How to Store a Mattress
By Michelle Zhang, Wellness Writer 
Key Takeaways
- Clean and Cover: Before storing your mattress, thoroughly clean it to remove dirt and odors. Use a vacuum, baking soda, or upholstery cleaner, and allow it to dry completely. After cleaning, protect the mattress with a breathable storage bag or light plastic cover to guard against dust, pests, and moisture.
- Keep It Flat: Store your mattress flat to avoid damaging its internal structure. Avoid standing it upright or placing heavy items on top, as this can cause permanent sagging or indentations. If necessary, elevate the mattress slightly off the floor to prevent direct contact with potentially damp surfaces.
- Choose Climate-Controlled Storage: Opt for a climate-controlled storage unit to prevent damage from high humidity, which can lead to mold and mildew. Ensure the storage area is clean, dry, and protected from potential water damage to keep your mattress in the best condition.
Whether you’re storing your mattress long-term or for a couple of weeks, you’ll want to keep your mattress in good condition.
Mattresses are an expensive investment for most people. Without the proper care, they can become withered and mouldy while in storage.
We recommend carefully preparing your mattress before placing it in storage to prevent damage.
Next, we’ll teach you how to store a mattress to keep it in the best shape.
Clean Your Mattress
Before you store your mattress, you’ll want to ensure it is in the best condition possible. This starts with cleaning your mattress thoroughly and getting rid of any pesky odours. Storing a dirty mattress will cause more dirt and debris to accumulate.
Plus, it could cause odours to persist, and your mattress may smell pretty funky when you remove it from storage. While it is possible to freshen and deodorize your mattress, it’s better to prevent smells from developing in the first place.
Let’s take a look at some of the steps you can take to clean your mattress before placing it in storage.
- Remove all sheets and bedding, then vacuum all sides of your mattress.
- Sprinkle baking soda on your mattress and let it sit for at least an hour. The baking soda will absorb any stains and eliminate odour. You can also try using an upholstery cleaner. Be sure to follow the directions listed on the product carefully.
- Once you have allowed the baking soda to set, use your vacuum cleaner to remove the baking soda or upholstery cleaner.
- If you are using an upholstery cleaner, let your mattress dry completely before moving it.
Next, you’ll want to place your mattress in a cover to maintain cleanliness. Mattress storage bags are designed to shelter beds during transportation or storage. A mattress bag will protect your bed from external factors, like water, bugs, and dust mites. Not to mention, it can prevent mould from accumulating.
Mattress bags are available in every size, so you should be able to find one to accommodate your bed. Make you sure you choose one that matches your mattress size. If you cannot buy a mattress cover, we recommend wrapping your bed in plastic covering.
If possible, do not use thick plastic covers, as these are more likely to trap the moisture. A light, breathable plastic is ideal.
Transport In a Covered Moving Truck
Once it’s time to move your mattress, you’ll want to place it in a covered moving truck or van. Using a covered truck will prevent damage from inclement weather like dust storms, rain, or snow.
If you’re moving a mattress by yourself, you may want to rent a dolly or similar cart to move the mattress to your car. Otherwise, a friend or family member helping you should be sufficient.
You’ll want to avoid strapping your mattress to the top of your car as this could cause it to fold or bend. Additionally, it could cause an accident.
Keep Your Mattress Flat
Some storage facilities may suggest standing the bed upright against a wall to save space. Standing your mattress upright, even for a short period, can cause permanent damage to the inner workings of your mattress. It’s common for your bed to lump or sag as a result of standing upright.
Though laying your mattress flat will take up a bit more space, it will keep it in the best condition. This way, the springs and cushioning remain damage-free when you’re ready to use your mattress.
If you are worried about placing your bed directly on the floor, you can elevate it with pieces of wood. It’s also a good idea to sweep your unit before moving your furniture into it. You can try spreading plastic tarp on the floor once it’s clean.
Use a Storage Unit with Climate Control
Avoid storing your mattress in an attic, basement, garage, or attic, as humidity is a huge risk in these spaces. Climates with high humidity can cause mould and mildew to grow. If you can, purchase a storage unit with climate control.
These storage units feature in-unit air conditioning and heaters to regulate storage temperature. They also provide more space for your mattress than a cluttered attic or basement.
Things to Remember When You Store Your Mattress
There are few things you’ll want to keep in mind before you store your mattress. In this next section, we offer some tips to maintain the quality of your bed.
