Are you finally moving to a new home? Or are you planning to get your current one renovated? Either way, you'll have to transport your mattress. That can be a handful, right? Well, worry no more, this article will let you know how to transport a mattress easily.
Moving is normal at some point in your life. The process is stressful especially when it comes to moving things around, like your favorite and comfy mattress. If you can afford or access professional movers, you’re lucky and can skip the stressful situation.
But, since you’re reading this guide, chances are—you want to move your mattress yourself or with the help of family and friends. To do that, you’ll need a solid plan to move your mattress without damaging it at all costs.
In this guide, we're going to list down several ways on how you can transport a mattress. Now what are we waiting for? Let's start, shall we?
How can you transport a mattress in your car
Without wasting much of your precious time, here’s a brief moving guide to help you transport your mattress safely to your car.
Step one: Find the right moving equipment
To make your work easier, you’ll need a few tools to help you:
- Straps or rope
- Scissors
- Mattress bag/cover
- Moving blankets
- Tape
- Bubble Wrap
- Dolly/Cart
Step two: Put a cover on it
The moving process exposes your mattress to dust, stains, and spills that might damage or ruin it. For instance, your mattress might get in contact with the door handles, stairs, ground outside, moving truck or van, and other unsanitary surfaces.
You need to protect it from all that mess and get it to your destination in one piece. Get a good mattress cover after taking off your beddings and wrap the mattress up.
Step three: Fold up your mattress
Folding up your mattress can make your move easier, but it's not recommended for all types of mattresses. In fact, if you own a queen, king, or California king mattress, folding your mattress helps reduce the height and width, making it easy to carry.
Spring mattresses or memory foams can be folded and jump back into shape after untying the ropes. Note that folding can only work if your mattress is 11” medium to 8” thin in thickness. If it’s thicker with coils, it’s best to move it to its original form. For all the foldable mattresses, here’s how to go about it:
- Bend it on the width side not the height
- Ensure the side you prefer to sleep on faces the inside to avoid collecting dirt
- Keep the top and bottom base inline
- Once you successfully fold the mattress, hold it in place with straps or ratchet tie-downs
If folding your mattress isn’t the best option for you, reinforce it with a slab of cardboard. Place your mattress on top of the cardboard and secure it with straps or ratchet tie downs. That way, your mattress will stay in place instead of flopping around as you move.
Step four: Lift from the knees
To protect your knees and back, you should always lift heavy objects from the knees. In this case, your mattress is heavy, and positioning while lifting will make all the difference. To align properly, never lift by bending forward. Instead, bend for hips and knees in a squat position.
Keep the mattress closest to your body as possible, and then spring your legs to straighten as you lift the mattress. Keep in mind to never lift anything heavy above shoulder level. Also, avoid twisting or turning your body as you hold or lift a heavy object. Here are some basic tips to help guide you on how to lift from the knees:
- Spread your feet apart to your shoulder width to increase your base of support
- Pull yourself closer to your mattress as you lift it
- Always bend only your knees and not your waist or back
- Tighten your gut muscles as you lift
- Lift the mattress slowly using the muscles in your hips and knees
- Avoid bending forward as you stand up while holding your mattress
- Squat to the same position you lifted with to place your mattress carefully on the ground
- Keep your back straight as you lift the mattress
- Avoid twisting your back as you lift or carry the mattress
Step five: Take your mattress to your vehicle
Once you have your mattress properly reinforced and covered, you can easily move it to your vehicle. You can always ask your friends and family for help or pay someone to help you. Moving companies can make your moving a lot easier and more stress-free. If you prefer doing it yourself, try renting a larger vehicle to transport your mattress safely.
Can you fold a mattress for transport?
Yes, you can fold your mattress but be sensitive on the type. We never recommend bending or folding your mattress since you might damage it. Folding or bending might damage the foam encasement, damage the coils, and bend the border rods. The warranty might cover the damage but you can clearly avoid it. When you tie down your mattress, avoid making the ropes or straps too tight to avoid permanent crease or internal damage to the mattress.
If you have a smaller car, the best option might seem to tie your mattress on the roof of your vehicle but it’s not a good idea. If you don’t tie it properly it can pose a safety hazard especially during heavy traffic. When you hit your brakes, the mattress can go flying out and might not be able to get it out of the road safely.
It might also hit and injure someone. You can also strain your back while trying to get the mattress off the road quickly. If possible, get a larger vehicle and ensure your mattress gets to your destination without mishap.
What is the cheapest way to transport a mattress?
Whether it’s a new mattress you’re taking home or moving into a new house, you need to be extra careful to ensure your mattress gets to the destination in good shape. There are a few cheaper ways to transport your mattress without having to break your wallet.
Get the right vehicle
If your car is too small, try renting a bigger one. As mentioned earlier it’s not a good idea tying your mattress on top of your car. Most mattresses should be transported on their sides, preferably while leaning against a wall. Make sure you secure the mattress properly with straps to protect it from damage. If not, rent out a moving van or track and negotiate to get reasonable prices.
Ship your mattress
If you are moving long distances without the extra money to hire a moving van to travel hundreds of miles, you can always ship your mattress. Of course, it will cost some cash but it’s cheaper than doing it yourself. Find a good company online that will ship your mattress for you. All you need is to enter quotes and measurements to see your range. If the prices are too steep, you can discuss your budget with the shipping companies and come up with reasonable prices you can afford.
How to protect mattress when moving
Wrap Your Mattress
You can buy a mattress cover or use a plastic cover to wrap your mattress from water and dirt. Make sure you cover the mattress completely, reinforce it with a shrink-wrap, and duct tape to keep it in place.
Read more: Ultimate Guide on Cleaning Your Mattress
Use Blankets under Mattress
You can also place old blankets or comforters under the mattress to help you slide the mattress in and out of your moving van. Let this be the last option but it can prove helpful. If you have access to a dolly cart, it is much better especially if the mattress is heavier.
Also, remove any obstacles along the way to make it easy to drag or move the mattress. Start with any breakable objects like hanging pictures, lamps, coffee tables, and other things. That way it’s easier to navigate the house and hurt your feet when you bump into things you can’t see. You might seriously get hurt if you fall and the mattress follows you.
Rent a covered truck
If you’re renting a truck, consider an enclosed moving van to protect your mattress from bad weather. Rain, dust, and other bad weather conditions can ruin your mattress and send you back a huge chunk to replace it. If you’re unable to rent a covered truck, check the weather before moving your mattress.
Verdict: Unpacking and Setting Up After Transporting Your Mattress
After your mattress arrives at your destination, you’ll need to unpack. Start by unwrapping the cover and letting the mattress breathe. In case there’s any moisture trapped under the cover, air dry it first before you place it on your bed. You can prop it up against the wall to let it breathe better.
It’s a good idea to vacuum or clean the dirt and stains on your mattress which it might have collected during the moving process. Make sure to read the instruction guide carefully to avoid damaging the mattress while cleaning it.
Once you’re finished and your favorite mattress is completely dry, you can now place it securely on your bed frame. Make sure to leave the mattress to air dry for as long as you can before you begin to use it.
Now we hope that this article has helped you learn a lot on how to transport your mattress in a quick and easy manner.
