---
title: "How to Store a Mattress: Flat, Dry and Supported"
description: "How to store a mattress flat, dry and supported: a step-by-step UK guide to covers, garages, lofts, storage units, toppers and long-term storage."
url: "https://bedguide.co.uk/care/how-to-store-a-mattress/"
category: "care"
primary_entity: "how to store a mattress"
date_published: 2026-08-03
date_modified: 2026-09-25
---

# How to Store a Mattress: Flat, Dry and Supported

> To store a mattress, keep it flat, dry and fully supported. Clean it and let it dry first. Use a breathable cover for long stays, not sealed plastic, unless the maker says otherwise. Keep it off the floor with nothing heavy on top. Avoid damp garages and sheds. Do not fold or roll it. Check it every few months.

Key facts:

- The safest storage position for almost every mattress: Flat — TEMPUR and Hypnos both say to store their mattresses flat.
- The mattress and the space must both be dry before you cover it: Dry — A cover cannot make a damp room safe. Trapped moisture can lead to mould.
- The better cover for long stays, unless the maker says otherwise: Breathable — Tightly sealed plastic can trap moisture. Some makers prefer the original packaging.
- Do not bend, fold or roll a sprung mattress: Never fold — The National Bed Federation says this can permanently damage the springs.
- Keep boxes and furniture off a stored mattress: Nothing on top — Steady weight can leave dents in the comfort layers.
- Check a stored mattress for damp, smells and pests: Every few months — Check more often in winter or in a space that can get damp.

Sources:

- [TEMPUR UK: cleaning and care](https://uk.tempur.com/caring-tempur.html) — Says TEMPUR mattresses must be stored flat, ideally in original packaging, while its toppers may be stored rolled or flat. These rules are model-specific. Checked 2026-09-25.
- [TEMPUR UK: quality guarantee and instructions](https://uk.tempur.com/quality-guarantee.html) — Links to current model instructions, including moving, transport and storage requirements. Checked 2026-09-25.
- [Hypnos — bed care guide and guarantee (PDF)](https://www.hypnosbeds.com/3616/9598/4718/Hypnos_Care_Guide_Leaflet_download_2023.pdf) — Maker care guide. Says never to fold or roll its mattresses and to keep them flat when transporting or storing them. Checked 2026-09-25.
- [National Bed Federation Bed Advice — caring for your bed](https://bedadvice.co.uk/bed-buyers-guide/caring-for-your-bed/) — UK bed trade body advice. Warns that bending or rolling a mattress can permanently damage the spring unit and invalidate guarantees. Checked 2026-09-25.
- [Simba — how to store a mattress](https://simbasleep.com/blogs/night-life/how-to-store-mattress-the-right-way) — Maker storage guide. Advises flat storage, breathable covers over sealed plastic, avoiding unheated garages and sheds, and airing before reuse. Checked 2026-09-25.

## How to store a mattress: step by step

Here is the short version. Each step is explained in more detail further down.

1. **Read the label.** Check the maker's rules for storing, moving and covering your model. Rules differ between brands and models.
2. **Clean it.** Strip the bedding. Brush or vacuum the surface gently, as the label allows. Treat marks the way the maker allows. See [how to clean a mattress by type](/care/cleaning-mattress-by-type).
3. **Dry it fully.** Leave it uncovered in a warm, airy room for several hours. Never cover a damp mattress.
4. **Cover it.** Use a breathable mattress storage bag or clean cotton sheets. For long stays, avoid tightly sealed plastic unless the maker says otherwise.
5. **Move it flat and straight.** Use two people. Do not fold, bend or roll it. Side handles are for positioning, not carrying.
6. **Lay it flat and supported.** Rest it on a flat, clean, dry surface that supports the whole mattress. Raise it off a bare or cold floor.
7. **Keep weight off it.** Do not put boxes or furniture on top. Do not use it as a shelf.
8. **Check it every few months.** Look and sniff for damp, mould spots and signs of pests.

In short: flat, dry, covered, supported and checked.

## Which mattresses can be stored flat or on their side?

Every common mattress type is safest stored flat. This table shows the details. Your own label is the final word.

| Mattress type | Store flat? | On its side for a short move? | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pocket sprung | Yes | Briefly, kept straight | Never fold or roll it. Bending can damage the springs. |
| Open coil | Yes | Briefly, kept straight | The springs are joined in one grid. Folding can bend them out of shape. |
| Memory foam | Yes | Briefly, kept straight | Do not bend or press it out of shape. |
| Latex | Yes | Briefly, well supported | It can be heavy. Use enough people so it does not sag in the middle. |
| Hybrid (springs plus foam) | Yes | Briefly, kept straight | Treat it like a spring mattress. Do not re-roll it. |
| Natural-filled (wool, cotton, horsehair) | Yes | Briefly, kept straight | Keep it very dry. Wool can attract clothes moths. |
| Rolled or vacuum-packed, still boxed | Follow the box | Follow the box | Check the unpack-by date. Do not leave it boxed too long. |

Some makers go further. The Hypnos care guide says to keep its mattresses flat even while they are being moved.

