How to Move a Mattress: Packing, Transporting, and Protecting a Bed

Moving into a new home is one of the most exciting experiences but can also be quite stressful. Packing all your belongings, organizing them into easy to manage boxes, transporting, and unpacking. It takes a lot of organization, preparation, and careful hands so as not to smash that rare teapot you found at a garage sale for $2.

Usually, the last item we consider is mattress moving, the cumbersome bed must be dismantled, wrapped, and placed gently in a moving van. However, moving your bed into your new home doesn’t need to be stressful and time-consuming. Here, we talk about the best way to move a mattress and tips to make the process quick and easy. For more general tips on moving, check our this Moving 101 Guide on Porch.com.

Packing Mattress for Moving: Before you Start

Should You Take Your Mattress?

Out with the old and in with the new! Is a great saying to remember when moving house. It’s relieving to have a clear out while packing so you’re not bringing things to your new home that are no longer useful. Packing mattresses for moving can be a real chore, which is why it could be more beneficial to your sleep health to invest in a new mattress to enjoy in your new home.

If your current mattress is over seven years old and most importantly, if it’s uncomfortable, a new mattress can be delivered straight to your new front door. Moving house is a clean slate, therefore, consider a fresh start for your sleep hygiene too.

It may be more beneficial to your sleep health to invest in a new mattress for your new home.

Evaluate the Size of Your Mattress

The size of your mattress and type will determine how easy your mattress moving will be. Hybrid mattresses can be quite thick, latex mattresses can be quite heavy, memory foam mattresses can also be heavy and difficult to move around. A thick king or queen size mattress could be a little tricky to navigate around tight corners or drag up a flight of stairs. Therefore, consider the entire journey your mattress must take from your current bedroom to your new bedroom.

Finding the Right Vehicle

When transporting your mattress, choosing the right vehicle is important. If you stuff your mattress into a car that is too small, you could impede your vision on the road. Therefore, don’t carry mattress on car roof either as this is unsafe. A moving truck is the best and safest option for mattress moving.

Lift Properly

During times of stress (such as moving house) it’s all too easy to strain a muscle while you’re dashing around from one task to another. When lifting any furniture, including your mattress, lift with your knees. This movement involves bending your knees slightly as you bend down to pick up your mattress, keep it close to your body, and straighten your legs as you lift the mattress. You ought to feel the weight on your legs and not your back.

Prepare Your Tools

When preparing to move your mattress you’ll need some tools to dismantle your bed if necessary.

• Waterproof mattress cover
• Moving straps
• Screwdriver
• Wrench
• Allen key
• Ziplock bags
• Tape

Can You Fold a Mattress?

Folding or bending your mattress could be possible depending on its construction. If your mattress contains springs like an innerspring or a hybrid, the springs could become damaged if folded. Memory foam, latex, and AirFoam™ mattresses may be bent slightly or folded for a short time, like during transportation, though we don't recommend it. But if you have to fold your mattress, here's how.

How to Fold a Mattress: Method 1

What you need to fold a mattress:

• A mattress bag
• Moving straps or a rope
• A buddy

Get a Mattress Bag

A plastic mattress bag will protect your mattress while in transportation. Remember, moving trucks are dusty and full of dirt. Also, if you need to drag your mattress on the floor, you know it won’t be picking up any dirt on the way. Lay your mattress flat on the floor and slide the mattress bag on before folding the mattress.

Fold the Mattress

Transporting a folded mattress is so much easier because you have the straps to hold onto. With your mattress flat on the floor and in its plastic mattress bag, ask a buddy to sit on one end of the mattress, you’re going to fold mattress in half so the head of the mattress is folded over to the foot of the mattress.

Secure the Mattress

With the mattress folded over and your buddy doing a great job of sitting down, slide your rope or strap under the mattress and secure tightly.

How to Fold a Mattress: Method 2

What you need to fold a mattress:

• Painter's plastic or tarp
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Tape
• Straps
• A buddy

Cut the Appropriate Length of Painter’s Plastic

• 7ft for a twin bed
• 8ft for a queen or full-sized bed
• 9ft for a king-sized mattress

Unfold the Plastic Under the Mattress

With your mattress flat on the floor, slide the plastic under the mattress.

