How to Move a Mattress: Protect Your Mattress During Transport and Storage

I'll never forget the day I mastered the art of moving a mattress. During the summer before my second year of college, my mom splurged and bought me the bed of my dreams. This investment she insisted upon giving me was a gift. At first, I thought it was a totally absurd concept. More than ten years after we split up, I still frequently find myself fantasizing about that bed. (No exaggeration; my pals would hang out at my place just to sleep on this mattress. )

It didn't take long before the mattress became an inviolable part of my moving kit, be it for a short hop across town or a cross-country relocation. Who would have thought that relocating a mattress would be so important? Whoever has valued a good night's sleep (and by extension, their health) and believes a good mattress is worth investing in but doesn't have the funds for a brand new bed is the target audience.  

In all honesty, it probably isn't worth the hassle to move every single mattress you'll ever own, but if you do happen to find a mattress that's a keeper, here are our best tips on moving and storing a mattress — all while keeping it in stellar, sleep-worthy condition.

In-depth instructions on how to relocate a bed

Here are eight tried-and-true methods for efficiently and safely transporting your mattress.  

One, take mattress dimensions.
Get out your measuring tape One must know not only the standard size (twin, double, full, queen, king) of a mattress, but also its precise measurements when relocating one. Everything from the size of the mattress bag to the most efficient route, mode of transport, and storage solution depends on this.  

Second, amass your materials.
A mattress dolly, mattress bags, moving tape, scissors, straps, or ropes are all necessary for transporting a mattress. Below is a comprehensive list of what you'll need. )

Third, make sure there's adequate room to get things done.  
Allow yourself enough time to pack your mattress and move it. Expert advice: leave your mattress out until the very end of your packing process so you have somewhere to sleep the night before your move.  

Stage 4: Recruit an ally (or allies).  
Beds are cumbersome, ungainly, and have a tendency to sag and sag and Don't try to lift and transport that mattress on your own. The mattress is so heavy that even professional movers need help carrying it. Instead, see if you can get some help from a close friend, family member, or neighbor. If you need more heavy lifting done, consider using a service like TaskRabbit or Handy, or hiring hourly professional movers.

As a fifth step, you should put your mattress inside a sturdy mattress bag.  
This is a great way to safeguard your mattress before, during, and after a relocation or storage. It is important to know the depth of your mattress when purchasing a mattress bag for moving, as these bags are sold in standard mattress sizes. A pair of them is typically sold together, so you can use one on each side of your bed.

Step 6: Make room to transport the mattress  
Take down any hanging pictures or lamps that could fall on top of a shaky mattress.  

7. Turn the bed on its side to make it more manageable.  
Typically, this entails turning the mattress on its side, making it longer than it is tall. It's not easy to relocate a flat mattress, especially considering the fact that you'll probably have to squeeze it through narrow doorways.  

Eighth, stuff any remaining space with the mattress.
One of a mattress's greatest strengths is its shape, making it ideal for cramped quarters. Your mattress can be slid into the container if you turn it on its side and leave a small gap between the mattress and the container wall. This will ensure that you have quick and easy access to your belongings once you arrive at your new residence, and the sooner you unpack, the sooner you can nap.

Bear in mind that you should only do this if you intend to unload quickly. The mattress will become warped if you allow it to sit horizontally for more than a month. Place your mattress flat on top of a solid surface if you need to store it for an extended period of time. Doing so will prevent it from becoming misshapen over time.

9th Step: Pile the bed and fasten it down.
There may be specific transport instructions for your mattress; check with the manufacturer if possible. In general, the following are some suggestions for where to stand while moving:

• If you have a standard innerspring or encased coil mattress, place it on its side lengthwise or flat on a flat surface (the same way you would sleep) with nothing on top.  
• Put the memory foam or hybrid mattress flat on a flat surface with nothing on top of it.
• There should be nothing on top of the box springs themselves (other than the mattress), whether they are laid flat or propped up on their sides.

Mattresses of any kind require being stored flat. (For storage advice, see below.)    

Tips for safely transporting and stowing a mattress

Transportation for relocation: tractors-trailers, shipping containers, and cargo vans
The mattress should be loaded on its side along the length of the vehicle and propped up against a wall. Use rope or ratchet straps to secure the mattress in place The built-in tie-down handles found in PODS containers, the majority of moving trucks, and cargo vans make this a breeze. The exposed side can be used to pack in heavy items like furniture or boxes. Please don't put anything on top of the mattress.

Mattresses that aren't too bulky might fit in the cargo area of a large SUV or passenger van if the seats are removed. In order to determine if yours will fit, you'll need to take out the seats and measure the available cargo space against the dimensions of your mattress. Most mattresses can be transported by securing them to the top of a car; however, this is the most dangerous method and I do not advise it. Avoid doing this unless you want to risk damaging your mattress, your car, or worse, an accident.  

Flat-roofed cars or SUVs with roof racks are ideal if this is your only choice. The mattress should be placed on the roof and tied down to the roof racks. If you want to securely attach the mattress to the car roof, you should do this in as many places as possible.