How to Move a Mattress

Your bed brings you a good night’s sleep. So why is moving a mattress the stuff of nightmares? Moving a mattress has the potential to take 15 minutes or can last up to hours of misery.The main objective is to make sure your moving experience is as easy and painless as possible. So, the question of how to move a mattress is best answered directly by the experts below.But first, check out these helpful articles.

  • Best Interstate Movers – The moving industry is full of shady players. With so much at stake, it’s worth hiring a top-rated long-distance mover with verified customer reviews.
  • How much will your move cost? – Our moving cost calculator is a great resource. Just enter your move dates, origin and destination cities, and the estimated size of your move, and the magic algorithms will do the rest.
  • Consider moving containers – It’s simple. You load and unload, they drive, and you save big bucks. These are the best moving container companies.

Will movers move a mattress?

If you think moving a mattress is an easy task, you may want to think again. Unfortunately, you can’t just throw a bed in the back of your pickup truck and call it a day. Innerspring and memory foam mattresses are prone to damage when moved, so you want to consider a protective mattress bag and, even more, a moving company to assist you. Anyone in need of mattress moving services can find reliable moving companies, whether through a network of movers or online.

There are plenty of options out there that can ease the burden of moving cumbersome pieces. You want to take a look at your budget to decide whether a moving company is best for your particular situation because hiring a mover to help with your mattress can be expensive.

Movers will come with their own moving straps, moving blankets, bubble wrap, ratchet tie-downs, and other moving supplies. They will also have experience and know the best mattress moving tips to keep your mattress flat, clean and like-new.

The cost to move a mattress depends on the dimensions and weight of the mattress and the transport distance. The most helpful advice would be to research moving companies and ask for a quote. That way, you can compare which company meets your price range and needs.

Should I move the mattress myself or hire professionals?

More often than not, moving a mattress by yourself can be easier and cheaper. There are times when asking family or friends is a hassle, and you might not necessarily want to splurge on professional movers. This is when people generally opt to move a mattress on their own.

However, not everyone can move a mattress alone, but overall, most people won’t have any issues. Before you even attempt to move a mattress there are specific matters you should pay attention to.

You need to know how much your mattress weighs, which is dependent on size and type. Since safety is above all else paramount, anyone with back issues, limited mobility, or severe joint issues is not encouraged to move a mattress alone.

How do you move a mattress without damaging it?

Prep the mattress

This includes removing all bedding from the mattress. You can place your blankets and sheets in a heavy-duty garbage bag, vacuum-sealed bag, or a box. A brand new mattress won’t have any bedding, so this action can be disregarded.

After that, you will want to place a mattress topper or cover over the mattress. A cover keeps your mattress protected from anything from dirt or damage and stains during the moving process. In the event you experience inclement weather on moving days, plastic covers are especially handy and serve as a proper form of protection.

Then you can place your mattress, with the plastic cover, into a mattress bag. If you are feeling up to the challenge, you can also try compressing your mattress at home. Take extreme caution, though, because improper compression can damage the materials of the mattress.

Clear a path once your mattress is ready to be moved

The last thing you want to have concern over is tripping and falling when you move your mattress. Establishing a path that gets you from point a to point b is another factor to think about too.

Look to ensure that your moving vehicle or truck is not far away either. Open the door or trunk and fold down the seats ahead of time as well. When you take the time to plan out your course of action, it makes the entire process much smoother.

Prepare for the heavy lifting

Do not overlook this part because incorrectly lifting a mattress, even lighter ones can lead to severe injuries. Remember to always lift with your legs, not your back. It is advised that those with knee or hip issues wear a brace when moving heavy furniture by themselves.

Lifting your mattress entails bending down until your legs are at a 90-degree angle with the floor. Have a solid grip on the mattress and use your legs to stand straight up while holding it. Should you experience any pain or unusual discomfort, put the mattress down immediately.

The fourth step involves transporting the mattress to either a room or a vehicle. Sometimes it is easier to move your mattress in the same house. However, it can be difficult to navigate the stairs. Remember that you want to measure your transporting vehicle to ensure you have enough space to safely fit the mattress inside or attach it to the roof without any issues.

