Quality sleep is imperative to your health and happiness. You are certainly more likely to sleep well if you invest in a good bed frame, bed springs, and mattress. These don’t come cheap, so it’s important to take care when moving and storing them because they can last you years and years if properly maintained. Here are some tips on how to keep your bed in good condition while moving and storing:
Before and After Storage Care
Always be sure to thoroughly clean your mattress before storing. You can first use a vacuum to pick up any crumbs and then upholstery cleaner on the stains. It’s a good idea to do a quick cleaning of the entire mattress, even if there are no visible stains. Any leftover body oils can spread and cause odor while in storage.
Next, clean the bed frame with a soap and water solution if needed. If you need to use a cleanser, make sure you find one made specifically for the type of material your bed frame is made out of. Wooden bed frames especially are prone to damage by using the wrong (or too strong of a) cleanser.
Wash with a cleaning brush or rag and let it soak for a few minutes, then wipe it down again with just water. Allow it to dry completely in an open area because any leftover moisture can cause residue and mold.
If you need to disassemble the bed frame, make sure to keep all screws, nuts, and bolts together in a plastic bag for safe keeping.
After storage, you can freshen up the mattress by sprinkling baking soda to absorb odor and then remove it with a vacuum.
How to Avoid Damage
- Don’t store anything on top
- Avoid basement or damp locations
- Keep away from sharp objects and pets
Avoid the basement or any storage location with a damp environment or high humidity. Too much moisture can easily seep into the mattress and damage it. Also, don’t store it near any sharp objects or in the reach of pets. Keep other items (especially heavy items) off of the mattress while in storage.
Long Term Storage
- Store mattress in a flat position
- Use a mattress cover
Mattresses can be moved and stored on their sides temporarily, but leaving it like that too long can cause the coils to shift inside. Keep it lying flat if it will be in storage for more than a week or so.
Cover everything with a blanket to protect from dust. Or, if you are storing your mattress long term, you may want to invest in a mattress cover. These are made of light, breathable plastic and will offer better protection from the elements and potential pests. You can get a quality one for around $20 at home goods stores. You may still have the original plastic cover if you recently purchased your mattress. This will be sufficient, as long as put tape over any holes or tears that developed.