How to Move the Mattress?

You must have watched the Friends episode where Ross, along with Rachel and Chandler, tries to carry the couch up the stairs by pivoting and screaming "PIVOT" over and over again (hence the iconic reference). If you've seen this episode, you must have noticed that it didn't work out and resulted in a horrible sawed-in-half couch.

Well, the same can happen with your mattress if you did not plan its packing and transporting properly! Moving the mattress can be a few minutes process, or it can be hours of misery depending on what method you choose. 

We've put together best tips to move a mattress. This guide will teach you how to transfer a mattress safely and effectively while protecting the mattress from any harm.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

Measure Your Mattress

The first step is simple. Please take out the tape and measure out your mattress because it is essential to know the exact dimensions of your mattress, regardless of whether it's a twin, double, queen-sized, king-sized bed, before moving it out. 

In this step, you not only have to measure the mattress, but you also have to figure out the best moving path, moving method, and storage space for it.

Gather all your Supplies

Secondly, make sure you have all the necessary supplies on hand while planning to move the mattress to a new house. 

You will need a protective mattress bag with the correct size to cover and protect the mattress during the move. And to fix the mattress inside the bag properly, you will need packing tape, which will also provide additional protection. A roll of stretch wrap will also be required for further protection and keeping your mattress clean.

Even for the shortest distance, renting a dolly to carry a mattress from one place to another is recommended. There is a high chance of damaging your mattress when you move it on your own. 

Once the mattress is loaded into the truck, you will have to secure your mattress by tying it down with straps and sets of ratchets. Also, make sure to include furniture sliders and scissors in your moving supplies.

Also See: Safely Unloading a Moving Truck

Make Space

Now that you have packed your mattress and rented a pickup truck for moving, you have to make enough space to carry the mattress towards the truck. You will need to plan your route to the transporting vehicle and remove every object or debris that may be blocking the walkway or stairs.

Pack your mattress in such a way that it can pass through all doors on the way. It will be easy for you if you can wheel the mattress downstairs to a dolly or hand truck. 

It is highly recommended to pack your mattress last after packing other household items. This will provide you with something to sleep on until the night before the move. 

See Also: How to Drive a Rental moving Truck

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Get a Helping Hand or Two

Carrying the mattress is not a one-person job. These soft, cushiony mattresses are cumbersome and awkward to carry. Most professional moving companies use more than one person to carry the bulky mattress. If you manage to carry it on your own, there is a high chance of slipping it down, injuring yourself, and causing damage to the mattress. 

If you don't want to invest in professional movers, you can always try to get the assistance of your friend, neighbor, or family member. While lifting the mattress, make sure each of you grabs the bottom corners of the mattress and lifts it together with one person on each side of the mattress lengthwise. Avoid lifting the mattress with your back. Instead, try to brace your abdominals and use your legs to power the lift.

Prepare your Transporting Vehicle

Typical mattresses with coils and springs should be transported on their side edges because they are huge and will cover the maximum space in the truck. Keeping the mattress against the sidewall will make space for other household items in the truck. This will also avoid keeping other things on the mattress and damaging the coils. 

You can also slide the mattress between two taller pieces of furniture, such as a bookcase or armoire. Also, remember to go through the user manual or warranty so you can get more information on how to store your memory foam mattress. 

You may have seen a mattress strapped to the roof of the car rolling down the city highways. Yes, a lot of people consider transporting the mattress in the car. Well, this may look economically great, but trust there is also a high risk of damaging your mattress.

Our experts would suggest you avoid carrying mattresses in a car because the mattress is very likely to fall off or be blown off the car, causing accidents. Even if you have tied the mattress tight on the car's roof, there is a high chance of damaging its inner coils. The surface material may also get scratched or torn in the process. Not to mention that being concerned about the mattress's security in the car could lead to distracted driving.

To ensure the safest possible move, it is recommended either renting a moving truck or asking a friend or relative if they have a pickup truck, van, or large SUV that you can borrow for moving.

