Whether you’re in-between homes, decorating your space or going on an extended trip, you might need to store your bed and its frame for some time. If this is the case, it’s important to do this well so that your bed and frame comes out of storage in as good condition as when it went in. You should be able to sleep on it the same night it comes out of storage, no matter the duration.
To store your bed and bed frame,
- Strip, wash and pack bed linens.
- Clean and protect mattress.
- Dismantle the frame.
- Wrap bed and frame in protective materials.
- Use a purpose-built storage unit.
1. Strip, Wash and Pack Bed Linens
To begin, you should strip, wash and pack the bed sheets, pillows and protectors on your bed as close to moving house as possible. If you plan to store them too, put them in a box lined with a clean bag or, better yet, vacuum pack them to save space and keep them free from dust and moisture.
2. Clean Mattress
Mattresses should last between 7 and 10 years so, if you plan to store yours, it should still have life in it when it comes out of storage. To make sure that this is the case, give your mattress a good clean and, once it is dried, cover it in a polythene or heavy-duty cover.
Alternatively, you can purchase a mattress bag which is designed to keep your mattress clean and mould-free, long-term.
To clean your mattress, you can use a vacuum to remove initial dirt and grime, baking soda to de-odorize, and a gentle detergent or washing up soap mixed with lukewarm water to clean. For stubborn stains, you can use washing up liquid in water and gently sponge (dab) the stain but you you might need to use a professional stain remover.
Remember to never store anything on top of your mattress as this can misshape and damage it.
3. Dismantle the Frame
For space reasons, it is not a good idea to try to move or store your bed frame as it is. Instead, remove the headboard and break down the frame into smaller parts. This step will depend on the type of bed — if you have a divan, which comes in two halves, you can dismantle this with ease. However, if your bed is a four post, has slats and bolts, or is an electric bed, this might take much longer.*
If you choose to dismantle the bed yourself, create a system and stick to it. We recommend that you use a numbering system as you remove each screw, and then place corresponding numbers next to each hole on the bed frame. Once finish, make sure to keep the small parts safe and clearly labelled. We’d recommend that you put them in a small plastic box and keep them attached to the bed.
*At Falconer Removals we will determine on the initial consultation if it is best for us to dismantle your bed, which we’ll keep safe and reassemble on the other side.
4. Wrap Bed and Frame in Protective Materials
Protect the bed and frame parts, including the box spring, sides, head and footboard, with thick layers of packing paper and bubble wrap — and a mover’s blanket for good measure. This will ensure your bed and frame don’t sustain any damage when in transit or storage.
Keep in mind that wooden furniture shouldn’t be kept in plastic wrap long-term as this can shrink and damage the look of the wood.
5. Use a Purpose-Built Storage Unit
Make the most of a purpose-built storage unit. These units have been designed to store your items in safe, climate-controlled conditions, to ensure that they remain in excellent condition. Containerised storage, in particular, allows you to “slot” your bed and its frame straight into a robust and purpose-made space, which is sealed up until you need access again.
Other factors to consider when picking storage facilities include cost, trustworthiness, security systems and insurance.
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To learn more about our purpose-built storage facilities or removals services, contact Nathan. At Falconers we use meticulous moving techniques, passed down and perfected through generations for over 132 years, to ensure your goods are moved with expert precision and kept in perfect condition.
For more expert advice on how to pack, move and store your belongings — or other important information on how removals work — check out our blog page.