Avoid Placing Items on Your Mattress
Depending on the type of unit you decide to use, you may have a limited amount of storage space. You might be tempted to place a bulky item on top of your mattress to save space. However, this is not recommended.
Placing heavy furniture on your mattress can leave indentations in memory foam or damage spring coils. It’s best to lay your mattress flat and place other pieces of furniture in a separate area.
Pest and Bugs
Pesky bugs pose the biggest threat to your mattress while it’s in storage. Moths are common pests that like to live inside your mattress. These bugs like to lay eggs on the fabric layers of your bed. Once the moth eggs hatch, they can live inside your mattress for weeks, munching on the inner workings of your bed.
Other pests that like to eat fibres include carpet beetles, firebrats, and termites. An excellent way to keep pests from ruining your mattress is by spraying bug repellants around the perimeter of your storage unit.
If you want to stay away from toxic chemicals, you can use peppermint oil to deter pests. You’ll only need to use a couple of drops of peppermint oil for it to be effective.
Moisture and Mould
When mattresses are stored in humid climates, they tend to retain a lot of moisture. The more moisture your mattress holds, the more likely the dampness will produce mould.
Storing your bed in a basement or attic will only create a humid environment for your bed. We recommend using a climate-controlled storage unit to keep moisture out.
Potential Flooding
You’ll also want to keep in mind; storage units are susceptible to flooding. If your mattress becomes immersed in water, it will likely become damaged. You’ll want to place your bed in a water-proof bag to protect it from potential water damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get a musty smell out of a mattress?
One of the best ways to keep your mattress smelling clean and fresh is by deodorizing it with baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda all over your bed, and then let it sit for a couple of hours.
You can also add cornstarch to your mattress, as it helps absorb body oils. Once you've allowed the baking soda to set, vacuum both sides of your bed thoroughly. If you feel like going the extra mile, you can scrub stubborn stains out with upholstery cleaners. Just be sure to let your mattress dry out before putting your sheet back onto your bed.
How long should I keep my mattress in storage?
Your mattress can remain in storage for any length of time. However, a few months or years in storage can damage a bed beyond repair if the proper care isn't taken.
Long-term storage can cause your mattress to produce funky odours over time. So, it's best to clean your mattress and deodorize it before placing it in storage. It's also a great idea to wrap your bed in plastic wrap to preserve its fresh smell.
Do I need to purchase a mattress bag?
Mattress bags will keep your mattresses protected against dust, dirt, and light exposure to water during your move or time in storage. We recommend using a mattress bed to keep your bed in the best condition while it's stored away.
If you cannot use a mattress bag for your bed for some reason, we suggest wrapping your bed in plastic covering or bubble wrap. This way, your mattress will be protected against varying factors such as pests, bugs, and weather.
Is it OK to stack mattresses?
It is OK to stack your mattress while in storage to save space. Some people think standing a mattress upright will save space in storage, but this could potentially ruin your mattress. Keeping your mattress upright could cause springs to break or cause memory foam beds to lose their elasticity.
It's best to lay your mattress on the storage unit's floor and place the heavier mattress on the bottom. Be sure the storage unit is clean before you lay your bed on the ground.
Can you roll up a mattress before storing it?
If you are familiar with the latest mattress-in-a-box trend, you'll know that some beds are rolled up when they arrive at the customer. You may be considering rolling your mattress to save space. However, mattress companies use special machinery to roll up your bed without damaging the inner workings.
Attempting to compress your mattress for long-term storage could cause damage to layers and ruin its support. For this reason, we recommend keeping your bed in its natural positioning.
Conclusion
Keeping your mattress in a basement or attic will only compromise the integrity of your mattress. We recommend placing your bed in a climate-controlled environment and using a cover.
This way, your mattress will stay protected from damaging factors such as mould, pests, bugs, and water. It’s also a great idea to keep your mattress flat while in storage to prevent sagging over time. While your bed is in storage, it’s best to take these precautions; so you don’t have to replace your mattress prematurely.
This article is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or other medical professional.
Michelle Zhang, Wellness Writer 
Michelle Zhang is a regular contributor to our Zoma blog and is our go-to sleep researcher. In her time with Zoma, Michelle has researched and published many articles on widespread sleeping habits and troubles. In her time outside of Zoma, Michelle is an occupational therapist and long-distance runner. She believes leading a healthy lifestyle is the key to getting better sleep at night. Michelle's work has been featured on Men's Journal, The Frisky, and The Mighty.
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