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In this age where you can purchase an item or service through a phone app, hiring professional movers should be a breeze. But sometimes, due to circumstances beyond your control, you just might have to do all or some of the moving yourself. Moving a mattress can be a little daunting, especially if you’ve got a mattress larger than a Queen size, but it can be done. If you’ve exhausted all possibilities of enlisting a friend or family members’ help, then here’s a few things you can do to move a mattress by yourself.
Before you begin: A checklist
- Your mattress type – The type of mattress you have may help you determine whether you need a little more effort. All-foam mattresses such as memory foam mattresses or latex mattresses can be folded for easier transport (and in our experiences are the best mattresses and easiest to move alone). Hybrid mattresses or innersprings cannot. While a folded mattress is certainly easier to move around by yourself, it is not impossible to move a full-size mattress alone – you might just need a few more items from the hardware store and a whole lot of elbow grease. If you’re moving a Sleep Number mattress, then there is a completely different set of steps that you need to follow.
- Your mattress size – Standard mattress sizes run from a Twin mattress to a King mattress but Queen-sized mattresses are usually the most common ones found in the majority of households in America. If you’ve got something far larger than a King size mattress though, such as an Alaskan or a Texas King mattress, then that definitely calls for a two man job.
- The right vehicle – Whether you have a car or a truck or you’re renting out a U-Haul, it is important to assess whether your vehicle can actually accommodate your mattress. A mattress can fit into a truck or moving van and stay upright, while you may need to strap your mattress onto the roof of your car, especially if you drive something smaller. Mattresses can also fit into a pickup truck but they may need to lay flat rather than be upright.
- Distance – Distance is everything. Whether you’re moving from room to room within the same house or moving out of state, it pays to map out the distance and follow the path of least resistance, in a literal sense. Take note: the further the distance, the more cumbersome it could be to move a mattress but plotting out your course and eliminating the obstacles can lessen the burden – even if your course is just up and down the stairs. As long as you’ve got a clear path, even a long distance can be a walk in the park.
But first, a trip to the hardware store
You may already have some of these items lying around in your house, but you may need to pay a trip to either a hardware store or home improvement store. We do prefer hardware stores as they carry just about everything you could ever possibly need to move a mattress.
You will need the following items in order to protect and secure the process of moving a mattress.
Shopping Checklist
- Mattress bag – You can forego this item if you are only moving a mattress from one room to another within your own house but for moving it anywhere else, it is imperative that you get yourself a mattress bag (get two just to be sure). A mattress bag comes in all standard mattress sizes, so you can be sure you can fit your mattress inside. Usually made from clear, durable polyethylene plastic, mattress bags act as both a mattress cover and a mattress protector for when you move a mattress.
- Bubble wrap – This is optional but bubble wrap can offer extra protection for your mattress once it’s in a mattress bag. Do make sure to get enough to cover you entire mattress if you plan to use it along with the plastic cover.
- Ratchet straps – Heavy duty ratchet straps can hold up to 1000 kgs in weight and some brands can hold even more. Your mattress should have its weight mentioned on the tag (if you kept it in) but if not, you can check your mattress manufacturer’s website for correct information. Ratchet straps hold your mattress in place inside/outside the vehicle or moving truck. It can also keep you mattress together if you decide to fold it.
- Bungee cords – The use of bungee cords when it comes to mattress moving is similar to that of the aforementioned ratchet straps and while they can hold a good amount of weight, we prefer using ratchet straps more. This is because bungee cords are susceptible to over-stretching due to their resilient nature. This makes them prone to breaking. If you must use bungee cords, we recommend the use of actual ratchet tie-downs along with them.
- Cardboard box – Definitely not to keep your mattress in, unless it’s vacuum-packed and rolled or compressed. Large cardboard boxes can house your bed frame (if it’s the type that can be reassembled), bedroom furniture or other bedding products (such as sheets and pillows and the like).
- Duct tape – Who doesn’t need duct tape when moving? Grab a lot. It’s also good to have extras at your new apartment.
