How To Store A Mattress: 5 Easy Steps

Properly storing a mattress ensures that it maintains the proper support needed to last for many years to come. But what is the right way to store a mattress?

Cleanliness and removal from the elements is essential to storage.  Additionally, the placement and position are critical to maintaining the integrity of the inner components and layers. 

In this guide, we discuss key factors to keep in mind during mattress storage to limit or prevent damage. 

Step One: Make Sure Your Mattress Is Clean

Be sure to clean your  mattress prior to storing.. This Helps prevent mold, mildew and bacteria growth on the mattress. Here are a few key steps to take to ensure cleanliness before storing the mattress: 

1. Strip all bedding from the mattress.
2. Sprinkle baking soda over the mattress and let it sit for at least an hour. Baking soda is a natural and cost-effective way to deodorize and remove stains from a mattress.
3. After an hour,  vacuum all the baking soda from the exterior of your mattress.
4. Let your mattress air out for several hours to make sure it’s clean and dry before being put away. If possible, leave your mattress out in the sun – it’s a natural disinfectant that can kill bacteria and remove odors. 

For  a more thorough clean, check out our guide on how to clean a mattress. If you’re dealing with particularly tough odors, check out five easy ways to deodorize a mattress here. 

Step 2: Cover The Mattress Properly

Once your mattress is clean, make sure to cover it in plastic or wrap it in a mattress bag before storing. This will keep the mattress from accumulating additional  dirt and debris, as well as keep it dry and safe from mold.

Follow these steps to protect your mattress:

Wrapping A Mattress With A Storage Bag

1. Place the mattress bag around the edge of the mattress.
2. Get a friend to lift the other end of the mattress as you pull the bag over the rest of the mattress.
3. Seal the bag shut, making sure there are no tears.

Wrapping A Mattress In Light Plastic

1. Lay down a large sheet of plastic (about double the size of the mattress, plus a few extra inches) on a clean spot on the floor.
2. Grab the mattress and place it on top of the plastic sheet.
3. Lift the plastic sheet up and over the mattress, covering its surface.
4. Seal all the loose edges together with duct tape.
5. Check for tears before moving the mattress into storage. 

Step 3: Determine an Ideal Place for Storage

Given that mattresses occupy ample space, they are often stored in basements, garages, or storage units . Here are the most common storage options with pros and cons for each

In A Storage Unit

Climate-controlled storage units are the best choice for storing a mattress long-term. These facilities keep your mattress from being exposed to moisture and high temperatures – both of which can shorten the lifespan of a mattress.

In Your Garage 

Storing a mattress in a garage isn’t ideal because garages tend to accumulate dust and dirt. Additionally,  equipment and other items stored in the space can fall and cause damage. Wrapping the mattress heavily can help mitigate this issue.

At Home In Your Basement

Basements are often damp, dark, and humid making them unsuitable for mattress storage. If a basement is your only option,  try to store in an area that has less moisture. 

Step 4: Move The Mattress In A Covered Moving Truck

Moving a mattress can be tricky. When placing a mattress inside a moving truck, make sure to line the surface with blankets and sheets. This will protect the mattress’ exterior from damage while in transit. Generally, it’s okay to prop a mattress on its side for short periods of time. 

Step 5: Store The Mattress The Right Way

While it may seem more practical to store a mattress on its side, doing so for extended periods can affect the mattress’ longevity. This is particularly true for hybrid and innerspring mattresses whose coils can become misshapen over time. Lay the mattress flat on the ground, a platform, or e boxes with a level surface. 

It’s also important  to avoid placing heavy objects on top of your mattress. Applying excess weight for long periods of time can cause sagging or indentations on the mattress. 

Do’s And Don'ts Of Storing A Mattress

Consider the following do’s and don’ts of proper mattress storage:

Do’s 

• Open the plastic wrapping every couple of months to check if moisture, mold, or pests have made their way into the mattress. Doing this will also allow the mattress to breathe.
• Keep your mattress out of rooms that are exposed to extreme temperatures. High heat can deform or even partially melt a mattress, while very low temperatures could freeze gel-infused memory foam. Repeated freezing and thawing cycles could eventually damage the integrity of the foam.
• Before laying down a mattress on a surface, line it with synthetic mats to keep moisture from the ground from seeping in.

Don'ts 

• Don’t place heavy items like furniture on top of your mattress. This will cause premature sagging and potentially ruin your support coils.
• Don’t leave your mattress in a room with high humidity and no adequate airflow. Mattresses are very prone to mold and mildew growth. 
• Don’t leave your mattress propped on its side for long periods of time. This can damage the foam or coils inside.

Types Of Mattresses And Things To Consider During Storage

Each type of mattress has its own set of concerns when it comes to storage. Here’s how to store different types of mattresses:

Latex Mattress

Latex mattresses are typically heavier than other types of mattresses and cannot be stored on their sides for very long. Doing so will put too much pressure on the upright half, eventually causing it to cave in and slump toward the bottom half. 

Spring Mattress

Innerspring mattresses are designed with steel coils that provide support, stability, and airflow to sleepers. The presence of these coils means that the mattress cannot be bent or rolled when transported. 

Spring coils tend to wear out faster than other mattress materials, so it’s important not to leave any heavy objects on top of the mattress when storing it for a long time. 

Hybrid Mattress

Hybrid mattresses have a combination of foam layers and interior springs to provide both comfort and support to sleepers. Like with other mattress types, it’s best to keep heavy objects off the surface of a hybrid mattress to prevent sagging and lumps.

Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam mattresses are made of viscoelastic polyurethane foam.

Memory foam mattresses are quite heavy and unable to retain their shape for very long when propped up on their sides. This is especially true if you live in a warm climate, as high temperatures cause memory foam to become softer and more pliable. Leaving a memory foam mattress on its side will eventually cause it to become misshapen. 

Before storing a memory foam mattress, take extra attention to how you will clean it. Memory foam is very absorbent and difficult to dry. Thus, using water and upholstery cleaner isn’t advisable. Instead, use dry baking soda to clean your memory foam mattress.

Storing A Purple Mattress

To store a Purple mattress, make sure to wrap it in plastic or a mattress bag, fold it in half, and tie it with a non-stretchy strap such as a nylon ratchet strap. Once you’re at your storage space, open the mattress up and lay it flat. Don’t place anything on top to avoid premature sagging. 

In the market for a new mattress? Purple has designed a collection of sleep-changing and therefore life-changing mattresses that break the mold of the market. Explore the selections and find out why our customers are getting the best sleep of their lives. 

Storing A Mattress FAQs

How long can a mattress be stored?

Typically mattresses last about seven to 10 years. However, there are many variables that can influence this. A few months or years of storage can damage a mattress.

Is it okay to store a mattress on its side?

It is not recommended to store a mattress on its side. Doing so can cause the inner support coils or foam layers to lose their shape, leading to poor support, sagging, lumps, and other issues. 

Is it okay to stack mattresses for storage?

Generally, you shouldn’t stack mattresses. Mattresses can weigh anywhere between 50 to 150 pounds. Having that much weight on top of a mattress day in and day out can shorten its lifespan prematurely. 

If you absolutely must stack your mattresses, always lay them flat on top of one another, with the lightest on top and the heaviest at the base. 

Can a mattress get bed bugs in storage?

Mattresses can be infested by bed bugs even when stored in a storage unit. Bed bugs can latch onto clothing, bags, furniture, and anything else made of or covered in fabric, and can spread across units.