As winter approaches, you prepare your home by clearing out gutters and checking the furnace, but what about your furniture? You invested in a high-quality Murphy bed for its space-saving genius, but now it sits in a guest room that might get a little colder in the winter. A nagging worry starts to creep in. Could the cold and damp of the season damage the expensive lifting mechanism or warp the wood frame? You're unsure if you should be doing something special to protect it, fearing that neglect could lead to costly repairs.
Yes, some simple seasonal prep for your Murphy bed is a smart idea, especially if it's in a room with fluctuating temperatures. The most important steps involve a thorough cleaning to remove dust from the mechanism, checking for and preventing moisture buildup around the unit, and operating the bed a few times to keep the lifting mechanism lubricated and functioning smoothly. These small actions help ensure your bed remains safe, reliable, and in great condition through the winter and for years to come.
As someone who has worked with Murphy beds for years, I get this question a lot. From a manufacturer's perspective, the whole idea of "winterizing" a Murphy bed raises a bit of a red flag. These systems are engineered as indoor furniture for climate-controlled spaces. They are not designed for the damp, unheated conditions of a three-season cabin or a poorly insulated garage. The biggest technical issue is the gas pistons; in extreme cold, the gas can compress and lose pressure, making the bed dangerously heavy to operate. This isn't really a maintenance issue you can "prep" for; it's a sign that the bed is being used outside of its design specifications, which could even void the warranty. So, let's talk about the right way to care for your bed during winter in a normal home environment.
How Can Cold Weather Affect a Murphy Bed’s Hardware and Lift Mechanism?
You have a Murphy bed in a guest room or basement that isn't used much during the winter. You go to pull it down for a holiday visitor, and it feels unusually heavy and stiff. The smooth, weightless motion you’re used to is gone, replaced by a reluctant, jerky descent. You start to worry that something is broken inside. The fear of a mechanism failing or getting stuck is real, especially when you have guests expecting a comfortable bed for the night. This problem can make you lose confidence in your valuable furniture.
Cold weather primarily affects a Murphy bed by reducing the effectiveness of the gas piston lift mechanism. The gas inside the pistons compresses in the cold, providing less lifting assistance and making the bed feel heavier. Metal hardware can also contract slightly, and any lubricants on moving parts can thicken, leading to a stiff or noisy operation. While this is usually temporary and resolves as the room warms up, consistent exposure to cold is not ideal for the hardware's longevity.
In my experience at Yechen Home Furniture, this is the most common "seasonal" complaint we hear. A client called once, convinced his brand-new bed's pistons had failed because it was suddenly very heavy. After a few questions, I learned he had installed it in an unheated cottage he was closing for the winter. I had to explain that the pistons weren't broken; they were just too cold. A small space heater in the room for an hour was all it took to get the bed operating perfectly again. This really highlights that the "room" is part of the system.
Gas Piston Performance in the Cold
Modern Murphy beds rely on gas pistons, which are sealed cylinders containing pressurized nitrogen gas. The Ideal Gas Law in physics tells us that when gas gets cold, its pressure drops. This means a piston rated to perfectly counterbalance a 100-pound bed face at 70°F (21°C) will provide significantly less force at 40°F (4°C). The bed doesn't get heavier, but the piston's ability to help you lift it is reduced. This is the single biggest impact of cold on your bed.
Metal Components and Lubrication
While less dramatic, cold can cause metal parts like hinges, brackets, and pivot pins to contract. This can lead to tighter tolerances and more friction. The grease used to lubricate these points can also become more viscous (thicker) in the cold, which adds to the feeling of stiffness. Running the bed through a few open-and-close cycles helps redistribute this lubricant and keep things moving.
The Risk of Extreme Cold
It’s important to understand the difference between a cool room and a freezing one. Keeping a guest room at 60°F (15°C) is perfectly fine. But letting a room drop near or below freezing is asking for trouble. This is where you risk permanent damage, not just temporary stiffness. The warranty for almost every Murphy bed on the market, including ours, assumes a standard, stable indoor climate.
| Condition | Heated Indoor Room (≈70°F / 21°C) | Unheated Cabin/Garage (<45°F / 7°C) |
| Piston Feel | Light, balanced, and smooth | Winner. Heavy, sluggish, requires more effort |
| Hardware | Normal operation | Stiff, may be noisy |
| Safety Risk | Low, operates as designed | Higher risk of bed falling too fast or being too heavy to lift |
| Warranty | Covered | Potentially voided due to improper environment |
What Winter Cleaning Steps Help Prevent Frame Damage and Moisture Issues?
