Mattresses are pretty large items, and if you have an extra one on hand, there's a good chance you don't have enough room in your home to store it. Putting the mattress in a storage unit is a good solution, but you need to go about this in the proper way to avoid damaging the mattress. Follow these tips for success!

Deodorize and vacuum it first.

Especially if you've used the mattress for a few years, it probably contains some skin cells, dust mites, and other yucky things that could impart odors while in storage. To prevent odors from developing in storage, sprinkle the mattress with baking soda. Let it sit for a few hours, and then vacuum it up. Use the wand attachment to your vacuum, and make sure you get into the corners and creases well.

Enclose the mattress in plastic.

Purchase a plastic sleeve, made specifically for mattresses, at your local home goods store. These typically come in a few different sizes -- twin, full, queen, etc. -- so they are form-fitting around your mattress. Make sure you purchase the correct size, as you don't want extra space inside the bag. Extra space means extra air, which may contain moisture that would cause the mattress to mold and develop odors.

Don't move on a wet day.

Even though your mattress is encased in plastic, you should avoid putting it into the storage unit during rain if at all possible. There may be some small holes in the plastic case through which rain could leak. 

Choose a climate-controlled unit.

Frequent changes in temperature and humidity could cause damage to the materials in your mattress. So, it's worthwhile to choose a climate-controlled storage unit where the temperature and humidity are kept constant. This will cost you a bit more, but it may mean the difference between your mattress being ruined or usable when you take it out of storage.

Store it flat.

Store the plastic-covered mattress flat on a pallet or even a bed frame. Do not stand it up on a side, as this will put too much pressure on one side of the mattress and may cause some of the springs to compress. 

Mattresses are not cheap, so it's worth your while to store yours properly. If you need more tips and advice, reach out to a storage facility, such as A Big A Self Storage, or even a mattress company in your local area.

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