Is It Safe to Store Mattresses for Long Periods of Time?

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March 10th, 2026

How to Avoid Potential Damage During Storage

Long-term mattress storage is doable, and you can protect your mattress, but you need to take some initial steps to ensure it stays clean! Cleaning your mattress, transporting it safely, airing it out, and storing it properly will reduce the chance that mold and mildew will form. Following these tips will help ensure your mattress stays clean and mold-free during long-term storage.

Cleaning Your Mattress Before Storage

Mattresses are essentially large pieces of foam or large pillows. Cleaning a mattress before moving it into a climate-controlled unit is necessary. Before cleaning your mattress, remove any protectors or covers and wash those separately. Consider using proper detergents and stain removers to clean up any soiled or stained spots on the mattress. Because mold and mildew are common concerns with mattresses, let them dry for a full day before storing them away. Adding a mattress protector will help keep pests, dust, and debris off your mattress while moving it in and during storage. We recommend protecting your mattress with a standard mattress protector that will keep dirt away, but can still breathe. A plastic cover may trap moisture inside the mattress, causing bigger issues later on. A mattress protector can be replaced more easily than the mattress itself.

Transporting Your Mattress Into Long-Term Storage

Mattresses are most vulnerable during the actual moving process. Fabric can snag, rip, or get placed on the ground. Mattresses can even pick up dirt from hardwood floors and tile in our home. If possible, transport a mattress in a covered vehicle like a fan or moving truck. Protect the mattress by covering it with a mattress protector and ensuring it isn’t folded during transportation. Mattress slings can be wrapped around the base of a mattress, providing handles for carrying. The large, awkward shape of mattresses can make them difficult to hold, but with handles, it’s much easier.

Should You Keep Your Mattress Folded in Storage?

Mattress storage methods will depend on the type of mattress you have and how long you’re planning to store it. The most common mattresses are foam (or some variation of), spring, or hybrid. Regardless of mattress type, never keep a mattress folded while in storage. Over time, the mattress can become damaged, leading to sagging and poor sleep. When storing foam mattresses, it may be tempting to fold or roll them to maximize storage space, but in our experience, it’s not worth the potential damage. Keeping them flat reduces mattress damage. Foam mattresses are also very susceptible to extreme temperatures and can become brittle from exposure to very cold air. When storing spring mattresses, placing them upright is acceptable as long as they’re not weighed down by any extra items. Because spring mattresses typically have a stronger shape, they can be stored in different ways. Hybrid mattresses should be stored flat to avoid damage. They are not as rigid as full spring mattresses. One of the most important rules about long-term storage is making sure the mattresses don’t have anything stacked on top of them. Over time, boxes and other items, no matter the size, can damage the mattress.

Air Out Mattresses If Storing for a Long Time

Anytime you’re putting a mattress into storage, the mattress should be aired out. Air out the mattress in a room that is dry and warm for several hours. If you’ve just cleaned your mattress, it may take longer for any water residue to evaporate. If you’re putting your mattress in storage for a long time, it’s important to periodically air it out. Even in a climate-controlled storage facility, some moisture buildup can occur. Move the mattress in your storage space so air can flow freely around it. Remove any mattress protectors and allow several hours to pass before putting everything back. If a mattress is left in storage for a long time, sometimes years, moisture will slowly build up. Mold and mildew can grow inside the mattress, regardless of whether it has a mattress protector, the humidity levels of the storage facility, or the length of storage. Mold can completely ruin a mattress pretty quickly if you’re not airing it out a couple of times each year. Awesome Possum Storage has climate-controlled storage units in many sizes to accommodate our customers’ individual needs. Contact our storage facility today to learn more.

Why Climate-Controlled Storage Matters

When choosing a storage unit, look for one that is in a climate-controlled storage facility. This type of storage facility will control both the temperature and the humidity inside the building, making mattress storage much safer. A controlled climate will significantly reduce the chance that mold or mildew can grow on your items, including your mattress. The mattress will stay dry, and if you occasionally allow the mattress to air out, you shouldn't have any issues.

Choosing The Right Size Storage Space

Awesome Possum Storage has a wide range of storage unit sizes to choose from. Whether you’re moving and need temporary storage or are looking for long-term storage, we have options. Before deciding what size unit you’re interested in, think about the size of the items you will need to fit inside. Beds, dressers, Sofas, and other furniture take up a lot of room, so calculating your storage needs ahead of time makes the entire process smoother. Our website has a Size Guide for helping customers choose the correct size unit, including a Storage Calculator that lets you estimate the size unit you’ll need.

Awesome Possum Storage Amenities

Awesome Possum Storage has a wide variety of self-storage options with state-of-the-art amenities. With 24/7 video surveillance, we are always able to see what is happening at the storage facility. Our controlled gated entry ensures that only people with assigned rental codes access the building. The entire perimeter is fenced in to ensure no unwanted visitors can walk onto the property. Customers have 24-hour access to their units, so they can visit anytime, day or night. To learn more or rent a storage unit today, contact the Awesome Possum Storage office or stop by during standard business hours.