How To Store A Mattress Properly

A clean mattress in good shape is an important thing for a good night's rest. This means you need to take special care when storing your mattress for any time in a storage unit, such as during a move or temporary relocation for work. The following tips can help you store the mattress properly so it is in great condition when you are ready to use it again.

Tip #1: Clean it first

Before storing the mattress, take some time to clean it. Remove all the sheets and vacuum the mattress thoroughly with the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Flip the mattress and repeat the process, and then vacuum the sides and the box spring, too. If there are stains, you can treat these with an upholstery stain removal product, following the label instructions. Just make sure the mattress dries completely before storing or using it again. Finally, sprinkle baking soda over the entire surface of the mattress and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming a final time. The soda will remove any lingering odors so they don't get worse in storage.

Tip #2: Invest in a mattress bag

A mattress storage bag is well worth the effort. You can often purchase them from moving supply stores or even from the office for your storage facility. These bags allow for air circulation so your mattress can "breathe," but they don't allow dirt or pests in. Air circulation is important, since any moisture can lead to mold, mildew, or odors. Get a bag for both the mattress and the box spring. If you can't find a storage bag, a bed bug cover, available from home stores, is a viable alternative.

Tip #3: Store it properly

The best way to store a mattress is lying flat, just as it would on your bed frame. Standing the mattress on its side can cause the coils and padding to shift toward the floor – creating a bulge or even bending the coils. If possible, set up the bed frame and lay the covered box spring and mattress on that. Otherwise, consider placing it on top of a large table if you have one of these in storage. The final option is to place it on top of some wooden pallets. Not only will this keep the mattress flat, it also elevates it above the ground so it is protected even further from any moisture that seeps in. Finally, don't stack anything on the mattress, since this can also cause damage to the coils.

For more information on storage, go to site that specializes in storage units.