Winter arrives, and you seal up your home to keep the warmth in. But this also traps dust, allergens, and moisture. Your Murphy bed, closed most of the time, sits there unnoticed. You assume everything is fine, but hidden behind the cabinet face, dust is building up in the lifting mechanism, and the damp air is slowly being absorbed by the wood composite frame. You worry that this unseen neglect could lead to a warped frame, a creaky mechanism, or even mold growth, turning your beautiful furniture into a problem.
The best winter cleaning step is a deep vacuuming of the bed's interior and mechanism before the season starts. Use a brush attachment to remove all dust and debris from hinges, pistons, and crevices. Next, wipe down all wood and laminate surfaces with a soft, dry or slightly damp microfiber cloth. Finally, ensure the wall and floor around the cabinet are completely dry, as trapped moisture combined with winter stuffiness is the primary cause of damage.
I once visited a client's lake house to inspect a "warped" bed. The bed was in a room that was closed off and unheated during the winter. When we opened it, the problem was obvious: a musty smell and visible swelling on the bottom edge of the frame. The cause wasn't a defect; it was a full season of absorbing moisture from the damp winter air without any ventilation. A simple dehumidifier could have prevented thousands of dollars in damage. This taught me to always emphasize humidity control as a key part of maintenance.
A Deep Clean Before Winter
Dust is more than just unsightly; it's abrasive. When it gets into the moving parts of the lift system, it can accelerate wear and cause squeaking. Furthermore, dust holds moisture, which can lead to corrosion on metal parts over time. A thorough vacuuming is your first line of defense.
- Open the bed fully.
- Remove the mattress.
- Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to clean the entire bed frame, paying special attention to the areas around all hardware.
- Wipe down all surfaces to remove any remaining fine dust.
Protecting the Frame from Moisture
Most Murphy bed frames are made from materials like particleboard, MDF, or plywood with a laminate or veneer finish. These materials are stable in a normal environment, but they are vulnerable to swelling if exposed to persistent moisture. Winter can be a high-humidity season indoors, especially in basements or rooms that are kept cool. Checking that there are no leaks near the bed and that the room has some airflow is critical.
Controlling Room Humidity
The ideal environment for any wood furniture, including your Murphy bed, is a humidity level between 35% and 55%. In the winter, you can get extremes at both ends. Some heated homes become very dry, while unheated or poorly ventilated rooms become damp. You can monitor this with a simple, inexpensive device called a hygrometer. If your room is too damp, a small dehumidifier can make a huge difference.
| Cleaning Task | Why It's Important for Winter | Recommended Frequency |
| Vacuum Mechanism | Winner. Removes abrasive dust before the bed sits for a long time | Once before winter, once after |
| Wipe Down Frame | Removes moisture-holding dust from surfaces | Monthly, or as needed |
| Check for Leaks | Prevents catastrophic water damage from winter storms | Before the first major storm |
| Air Out the Room | Prevents stale, damp air from causing mustiness | Weekly, if possible |
Should Murphy Bed Mattresses Be Stored or Treated Differently During Winter?
Your Murphy bed is in the guest room, and with no visitors planned until spring, the bed will stay closed for months. It’s a great way to have the room back, but you have a slight concern about the mattress. Will keeping it stored vertically for so long cause it to slump or get damaged? You also worry about it getting musty or developing a flat spot from being compressed in one position all winter. An uncomfortable or smelly mattress would defeat the whole purpose of having a guest bed.
A Murphy bed mattress doesn't need special treatment for winter, but it does need to be kept dry and aired out periodically. If the bed will be closed for several months, it's best to lower it once a month for a few hours to allow air to circulate around the mattress and prevent mustiness. Ensure the mattress is completely dry before closing it up for an extended period. Using a breathable, waterproof mattress protector is also a wise investment to guard against any potential ambient moisture.
