If you are between living situations, getting settled in an area for a new job, or going on deployment, you’ll need to figure out what to do with your mattress for the months you aren’t using it. The best way to store a mattress may not be intuitive to most of us.
If your first thought is to store it on its side wherever you have space, then this post is for you. Understanding how to store a mattress properly and taking into consideration the self-storage solutions available will help you in your process and ensure your mattress continues to provide a quality night’s sleep for many years to come.
Thoroughly Clean Your Mattress Before Storing
The first thing you’ll want to do with your mattress is clean it. This can be as simple as thoroughly vacuuming your mattress, but it may involve the use of an enzyme or upholstery cleaner as well, depending on the condition of your mattress. It’s always a good idea to check your mattress manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning.
After cleaning, allow your mattress to fully dry. This is important because one of the main reasons to clean a regular mattress before you store it is to minimize the potential for mold and mildew to grow on your mattress during storage.
Bag It
After thoroughly cleaning your mattress and allowing it to fully dry, place the mattress in a mattress bag. Mattress bags are constructed of thick plastic that protects your mattress against dust, debris, and moisture.
While you can’t leave your mattress outside in a plastic mattress cover and expect it to fair well when combined with a covered personal storage solution, a quality mattress bag will go a long way towards ensuring your mattress is in good condition when you unpack it. Be sure to pack your mattress in the mattress bag before you move it to your storage location since this will protect it against dust and moisture while it is in transit.
Transport It In a Covered Truck
To move your mattress to your storage location, you should use a covered moving truck that is large enough to accommodate your mattress. Ideally, you’ll want to transport it lying flat with nothing on top of it. A covered truck is important because it protects your mattress against any dust, debris, or moisture that it may encounter on its way to your storage location. Moving trucks also tends to give you more room to work with. Tying your mattress to the roof of your car is not recommended, as it can lead to your mattress becoming misshapen.
Choosing a Storage Location
If you are considering just propping it up in your garage, think again. Not only is it unlikely you’ll be able to store it properly in that type of location, but there is a chance it could be damaged accidentally.
It is preferable to store a mattress in a storage facility. But now you might ask, “How big of a storage unit do I need?” Well, you’ll want to use a storage unit that is large enough to accommodate your mattress when it is lying flat. If you are storing your mattress for an extensive amount of time or live in an area that has high humidity, some experts recommend seeking out a climate-controlled storage unit. If this situation applies to you, Price Self Storage offers climate-controlled units that are great options for long-term storage or to protect your mattress in particularly high-humidity areas. For all other situations outside of these, normal storage units will be the perfect solution.
Store it Flat
If you are wondering how to store a mattress in storage, the most important thing to remember is that it needs to lay flat. The single largest mistake people make when storing their mattresses is storing them on their side to save space. Simply put, in order for your mattress to retain the correct shape, you will need to store it flat. You will also want to avoid storing other things on top of it, as the weight of these over time can cause damage to the internal components that give it shape and support.
Closing Thoughts
If you have to store your mattress for an extended period of time, following the simple tips we’ve outlined here will help to ensure that your mattress is in great condition when you can use it again. You can also reference our storage unit tips for additional helpful insights.
The most important thing to remember is that you must lay your mattress flat when storing it. If you store it on its side, gravity will inevitably cause it to lose its shape. Also, be mindful not to store things on top of your mattress, as tempting as it may be.
Before you store your mattress, thoroughly clean it, allow it to fully dry, and then place it in a thick and durable mattress bag. Transport it to your storage unit lying flat in a covered moving truck. Drive-up storage units, like those offered at our Price Self-Storage facilities, can make it easier to move your mattress into your unit. However, our complimentary moving carts are available if your storage unit is further from your truck.
To learn more about our storage units, please get in touch with Price Self-Storage today. Our knowledgeable staff will guide you to the best storage unit for your needs.
Sources
- https://www.sparefoot.com/self-storage/blog/3593-how-to-store-a-mattress/
- https://www.neighbor.com/storage-blog/mattress-storage/
