Essential Tips: How to Protect Mattress in Storage
Published: 09 Aug, 2023
Last Updated: 09 Aug, 2023
Knowing how to protect a mattress in storage is essential when you’re planning on keeping it unused for an extended period.
Throwing your mattress into a storage unit and forgetting about it isn’t the only thing to consider when planning on keeping it unused for an extended period.
Given the amount of time spent on a mattress, its quality should be preserved. Hence, preserving its quality should be a priority.
This guide will provide valuable insights on how to protect your mattress in storage, ensuring that once the time comes for reuse, it remains as comfortable and supportive as ever.
Table of Contents:
- The Importance of Proper Mattress Storage
- Preparing Your Mattress for Storage
- Choosing the Right Storage Unit
- Wrapping and Moving Your Mattress
- Storing Your Mattress Correctly
- Long-Term Care For Stored Mattresses
- FAQs in Relation to How to Protect Mattress in Storage
- Conclusion
The Importance of Proper Mattress Storage
When it comes to the preservation and longevity of your mattress, proper storage plays a pivotal role. Considering that an average person spends nearly 26 years sleeping in their lifetime, maintaining a clean and comfortable mattress is paramount.
Damages such as sagging or mold growth can result from improper storage methods. Even worse are infestations by pests like bed bugs or dust mites which can compromise not only the lifespan but also the quality of sleep provided by your mattress.
Maintaining Cleanliness for Longevity
Cleanliness significantly contributes towards extending the life span of any item including our beloved resting place – The Mattress. Dirt particles infiltrating into fabric overtime accelerates wear-and-tear leading to premature aging.
- A dirty environment attracts pests making cleanliness crucial before placing items in long-term storage units.
- This holds especially true if children or pets share living spaces who may accidentally spill something on beds resulting in stains that attract unwanted guests while away.
- Frequent checks for signs of damage/infestation coupled with ensuring continued climate control even when stored ensures longer shelf-life.
Preparing Your Mattress for Storage
The first step in properly storing your mattress is to ensure that it is impeccably clean. A dirty mattress not only attracts pests but also compromises the hygiene of the storage area.
Using Stain Removers for a Clean Mattress
If you have children or pets at home, accidents are bound to happen on memory foam mattresses, hybrid mattresses, and even spring mattresses. Using stain removers can help prevent these incidents from becoming permanent reminders on your bed.
To effectively tackle stains, apply an appropriate stain remover product, let it sit according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and then gently blot it away with a cloth. Remember, rubbing might push the stain deeper into the fabric layers.
Cleanliness is not just about visible marks; lingering odors must also be addressed, especially when preparing to store items like beds for the long term. One tried-and-true method involves sprinkling baking soda across all types of mattress surfaces and then vacuuming it up after letting it work overnight. This simple process absorbs any residual scents, leaving behind a fresh smell that lasts throughout its time in storage units.
Airing Out: An Essential Step Before Storing
Beyond the cleaning procedures, another crucial aspect is airing out your latex or foam mattresses before placing them inside storage unit facilities. This helps prevent mold growth over time.
This stage requires patience. Leave the windows open during this period while avoiding direct sunlight exposure, which could lead to discoloration, particularly noticeable with memory foam varieties.
Choosing the Right Storage Unit
When selecting a storage unit, it is essential to take into account the requirements for long-term preservation of both memory foam and hybrid mattresses. The ideal conditions for storing these types of bedding vary significantly.
In addition to considering the climatic control aspect, also pay attention to size considerations when selecting a storage unit. Overcrowding can lead to undue pressure on various parts of your bedding, such as springs in spring mattresses or layers in foam mattresses.
Avoid Stacking Mattresses
Stacking mattresses directly on top of one another should be avoided, as it can lead to indentations or deformities over time. This practice could result in indents or deformities over time, which might negatively impact their structure and comfort level.
- Rather than piling up place multiple pieces side-by-side if possible.
- Alternatively, utilize sturdy shelving systems specifically designed for heavy items like mattresses.
This ensures they remain flat during their stint inside the chosen storage location, thus preserving their integrity.
Mindful Placement Of Items In Your Unit
Beyond not placing multiple beds atop each other, make sure no heavy items are stored above any part of your sleep surface either. Such practices may compress internal components, leading to irreversible damage over time.
Remember: A carefully considered choice about where exactly you store things goes a long way towards maintaining both the lifespan and quality associated with cherished sleep surfaces, even while being kept away from use long-term.
Wrapping and Moving Your Mattress
Moving your mattress begins with the right wrapping technique. This not only shields it from damage during transit but also safeguards its cleanliness while in storage. The secret lies in using breathable plastic wrap or moving blankets, which can ward off potential harm caused by dust, dirt, moisture, and pests.
