Storing a spring mattress on its side
October 17, 2016 4:18 AM Subscribe
How bad is it, really, to store a queen-sized spring mattress on its side for 2-2.5 months? Is this sure to ruin the mattress or is it likely to actually be okay? Would rotating it every couple of weeks help?
My partner and I have just come across an opportunity to purchase a used-but-like-new queen-sized memory foam mattress for a ridiculously low price, as the former owner is moving out of town imminently and needs to get rid of it this morning. We'll be looking for an apartment together around the end of December, at which point we'll want to take the memory foam mattress with us, but until then, I'm living abroad and my partner is living in a university apartment. He's already committed to buying this memory foam mattress in the morning, and we've read that a memory foam mattress absolutely cannot be stored on its side, so he's planning to put it on his bed today instead of his current spring mattress. So now the question is, what is the best thing to do with the spring mattress? The spring mattress belongs to the university, so we need to do what we can not to ruin it. His bed does not have a box spring, by the way; I believe it is a simple wooden platform bed. His room is not large enough to keep either the spring mattress or the new mattress on the floor, and the bed is also not high enough to store either mattress underneath it. So it would seem that storing the spring mattress on its side against one of the walls might be our best (or only) option, but I've read numerous websites advising that storing a mattress on its side is not recommended for long-term storage, as springs and fillings can shift irreparably due to gravity. But does 2-2.5 months count as "long-term"? For what it's worth, my partner has said he thinks the spring mattress is relatively firm. If storing it on its side is really a guaranteed terrible idea - do you have any other creative suggestions for storing it safely in a small-ish apartment, or at least minimizing the damage? (Some people seem to suggest stacking the new mattress on top of the old, but I'd be worried the bed would be too squishy and wobbly that way - my partner already has a bad back to boot - plus the combined weight might be too much for the bed frame...? The new mattress weighs ~100 lbs.)
My partner and I have just come across an opportunity to purchase a used-but-like-new queen-sized memory foam mattress for a ridiculously low price, as the former owner is moving out of town imminently and needs to get rid of it this morning. We'll be looking for an apartment together around the end of December, at which point we'll want to take the memory foam mattress with us, but until then, I'm living abroad and my partner is living in a university apartment. He's already committed to buying this memory foam mattress in the morning, and we've read that a memory foam mattress absolutely cannot be stored on its side, so he's planning to put it on his bed today instead of his current spring mattress. So now the question is, what is the best thing to do with the spring mattress? The spring mattress belongs to the university, so we need to do what we can not to ruin it. His bed does not have a box spring, by the way; I believe it is a simple wooden platform bed. His room is not large enough to keep either the spring mattress or the new mattress on the floor, and the bed is also not high enough to store either mattress underneath it. So it would seem that storing the spring mattress on its side against one of the walls might be our best (or only) option, but I've read numerous websites advising that storing a mattress on its side is not recommended for long-term storage, as springs and fillings can shift irreparably due to gravity. But does 2-2.5 months count as "long-term"? For what it's worth, my partner has said he thinks the spring mattress is relatively firm. If storing it on its side is really a guaranteed terrible idea - do you have any other creative suggestions for storing it safely in a small-ish apartment, or at least minimizing the damage? (Some people seem to suggest stacking the new mattress on top of the old, but I'd be worried the bed would be too squishy and wobbly that way - my partner already has a bad back to boot - plus the combined weight might be too much for the bed frame...? The new mattress weighs ~100 lbs.)
They get stored on side for extended periods after manufacturing. They couldn't really be handled any other way until in use. It'll be fine.
posted by fixedgear at 5:31 AM on October 17, 2016
posted by fixedgear at 5:31 AM on October 17, 2016
Is the spring mattress also a queen? If it is he could just put the new one on top of it and have an extra-wonderful bed.
posted by mareli at 6:55 AM on October 17, 2016
posted by mareli at 6:55 AM on October 17, 2016
Best answer: I had mine in storage for 2.5 years. It was fine and yours will be even better after only 2.5 months.
posted by kitten magic at 1:01 PM on October 17, 2016
posted by kitten magic at 1:01 PM on October 17, 2016
Response by poster: Thanks all! So glad to hear that this should be fine :)
posted by st elmo's fire at 1:42 PM on October 17, 2016
posted by st elmo's fire at 1:42 PM on October 17, 2016
I have had a summer cabin for over 25 years. The last mattress I bought was almost 20 years ago. Since we only sleep on it for two months out of the year it's as if it's only been in use for about 3 years. Every year when I close up the cabin I stand the mattress on its end against the wall and cover it in plastic because I was told that it would help to discourage mice and chipmunks if they get in to the building from making a nest in it. In any case the mattress is just as sturdy as it ever was. So I wouldn't even worry about putting it on end for 2 or more months.
posted by philv599 at 6:58 AM on October 18, 2016
posted by philv599 at 6:58 AM on October 18, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
A spring mattress is basically a thin layer of felt, foam, and fabric sewn around a big framework made of thin metal wires - this video shows you what it looks like, if you're curious.
And they put these things on their side in storage at the warehouses and stores all the time.
The big thing to avoid (which is opposite of purely foam mattresses) is rolling or bending it. Keep it as flat as possible in whatever direction it's standing or lain. So don't put it against a wall at a 45 degree angle and then let a heavy object lean against it. Stand it up as straight as possible. A little bit of lean wouldn't really matter; I just think putting it in storage at a severe angle would increase the risk that something would be placed on it.
(and no, don't lay it on the bed and try to sleep on top of two mattresses)
posted by randomkeystrike at 5:27 AM on October 17, 2016 [4 favorites]