Mattress Transportation: Tips on Safely Moving Your Mattress

Whether you're moving to a new house, transferring to a different state, or swapping bedrooms, moving your mattress can feel like a daunting task. Its size, weight, and awkwardness can make it a real challenge.

This article will equip you with all the knowledge you need to move any mattress, big or small, safely and efficiently, ensuring both your well-being and the mattress's.

Best Way to Move Your Mattress

Measure your mattress

This table showcases the most popular mattress sizes available. If you want to learn more about mattress sizes and which mattress size is more suitable for you, check out our article.

Prepare your mattress:

How to move a mattress by yourself, how to move a mattress on top of a car, the best way to move a mattress, how to store a mattress, and how to pack a mattress for moving are all things you need to consider before preparing for mattress transportation.

Before moving, remove all bedding, including sheets, blankets, and pillows, and wash them in hot water for a fresh start. To protect your mattress, either wrap it snugly in breathable cloth sheets or a mattress moving bag and slip it into a lightweight, ventilated mattress bag. Remember to keep it flat during transport and avoid stacking anything on top.

It is also best to clean your mattress before moving day. To learn more about how to properly clean your mattress, check out our article.

Essential Tools for Moving a Mattress

Mattress bag

Until you can carefully unbox your mattresses in your new home, a mattress bag may keep them safe from harm, dust, dirt, and mildew.

Toolset:

A tool set is necessary when moving a mattress. That's because you may need hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, moving tape, scissors, and other tools to safely disassemble your bed frame as well as use them in any of the following steps.

Tape and scissors

Here comes the purpose of your toolset: we'll mainly need tape and scissors to properly seal off that mattress bag. While this step might not seem essential, there's always a chance the bag could tear, introducing moisture from rain or dirt. So, another layer of protection is often better to ensure your mattress stays clean during transport.

Dolly or Hand Truck

Moving a mattress, especially downstairs, can be a heavy and risky task. To avoid accidents, a dolly or hand truck is highly recommended for easy maneuvering.

How to Move Your Mattress

1) Put your mattress into the mattress moving bag

Unpack the mattress bag and take it out once you've positioned your mattress. Squeeze out any excess air, use adhesive tape to seal them shut, and double-check any little holes.

2) Seal with Tape

The use of sturdy tape compresses the mattress bag from all ends; then, you can wrap the entire bag with tape after you fold all the flaps down for damage prevention. Use a crisscross pattern for extra hold, ensuring the mattress stays snug even if it shifts inside.

3) Prepare the Path

Before tackling the move, plan your route to the vehicle. Clear any obstacles from the path, including stairs and doorways.

4) Place the mattress on a hand truck or dolly

Once your mattress is securely sealed, it's time for transport. The challenge is moving it from your bedroom to the van. If the mattress is too heavy for you alone, use a friend's help.

When going downstairs, gently rest it on the railings or wall for easier maneuvering. If you have help, remember to lead with the heavier end to prevent accidents.

Consider using a dolly or hand truck, even for stairs, as it significantly reduces the weight you need to lift.

5) Load the mattress into your vehicle

With the mattress ready to be loaded, use the dolly to move it to the van. Ramps on the van are ideal for easy loading. Lastly, carefully lift and position the mattress horizontally inside the van.

Consider professional assistance or alternative transport options like trailers. Always use a weatherproof mattress bag and double-check for rips before securing it tightly with strong straps.

6) How to tie a mattress to a car

With your mattress safely loaded in the van, securing it is crucial to prevent movement during travel. Your options include ratchet straps, tie-down straps, rope, or furniture pads. Filling any gaps between the mattress and van walls with pillows or boxes can also add stability.

Loading Options

Moving a Mattress in a Pickup Truck

We recommend using a van, truck, or even portable containers for mattress transport. These options are typically spacious enough to accommodate the mattress without any risk of damage to the mattress or vehicle.

Moving a Mattress on Top of a Car

While using a car or SUV to transport your mattress is technically possible, it's often not recommended due to space limitations. Flattening your back seats could work, but smaller vehicles might not allow you to fully close the trunk with the mattress inside.

Securing the mattress to the roof offers more space, but risks damage from exposure to the elements and requires meticulous strapping to prevent accidents.

Both options come with drawbacks, so consider the risks and your vehicle's size carefully before choosing.

Alternative Methods for Moving a Bed

Shipping

If you're relocating to a longer-distance destination or in a hurry, you may consider hiring a shipping company to transfer everything for you. Enter your specifics, and you should have several quotes to pick from.

This method is great since it allows you to load everything and leave the rest to the movers.

Furniture Moving Services

You can move a mattress alone, but a furniture moving service may be the most convenient way to carry a mattress if you can afford it. Furthermore, mattress movers have a wealth of knowledge and should be well-equipped to transport your bed securely by using a mattress moving box.

How to Unpack a Mattress

Bring the mattress into the bedroom while it is still wrapped. Place it on the frame and gather the necessary equipment, such as a box cutter, scissors, plastic wrapping, storage containers, or a cutting device. Unwrap the mattress's outer layer of plastic by unrolling it away from the plastic.

FAQs

Can folding a mattress or bending a mattress damage It?

Yes, folding or bending a mattress can permanently damage the springs and foam inside, according to most manufacturers. Even thin foam mattresses are generally not meant to be folded, and even briefly doing so is advised against due to damage prevention.

How do I move a mattress with a car? And is it legal?

While legal in all 50 states, tying a mattress to your car's roof is only safe if it's securely fastened. Unsecured mattresses pose a serious hazard to yourself and others. Always check for additional state or local regulations before securing a mattress to your roof, and this will be the best way to transport a mattress.

Is it possible for me to move a queen mattress by myself?

Moving a mattress with a partner is always safer and easier, but to learn how to move a mattress alone, utilize as much mechanical help as possible. Learning how to move the mattress by yourself requires dollies, mattress moving bags, blankets, and straps can be your best friends in this case.

Does move-related damage fall under the terms of my mattress warranty?

No. Mattress warranties typically cover manufacturing defects, not owner-caused damage, including moving-related wear and tear.

Conclusion

Learning the best way to move a mattress from one house to another is not as simple, as you must consider several factors to ensure that it arrives securely. It's advised that when you move your mattress, you follow the previous steps to avoid any damage to your mattress and to ensure it reaches your new location safely.