How To Move A Mattress? Complete Step-by-Step Guide Update 12/2024

You’ve fantasized about a new mattress for months. You’ll have to carry it down the stairs and out the door now that it’s moving day. There’s a part of you that wonders if getting a California King mattress was a good idea, but you know in your heart that it was.

Depending on the mattress, it can take as little as 15 minutes or up to an hour. We want you to have the first and not the second best experience possible. Get your work boots on, call a few friends for a favor and pay them for pizza. In order to make relocation as simple as possible, we’ve created an eight-step guide.

What to Know Before Moving a Mattress

Whenever possible, enlist the assistance of a friend to transfer your mattress. From 45 pounds (twin) to 90 and 100 pounds (King size memory foam mattresses, California king mattresses, and some specialist mattresses), a mattress can vary in weight depending on the type.
5 Easy Steps to Move a Mattress

Moving a mattress alone can result in physical injuries, strained muscles, and even nasty falls, therefore you need a partner to help you lift and move the mattress.

Decide on how you’ll transport the mattress as well. While tying a mattress to the roof of a car may seem like a quick and easy hack, the mattress will be damaged because of the pollutants and other elements it will be exposed to.

Moving the mattress on a truck or moving van is the easiest way to keep it safe. Full structural coverage is ensured, and the mattress can be secured for transit.

Equipment Needed for Moving a Mattress

Purchasing a few extra items can make your relocation go more smoothly and assure the safe delivery of your mattress. If you don’t have the money to buy it, you can rent it from a moving company or buy it online.

Mattress Bag – Until you can securely unload your mattresses in your new home, a mattress bag will protect them from damage, dust, filth, and potential pests. Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Uhaul, and Amazon all sell mattress bags for $10-$25.

If you’re moving from one place to another, a dolly or hand truck can make the job of getting your mattress from one room to the next a lot easier. Local hardware stores and moving truck rental firms have a wide variety of dolly options for sale or rental.

Using a ratchet strap, which is a two-piece tie-down strap, you may secure a mattress in a truck bed or moving van without worrying about it rolling around.

Alternatively, you can use nylon rope to secure your mattress. Hardware stores carry them.

Boxes – A large, flat piece of cardboard helps stabilize a mattress that is more flexible, making it easier to travel.

Make sure you seal your bag using shipping or packing tape that is sturdy and long-lasting. A mattress bag can be damaged by moisture if it isn’t properly sealed with shipping, masking, or duct tape. These adhesives are normally waterproof and strong enough to keep the mattress bag sealed and prevent moisture from entering the bag.

Having a retractable knife is a must for any move. When cutting open the mattress bag, use a sharp, well-maintained blade and be careful not to injure the mattress itself. Knives can be found at any neighborhood hardware shop. Remember to observe all safety guidelines when using a knife!

If the mattress is attached to a bed frame, tools like wrenches, screwdrivers, and Allen Wrenches can be used to disassemble the bed frame and repair it afterwards.

Disassembling or transporting the bed will be much easier if all the components, crews, and nuts and bolts are stored in sandwich bags.

How to Move Your Mattress

If you follow these guidelines, moving a mattress can be a simple and straightforward operation.

Step 1: Put your mattress into the mattress bag.

To get a good night’s sleep, place the mattress on the floor or against a wall. Lift one end of the mattress bag while your partner slides it over the mattress.

Fold the flaps inward and use tape to secure the open ends of the bag once the air has been sucked out. Once the bag is secured, search for any small holes or rips and seal them as well.

Step  2: Clear a path.

The steps and walkways should be clear of obstructions before you arrive at the car.

If you’re using a dolly or a hand truck, make sure all the doors are propped open and wide enough to accommodate the mattress.

Step 3: Prepare your transporting vehicle.

Open the doors of the vehicle and clear the interior. Before putting the mattress in the car, remove or lower the seats if necessary.

Step 4: Lift the mattress.

Lift the mattress together by grabbing the bottom corners with one person on each side of the mattress. Avoid using your back when lifting. Instead, tighten your abs and use your legs to lift the weight.

Step 5: Place the mattress on a hand truck or dolly.

Place the mattress on the dolly in an upright position with the top side facing up. If your mattress is saggy, you may want to reinforce it on both sides using cardboard.

Before removing the mattress from the dolly and bringing it down the stairwell, make sure you come to a complete halt at the very top of the stairwell. Do not attempt to move a mattress downstairs using a dolly.

With no dolly or hand truck available, line the way to your vehicle with cardboard and then move the mattress across.

Step 6: Load the mattress into your vehicle.

With a truck or van, just pull the mattress off of the dolly and place it in its cargo area.

A mattress bag is doubly vital if you must travel your mattress on the roof of a car or SUV, as the fabric is exposed. When putting the mattress on the roof or luggage rack, be very careful and double-check for tears. For those who don’t have access to a moving truck or van, these instructions are for you.
How to Move a Mattress in 7 Steps | MYMOVE

Step 7: Secure the mattress.

