattress, store it in a safe and climate-controlled environment, and then drive it back to you when you need it once again.
Prevent mould and mildew
If you’ve been watching “The Last of Us”, you’re probably already terrified of fungi, so why let them take over your mattress? To prevent mould and mildew from growing on your mattress while in storage, the first step is to ensure it’s completely dry before putting it away. This is especially important if you’re keeping your mattress wrapped in plastic, which won’t let any moisture that’s left escape. You should either open up the wrapping occasionally to let any humidity out or opt for a breathable mattress cover.
Another source of humidity might be the storage space itself. Ensure the room or storage unit is well-ventilated to prevent moisture buildup. Consider using a dehumidifier or moisture absorber, or choose self-storage with ventilation and climate control. Regularly check on the mattress and address any signs of mould or mildew as soon as they appear.
Mind the temperature
Regarding climate control, keeping the proper temperature in the storage space is also crucial for your mattress’ longevity. The ideal temperature to keep it in perfect condition is between 18°C and 19°C. Such a precise temperature range can only be achieved in a climate-controlled space, which is why you should choose such a storage unit for your mattress.
Conclusion
So, storing a mattress turned out to be a bit more complex than you imagined – how to clean it, where to store it, how to place it, what to protect it from… so many things to worry about!But now that you’ve read this article, you know all there is to it. Whether you choose to keep it at home or in self-storage (which we recommend), your mattress will be waiting for you until you need it again, just as fresh and comfy as the day you bought it.
