Tutorial on Changing Beds

The first thing to think about when planning how to move a mattress is gathering the equipment you'll need.  

You should use a protective mattress bag that is the right size for each mattress you will be moving. You can use a roll of stretch wrap for added security, or reinforce the bag with packing tape. Depending on how far your loading area is from your house, a dolly or hand truck may be necessary. Once you've got the mattresses loaded, you might need a few different sets of ratchet or tie-down straps to keep them from shifting around in transit. Furniture sliders and scissors should also be included in your moving supplies.

How to move a mattress depends on whether or not the mattress needs to be moved. In most cases, a mattress that is older than 8 years is no longer comfortable to sleep on. Donating or discarding your old mattress and having a new one delivered directly to your new home may be the easiest way to move a mattress if you have the budget for it. It's important to remember that there could be fees and regulations associated with getting rid of an old mattress in your area. Take that into account.

• Take everything off the bed Bed linens should be packed in a labeled box and unpacked first when you get to your new home.
• Walk the route you plan to use to remove the mattress from your home with your helper. Move any furniture out of the way, roll up any power cords, and make mental notes of any obstacles, such as a high threshold or a curb, that you'll need to overcome in order to move the mattress.
• Put the bed in the mattress bag and tape it up. Wrap the edges in and secure with tape. Then, make a crisscross pattern with the tape across the top, middle, and bottom of the mattress. This should ensure that the plastic covering your mattress stays in place during transport.  
• Wrap your box spring the same way if you have one.
• You and your partner should each grab opposite ends of the mattress and flip it onto its side.  
• After clearing a path, you can move the mattress out of the way and up the wall. Lift it just high enough so that it won't touch the ground, and proceed with care. The person in front should have their head facing forward so they can steer the mattress and keep an eye out for obstacles.
• When going up or down stairs, hold on to the wall or rail for support. The person at the back of the mattress should help keep it in place as the person in front of the mattress guides it down the stairs. Make use of the force of gravity to lower the mattress.
• Lean the mattress up against a wall or other vertical, flat surface close to the vehicle, and then repeat the process with the box spring, if necessary.

Larger mattresses, especially those with coil or spring systems, are easier to move when positioned on their side. The mattress should be loaded into the truck or van so that it is flush with the side wall, and then secured. The mattress can also be slid between two taller pieces of furniture, like a bookcase or armoire. If you want to know how to move or store your memory foam mattress, look in the manual or warranty.

It's possible that some movers will try to drive a mattress to its new location. Even though you might see a mattress on top of a car driving around town or the highway, moving experts all agree that it's not the best idea. This is primarily a safety concern because the mattress could easily slip out of the car or be blown out into traffic, leading to serious injuries or even death. When a mattress is moved in this way, it is more likely to sustain damage, such as a scratched or torn surface or a bent or broken inner coil. In addition, preoccupation with the safety of one's bed can interfere with one's ability to drive safely.

Rent a truck or see if anyone you know with a large SUV, van, or pickup truck can lend you their vehicle for the safest possible relocation. They should at least offer to lend you a vehicle and possibly even offer to help with the move.

You should think about shipping your mattress if you are moving a long distance, especially if you own a queen or king size bed. If you provide the company with the measurements of your mattress and the location where you'd like it delivered, you can get an estimate of the cost online from many different sources. It could be more cost-effective than moving on your own, depending on your needs and budget.

• Use a thick mattress cover and secure it with tape to keep the mattress in pristine condition. If you're moving the mattress by yourself, this is even more crucial, as you'll likely have to drag it over some distances. You might want to use two mattress protectors.
• Folding the mattress top to bottom is the best option for short-distance transport of a memory foam mattress. The mattress must be thinner than 11 inches for this to work. Fasten ratcheting straps around it to keep it in its folded form. Fold the mattress only as far as the side you sleep on, and don't keep it folded for more than an hour or two at a time. For information on how to move or store your specific memory foam mattress, please refer to the owner's manual or warranty. Do not try this on an innerspring or coil mattress, as it may void the warranty or cause permanent damage.
• Use cardboard to stiffen up a sagging spring or coil mattress's front and back. Fasten the cardboard down with straps. This will make the package more substantial and give you something to grab onto.
• The mattress should be flipped on its side and dragged across any smooth surface (carpet, rug, unbroken grass) that you can find.  
• Turn the bed on its side and place it next to the wall or stair rail if you're going up or down the stairs. Slide down the stairs with the help of gravity and an elevated vantage point above the mattress.
• Lifting the mattress over curbs or into a moving van requires bending at the knees and hips and pulling up from the core.  
• Tend to keep the bed close to you. Before taking a step while carrying the weight, make sure you are secure. Keep all lifting below the shoulder
• If you need to, stop along the way and rest. Lean the mattress up against the wall for some much-needed support.
• It's possible to use a loading ramp to slide the mattress onto the truck. Without a ramp, you can load a mattress into the back of a truck by pushing from behind and lifting up one end.

One of the first things you should do after unloading the truck is to set up your bed.  

• Take the mattress out of the box, and discard all packaging and tape.
• You can let the mattress air out in the sunshine by setting it outside, or you can bring it inside and place it near a window.
• Make sure there are no bugs in the mattress by giving it a thorough inspection.  
• After two hours of baking soda sitting on the surface, the area can be vacuumed.
• Mist the top of the mattress with disinfectant spray, and then wipe it down.
• Set up the bed frame, headboard, and footboard while you wait for the mattress to dry completely.
• Restore the mattress to its original position on the bed, and then make the bed.

The majority of memory foam mattresses are flat during transport. Wrap the mattress in cloth sheets or a lightweight, breathable mattress bag. If the relocation is going to take more than a day, the heavy plastic may trap moisture that will damage the foam mattress. Keep the mattress flat while loading it into the truck. Avoid putting anything on top of the mattress. The mattress should be loaded last, after the majority of the other large pieces, and secured on top of other items on the truck so that it can lay reasonably flat, such as a table or supported by the tops of a few rows of boxes.