Learn more about each type: [pocket sprung](/mattresses/pocket-sprung), [open coil](/mattresses/open-coil-bonnell), [memory foam](/mattresses/memory-foam), [latex](/mattresses/latex-talalay-vs-dunlop), [hybrid](/mattresses/hybrid-construction) and [natural fillings](/mattresses/natural-fillings-wool-cotton-horsehair).

## Before you move it: plan the route

Start with the model name and care booklet. Look for separate rules on moving, storage and unopened deliveries.

Measure the storage space. Measure the route into it too, including stairs, tight turns and doorways. A UK King mattress is 150 × 200 cm. A Super King is 180 × 200 cm. See [UK bed sizes](/sizing/uk-standard-bed-sizes) and [bed footprint and access](/sizing/bed-footprint-and-access).

Do not bend a mattress to get it round a corner. If it will not fit, choose another space. Keep the label, order details and care instructions safe for the move back.

## Can you store a mattress on its side or standing up?

Not for long. A mattress is built to spread your weight across a flat surface. Stood on its edge for weeks, the fillings can slip down. The edges can lose their shape.

TEMPUR says its mattresses must be stored flat. Hypnos says the same about its mattresses. Do not treat upright storage as a safe way to save space.

Carrying a mattress on its edge for a few minutes is a different thing. Keep it straight while you carry it. If it must stand for a short time on moving day, support it evenly. Lay it flat as soon as you can.

## Should you cover a mattress for storage?

Yes. A cover keeps off dust, dirt and handling marks. The type of cover matters.

- **Breathable bag or cotton sheets:** the better choice for long stays. Air can move, so moisture can escape.
- **Tightly sealed plastic:** can trap moisture inside with the mattress. Damp is what mould needs to grow.
- **Original packaging:** some makers prefer it. TEMPUR, for example, says its original packaging is ideal.

A plastic mattress bag is handy on moving day to keep off rain and dirt. For long storage, follow the maker's cover advice.

A bag cannot make a damp room dry. Never put a wet cover on a mattress. Never seal moisture in.

## Can you store a mattress in a garage, loft or shed?

It depends on the space. Damp is the main danger.

**Garages and sheds** are usually a poor choice. They are often unheated. The air swings from warm to cold. Those swings cause condensation, which is water that forms on cold surfaces. Condensation can lead to damp and mould. Garages and sheds can also let in leaks, mice and insects.

**Lofts** can work, but only if they are dry, insulated and boarded. Boarded means there is a solid floor to lay the mattress on. Many lofts get very hot in summer and cold in winter. Check the hatch size first. If the mattress needs bending to fit, do not use the loft.

**A spare room** is usually the best choice. So is a clean, dry, indoor storage unit.

If a garage is your only option, lower the risk. Raise the mattress off the floor on a flat, clean platform. Use a breathable cover. Keep it away from outside walls and the door. Check it every month.

For more on damp air indoors, see [bedroom temperature and humidity](/environment/bedroom-temperature-humidity).

## How to store a mattress long term

Long term means several months or more. The longer the stay, the more each step matters.

- **Choose indoors.** Pick a dry space with a steady temperature.
- **Let it breathe.** A breathable cover matters more over time.
- **Keep it flat.** Support the whole mattress on a level surface.
- **Keep it clear.** Nothing heavy on top, and nothing leaning against it.
- **Check it.** Look every few months, and more often in winter.
- **Keep the labels.** Do not cut off the sewn-in labels. You may need them for the guarantee, or to give the mattress away later.

Think about age before a very long stay. An old or sagging mattress may not be worth storing. See [when to replace a mattress](/care/when-to-replace-a-mattress).

## Can you roll or fold a mattress for storage?

Only if the maker says so for your exact model. Many makers say never.

The National Bed Federation warns that bending or rolling a mattress can permanently damage the springs. It can also cancel the guarantee. The Hypnos care guide says never to fold or roll its mattresses, even for a short time.

A bed-in-a-box mattress was rolled by a machine in a factory. That does not mean you can roll it again at home. Once it has expanded, squashing it back down can crush the springs or foam. Vacuum bags pull the air out of a mattress, so they squash it too. Do not use one without clear maker instructions.

