Knowledge Guide · Logistics
How should a mattress be stored?
Reviewed & curated by Maria BanouHome Life AdvisorMattress guidance
Flat, breathable and climate-controlled — and never in a Florida garage.
Key points
- • Flat, never on edge for long periods
- • Breathable cover, not sealed plastic
- • Climate-controlled only
- • Six months is a safe maximum
Why flat matters
A mattress is engineered to bear weight across its full surface. Standing it on edge for months concentrates load along one side, and foam takes a permanent set while coil units can shift out of alignment.
The Florida garage problem
Garage temperatures swing enormously and humidity is uncontrolled. Foam degrades faster when hot, and damp foam grows mold. If climate-controlled storage is not available, the honest answer is usually to dispose of the mattress rather than store it.
Preparing for storage
Clean and dry first, because whatever is in the mattress stays in it.
- • Vacuum and fully dry the mattress
- • Fit a breathable cover, or vented plastic in a controlled unit
- • Lay it flat on a pallet or clean surface, off the concrete
- • Store nothing on top of it
Common questions
Read next
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Bag it, keep it flat, and decide honestly whether it is worth moving at all.
ReadHow does Florida humidity affect a mattress?
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ReadHow do I get rid of an old mattress?
Six options in order of preference, and one thing never to do.
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