This is a practical tip I share with all my clients, including experienced renovators like John. He was installing a Murphy bed in a client's basement home office. He asked me if he should take the mattress out and store it flat for the winter. I told him that was unnecessary and created extra work. The bed is designed to store the mattress vertically. The key isn't storing it flat; it's preventing stale air. I suggested he tell his client to simply open the bed on the first Saturday of each month while they have their morning coffee. It’s a simple habit that keeps the mattress fresh.
The Importance of Airflow
Mattresses are porous and can absorb moisture and odors from the air. When a Murphy bed is closed, the mattress is in a dark, enclosed space with very little airflow. Over a long winter, this can create a stale or musty smell. By simply lowering the bed every 3-4 weeks, you allow the mattress to breathe, releasing any trapped moisture and keeping it fresh for your next guest.
Rotate and Flip (If Possible)
Just like with a regular bed, rotating your Murphy bed mattress can help ensure it wears evenly. Before you close up the bed for a longer period, rotate the mattress 180 degrees (head to foot). If your mattress is double-sided, flipping it over is also a good idea. This prevents any single area from being constantly compressed by the mattress straps or its own weight while in the vertical position.
Use a High-Quality Mattress Protector
A mattress protector is essential for any bed, but it’s particularly valuable for a Murphy bed that may sit unused. A breathable, waterproof protector does two things. First, it protects the mattress from spills if the space is used for other activities. Second, it creates a barrier against ambient humidity, helping to keep the core of your mattress dry and free from mold or mildew.
| Mattress Care Action | Good (Better than nothing) | Better (Recommended practice) | Best (For long-term care) |
| Storage Position | Stored vertically for months | Aired out monthly by opening the bed | Winner. Aired out, rotated, and flipped before storage |
| Moisture Protection | None | A breathable mattress cover | A waterproof and breathable protector |
| Freshness | Hope for the best | Using moisture-absorbing silica packs | Using a room dehumidifier |
Which Winterizing Accessories Help Extend the Lifespan of a Murphy Bed?
You want to do everything you can to protect your Murphy bed, especially through the harsh winter months. You start searching online for "Murphy bed winterizing kits" or special accessories to help. You find all sorts of products and get confused. Do you need special lubricants? Dehumidifying pods? Heated blankets for the mechanism? You're worried about either spending money on useless gimmicks or, worse, missing out on a simple product that could prevent serious damage down the road.
The best "winterizing accessories" for a Murphy bed are not winter-specific products but basic environmental monitoring tools. The most helpful accessories are an inexpensive digital hygrometer to monitor the room's humidity, a small dehumidifier if humidity is consistently above 60%, and high-quality silica gel packs to place inside the cabinet in damp environments. These items address the root cause of seasonal issues—moisture—rather than offering a cosmetic fix. Avoid specialized "lubricants" as most mechanisms are self-lubricating.
Frankly, from an industry standpoint, we don't develop "winter accessories." Our focus is on educating customers that the bed needs a stable indoor environment. A call about a "frozen" mechanism isn't a call for a special lubricant; it's a sign the bed is in the wrong place, like an uninsulated garage. I tell my clients that the best accessory they can buy for their Murphy bed is a $15 hygrometer. It gives you the data you need to know if your room is a healthy environment for the bed. It turns guesswork into facts.
The Most Important Tool: A Hygrometer
You cannot see humidity, so you have to measure it. A digital hygrometer is a small device that displays the room's temperature and relative humidity. Place one in the room with your Murphy bed. This allows you to see if the environment is staying within the safe zone for wood and metal furniture (ideally 35-55% humidity). It is the single most effective tool for preventing long-term damage.
For Damp Spaces: Dehumidifiers and Desiccants
If your hygrometer shows that the room is consistently damp (above 60% humidity), you need to take action. The best solution is an electric dehumidifier. For a milder issue or for inside the cabinet itself, you can use renewable silica gel desiccant packs. These canisters absorb moisture from the air and can be "recharged" by plugging them into an outlet to dry them out.
