A high-quality mattress can make all the difference in the world – it’ll help you wake up well-rested, refreshed and pain-free in the mornings. Mattresses can be very expensive too, so when it’s time for you to move to another home, the question of how to move a mattress will definitely take center stage.
But before you’re ready to learn the best way to move a mattress, the initial step is to assess the condition of your valuable bed accessory and decide if it’s worth moving it in the first place. In fact, that early assessment can help you save plenty of time, efforts and, of course, money if you do conclude that your mattress has already served its purpose.
However, if parting with your pricey possession is out of the question, then you’d better read on to get more details about the initial mattress evaluation, more info about how to protect a mattress when moving, and the detailed steps on how to move a mattress by yourself.
Should you move your mattress at all? Mattress evaluation advice
Before you can even start worrying about how to pack your mattress for moving and how to transport it safely to the new home, you need to know that you’re not making a mistake. In reality, it’s not only about your bed accessory – moving anything that you shouldn’t be moving can be classified as a judgment error due to the wasted time and lost money in the relocation process itself.
Unwritten rules state that mattresses should be examined for signs of damage and decrease in quality every 5-7 years. How old is your own mattress? If it’s 10 years old or you don’t have the faintest idea, it may be the right time to get rid of the old mattress and purchase a new one after moving into the new home.
Take a closer look at your bed mattress – do you see any soiled, worn, torn or caved-in areas? Also, if you’ve been having unexplainable backaches lately, they may be directly linked to the deteriorated state of your old mattress.
Of course, you may not need to evaluate your bed mattress at all – if it’s comparatively new and still in good condition, then it won’t make any sense to leave it behind only to purchase a brand new one after the move is complete.
Remember that mattresses are rather expensive and you should view them as investments for a healthier and happier you.
See also: Is it better to move furniture or buy new after the move?
How to pack a mattress for moving: Mattress packing tips
Without a doubt, the easiest way to have your bed mattress packed and transported to the new residence is to hire professional movers to do it for you. Experienced packers and movers will pack up and move not only your mattress but also your entire bed (in case you’re moving that too), as well as all other household items you want to take with you.
Thus said, using the services of a moving company will cost you, although not as much as you think, so you may have made up your mind to pack and move your mattress on your own. And since we’ve already explained in detail how to pack a mattress for moving, here we’ll turn your attention to a piece of packing material that you just need to have to make it all work.
A mattress cover for moving!
In truth, a mattress moving bag will make all the difference in the world when packing a mattress for a move. The plastic mattress cover will keep your valuable bed accessory protected from water, moisture, dust, dirt and any type of physical damage during the actual transportation.
You should definitely consider purchasing such a mattress protector for moving from a good furniture store or a home depot store for the price of around $10. Or you can order a durable mattress cover online if you have enough time to wait for its delivery.
In case you don’t have enough time to look for a special mattress transport cover, then you should use furniture blankets instead. Cover completely your bed mattress with blankets, then use packing tape, stretch wrap or pieces of twine or rope to secure those protective blankets.
See also: How to pack bedding for moving
How to move a mattress by yourself: Mattress moving tips
Now that you’ve packed your mattress for moving, it’s time to move it to the new home. Even without professional assistance, that relocation task is not that difficult… as long as you have the right moving vehicle.
Not surprisingly, the most important requirement for a successful mattress moving mission is to have a vehicle spacious enough to accommodate your large and heavy bed accessory.
Here are the steps to moving a mattress by yourself:
Step 1. Get the right moving vehicle
If you own a pick-up truck or you can borrow one from a friend, then you shouldn’t have any problems fitting your standard-sized mattress onto it.
If you have a large SUV, then you may be able to fit the mattress either by folding the back seats of the car or by folding the mattress in half (check with the mattress manufacturer whether it’s safe to fold it).
Regardless of the size of your mattress (queen-size mattress or king-size mattress), you’ll definitely be able to fit it into a rented moving truck.
Must-read: What size of moving truck do you need?
Step 2. Ask friends for help
Get this: you can’t move a mattress entirely on your own simply because most mattresses are too large and heavy to be handled safely by one person.
So, if you’ve made up your mind NOT to hire experienced furniture movers, then you’re going to have to rely on your good pals for assistance on the day of the move. Make sure you secure the help of at least one other helper, preferably two.
Read also: How to get friends to help you move
Step 3. Clear the exit route
Inspect your exit route from the bedroom where you’ve just packed your mattress all the way to the moving vehicle outside. Make sure the path is absolutely clear of clutter and obstacles, and that there are no dusty or wet areas on the ground along the pathway.
Important: How to prevent accidents and injuries when moving house
Step 4. Carry the mattress to the moving vehicle
Position the protected mattress sideways on its longer side. Place a moving strap or a piece of rope under one of its corners, then have your helper do the same on the other side. If your mattress has handles, then use those instead of straps or rope.
You and your friend should lift the heavy mattress simultaneously and check whether the weight is distributed evenly so that the load stays balanced at all times. Start walking slowly and cautiously in the direction of the moving vehicle as each of you keeping their free hand on the mattress for extra stability.
Step 5. Load the mattress onto the vehicle
Use all the manpower you’ve got to load the protected mattress into the moving vehicle. If you’re using a rented moving van or a (borrowed) pick-up truck, then place the bed mattress against the side and secure it with pieces of rope to immobilize it. Memory foam mattresses and gel mattresses should always be transported flat to avoid damage. Spring mattresses can be positioned flat or sideways. As mentioned above, try to fit your mattress into your SUV vehicle by folding its back seats.
Useful info: How to load a moving truck
SAFETY NOTICE when moving a mattress
Interested in learning how to move a mattress on the top of your car?
DON’T do it!
Strapping down a mattress to the roof of a car is too risky and dangerous, regardless of the move distance. If the big and heavy mattress falls off the car roof, it can easily get damaged or worse – it can cause a serious car accident in which other people may get injured.
Also, in some places, it is illegal to transport a mattress on the top of your car so if you get stopped by the police, you will most likely be fined for unsafe driving.
Be smart and don’t take any unnecessary risks. If you can’t find a suitable moving vehicle or if no friend is available to offer you the help you need, get a cost estimate from a moving company to move your mattress to the new home and thus stay on the safe side of things.