Discuss transport

This doesn’t always have to be stressful. Take your time to minimize potential problems. Safety is always the number one priority. Having a strong bed frame to support your mattress plus the foundation is critical.

If your mattress is placed within or on top of the vehicle you are driving, it is essential to have zero driving view obstructions. Use a tightly secured strap if the mattress is on top of the car or close the trunk and leave enough space to see out of the mirrors.

When you get to your new home, make sure you open windows and let the mattress air out before you put sheets on it.

How can I transport a mattress without a truck?

Nothing can stop you from moving a mattress without a truck, as long as you have the right substitution equipment. Anyone with a car or small SUV can secure their mattress to the roof with ratchet straps, tie-down straps, or zip ties. Larger moving vans or spacious crossovers can fit the mattress inside when the rear seats are folded down.

There are always the options of renting a U-Haul, moving a van, or borrowing a truck for people who do not own a truck. The only reason trucks are the preferable method when transporting a mattress is their large bed storage.

Can you bend a mattress to move it?

By now, everyone should know that moving a mattress can be complex—especially those manufactured with steel coils. The very first mattresses were made with steel coils or otherwise known as continuous or Bonnell coil units. Throughout this design, the steel coils connect with a wire resulting in heavy box spring and mattresses that were very challenging to move.

Over the years, we have seen manufacturing companies lean away from this design mainly due to comfort and weight issues. However, companies haven’t completely eradicated the traditional mattresses built with a strong, continuous wire that frames the entire mattress. If you were to bend or fold this type of mattress in any manner, it would cause damage to the mattress. Thus, making it floppy, unusable and void warranties.

Pocketed coil construction mattresses, depending on the makeup, might be possible to move. This is because some of these models have no border rod or a flexible border rod that would allow you to bend and contort the mattress. The high density of foam and memory foam in these mattresses enable folding without causing damage to the foam. Folding or bending the mattress is advisable for only a brief time, though.

Solid foam, memory foam, or solid latex mattresses are all types that solid latex mattresses can safely manipulate to bend or fold for accommodating a move. These mattresses have layers of foam that are either glued together or stacked without adhesives. Without adhesives, the layers can shift, and the mattress could be a bit disfigured. If this is the case, it might seem like you have damaged it.

Certain types of beds have zippered mattress covers that allow you to open the mattress and rearrange the layers.

How do you move a mattress up a flight of stairs?

After you finally reach your new destination and begin to unload the contents of your vehicle or the moving truck, you now face the challenging task of moving the mattress up a flight of stairs. Here are how you can effectively and safely move a mattress upstairs.

You want to strip all bedding and pull the mattress off the box string if applicable. Adjust the mattress on its edge, so it is running lengthwise. Enclose the mattress in a plastic cover to protect the mattress fabric from debris or other objects that could damage it.

Next, analyze the stairs you will be climbing. Take note of anything out of the ordinary, damaged stairs or wall fixtures, and avoid them. Relocate any items that serve as a tripping hazard.

Then, enlist some help from either a mover, friend, or family member. With your helper at the other end and following en suite, lift the mattress with both your hands. Move the mattress towards the stairs.

Keep your assistant informed as you both begin the ascent. If you are behind the mattress with your helper in front, let them know when they have reached the first step. Climb the stairs with your helper stepping back up the stairs.

Make sure you stay towards the middle of the stairs to avoid any walls or light fixtures. When you both reach the landing, set the mattress down and slide it toward the next flight of stairs, if applicable. It is recommended to turn the mattress into a vertical position to maneuver it around small landings. Once you reach the next flight of stairs, turn it back lengthwise.

The last part of moving your mattress up a flight of stairs involves lifting the mattress high to move it past any railings at the top of the stairs. You can then carry the mattress to its new room.

Moving a Mattress Locally or Across the Country

If ever the time comes when you need to relocate to a new home, always remember that you can move heavy pieces of furniture by yourself if you are mobile and strong.

You want to evaluate the size of your mattress because that will depend on how simple the transportation process will be. A larger mattress like a California King will obviously be a lot harder to move than a queen size mattress. You can always enlist help from friends, family, if you’re moving locally and want to move a mattress on the roof of your car. However, we still reccomend professional movers even if you’re moving close, or it’s an old mattress.  Just be sure to know what you are up against and be properly prepared for your move.

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