The secret to a mattress that comes out fresh is getting it completely dry before it goes in, then letting it breathe. Bag it to keep the dust off without sealing the bag, keep it off the floor with nothing on top, and lay it flat if your unit has room.
Before it goes in
Vacuum the mattress, let any cleaned patches dry fully, and air it for a day if you can, checking the underside too. Any moisture that goes into a unit with a mattress stays there with it, so this is the step that matters most, especially after a wet moving day.
Then slip it into a mattress bag for the move. Our Box Shop sells a single mattress cover and a double, king and super king cover, and they keep off dust, marks and scuffs on the journey.
In the unit
- Let it breathe. Don’t seal the bag airtight. For a long stay, leave the open end open, or swap the bag for a cotton sheet or other breathable cover, so any moisture can escape.
- Keep it off the floor. A pallet, boards or battens underneath let the air move and stop it drawing moisture from a concrete floor.
- Put nothing on top. Steady weight leaves dents that may not come out, so give the mattress its own space, and don’t stack mattresses on each other.
- Don’t fold it, unless it was made to be folded.
Flat or on its edge?
Flat is kindest to a mattress, and mattress makers recommend it, especially for pocket sprung and natural-filled mattresses, whose fillings can shift if they stand on their side for weeks. Standing a mattress on its long edge saves a lot of floor space, and foam and latex mattresses cope with it well. Your mattress’s care guide will tell you what its maker advises.
Laid flat, a standard double covers about 28 square feet of floor and a king about 32, so if it needs to lie flat, tell us when you’re choosing a size and we’ll help you find the right unit.
While it’s stored
Our units are standard storage, so a dry start and good airflow do the real work. Have a quick look at the mattress when you visit, and lift the bag to let it air. If you ever notice a musty smell, take it out and dry it before it goes back.
Ready to book? Get a price online or call us on 0800 2545585, and pick up a mattress cover from the Box Shop before moving day.
Related questions
- Do I have to put everything in boxes in a storage unit?
- Do storage units get cold in winter or hot in summer?
- Who is responsible if mould appears in my storage unit?
Further reading
- The Lullaby Trust: Safer sleep advice on cot mattresses