How to store a mattress without ruining it
Hi, we’re John and Mimi. Between moves, a downsized guest room or a kid heading off to college, a lot of mattresses spend a few weeks or months in a garage or storage unit. Most of the damage we hear about comes from three things: moisture, bending and weight piled on top. Here’s how to store one so it comes out the way it went in.
The short answer
- Clean it and let it dry completely. Never wrap or store a mattress that is even a little damp.
- Put a protector on, then a mattress bag over it, taped shut, to keep out dust, pests and spills.
- Store it flat on a clean, raised surface. Standing it on its long edge is fine for a move or a few days.
- Keep it cool and dry. A climate-controlled unit or a spare room beats a hot attic or a damp garage floor.
- Don’t fold it, and don’t pile things on it. Our care instructions say “do not fold or bend for extended periods.”
- Leave the law label on. It shows the date of manufacture, and removing it voids the warranty.
Before you store it: prep in five steps
- Strip the bed and wash the sheets, protector and any washable cover before you pack them.
- Vacuum the mattress, top, sides and seams, with a clean upholstery attachment.
- Spot clean any marks with as little water as possible, then let it dry fully with air and time. Our care instructions say not to let moisture saturate the mattress, and our mattress cleaning guide walks through it.
- Put a fitted protector on. It keeps the top clean inside the bag and is ready to use when the bed goes back together.
- Slide it into a plastic mattress bag sized for your mattress (moving and hardware stores sell them) and tape the open end. It’s easiest with the mattress standing on its long edge and one person pulling the bag down over it.
Flat, on its side, or rolled up?
| Position | OK for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Flat, on a clean raised surface | Weeks or months | Weight is spread evenly and nothing bends. This is the best way to store any mattress. |
| On its long edge | A move or a few days | Saves floor space short term. Keep it straight against a wall so it can’t slump or lean into a bend. |
| Folded or bent | Not recommended | Our care instructions say not to fold or bend a mattress for extended periods. |
| Rolled or vacuum-squeezed at home | Not recommended | Once a mattress in a box has expanded, our listings don’t cover compressing it again. Text John before you try. |
Laying it flat doesn’t mean on the bare floor. Put it on a clean platform, a sheet of plywood on a couple of pallets, or the bed frame itself, so air can move underneath and it stays clear of any water on the floor. Don’t stack boxes or furniture on top: weight left on foam for months can leave dents.
Where to store a mattress
| Spot | Good idea? | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Spare room or under a bed frame indoors | Best | Same temperature and humidity you live in. Keep it flat and clear of heavy items. |
| Climate-controlled storage unit | Very good | Lay it flat on top of sturdy, flat items or a pallet, not under them. |
| Regular storage unit or garage | OK with care | Heat, dust and dampness. Raise it off the concrete, keep it bagged and away from the water heater, car fumes and anything that leaks. |
| Attic or crawl space | Avoid | Big temperature swings, and usually a tight, bent path to get it in and out. |
| Outdoors, a patio or a truck bed | No | Sun, rain and dew get in even through a bag. |
In Southern California, a closed garage can get very hot in summer. That won’t melt foam, but heat and trapped humidity are what lead to odors and mildew, so a cooler, drier spot is always the better choice for anything longer than a few weeks.
Should you wrap a mattress in plastic for storage?
Yes, with one condition: it has to be completely dry first. A taped mattress bag keeps out dust, insects and the occasional leak, which is exactly what a garage or storage unit throws at it. The bag can’t let moisture out, though, so a damp mattress sealed in plastic is the worst case. Clean it, dry it fully, bag it, and store it somewhere dry. If you can, check on it every month or two and look for condensation inside the bag.
Skip garbage bags taped together or a tarp. They tear, gap and trap moisture in pockets. A real mattress bag costs a few dollars and fits properly.
Storing a mattress that’s still in its box
A new mattress in a box is compressed and rolled for shipping. That’s meant for the trip to your home, not for long-term storage, so we suggest unboxing it within a few days of delivery rather than keeping it rolled up in the garage. If you need to buy ahead, set it up in the room it will live in, cover it with a protector, and it can wait there flat. Our mattress-in-a-box guide covers how long it takes to recover its shape.
Memory foam vs hybrid in storage
- Memory foam is floppy, so it sags if it’s stored leaning or across a gap. Give it a flat, full-size surface under the whole mattress.
