Storing a mattress? How to do it with care

Moving in stages, renovating a bedroom or making room when a guest bed is temporarily in the way: sometimes you need to store a mattress. But where can you put such a bulky item without getting it dirty or affecting its shape?

A little preparation makes the job easier. Here is what to consider before moving your mattress into storage.

Start with the manufacturer’s instructions

Mattresses cannot all be transported and stored in the same way. Their construction and materials determine whether you can bend them, roll them or stand them upright.

Check the care instructions for your particular model first. A mattress arriving rolled up does not automatically mean you can roll it up again at home. TEMPUR, for example, specifies that its mattresses must be stored flat and must not be compressed again. Read TEMPUR’s care guidance.

Only pack a completely dry mattress

Remove the bedding in good time and check the mattress for moisture and stains. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and allow plenty of time for it to dry afterwards.

Do this before moving day. Putting a mattress that is still damp straight into a cover is a poor start to a longer storage period.

Choose a cover that fits

A well-fitting mattress cover helps protect your mattress from dirt while you carry and transport it. Choose a sturdy cover that slips over it without having to pull hard.

Apply tape to the packaging only. Keep adhesive tape away from the mattress fabric and get enough help to lift it without dragging it along the ground.

Allow enough room in your storage unit

Does the manufacturer say your mattress must lie flat? Take that into account when choosing your storage space. Measure its length and width beforehand: lying flat, a mattress takes up more floor space than you might expect.

Provide clean, level support and do not use the mattress as a shelf for heavy moving boxes. Avoid wedging it between other items to squeeze in a little more.

Keep your first-night essentials separate

Storing your bed frame and bedding as well? Put the screws in a labelled bag and keep them with the bed. Set aside sheets and everything you will need for your first night in your new home.

That way, you will not have to search your whole storage unit after a long moving day.

Need temporary space for your bedroom furniture? List what you want to store and use the Cobalt Box storage calculator as a starting point to estimate your space requirements.

More tips for moving and storing furniture

Storing other furniture alongside your mattress? Read our furniture storage guide. Our moving checklist will help you prepare the rest of your move step by step.