An unopened boxed mattress has its own rules. It often has an unpack-by date. See [rolled mattress expansion](/care/rolled-mattress-expansion) and [bed-in-a-box mattresses](/mattresses/bed-in-a-box-rolled-mattresses).

## Storing mattress toppers

Toppers follow different rules from mattresses. A topper is a removable comfort layer that sits on top of the mattress.

TEMPUR says its toppers may be stored rolled up or laid flat. It also says to let a cold topper warm to room temperature before unrolling it. This helps stop the foam tearing.

Other toppers have their own rules. Check the label. Then:

1. Wash any removable cover, if the label allows.
2. Make sure the topper and cover are fully dry.
3. Store it in a breathable bag.
4. Keep heavy items off it, so the filling does not stay flat.

See [mattress toppers](/bedding/mattress-toppers) and [mattress protectors and toppers explained](/care/mattress-protectors-and-toppers).

## Using a storage unit

A storage unit can work well. Choose one that is indoors, clean and dry. Ask whether the unit stays at a steady temperature.

- Measure the floor space. The mattress needs to lie flat, not lean against a wall.
- Put it on a flat, clean platform so it is off the floor.
- Plan the layout so nothing sits on top of it.
- Keep it away from the door, where rain or cold air can get in.
- Visit every few months to check it.

## Getting a stored mattress back into use

Take a few simple steps before you sleep on it again.

1. **Unwrap it** as soon as it arrives.
2. **Air it.** Lay it flat in a well-aired room for several hours.
3. **Let foam warm up.** Foam that has been cold can feel firm at first. TEMPUR says slightly squashed foam returns to shape after a short time.
4. **Check it.** Look at both sides for damp, musty smells, mould spots and signs of pests.
5. **Check the base.** Make sure the bed base suits the mattress. See [mattress and base compatibility](/care/mattress-base-compatibility).
6. **Protect it.** Put on a clean mattress protector.
7. **Restart rotation.** Go back to your usual schedule. See [how to turn or rotate a mattress](/care/turning-vs-rotating).

If it is damp or shows mould, do not cover it with fresh bedding. See [damp and mould under a mattress](/care/damp-and-mould-under-mattress). If it is damaged beyond use, see [mattress disposal and recycling in the UK](/care/mattress-recycling-uk).

## Related BedGuide entries

- [Mattress and base compatibility](/care/mattress-base-compatibility)
- [Damp beneath a mattress](/care/damp-and-mould-under-mattress)
- [Delivery access planning](/sizing/bed-footprint-and-access)
- [Mattress delivery and old mattress disposal](/care/mattress-delivery-and-disposal)
- [Rolled mattress expansion](/care/rolled-mattress-expansion)

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I store a mattress on its side or upright?

Not for long. Most makers say to store a mattress flat. Standing it on its edge for weeks can let fillings slip and edges lose shape. Carrying it on its edge for a short move is different.

### Can I store a mattress in a garage?

It is best avoided. Unheated garages and sheds swing between warm and cold. That causes condensation, which can lead to damp and mould. A dry spare room or indoor storage unit is safer.

### Should I use plastic or a breathable mattress storage bag?

For long storage, use a breathable bag unless the maker says otherwise. Tightly sealed plastic can trap moisture. Some makers prefer the original packaging. Either way, the mattress must be fully dry first.

### Can I vacuum-pack or roll a mattress for storage?

Only if the maker gives a safe method for your model. Rolling or folding can damage springs and foam. A mattress delivered rolled should not be squashed back down at home without clear instructions.

### How long can you store a mattress?

Months, if it stays flat, dry, clean and supported. The longer it is stored, the more a breathable cover and regular checks matter. Think about its age before storing an old mattress for a long time.

### Can I put things on top of a stored mattress?

No. Boxes and furniture press on the same spots for weeks. That can leave dents in the comfort layers that may not recover. Do not use a stored mattress as a shelf.

### Can you store a mattress in the loft?

Only if the loft is dry, insulated and boarded, and the mattress fits through the hatch without bending. Many lofts get very hot in summer and cold in winter, which is hard on a mattress.

### What should I do before using a stored mattress again?

Unwrap it and lay it flat in an airy room for several hours. Check both sides for damp, musty smells, mould spots and pests. Do not cover a damp or mouldy mattress with fresh bedding.

### How do I store a mattress topper?

Follow its label. Some foam toppers, such as TEMPUR's, may be stored rolled or flat. Wash any removable cover first and make sure it is fully dry. Keep heavy items off it.

---

Source: https://bedguide.co.uk/care/how-to-store-a-mattress/ · BedGuide — educational encyclopedia, no affiliate commission. Facts checked against official sources where possible; see https://bedguide.co.uk/editorial-policy. Report an error: https://bedguide.co.uk/corrections.