Before You Store

The first important step is to remove all bedding and vacuum the surface of your mattress thoroughly. If it’s soiled, spot clean with a mild upholstery cleaner or mattress disinfectant spray to eliminate any possible allergens or bacteria. If you find yourself with the opportunity on a nice day, lay your mattress out in the sun for a few hours—it’s a natural disinfectant!

Protect Your Mattress

Aside from pests, moisture is your mattress’s biggest enemy. To keep moisture out, along with dirt, dust, and debris, choose a cover that will completely protect your mattress. But can you store a mattress in plastic? Regular sheet plastic can trap moisture, so we recommend a breathable material made for storing mattresses. Use packing tape to seal up any gaps or seams and toss in a few silica gel packets to help with any possible moisture. 

Check and rotate. 

It’s important to check in on your mattress periodically to make sure no moisture has entered your mattress bag and give it a good turn and flip. This is especially recommended for longer-term storage.

Store It Flat

One key part of knowing how to store a mattress: the right position. A mattress should never be stored vertically, sideways or upright. It may seem logical to store it against a wall, but any of these positions can cause the inner materials to settle and compress, leaving you with an unusable place to sleep later.

Placing your mattress on a bed frame is ideal to help maintain its support and shape. Another great option is using pallets or wood slats underneath to allow air flow beneath your mattress. Even boxes work, but make sure they’re even and stable! Just be sure to put a protective plastic sheet, tarp or other barrier between the supportive base and your mattress.