How to Store a Mattress in a Storage Unit

We spend about a third of our lives sleeping or at least trying to. That’s a lot of time lying on a mattress.

It’s no wonder Americans spend $7 billion every year on mattresses. We also now know why there are so many mattress stores around.

With the average mattress set coming in around $1,500, you want your mattress to last you as long as possible. One of the best ways to extend the life of your mattress is knowing how to store it the proper way.

Whether you’re getting ready to move or clearing out space, we’ve got some important tips on how to store a mattress.

Tips on How to Store a Mattress

Most people don’t think about the future when storing a mattress. They put it in the garage or basement any way it will fit. What they’re doing is shortening the life of their mattress.

While it may seem like a hassle to go through all the steps involved with storing a mattress in a storage unit, it’s worth it in the end. You’ll keep it from getting damaged or destroyed, thus extending its life and saving yourself a ton of money.

Clean it First

The first step when you store a mattress is to clean it. If your mattress is dirty when you move it into the unit, mold, bugs, and fungus can grow on it. Now you not only have a dirty mattress, you have one that may need to go straight to the dumpster.

A day or two before you move it, vacuum your mattress. If it needs it, handwash stains or spots with upholstery cleaner or good ol’ soap and water. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and don’t get the mattress so wet it doesn’t dry.

You’ll need to let it air dry for at least a day. You can hurry the drying process by turning on a fan or letting it dry in the sun. If you choose to let it dry outside, make sure you vacuum it again since outdoors debris will be on it.

Use a steam cleaner for deep-down stains. Make sure the model you use has a handheld attachment. Again, be careful not to get it too wet.

Cover Your Mattress

Now that it’s clean, it’s time to find out how to protect your mattress in storage. The answer is wrapping your mattress in plastic or getting a mattress cover or bag. The cover protects your mattress from the moving and storing process and it will keep it clean while it’s in the unit.

Remember to cover your mattress before you move it out of your home. Covers and bags made for mattresses will have some form of a handle which makes it easier to transport.

If you’re using plastic, tape the seams so it covers the mattress all the way. All it takes is one critter to get inside and you’ll have a huge headache on your hands.

Keep it Flat

Every traditional mattress manufacturer will advise you to store your mattress flat. This may take some Tetris-like maneuvering of your other belongings, but it’s best for the shape and your mattress.

When you store your mattress by standing it on a side, the coils can shift and get deformed. Before you know it, it’s time to pull your mattress out and it’s sagging even when nothing was on top of it.

Lay a large blanket or a tarp down and put your mattress on top of it. If you’re storing all your bedroom furniture and have a big enough storage unit, set your whole bed up inside the unit.

Don’t Place Anything on Top of It

Putting anything on top of your mattress will make it become a casualty of science. Gravity will take over, and even something that weighs very little will start sinking into your mattress. The coils and materials inside will get warped and you’ll be looking for a new mattress.

Use an Enclosed or Covered Moving Truck

We’ve all see someone tie a mattress to the top of their car and it starts raining. We shake our head and ask what they were thinking, right? We live in a humid climate and have to be careful of the elements.

Also, tying your mattress to your car is a safety hazard. If the tie-downs loosen, your mattress will become a giant wing and the air force will cause it to fly off.

Best case scenario, it lands on the side of the road. Worst case, it hits another car and causes serious injuries. You can also warp your mattress if you tie it down too tight.

The best thing to do is rent a van or an enclosed truck. Since the mattress won’t be in there very long, it’s okay to put it on its side.

Climate-Controlled is the Way to Go

Most storage facilities have climate-controlled units. If it costs a little extra, it will be worth it to keep your mattress and other items in a controlled environment.

Mold grows faster when it’s hot and humid, which will destroy your mattress and could get you very sick. Storing your belongings in a climate-controlled unit will prevent mold and keep your items from getting damp and damaged.

Air it Out

If your mattress will be in storage for longer than six months, even if its stored in a climate-controlled unit, you should let it breathe for a few hours. This helps control odor.

Let it breathe for a few hours before you put your sheets on after it’s safe and sound back on your bed frame.

Getting it Out of Storage

For whatever reason, if your mattress smells musty when you take it out of the unit, don’t panic. You can have it smelling fresh and clean again in no time.

Sprinkle some baking soda on each side, wait 10 minutes, then vacuum your entire mattress.

You can spray a deodorizer or sanitizer on it but make sure it’s dried all the way before putting your sheets on. This means, letting it air out for at least 24 hours before moving it onto the bed frame.

If it doesn’t smell musty, it still won’t hurt to give it a once-over with your vacuum after you take it out of storage.

Don’t Let Just Anybody Store Your Mattress

Your belongings matter to you, that’s why you’re moving them into storage, not getting rid of them. Now that you know how to store a mattress, all you need to worry about is finding the right storage unit.

At Hollywood Self Storage, your items are just as important to us as it is to you. That’s why we offer unparalleled service, safe and secure units, and climate-controlled storage.

We have convenient locations in Evans, Martinez, and Augusta to serve you and we even offer a free truck to help you move in! Contact us today and let us give you a quote.