Load and Secure the Mattress

Check with your manufacturer for any special transport instructions as positioning can vary depending on the type of mattress. Here are some general moving position recommendations organized by type:

• Traditional Mattress: Position a traditional innerspring or encased coil mattress on its side, lengthwise, on top of a flat surface 
• Hybrid or memory foam: Place it on top of a flat surface. 
• Box springs: They can be placed flat or on the side, with nothing on top (except the mattress).

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How to Unpack the Mattress

Now that you have brought your favorite mattress to your new place, don't think your mammoth task has come to an end. There are still a few things you should consider, and unpacking a mattress is one of them. 

• Your truck has arrived at your destination. Ensure that the mattress and the bed components are the first items to be removed from the truck.
• Remove the mattress from the truck, as well as any wrapping and tape.
• If you have covered a fair amount of distance in moving, then allow your mattress to air out by leaving it outside in direct sunlight. Bringing it inside and keeping it near an open window will also do. 
• Inspect the mattress thoroughly to ensure that no pests are present.
• You can also spread the baking soda on the surface for about two hours before vacuuming it up. This will help to get rid of ticks and pests from it. 
• Wipe down the mattress surface with a light mist of spray disinfectant.
• Ensure the mattress is completely dry before assembling the bed frame, headboard, and footboard.

How to Store the Mattress 

DO clean your mattress before and after assembling it with a bed component. As discussed earlier, use a vacuum mattress cleaner or disinfectant spray to dry it thoroughly.

DO keep the mattress covered in the mattress bags till you set other items in the room. You can keep your mattress and box springs in the plastic mattress bag you used for moving — it will save some time for you while also protecting it from dust and other potential contaminants while in storage. The most important thing is to ensure that the mattress is completely dry before covering it and well-sealed inside the cover.

DON'T subject your mattress to high temperatures or humidity for a longer time. We recommended a few minutes of sunlight because freezing temperatures and moisture can all cause damage to your mattress. As a result, avoid storing your mattress in an attic, basement, or garage, basically at damp places. Inquire about the temperature range and humidity control if you're using a storage facility.

These are some of the best tips for how to move a mattress efficiently. Hopefully, these tips will help you in moving the mattress successfully. Moving a mattress can be difficult but doing it correctly is worth the effort. When your head hits the pillow on your favorite bed in your new home, you'll know it was worth every second of hesitation.

Also Read: How to Choose Mattress? | Moving a Trampoline

FAQs

Can you bend the mattress while moving?

The typical mattress with springs and coil should not be folded. Because folding those mattresses can damage their springs and cushion. If you have Memory Foam Mattresses, then you can fold them while moving. These mattresses are often bent for easy handling. These mattresses are built so that they can be folded in one way or another. But make sure your mattress is only folded in half and not for longer than a few weeks. 

How can I transfer my mattress with a truck?

If your new house is just a block away, then carrying a mattress on your own will work out fine. Assuming you are not carrying a king-size mattress on a small car. Moving a mattress on your own without anyone's help can be very difficult, but it's doable! If for some reason, none of your friends or relatives are available to move the mattress, you can do it on your own. If you prepare yourself well by gathering every necessary equipment, you can move your mattress without much hassle or any help.

How to move a heavy mattress upstairs?

Before moving a heavy mattress upstairs, make sure you have a high enough ceiling. You can strap your mattress and fold it in half, so it becomes easy to lift and carry. It would be best if you had a long mattress bag to cover your mattress so it will not become dirty while moving it. Then you have to fold the mattress in half before carrying it.

If you have an old type mattress or a spring mattress, then folding may not work. Wear shoes while carrying your mattress because you don't want to drop a heavy mattress on your toes. Use your leg and thigh muscles to lift the mattress, not your back! If lifting the mattress is an issue, you can also roll it up from the edges little by little upwards. As you have already covered the mattress with the protective bag, it will not get dirty in the process.

Also See: Top National Moving Companies in the USA