- Hybrid mattresses have pocketed coils, so they’re heavier and stiffer. Never bend one to fit through a door or into a corner, and plan on two people to move it.
- Two-sided mattresses, like our 12" iSwitch models, can be stored either side up. Note which side you were sleeping on before you bag it.
- Split king: it’s two Twin XL mattresses, so bag and store each one on its own.
Taking it out of storage
- Unbag it in the room where it will live and let it air out for a few hours with a window open.
- Check it over: any musty smell, dampness, stains or signs of pests mean it needs attention before anyone sleeps on it.
- Set it on a proper base. Our listings call for a solid surface, an adjustable base, or slats no more than 2" apart. See what to put under a memory foam mattress.
- Protector first, then sheets, and you’re back in business.
If it came out with a dip or damage, our sagging mattress guide helps you tell a base problem from a mattress problem, and the mattress warranty guide explains why a stained or soiled mattress isn’t covered. That’s the best reason to bag it well.
Moving it, not just storing it?
Getting it to the storage unit is half the job. Our how to move a mattress guide covers measuring the stairs, carrying it on its side and strapping it down in a truck.
Mattress protectors, at today’s prices
A protector keeps the top clean in storage and does the same job every night after. These are the three we sell; the Quilted Cotton and Terry Cloth fit mattresses up to 11" thick, and the Bamboo fits up to 16".
| Pick | Best for | Model code | Queen | King | Cal king |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quilted Cotton Protector | A plush, quilted cotton top on a 6" to 11" mattress | MATPROC2-Q |
$41.99 | $46.99 | $46.99 |
| Terry Cloth Protector | The low-cost pick for a 6" to 11" mattress | MATPROC1-Q |
$34 | $36 | $36 |
| Bamboo Protector | Thicker 12" to 16" mattresses | MATPROB1-Q |
$69 | $76 | $76 |
Prices are today’s prices, read live from our catalog, with free FedEx shipping included. A dash means that model isn’t made in that size.
More on picking one in do you need a mattress protector.
Shop this guide
Packing a mattress away? Put a protector on it first, and it’s ready to go when the bed comes back out.
- Fitted Quilted 100% Cotton Mattress Protector - Waterproof & Hypoallergenic, from $32.99. Waterproof, fits mattresses up to 11" thick.
- Premium Bamboo Viscose Mattress Protector - Waterproof & Hypoallergenic, from $60. Waterproof, fits mattresses up to 16" thick.
- Terry Cloth Mattress Protector - MATPROC1, from $31. The simple, low-cost option for up to 11".
Questions we hear a lot
Can you store a mattress on its side?
For a move or a few days, yes: stand it on its long edge, straight against a wall so it cannot slump. For weeks or months, lay it flat on a clean, raised surface so the weight is spread evenly. Our care instructions say not to fold or bend a mattress for extended periods.
Should you wrap a mattress in plastic for storage?
Yes, once it is completely dry. A taped plastic mattress bag keeps out dust, insects and leaks. It also keeps moisture in, so never bag a damp mattress, store it somewhere dry, and check now and then for condensation inside the bag.
Can you store a mattress in a garage?
You can if you take care. Keep it bagged, lay it flat on a pallet or platform off the concrete, and keep it away from the water heater, car fumes and anything that leaks. For longer than a few weeks, a cooler, drier spot such as a spare room or a climate-controlled unit is better.
Can you fold a mattress to store it?
We do not recommend it. Our care instructions say do not fold or bend a mattress for extended periods, and that applies to memory foam and hybrid mattresses alike. Once a mattress in a box has expanded, our listings do not cover rolling or vacuum-compressing it again at home.
How long can a mattress stay in storage?
There is no set limit. Conditions matter more than time: a clean, dry, bagged mattress stored flat in a cool place holds up far better over months than one leaning in a hot, damp garage for a few weeks. Air it out and check it over before you sleep on it again.
Questions about storing your mattress?
Not sure your mattress will handle a few months in the garage, or wondering if the one you stored is still good? Text John what you have and where it’s been. Text or call 818-924-3744, 6 AM to 9 PM Pacific, or take the 60-second mattress quiz if it’s time for a new one.
Written by John & Mimi Venti, MimiJohn. Care details are from our product listings; storage tips are general guidance. Prices are read live from our catalog and update automatically.