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Whether a memory foam mattress or a spring mattress, a mattress can be a very valuable and expensive investment. If you’re moving or you just need a place to store your mattress, then you should try to store it in a garage. But before you just stick the mattress at the back of your garage and forget about it, there are some precautions that you should take. Why? If the right conditions aren’t present, then your mattress could become damaged over time. A damaged mattress is an expensive replacement expense. Here’s how to safely store your mattress in a garage so that it won’t get ruined.
Clean your mattress before storing it
The first thing you should do is clean the mattress thoroughly so that any bugs or dust that may be on it are removed. The cleaning process will depend on whether you have box springs or not. If you have box springs then you should dust them off with a vacuum cleaner before putting them into storage. Once they are all clean then put them into plastic bags, these will keep them from getting dirty again when they come out of storage later on. Make sure that it is completely dry before moving it inside the garage.
Locate the right storage area
Garages tend to be pretty cramped and full of stuff. There’s usually not much room for anything else in the garage, which can make it hard to find a good spot to place a mattress while you’re storing it. If possible, choose an open space where the mattress has plenty of room around it to ventilate.
Make sure the place you stored your mattress in is free from dirt and pests such as mice and rats. Put down some pallets or plywood before putting your bed on top of it. Make sure that there are no sharp objects on each corner of the plywood to avoid damaging your bed when you stack some boxes on top of it.
Choose the right mattress cover
As well as being difficult to move, mattresses are also susceptible to damage from dust, dirt, dust mites and other unwanted pests when they are not being used. This makes storing mattresses in an attic or garage a poor option for long term storage. A plastic mattress topper provides an excellent solution for protecting your mattress during long term storage. The mattress cover should be tear-resistant and made from durable plastic that keeps out moisture and prevents dirt from accumulating on the surface of your mattress.
Place it in a large plastic container
The best way to store a foam mattress is in large plastic containers that are designed as storage units. You can purchase these packing supplies at most home improvement stores, but they’re not cheap. They’re also bulky and heavy so if you don’t have a lot of space in your garage then this may not be an option for you. Nevertheless, if money isn’t an issue then this could work out well because these containers tend to be a good mattress protector.
Place the mattress on top of something/keep it on the floor
Do not place the mattress directly on top of concrete as this will cause it to absorb moisture from the concrete, which can cause damage to the structure of the mattress over time. Instead, put something down on top of the concrete-like plywood or plastic sheeting if you must place a mattress on top of concrete.
Add a dehumidifier to your storage space
If your garage is a bit damp, then you should consider adding a dehumidifier to help protect your mattress. Mattresses can absorb moisture like a sponge, which can lead to mould and mildew growth. And we all know how unsafe mould and mildew can be for your health, especially when mattresses are involved.
If you add a dehumidifier to your mattress storage space, it will keep the humidity down to a minimum and you won’t need to worry about mould or mildew growth on your mattress. Dehumidifiers work by extracting the water from the air and collecting it in a reservoir, which must be emptied regularly. This process also helps to reduce dust mites and other allergens as well as any odours.
Put the mattress on its side
When stacked in a pile memory foam mattresses can easily fall over, so it’s best to keep them as stable as possible. If you have more than one mattress, this won’t be an issue, but if you only have one mattress and no box spring, you need to make sure that it doesn’t bow or get damaged while you are storing it.
To make sure that your mattress stays upright and doesn’t bow too much, use two sets of straps to keep it steady. Then wrap it in a plastic mattress protector before storing it in your garage.
Place pieces of cardboard between the coils and frame of spring mattress
Place several pieces of cardboard between the coils and frame of a spring mattress before wrapping it in plastic. This will prevent bending or denting of the coils during storage.
You may also want to consider covering each piece of bedding with a cotton sheet before wrapping it in plastic. This will prevent moisture from building up between the plastic and your mattress or box spring.
Place rodent repellent
Rodents and insects can find their way into the garage through cracks and small holes, especially if the garage is not air-conditioned. Your mattress will become infested by these critters and will be rendered unusable. To prevent this from happening, place rodent repellent near the mattress.
The smell of the repellent will deter mice and other rodents from approaching or damaging your mattress. If you do not have access to rodent repellent, simply place mothballs around your mattress. The smell of mothballs is overpowering to most animals and it deters a lot of them from coming near it.
Store your mattress carefully
A garage is a good place to store a mattress. You don’t want to leave it out in the rain or weather. Always remember to keep them separate from any type of engine that may produce a lot of exhaust fumes that could potentially cause damage to the mattress. And remember to place them in a very dry area as well.