Use the following methods to attach your mattress, depending on the type of vehicle you’re traveling in:

  • If feasible, place the mattress flat in the cargo area of the moving truck or van. The mattress should not be placed on top of anything else, and the other way around. If you need to raise your mattress, place it on its side against a wall for support. Use nylon rope or ratcheting straps to secure it against the support rails. Connect two ratchet straps to form a longer one if one is too short.
  • It’s a pick-up: Position the mattress in the truck bed so that it is flat. Wrap the nylon ropes or straps around the mattress, secure one end to the D-rings, then ratchet or tie the remaining slack. Leaving the tailgate open may be necessary if your mattress is too big for the truck bed. For added security, tie rope around the mattress in a “X” shape at the back end of the mattress.
  • The mattress bag should be laid flat on top of the baggage rack in a car or SUV (with a luggage rack). Wrap the nylon rope or ratchet straps horizontally over the mattress’s front, middle, and back. Use a strong knot, such as a “trucker’s hitch” or another common moving knot, to secure the mattress to the rack.
  • The mattress should be laid flat on the car roof and checked for tears or rips if your vehicle does not have a luggage rack. You can use nylon ropes or ratchet straps to secure the mattress by wrapping them around the mattress in front, middle, and rear (and corners if possible). Secure the mattress to the car by running the ropes through the door jams of the front and rear passengers, and up to the roof again.

Step 8: Drive slowly and carefully.

You may find it difficult to drive when you have a huge load on top or behind your vehicle. Maintain a steady speed to prevent the mattress from shifting when you’re braking, turning, or accelerating.

Keep an eye out for any signs of movement, especially if your mattress is fastened to your ceiling. When feasible, use back routes and keep an eye out for signs of change.

Can Folding or Bending a Mattress Damage It?

An uncomfortable night’s sleep or even the ruination of your spring mattress can be the result of folding or bending the framework of your mattress. When it comes to Casper’s mattress-in-a-box, polyurethane memory foam, like the sort used in the mattress, is flexible enough to return to its original shape even after being folded or rolled, making it ideal for those who want to sleep on the go.

After a few hours, latex returns to its former shape after being folded in half.

Will My Warranty Protect My Mattress?

Most mattress manufacturers offer 10-year limited warranties on their products. If you buy a Casper mattress, for example, you’ll get a 10-year limited manufacturer’s guarantee covering manufacturing problems.

When a mattress is purchased, the guarantee does not cover physical defects such as cuts, stains, rips, or liquid damage to the mattress cover or structure. This is why you should use a mattress bag to safeguard your mattress and map out your route ahead of time.

How to Store a Mattress After Moving It

Using a climate-controlled storage unit is recommended if you plan to keep your mattress for an extended period of time. As a result of humidity and temperature fluctuations, germs and mildew might grow. Keep a dehumidifier close to the mattress if you have to store things in an attic or basement.

Lay the mattress flat in the mattress bag, mimicking the position it would take on a bed frame. It’s best not to put anything on your mattress because it could cause harm to the fabric. The mattress can be placed on a platform, pallet, table or similar object to save on storage space. However, it is not recommended.

As difficult as relocating to a new home is on its own, moving a mattress doesn’t help. Your mattress was most likely an expensive purchase, so throwing it in the dumpster isn’t an option. Your mattress, on the other hand, cannot be quickly replaced like your bedding. Protect your investment and ensure that it reaches its final destination in one piece by taking the effort to ensure its safe delivery.

Should You Move Your Mattress At All?

Is it really necessary for you to transfer the mattress by yourself, or is there a more efficient way to go about it? Ten years is the average lifespan of a mattress. The cost of a new mattress may be worth it if you find that your mattress is sinking, has indentations, tears, or you’re just not getting a good night’s sleep. The cost will be higher; but, the inconvenience is significantly reduced, and you may need a new mattress anyhow. Because the store is eliminated out of the equation, bed-in-a-box mattresses purchased online are more economical.

Because they can be delivered right to your door (in a cardboard box, hence the moniker), are less expensive than mattresses you see in retail locations, and come with lengthy trial periods, online beds are becoming increasingly popular in the mattress market. If you don’t want to deal with the inconvenience of shipping your mattress, this is the way to go.

What do you do with your old mattress if you decide not to carry it with you? If you’re not sure what to do with your old mattress, we’ve put together a series of guides to help you figure it out.

General Mattress Moving Tips

Here are some of the most effective ways to move a mattress on your own.

Helpful Equipment To Move A Mattress

A mattress might be difficult to move, but there are a few things you can do to make the procedure a little easier. Equipment like this can be helpful:

  • Straps or rope might be used in this context.
  • Tape.
  • Scissors.
  • It’s all wrapped in bubbles.
  • Cover or sack for a mattress.
  • A dummy or a wheeled cart.
  • Blankets for packing and moving.

