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

When I finally mastered the art of moving a mattress, it was one of the proudest moments of my life. My mom got me the bed of my dreams when I was a sophomore in college. An investment, as she put it, was the gift she insisted on giving. I laughed at the concept at first. Even though we haven't lived together in over a decade, I still find myself fantasizing about that bed on a regular basis. (I'm not joking, my pals would come over just to sleep on this bed. )

In no time at all, the mattress had become an inseparable part of my belongings for every relocation, be it across town or across the country. The idea that relocating a mattress would be a high priority is, well, absurd. Whoever has valued a good night's sleep (and thus their health) and believes a good mattress is worth investing in (but perhaps lacks the funds for a brand new bed)  

While it probably isn't worth your time to move each and every mattress you own, we've compiled some of our best advice for doing so if you ever find yourself with a bed you really love.

Instructions for relocating a bed in a systematic fashion

Here are eight tried-and-true methods for transporting a mattress without incident.  

One, take mattress dimensions.
Get out the measuring tape. It's important to know not only the standard size (twin, double, full, queen, king) of a mattress, but also its exact dimensions when moving it. All other decisions, such as the best route, moving method, and storage space, will revolve around this one factor.  

The second stage entails amassing all necessary materials.
A mattress dolly, a moving truck, some straps or ropes, some scissors, and a mattress bag are all necessities. (Below you'll find an extensive list of what you'll need. )

Step 3: Ensure there is adequate room to work  
In order to get your mattress ready for transport, you'll need some space. 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.  

The fourth step is to get a helping hand (or hands).  
The mattress is cumbersome, ungainly, and has a penchant for flopping. It's not a good idea to try to figure out how to relocate your mattress on your own. It takes more than one person to move a mattress, even for professionals. You should ask someone you know for assistance instead. Moving services are available on an hourly basis, or you can hire a freelance labor service like TaskRabbit or Handy to assist you if you need specialists for more heavy lifting.

The fifth step is to use a sturdy mattress bag to enclose your bed.  
The mattress will be better protected during the move and while in storage if you do this. You can find mattress bags for moving in the standard mattress sizes, but you should measure the depth of your mattress to make sure it will fit in the bag. One of the two can be used on your box springs, as they typically come in pairs.

Sixth, make room to maneuver the bed.  
As you make your way to the mattress, take down any lamps, pictures, or other brittle items that could fall on the floor if the bed gave way.  

In order to make the mattress more portable, step seven entails turning it on its side.  
Typically, this is done by turning the mattress on its side so that its length is greater than its width. Because of the need to navigate doorways, it's highly unlikely that a mattress in its flat position will be able to be relocated.  

Move on to Step 8: Stuff the space with a mattress.
One of the many benefits of a mattress is its shape, making it ideal for cramped quarters. Just tilt your mattress on its side and slide it into the container, making sure to leave only a narrow gap between the mattress and the container's 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 it is left horizontal for a month or so. Your mattress should be stored flat on top of a solid surface if you need to leave it for an extended period of time. Preventing it from permanently distorting thanks to this measure

Load and fasten the mattress ninth.
Positioning can vary depending on the type of mattress, so it's best to check with the manufacturer ahead of time. General guidelines for moving positions are provided below, organized by category:

• Position the mattress on its side (longer way) or flat (same way you sleep) on top of a flat surface, with nothing on top of the mattress.  
• Place the memory foam or hybrid mattress flat, on top of a flat surface, with nothing on top of it.
• Mattresses and box springs should be placed on the floor, either flat or on their sides.

Note that any mattress you plan on storing must be flat (For storage suggestions, see below.)    

Guidelines for safely transporting and securing a mattress (in a variety of contexts)

Transport vehicles such as moving vans, storage containers, and cargo trucks
Load the mattress lengthwise, using an interior wall as support. Make sure the mattress stays put by using straps or rope. The built-in tie-down handles found in PODS containers, the majority of moving trucks, and cargo vans make this a breeze. Extra weight from furniture or boxes can be distributed along the uncovered side. Do not 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. You can check if your mattress will fit by taking out the rear seats and measuring the resulting cargo space. Of course, you can always strap your mattress to the roof of your car, but that's the most dangerous option, so I wouldn't go that route. Problems with securing the mattress in the car are common and can lead to costly repairs or even an accident.  

You should get a car or SUV with a flat roof and roof racks if this is your only choice. Tie the mattress down to the roof racks and set it up there. Try to do this in as many spots as you can to ensure the mattress stays firmly fastened to the car's roof.