What Not to Buy
Avoid the temptation to buy sprays or greases to lubricate the piston mechanism. The gas pistons[^1] are sealed units and cannot be serviced. Adding external lubricants will not help them and will only attract dust and dirt, which can make things worse. The pivot points[^2] on the frame are lubricated at the factory with a specific type of grease designed to last for years.
| Accessory | Purpose | Is It Necessary? |
| Digital Hygrometer | Winner. Measures room humidity accurately | Essential. The most important tool for prevention |
| Dehumidifier | Actively removes moisture from the air | Recommended for basements or damp climates. |
| Silica Gel Packs | Passively absorbs moisture in enclosed spaces | Good for inside the cabinet if humidity is a concern. |
| Special Lubricants | Intended to make the mechanism smoother | Avoid. Piston mechanisms are sealed and maintenance-free. |
Conclusion
In the end, preparing your Murphy bed for winter isn't about special kits or complicated procedures. It's about simple, common-sense care focused on two things: cleanliness and climate. By ensuring your bed is clean and operating in a stable, indoor environment—not a freezing, damp cabin—you are doing almost everything right. A thorough vacuuming, a quick wipe-down, and periodic airing of the mattress are all it takes. The best way to protect your investment is to remember that a Murphy bed is a piece of indoor furniture and to provide it with the same climate-controlled conditions you'd want for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How cold is *too* cold for a Murphy bed?
While a cool room (around 60°F / 15°C) is perfectly fine, allowing the room to drop to near-freezing temperatures (below 40°F / 4°C) is considered too cold. Extreme cold can make the lift mechanism dangerously heavy and potentially void your warranty.
2. My bed feels extremely heavy to lift in the winter. Are the pistons broken?
Probably not. This is the most common effect of cold weather. The gas inside the pistons compresses, providing less lift. The solution is usually to warm the room to a normal temperature (around 70°F / 21°C), which will restore the piston's performance.
3. Can I spray a lubricant like WD-40 on the mechanism if it feels stiff?
No, you should never do this. Gas pistons are sealed, self-contained units that cannot be serviced. Spraying lubricants will not help and will only attract dust and grime, which can cause more wear and tear on the moving parts over time.
4. If I'm not using the bed all winter, how often should I open it?
It's a good practice to open the bed once a month for a few hours. This allows air to circulate around the mattress, preventing it from getting musty and ensuring the mechanism's parts move periodically.
5. What is a hygrometer, and why do I really need one?
A hygrometer is an inexpensive device that measures the humidity level in a room. It's the single most important tool for preventing long-term damage, as it tells you if your room is too damp—the primary cause of warping and mold in wood furniture.
6. My Murphy bed is in my basement, which can be damp. What extra steps should I take?
For a basement installation, using a hygrometer is essential. If you find the humidity is consistently above 60%, running a dehumidifier in the room is the most effective way to protect your bed's frame from swelling and moisture damage.
7. Is it better to just take the mattress out and store it flat for the winter?
This is not necessary and creates extra work. The bed is designed to store the mattress vertically. Simply following the advice to air it out monthly is enough to keep it fresh and in good condition.
8. Will a waterproof mattress protector trap moisture and make my mattress musty?
Not if you choose the right one. Look for a protector that is described as "breathable." These materials are designed to block liquids from getting in but still allow water vapor and air to pass through, preventing moisture from getting trapped.
9. What's the most important cleaning task before closing the bed for a season?
A thorough vacuuming of the internal mechanism. Use a soft brush attachment to remove all dust, hair, and debris from the pistons and pivot points. Dust holds moisture and can be abrasive, so removing it is your best first step.
10. Will keeping my guest room unheated in the winter automatically void the warranty?
It could. Warranties cover manufacturing defects under normal use, and a standard, climate-controlled indoor environment is considered normal use. Exposing the bed to freezing temperatures and high humidity would likely be considered improper conditions and could void the warranty.
Relate
[^1]: Understanding gas pistons is crucial for maintaining your equipment effectively and avoiding common pitfalls →
[^2]: Learn the best practices for maintaining pivot points to ensure longevity and optimal performance of your machinery →