I'm planning to put my old mattress in storage for a few months (maybe longer). It's been used for a couple years and has some sweat stains and dust. Should I clean it first, or is that a waste of time? I'm worried about mold or smells developing while it's boxed up. Any advice for heavy sleepers? I sweat a lot at night, so I want to make sure I don't ruin it.
mattress care
Should you clean a mattress before putting it into storage?
Definitely clean it. Otherwise you're just storing a petri dish of bacteria and sweat. Especially if you're a heavy sweater. I'd vacuum it really well and maybe use some baking soda to absorb odors. Let it air out completely before storing.
I stored a mattress without cleaning once. Big mistake. It smelled like a gym locker when I took it out. Had to throw it away. So yeah, clean it.
As a fellow heavy sleeper, I feel your pain. I'd suggest using a mattress protector next time, but for now, spot clean the stains with a mild detergent and water, then vacuum. Make sure it's bone dry before storage. Maybe put some silica gel packets in the storage bag to absorb moisture.
Wait, people clean mattresses? I thought you just flip them and pretend the stains aren't there.
Lol CaptainFuzzySocks, that's gross. But honestly, I've been there.
If it's going into storage, I'd also recommend using a breathable storage bag rather than plastic, to avoid condensation. And don't store it in a damp basement or garage. Climate-controlled storage is best if you can afford it.
Good point about breathable bags. I used a plastic mattress bag once and it trapped moisture, ended up with mildew spots. Had to scrub them off with vinegar. Not fun.
Vinegar is a lifesaver for mildew. Also, sunlight is a natural disinfectant if you can air it outside for a few hours. But don't leave it too long or the fabric miGht fade.
Thanks for the tips, everyone. i'll definitely vacuum and use baking soda, and I'll look for a breathable bag. I hadn't thought about silica packets, so I'll grab some. Hopefully it survives storage.