How to Store Your Mattress (and Box Spring)

How to store a mattress? Let us count the ways. Whether yours is memory foam, soft or adjustable, it can be hard to pick the best pack tactic. Beds are a big investment, which is probably why even the soundest sleepers feel stressed about storing their mattresses.

So what’s best way to store your bed? All it takes is a little preparation to ensure your mattress comes out of storage in the same condition as it went in.

Mattress storage is simple. We’ll show you.

  1. Clean it.
    Trust us, you do not want to store a dirty mattress. Dust, moisture and dander are enemies of mattresses and can cause bacteria and mildew to grow. Call a company to get it professionally cleaned. If you’d rather do it yourself, grab some baking soda and vinegar. Use a spray bottle filled with 1-part vinegar and 2 parts water. Spray the entire mattress and then dab with a towel. Sprinkle baking soda over the mattress and let sit for at least 24 hours. Finally, vacuum the baking soda up using a handheld vacuum.
  2. Protect it.
    Place your mattress and box spring in plastic mattress covers. If you need a cover, buy one on Amazon or a home improvement store. Mattress stores will sometimes have extra covers as well—it doesn’t hurt to ask! Seal your mattress in the cover with packing tape, and make sure there aren’t any holes or tears.
  3. Lay it flat.
    When you’re ready to place your mattress in storage, lay it flat. You may have heard it’s best to stand the mattress upright, but that’s not correct. Mattresses that are stored upright risk having their padding shift downward, which can be difficult—if not impossible—to repair.
  4. Prepare the storage space.
    If you’re storing your mattress in a non-climate controlled storage unit, consider placing a dehumidifier in the unit to keep it nice and dry. If you’re storing it in a climate-controlled unit, ditch the dehumidifier.

     

More storage basics: