Moving? How to Safely Transport Your Mattress

When you are moving, one of the most challenging pieces of furniture to move is your mattress and bed set. They are bulky, awkward, and take up a lot of space. If a mattress is not handled correctly, it can be ruined. Also, if you need to take the bed apart, pieces can get lost easily. Here are some tips on how to transport your mattress and bed set safely.

Moving a mattress

A good mattress is an investment. It can cost a lot of money and is important for your health. But whether you buy a cheap, generic mattress or a top of the line Casper mattress, you want it to be with you for a while. The last thing you want to do is ruin a good mattress during a move. With the right knowledge, you can protect your mattress and move it effectively.

Most mattresses need to be moved in a moving truck. A queen or king size mattress cannot be transported on the roof of a car or in the back of a truck. Since you will most likely have other large pieces of furniture, such as a couch or dining room table, that need to be moved as well, rent a moving truck. It doesn’t cost a lot and it will make moving much easier.

When placing your mattress in a moving truck, lie it flat and ratchet strap it down; you don’t want it shifting and moving while you are driving.

Caring for a mattress

A memory foam, hybrid, or futon mattress can be very heavy. They also tend to be flimsy as they don’t have the rigid structure that a traditional spring mattress has built into it. Great care needs to be taken with these pieces. They cannot be ratchet strapped down, and they cannot get wet.

The best way to protect your mattress is by purchasing a mattress protector cover. The cover will ensure that the mattress is kept dry and that it doesn’t get dirty. The last thing you want is mold growing in your mattress.

Since you cannot ratchet strap them down, purchase a mattress box for the move. These boxes are designed to fit a mattress and then you can ratchet the box, protecting the mattress.

If you don’t have a memory foam mattress, you can place it on top of other flat pieces of furniture and strap it down. You do not, however, want to put anything on top of the mattress. Make that your “roof” piece; the item closest to the roof of the truck.

Carrying a mattress

Unless you have a twin-size bed, maneuvering the mattress around corners and down stairs can be a challenge. Clear the hallway and stairs, so you don’t accidently trip over something. Be sure to have a mattress protector on before moving it out of the bedroom. This way, if you accidentally drop the mattress, it won’t get dirty. 

Moving a bed frame

When you take the bed frame apart, label any pieces that could get mixed up and make reassembly harder. Put all the hardware in a plastic bag and tape it to a piece of the bed so nothing is lost.

If you have delicate pieces on your bed, bubble wrap them and store them in way that they can’t get broken.

Storing a mattress

If you need to put your bed and mattress in storage temporarily, use a mattress protector. Do not store the mattress on its side; only store it flat. Also, use a mattress protector for the box spring, as well. It doesn’t cost a lot and will save your mattress should anything happen inside the unit, such as a leak or unforeseen water problem.

Moving can be exhausting. Once you get to your new home, you want to know that your bed and mattress are safe and intact so that you can get a good night's sleep. Taking these simple steps to protect your mattress and fragile bed pieces can save you time and money.