How to Store a Mattress Safely

Co-authored by Chris Willatt and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 References

Maybe you’re reorganizing, downsizing, or converting your guest room into a home office—whatever the case may be, you have an extra mattress that you need to store. You probably spent a long time picking out the perfect mattress for yourself, which means you might not want to get rid of it just yet. Storing a mattress is a great way to keep it safe and use it for years to come. In this article, we’ll tell you exactly how to prep and store your mattress to keep it clean, dry, and in perfect shape.

1

Vacuum your mattress on both sides.

Vacuuming removes dirt and grime to leave your mattress clean. Before you store a mattress, you want to make sure it’s as clean as possible. Remove all of the bedding and any mattress coverings, then vacuum it thoroughly with a brush attachment on both sides.^{[1]
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- Even if your mattress looks clean, it’s still a good idea to vacuum it before storing. Mattresses can collect dust mites and other allergens in their fibers, which you want to get rid of before storage.

2

Treat odor with baking soda.

Baking soda keeps your mattress smelling fresh in storage. If your mattress is smelling a little old or sour, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on top of it, then let that sit for about an hour. Use a vacuum to clean up the baking soda and remove any odors.^{[2]
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- Baking soda is a natural odor neutralizer, so it’s great for cleaning mattresses safely.

3

Clean and treat any stains.

Treating stains will help prevent your mattress from growing bacteria. If you notice any stains while cleaning your mattress, use an oxidizing cleaner to remove them.^{[3]
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Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 12 July 2019.} Saturate a clean cloth with your oxidizing cleaner, then gently blot the stain. Get a second, clean towel damp and then blot the oxidizing cleaner off your mattress.
- Oxidizing removers are also great for tackling tough pet stains, like urine.

4

Let the mattress air out.

Airing out your mattress gets rid of odor and moisture. Before you store your mattress, it’s super important that it’s completely dry first—otherwise, it could develop mold or mildew. Leave your mattress out and uncovered for 2 to 4 hours until it’s completely dry.^{[4]
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- While it’s important for any mattress to be completely dry before storage, it’s especially important for memory foam mattresses, because they’re more prone to mold and mildew.

5

Wrap the mattress in plastic.

Plastic keeps your mattress stain- and mold-free during storage. Buy a mattress storage bag made of thin, breathable plastic that won’t trap in moisture. Slide the plastic over your entire mattress, then use the attached adhesive strips to secure it. Or, use duct tape to tape the bag shut.^{[5]
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- If you’re storing a box spring too, wrap it up separately in its own plastic to keep it dry and clean.

6

Transport the mattress in a moving truck.

A moving truck is the safest way to move a mattress. If you’re taking your mattress elsewhere, you might be tempted to throw it on top of your car and move it that way. However, this can be dangerous for the other drivers on the road if your mattress falls off—plus, it could bend or warp your mattress during transport. Rent a moving truck and put the mattress inside lying flat.^{[6]
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- U-Haul and Penske have moving trucks in tons of locations that you can rent by the hour.
- If you don’t have a moving truck, try loading the mattress into the back of an SUV or a van instead.

7

Store it in a climate-controlled storage unit for best results.

Putting your mattress in a climate-controlled unit keeps it moisture-free. If you’re storing your mattress in a storage unit, pay a little bit extra and opt for a climate-controlled location. This means that your storage unit will have temperature control and a dehumidifier.^{[7]
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- Non-climate-controlled storage units don’t have temperature or humidity control, which leaves your mattress more prone to mold and mildew.
- Looking for a climate-controlled storage space near you? Extra Space Storage, Life Storage, U-Haul, and Cube Smart have tons of locations.

8

Use a dehumidifier in a garage or basement.

Dehumidifiers remove moisture from dank garages and basements. If you’re planning to store your mattress in a basement or a garage, buy a dehumidifier or two to combat the humidity. Place the dehumidifiers near your mattress, and make sure to clean them regularly to keep them in tip top shape.^{[8]
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- You can store your mattress anywhere in your home where it can lie completely flat. Don’t store a mattress outside or in an outdoor storage shed, since that could introduce mold or mildew.

9

Lay the mattress flat.

Keeping the mattress flat helps avoid damage and sagging. While it can be tempting to lean your mattress against a wall, upright mattress storage can cause your mattress to sag over time. Make sure your mattress is lying completely flat, either on the floor or on storage boxes, to keep it in good shape.^{[9]
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- You can also stack it on top of large, flat objects, like bookshelves or dressers.
- If you’re storing a box spring, the same principle applies: pick a spot where it can lie flat without anything on top of it.

10

Keep items off the mattress.

Bulky items can damage the springs inside your mattress. If you have the space, try not to stack things on top of your mattress long-term. If you absolutely have to place things on top of your mattress, use light objects that won’t dent or warp your mattress over time.^{[10]
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- Even if you have a memory foam mattress, storing heavy items on top of it can still damage the fibers inside.

11

Air out your mattress before sleeping on it again.

Airing out your mattress gets rid of any musty smells. Your mattress might smell a bit dingy after being in storage. When you want to use your mattress again, unwrap it from its plastic casing and let it air out for 3 to 4 hours. If you need to, you can use the same baking soda and vacuum trick that you did before storage to remove smells and grime.^{[11]
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