Mattresses should last between 7 and 10 years. For most people, this means that your mattress will have to be moved or stored at some point in its life. This might be because you are moving house, redecorating, or simply keeping it safe for future use. Whatever the case, it’s important that you store your mattress properly to prevent irreparable damage. After all, a mattress should be an investment that lasts — ideally even longer than its anticipated lifespan.
To store a mattress long term:
- Hire a reliable storage unit.
- Remove bed sheets and protectors.
- Clean and dry mattress.
- Wrap in protective materials.
- Move with care.
1. Hire A Reliable Storage Unit
This first step is the most important: find a reliable (and purpose built) storage unit that you trust to take care of your mattress. These are storage units that have been built for storage and nothing else, and will more often than not be climate-controlled, clean, under surveillance, and insured. This will keep your items safe, secure, dry and clean.
Before you make a final decision, you should also check out Google Reviews – these are a great indicator of whether or not a storage unit is experienced and reliable. At Falconer Removals, we have consistent 5* reviews that are indicative of the excellent service we provide – and have provided over the last 131 years.
2. Remove Bed Sheets and Protectors
When you’ve picked your storage unit and you’re close to the collection date you have arranged with your removals team, remove your pillows, bed sheets, comforters and protectors from your mattress and pop them in the wash — or pack them away into a box to be washed at a later (but not too late) date. Do this just before you clean your mattress, as detailed in the next step.
3. Clean and Dry Mattress
How you clean your mattress is dependent on a few different factors but, for the most part, you should start with vacuuming your mattress on both sides. Once complete, use an upholstery (or special mattress) cleaner on both sides. If you are without a cleaner, Hometalk advise that you use baking soda and a scrub brush to soak up oils, deodorize and whiten your mattress. You can also, as detailed in the video below, use clear washing up liquid and water in a spray bottle to give it a thorough clean.
Give yourself plenty of time to clean your mattress before it goes into storage as it needs to dry out first. As with everything that goes into storage, it has to go in in perfect (and dry) condition for it to maintain its clean and mould-free state.
4. Wrap in Protective Materials
Once the mattress is dried through, cover it in a polythene or heavy-duty cover. At Falconers, we will provide this cover for you, but if you can’t get your hands on one then a light and breathable plastic cover secured with packing tape works as a last minute solution. That being said, a plastic wrap is just not as suited the former as it requires more maintenance; you need to go in, break the seal, and open the plastic cover to air it out every few months before resealing it again — and this isn’t always possible in storage units.
Alternatively, you can purchase a mattress bag which is designed to keep your mattress clean and mould-free over a long period of time. The mattress should remain in its cover for the whole time it is in storage.
If it’s been covered and then stored in a purpose-built storage unit, you should be able to bring the mattress out of storage and out of its cover, and sleep on it that same night!
5. Move (and Store) with Care
If you can, move and store the mattress flat to keep it in good shape and protect the springs. Never store anything on top of your mattress though, as this can disturb the fillings and cause permanent dents in its surface. The only exception to this is memory foam and latex mattresses, which can be stored on their side according to Mattress Online.
Parting Advice
There you have it: you are ready to store a mattress like the experts. Our parting advice is that you prepare for your removals team by making sure they have access. Most companies will need enough access for a van to load, and clear hallways to successfully move the mattress out of your house in the first place.
To learn more about our storage facilities, or our removals service, take a look at out our website or contact Nathan.
–
Written by Holly, for Falconer Removals.