Fold and Tie the Mattress

Fold mattress in half but leave the plastic on the floor for the moment. Secure the mattress with your straps.

Cover the Mattress with Plastic

Now that your mattress is folded and secured, wrap the mattress in the plastic or tarp.

Secure the Plastic with Tape

Use your tape gun to secure the plastic around the mattress.

Wrap the Ends of the Mattress

Ensure you’ve wrapped the ends of the mattress (like a burrito) and secure with the tape gun so the mattress is all snug in its temporary plastic home.

How to Transport a Mattress

Car

It is inadvisable to transport your mattress on the roof of your car. It could impede your vision or cause an accident if it comes loose as you’re driving. Instead, fold down the back seats of your car and place the folded mattress there. Provided you have ample space.

Van/Pick-Up Truck

A rental van or putting the mattress in pickup truck is a good option when mattress moving. Take care not to place any items on the mattress so as not to damage it.

Truck

The holy grail of moving house, a large truck will save you the hassle of folding the mattress. You’ll be able to move many items at once and it will be much safer to transport. Hiring a truck may not be an expense you want to deal with but consider the convenience. Anything you can do to make such a stressful time easier is worth paying a little extra for.

How to Store a Mattress

If putting your mattress in storage, it shouldn’t be stored folded. With your mattress flat on the floor, vacuum the entire mattress. Treat any stains if needed, before putting in a vacuum seal mattress bag, wrapping in painter’s plastic, or tarp. Keep the mattress on its side in the storage unit.

Tips and Reminders for Moving a Mattress

Transporting a folded mattress is easier and safer, the straps or rope help to carry mattress into the vehicle, while the plastic or tarp keeps it clean and fresh for your new bedroom. Always ask a buddy to help as doing such an arduous task on your own will be frustrating.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Move a Mattress Upstairs by Yourself

It’s inadvisable to move a mattress alone. Especially if the mattress is large and heavy. It’s best to get some help when mattress moving. You could ask a buddy or hire some friendly local movers who will do all the heavy lifting for you. Remember to cover your mattress in plastic before moving to keep it clean.

How to Carry a Mattress

A mattress is much easier to carry if it’s folded over. Place your mattress flat on the floor, ask a buddy to sit on the head of the mattress while you fold the mattress over from the foot of the mattress. Once folded over, secure the mattress with rope or straps. This will make it easy to transport.

How to Cover Mattress When Moving

It’s important to cover your mattress when moving to keep it clean and fresh. Use tarp or painter’s plastic that can be found at any DIY store. Place your mattress flat on the floor, slide the plastic underneath the mattress, fold the mattress over, and secure with rope or straps. Fold the plastic over and secure with tape gun.

How to Move a Mattress Without Handles

Moving a mattress without handles is easy, all you need is some rope or straps. Put your mattress flat on the floor, slide the plastic underneath the mattress, fold the mattress over, and secure with rope or straps. Fold the plastic over and secure with a tape gun before wrapping some extra carry straps on the mattress.

How Do you Pack a Mattress for Moving?

Ask a buddy for help as two pairs of hands are better than one. Carefully, place your mattress flat on the floor, slide some tarp or painter’s plastic under the mattress, fold the mattress over, and secure with rope or straps. Fold the plastic over and secure with a tape gun before wrapping some extra carry straps on the mattress.

Can You Roll Up a Memory Foam Mattress?

Memory foam mattresses can not be rolled up but they can be folded over for easy transportation. Put some painter’s plastic or tarp on the floor, put your mattress on the plastic or tarp, ask a buddy to sit on the head of the mattress, and fold the mattress over, secure with rope or straps. Wrap in plastic and secure.

Conclusion

Moving into your new home is an exciting time, take the stress out of the situation by hiring a moving truck if you can. Enlist the help of some buddies (the more hands the better) and remember, your sleep hygiene is vital to your overall health and well being.

If your mattress is over seven years old, it’s uncomfortable and leaves you with aches and pains every morning. Consider a mattress upgrade. Shopping online for a new mattress is convenient, costs less than a physical mattress store, and will be delivered to your new home.

Disclaimer: Nolah does not provide medical advice. All resources on the Nolah blog, including this article, are informational only and do not replace professional medical counsel. Talk to your doctor about any health, mental health, or sleep-related issues.