There is nothing like kicking off your shoes and crawling into bed after a long day. Your mattress serves as more than just a piece of furniture for your bedroom. It acts as your place of respite and provides you with a good night’s sleep. Mattresses are an important part of our lives, and they are quite an investment. That’s why it’s important to take proper care of your mattress. With the right care and maintenance, a good mattress can last 10-15 years. Part of caring for your mattress is storing it properly. Whether you are moving to a new home, redesigning your space, or packing up your college student’s old bedroom, there are plenty of reasons why you might place your mattress in storage. Here are some helpful tips on how to properly store a mattress until it is ready to be used again.

Clean Your Mattress

We wash our sheets on a regular basis but when is the last time you sanitized your mattress? Chances are it's been a while and storing a dirty mattress can cause dirt, sweat, dust mites, and dead skin to accumulate. Not only will this give your mattress a musty unpleasant odor, but it can be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Here are a few steps for properly cleaning your mattress prior to storage.

• Vacuum the entire mattress to remove any surface dirt or dust.
• Lightly sprinkle the mattress with baking soda and let it sit for an hour. The baking soda will absorb any stains and eliminate odor. If you have a foam-free mattress, follow cleaning instructions on the label.
• After an hour, vacuum the baking soda.
• Let the mattress air out for a few hours before moving on to the next step.

Wrap the Mattress

Before placing your mattress in a moving truck, you want to be sure it is properly wrapped and covered. There are various types of mattress protectors available including vinyl covers and mattress bags, but you can also wrap it in plastic. Just be sure the plastic is tightly secured with packing tape to create a good seal. It is very important to make sure the mattress is wrapped to keep it dry and prevent mold.

Keep it Covered During Transport

It may seem like a good idea to toss the mattress into the bed of a truck or even tie it to the top of your car, but it is ideal to transport a mattress in a covered truck. This ensures that the mattress does not get wet or dirty while in transport.

Lay it Flat

Many people make the mistake of propping a mattress on its side to maximize space in a storage unit, but you should never store a mattress on its side for an extended period of time because the coils will settle in the wrong place and destroy the cushion. For this reason, it is very important to lay your mattress flat when storing it.

Do Not Place Objects on Top

Mattresses take up a lot of space and it can be tempting to place boxes on top of them but resist the temptation. You never want to place objects on top of your mattress as this will cause permanent impressions that are impossible to repair.

Choose a Climate Controlled Storage Space

Mattresses do not mix well with moisture and temperature changes. These conditions can wreak havoc on a mattress causing irreparable damage. For this reason, basements, attics, garages, and outdoor sheds are a bad choice for storing your mattress. Instead choose a climate controlled space to store your mattress. This can either be inside your home or you can rent a climate controlled storage unit for extended storage. A climate controlled storage unit will prevent your mattress from being damaged by moisture, humidity, and extreme temperature fluctuations that can all cause mold and mildew.

Air it Out

While it is perfectly acceptable to store your mattress for extended periods of time, you do need to give it a breather before using it again. Remove the plastic covering and let your mattress air out for a few hours before placing sheets on it. If it still has a musty odor from storage, simply sprinkle baking soda on top and repeat the cleaning process prior to use.