I’ve always thought there are two kinds of mattresses in the world. There are saggy, stained mattresses that are on their way to being replaced someday. These mattresses draw ire from their owners, who acknowledge they need a replacement, but for some reason are waiting it out. The other type of mattress is the dream mattress. No sag, no stains, just the right firmness—this mattress is the one you plan to keep for years to come. An owner of a dream mattress loves the bed they sleep on and wants to keep it pristine for as long as possible. They rotate the mattress as directed and may even protect it with a waterproof cover. If you’ve got one of those dream mattresses and you want it to remain in it’s dream-like state, it’s imperative that you store it properly. The key is to mimic it’s natural position by laying the mattress flat with no items resting on top. Wrap it securely in a plastic cover and secure the cover with rope or tape. While in storage, keep it at a reasonable temperature – humidity and mold are the greatest threats to the life of your mattress, so it’s important that you take the necessary precautions.
To find out more, we reached out to Mattrezzz Guys, a retailer that’s making a name for itself as an Austin favorite (check those Yelp reviews), and spoke to owners Frank and Anthony about how to properly store a mattress. This is the main reason this blog post exists. Not to point fingers, but other blog posts and websites often say to store the mattress on its side. Frank and Anthony strongly advise against it. “If you stand it up, the padding and coils can settle and the mattress will never be the same. Don’t forget, gravity’s not always our friend,” said Frank. If you intend on keeping this mattress in good shape, you’ll want to mimic its natural positioning—maybe even setting up your whole bed inside your storage space. Gravity can come into play if you leave something on top of your mattress (or you have your mattress resting on something). To avoid wear and tear, make sure nothing is weighing down your bed. The only thing that should be on the mattress and boxspring is a plastic cover.
This final layer of protection can prevent worst-case scenarios. Frank and Anthony recommend completely wrapping the mattress in plastic, be it a specially made mattress bag or stretch plastic wrap. Water damage or pests shouldn’t be a problem at most storage facilities, but the covering has a more important application as well. This prevents dust from settling into the fibers of your mattress, which can happen even in the cleanest indoor unit. You should apply the plastic wrap or mattress cover before moving to help protect it while it’s being transported. Make sure you cover the entire mattress and secure the cover with tape. While we’re on the topic of transportation, you should avoid tying your mattress down on top of your car. You’re either going to warp your mattress by tying it down too tight or ruin it having it fly off the top of your car and onto the road. You should transport your mattress protected from the elements in a covered moving truck. Note: It’s okay to transport the mattress on its side as long as you aren’t leaving it there long-term, according to Peter Cancelli of The Mattress Expert.
“If you’re storing for an extended length of time use climate-controlled storage,” Frank advised. He might have been speaking to local customers in this case, but this tip applies anywhere with a relative humidity that swings above 50 percent (hint: almost everywhere at some point in the year). Mold is a serious threat to the health of your mattress and potentially to your health, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Frank and Anthony’s final tip: If you stored your mattress for more than six months you should remove your plastic covering and let the mattress breathe for a few hours before you put your sheets on it. This should prevent any lingering odor from the plastic or the storage unit, which will help you continue to appreciate your dream mattress. Post updated by SpareFoot, 1/30/2017. 199 posts, read 274,603 times 672 posts, read 1,507,619 times Originally Posted by lived here forever You don't have to live with the crinkle and sweat build-up.
All of my mattresses are encased to stop dust mites. A lot of encasements for sale are built to keep bed bugs off mattresses, too. Mattress encasements from Overstock 36,119 posts, read 37,188,643 times And if bed bugs are under that plastic when it's delivered and you don't take it off then you have a nice warm breeding ground for them. Think about that while you're sleeping. 20,432 posts, read 29,580,940 times 273 posts, read 329,559 times 8,021 posts, read 16,383,437 times People may not recall what you said to them, but they will always remember how you made them feel . 2,747 posts, read 4,678,578 times 28,228 posts, read 27,250,882 times Originally Posted by FreshFresh I don't understand these questions. Why would you leave the plastic ON? It's only there to protect it during storage/shipping from getting dirty or damaged. Who are you trying to protect it for if YOU are the one who paid to use it? This is just boggling my mind to tell you the truth.
You have a freaking peice of dirty plastic on your mattress! 9,740 posts, read 7,892,618 times Originally Posted by Gerania Yes, and they leave the tags on their pillows too. Yes sireee that is a crime to remove those tags from pillows. I sincerely hope the OP removed the plastic ... what a sorry excuse for a delivery person. Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned. To help the City's fight against bedbugs and to avoid a $100 fine, seal any mattress or box spring in a plastic bag before putting it out with your regular garbage for bulk collection. You can get large plastic bags at department stores, home improvement stores, and moving supply centers. I accept the Terms and Conditions Heavy Duty (9") Zippered Vinyl Mattress Cover Item usually ships within 24 hours. Usage: Heavy duty vinyl prevents mildew, mold, bedbugs, and dust mitesLaundering: Not machine washable, wipes cleanPosition: Zippered covers surround entire mattressWarranty: 1 year warrantyOther: Fits mattresses 9” deep
Our Customers Say it Best! of respondents would recommend this to a friend. I would buy this again Details Specifications Reviews FAQs If you're looking for a heavy duty institutional quality cover, you've come to the right place. These vinyl covers are extremely durable and fit snugly on a standard depth (9") mattress or box spring. They are easily wiped clean with a damp cloth. The seams have been electronically welded to prevent moisture leaks, bed bugs, and dust mites. Zippered covers protect mattresses from spills, stains, bedwetting, and allergens. They retard the growth of mildew, mold, and fungi with Ultra-Fresh - an anti-bacterial treatment, and easily wipe clean with a damp cloth. Our standard sized covers fit mattresses and box springs up to 9" deep. These heavy-duty vinyl covers stand up to even the most rugged conditions! Warning: This product can expose you to chemicals including DEHP, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.