- Furniture dolly – Whether you own or rent your home, having your own place will always benefit from owning something as useful as a furniture dolly. A furniture dolly is a flat, usually wooden receptacle with four wheels on the bottom used to move around large items of furniture or anything heavy. You won’t have to do any heavy lifting. This is a useful tool if you’re moving an adjustable bed base or other heavy furniture as well.
A note:
If you are utilizing the services of a U-haul for your moving process, they may also provide you with a mattress bag, a dolly and maybe even a ramp may come included. It is best to confirm all these with the moving services of your choosing.
How to move a mattress by yourself: a step by step guide
Now that you’ve got everything on your checklists ticked off, it’s time to actually get to work. But before doing anything, we reiterate that you do a walk-through or two of the actual path you will be taking when moving your mattress. Take note of dimensions and space and whether you need to squeeze through doorways and such. Should any obstructions be in the way, make sure to clear them out before actually moving the mattress.
A little tip: When moving to another house, we found that it is more convenient to move and load your mattress into the moving van or your own vehicle last. This means you get to clear everything else out of the way. This also means that your mattress will be the first thing you unload when you get to your destination.
- Take all the sheets and mattress protector off of your mattress, if you have not done so already. Box springs and frames must be packed separately. Make sure your mattress is not wet or damp, as this may lead to mold and mildew once you wrap it. Some recommend airing out a mattress before packing, just to ensure that it is completely dry. Depending on your mattress type, now would be the time to have your mattress folded or not (Again, a thinner memory foam mattress is easier to fold than a spring mattress). Gently roll out the mattress cover and slip your mattress in – you may have to do it side to side. Some mattress bags, especially the pricier ones have zips but if the one you have does not have a zip, you would have to secure the open ends with duct tape or packing tape. Once your mattress is inside the bag, now would be the time to cover it in bubble wrap, if using.
- Set the mattress upright – this helps it slide along better. If moving down the stairs, you need to be on the receiving end for better control and to avoid any accidents (i.e. the mattress and/or you falling down the stairs). Slow and steady is the key, especially if you have a larger sized mattress. If you are just moving it outside to your vehicle, slide the mattress carefully along until you reach your door.
- Once outside, you can now use your furniture dolly. However, if you live in a condo or a building, a furniture dolly would be most useful as soon as you have the mattress wrapped.
- If using a moving van, ramps may be provided. If not, you can use a sturdy enough plank of wood as a ramp to roll (not carry) your mattress onto your vehicle. If using a pickup truck, you can lay your mattress flat on its back. In moving vans, it is best to keep your mattress upright. Secure with the straps. If using a car and you have your mattress on the roof, use both the ratchet tie downs and cords to keep your mattress secure. Double check that your straps and cords are tight, double or triple strap if you must, especially if your mattress is on the roof of your vehicle.
Other options for moving a mattress
There’s nothing like doing things yourself, especially when it comes to things such as moving houses or home improvement. But there are some things are just easier and faster when done with a little bit of extra help.
- Hire professional movers – The easiest and most obvious choice is to hire professionals. While this may cost definitely more than doing it yourself, hiring professionals would free up your time and help alleviate a bit of stress.
- Enlisting the help of friends – Significantly cheaper than professional movers and we only say this because you may have to pay them in pizza and a 6-pack.
- Personal services – These days, there are things such as butler services and hiring services where you can hire someone to help you out to do whatever it is you need. This may however cost more than hiring professional movers.
Should you move your old mattress?
If your mattress has begun to sag and the mattress surface is uneven, it is time to replace it. Even if you try to use a mattress topper, you will not be getting a good night’s sleep on a mattress that has run its course. Other things such as mold, mildew and irreparable damages also calls for purchasing a new mattress. Moving a new mattress, especially one that is still boxed and packed, would also be easier.
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Michelline loves nothing more than a cozy bed, with a stack of books at her side. She loves getting lost when she travels, can bake an entire British afternoon tea from scratch, is obsessed with all things analogue and does calligraphy on the side. She currently suffers from mild insomnia and is more than happy to be your guinea pig, so you won’t have to go through all the trouble of finding out what works best for you.
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