A common pitfall many fall into is resorting to regular plastic for wrapping their mattresses. Though this might seem like a practical solution at first glance, conventional plastic wraps trap moisture within them that could lead to mold growth over time. Instead of falling prey to such mishaps; opt for breathable plastic wrap, specifically designed for furniture protection during relocations.
Duct Tape for Secure Wrapping
Beyond selecting the appropriate kind of wrap material, securing it correctly around your mattress proves equally crucial as well. Enter duct tape – an unsung hero when it comes to effective packing techniques.
Duct tape provides robust adhesion that keeps the protective layer intact even under strenuous conditions associated with loading/unloading or long-distance transportation on a covered moving truck. However, remember never to apply duct tape directly onto your memory foam or hybrid mattress surface – always ensure there’s a buffer layer of breathable plastic wrap between them.
When wrapped properly, these mattresses are easier to handle while being moved into storage units. It’s recommended you employ professional movers who have experience handling various types of mattresses, including latex ones, because they know how best to load them onto trucks without causing any preventable damage.
Storing Your Mattress Correctly
Proper storage of your mattress is a key factor in preserving its comfort and durability. This holds true for all types of mattresses, whether they are memory foam, hybrid, or spring ones.
The internal structure of the mattress can shift if you store your mattress upright over time. The result? An uneven sleeping surface when you bring the mattress back into use.
Avoiding Moisture Traps
Maintaining a dry environment while storing your clean and aired-out mattress is crucial to prevent moisture traps that could lead to mold growth over time. Mold not only damages mattresses but also poses health risks such as allergies and respiratory issues.
Prioritize ensuring there are no signs of dampness within the unit before placing your dried out latex or memory foam mattresses inside it. Also, consider climate-controlled units which maintain consistent temperature levels, preventing condensation build-up and avoiding any trapped moisture around items, including those precious hybrid mattresses we adore.
In addition to keeping them flat during their stay in storage locations, avoid placing heavy objects on top because they might create pressure points leading to indentations upon removal after long-term periods.
This way, by taking care of both the position (flat) and the environment (dry), you can ensure optimal conditions for maintaining quality and lifespan while minimizing potential damage, even when stored away from sight.
Long-Term Care For Stored Mattresses
Taking care of your mattress doesn’t end when it’s stored away. Even in storage, mattresses require regular attention and maintenance to ensure their longevity.
The following are some tips that will help you keep your memory foam or hybrid mattress in top condition while it’s tucked away in a storage unit.
Maintaining Regular Checks
Your first line of defense against potential damage is conducting routine inspections on the stored items. Look out for signs like discoloration, mold growth, or any evidence of pests during these checks. If anything seems amiss with your latex or spring mattress, take immediate action.
In addition to physical inspections, maintaining an optimal climate within the storage unit plays a significant role as well. Ensuring consistent temperature control can prevent humidity-related damages which may affect different types of mattresses differently over time.
Avoiding Moisture Traps When Storing Flat
No matter what type of bed frame you have used before, storing them flat is always recommended for all kinds: be it foam mattresses or spring ones.
To avoid trapping moisture underneath objects placed on top and creating damp conditions favorable for mold formation, make sure there’s adequate air circulation around the area where they’re kept.
You could also consider using desiccant packets inside the units since they absorb excess humidity effectively, preventing unwanted damp conditions from forming over time. These simple yet effective steps go a long way towards ensuring proper preservation even if it’s being kept unused under lock & key.
FAQs in Relation to How to Protect Mattress in Storage
How do I keep my mattress from molding in my storage unit?
Prevent mold by thoroughly cleaning your mattress before storing, using a climate-controlled unit, and avoiding plastic covers that trap moisture.
Do you need to cover a mattress in storage?
Absolutely. Covering your mattress with breathable material protects it from dust, pests, and potential damage during transit or storage.
Will a mattress mold in storage?
If not stored properly under controlled conditions and without adequate preparation, mattresses can indeed develop mold over time.
How long can a mattress be stored in a box?
Mattresses should ideally not be boxed for more than six months to prevent permanent compression of the materials inside.
Conclusion
Proper mattress storage is more than just tucking it away in a corner. It’s about understanding the importance of preserving its quality for your comfort and health.
- Cleaning, using stain removers, and airing out your mattress before storing are key steps to maintain freshness and prevent pest infestation.
- Selecting the right storage unit with climate control can protect your mattress from damage due to temperature fluctuations.
- Wrapping it securely with breathable materials like plastic wrap or moving blankets ensures protection during transit and while in storage.
- Laying flat is the golden rule when storing mattresses as it prevents material shifting inside that could affect its structure over time.
- Avoiding moisture traps by keeping them stored flat also helps avoid mold growth – an enemy of any stored item.
Your long-term care routine should include regular checks for signs of damage or infestation, ensuring continued climate control among other things even if you’re not actively using the mattress.
Finally, a trusted moving and storage company understands how crucial protecting items such as mattresses during moves or extended periods of non-use can be. to help you ensure that when you need your mattress again