1. Put a cover on it

Even if you’ve covered your mattress with sheets, you still want to keep it clean. You don’t want your mattress to get discolored or damaged throughout the relocation procedure.

To make moving easier, we’ve compiled a list of things that can cause damage to your mattress’s top and sides throughout the process. Begin by removing your bedding, including the mattress topper. Then, cover your mattress in plastic or a mattress bag. Using this method, you can transport your mattress without worrying about damage.

The following steps will walk you through the process of wrapping a mattress for the first time:

  1. Remove all of the sheets, toppers, and pads on your mattress.
  2. If you’re using a mattress bag, place the long side of the mattress against the wall. Slide the sack over the mattress (beginning at the top) (starting at the top). Pull the mattress onto the ground and carefully tape the gap shut.
  3. If you’re using plastic wrapping, bubble wrap, or moving blankets, position your mattress in a way that makes it easy for you to wrap it (standing straight up) (standing straight up). Ensure that there is no space between the material and your mattress by wrapping it securely.
  4. For added coverage, wrap the entire bundle with tape once you’re done to protect the bag or material from falling off.

2. Fold up your mattress

If you’re moving a large mattress like a queen, king, or California king, folding your mattress will make it easier for one person to move. When it comes to moving a king-size mattress, folding is one of the finest advice we can provide you. Folding it will make it less frail by reducing its height and width.

If you want to fold a mattress, you’ll need one that is 8-11 inches thick and made of all-foam. We don’t advocate trying to fold a thicker or coil-filled mattress. Any damage you do will nullify your mattress’ guarantee.

Here’s how to do it, in case you’re wondering.

  1. Bend it horizontally, not vertically.
  2. You should sleep with the inside of the mattress facing in order to avoid soiled sheets.
  3. Check to see that the mattress foundation’s top and bottom are in contact.
  4. When it’s folded, use straps or ratchet tie-downs to keep it from opening.

3. Reinforce floppy mattresses with cardboard

A slab of cardboard might be used to reinforce your mattress if folding it is not an option. Ties or straps will maintain your mattress in place as you travel, so you won’t have a sagging bed.

Moving a Mattress? How To Move & Store Your Mattress Without Ruining It

4. Lift from the knees

Lifting anything heavy, including your mattress, should never be done on your back. This will help keep your back healthy and prevent injury. Don’t raise by bending forward; this will ensure that you’ve done it correctly. Instead, kneel down, pick up the mattress, and then straighten your legs to lift the mattress as close to your body as possible. Lifting or holding a big object should never require you to twist or turn your body, and you should never raise anything heavier than your shoulders.

From the National Library of Medicine, here are some short recommendations on how to raise from the knees:

  • A wide base of support can be achieved by spreading your feet out shoulder-width apart.
  • The closer you get to the object you are lifting, the easier it will be for you to raise it.
  • Do not use your back or bend at the waist when you take a kneeling position.
  • As you lift, contract your abs and core muscles to help stabilize your body.
  • Slowly lift the thing with your hip and knee muscles.
  • As you raise the thing, avoid bending forward.
  • As you carry the thing, try to keep it as close to your body as feasible
  • Lift or carry the object without twisting your back.
  • Squat down as you place the thing on the ground, maintaining your back straight and engaging the muscles in your knees and hips.

5. Take your mattress to your vehicle

You can transport your mattress to your vehicle after it has been folded, reinforced, and covered. Having another individual assist you will make this process go more smoothly. If you’re unable to enlist the assistance of another person, consider purchasing a dolly. Dolly rentals are available at moving firms like UHaul and at home improvement retailers like Lowe’s. Set out a trail and gently slide your mattress into your car.

To transfer your mattress, you may also need to rent a larger car. Renting a large truck from a moving company or home improvement store is a common option.

FAQs

Is it legal to tie your mattress to the top of your car?

It is permissible in the United States to strap a mattress to the roof of your automobile if you do it securely. For your own safety and the safety of other people, it is imperative that the mattress be properly secured to the vehicle. In the event that your mattress falls off the roof of your vehicle, you could be fined for not tying it down properly.

How can we move box springs or foundations?

We suggest wrapping them in plastic wrap and then in bubble wrap before putting them away. On a dolly, then, load the box springs into your car like you would a mattress.

Can we move a queen size bed in a van?

If you can fold a queen-sized mattress, you may be able to squeeze it inside a vehicle. Make sure to check with the mattress manufacturer to see if it’s safe to fold your mattress. A mattress warranty can be voided if you fold it.

Conclusion

Moving a mattress on your own is a lot of effort, but it can be done. You may be able to transfer your mattress on your own if you plan ahead and gather the necessary supplies.

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