Sleep is important for all of us and a comfortable mattress is a key component of getting your rest. Unfortunately, mattresses that are stored incorrectly can soon become uncomfortable and virtually unusable. If you’re moving into a new home across town, having your home remodeled, or will soon be sending your kid off to college after the summer, you may need to keep a mattress at a storage facility for a certain amount of time.
There are a few things to remember when it comes to learning how to properly store a mattress in a storage unit. For example, do you know:
- How to prepare a mattress for storage?
- How to protect a mattress in storage from mold or mildew?
- How to store a mattress correctly?
Mattresses are expensive and you won’t want your investment to get ruined. Here are a few mattress storage tips to keep your mattress cozy for when you need it again.
Mattress Storage Tips
Tip #1: Clean Your Mattress
Mattresses attract dust mites, bacteria, skin particles, oils, and debris. Before placing your mattress in storage, give it a deep clean. First, remove all of the bedding and wash it. Then, use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum to clean both sides of the mattress. For extra effect, apply an upholstery cleaning agent or baking soda, let it sit, and use the vacuum again. Finally, a stain remover can be used to spot clean any stains by blotting with a cloth. Even mild dampness should thoroughly be dried before moving on to the next step.
Tip #2: Wrap the Mattress in Plastic/Use a Mattress Cover
There are a couple of ways to choose how to wrap a mattress for storage. You could select plastic wrapping, which will help protect your mattress from dust, dirt, and moisture like mold and mildew. Plastic wrap is widely available and your professional self storage company may be able to work with you to obtain supplies. Another option is to purchase a specifically designed mattress cover. Wrap the mattress or place the cover over it, ensuring there are no holes in the plastic.
Tip #3: Select a Storage Unit That Will Fit Your Mattress
How you plan to store your mattress will ultimately depend on the unit size you need. For example, smaller options like a 5×5 storage unit or 5×10 storage unit are often selected for storing a mattress upright with other items. However, you may wish to select a slightly larger size to lay your mattress flat, such as a 10×10 storage unit or 10×15 storage unit.
Tip #4: Lay Your Mattress Flat in the Storage Unit
The way in which you store your mattress is entirely up to you. However, it’s best to store the mattress flat inside of a storage unit. Mattresses can be placed upright, especially if you only plan to keep it in storage for a short amount of time. Eventually, the padding, coils, or foam (for memory foam mattresses) can settle into a new position if left upright. This will permanently alter your mattress shape. Your bed can take up a lot of space and you may want to use your storage unit to store other items. Lay your mattress flat on top of other boxes or flat possessions in a manner that is safe and avoids the potential for collapse.
Tip#5: Keep it Clear, Air it Out
These two phrases are general reminders that will help keep your mattress in top shape while it is being stored. Whenever you move items around inside your storage unit, it’s best to make sure nothing is left sitting on top of or leaning against your mattress. Additionally, you will want to remove the plastic wrap or mattress cover when visiting your unit to air out the mattress. This should be completed every couple of months. Let the mattress receive fresh air for a couple of hours before resealing it in plastic.
Use a Temperature Controlled Storage Unit
Selecting a temperature controlled storage unit for your mattress is the best choice if you need long-term storage. While following the mattress storage tips will be helpful, there is no substitute for temperature and humidity control to prevent mold and mildew from forming over time. A temperature controlled storage unit provider will be able to keep temperature and humidity consistent, all year long. Temperatures are kept between 60-75 degrees with low humidity.
Contact Us Today
From temperature control to offering you the perfect amount of space, Fairfax City Self Storage has storage solutions for every need. We have proudly served the people of Fairfax, Virginia and other local communities for more than 30 years. You will find our state-of-the-art facility just off the beltway. From 24-hour security and key pad gated entry, to easy and quick access to your items, we provide you with comprehensive storage throughout the year. Store your mattresses with us until you need them and choose from units that can also fit a wide variety of other items. To get started, contact us or call (703) 978-1200 for more information about our storage solutions and first-class customer service.