How to Move a Mattress by Yourself in 5 Steps

Often, moving a mattress by yourself is easier and cheaper. Having to ask friends or family members to help can be a hassle. Furthermore, hiring professional movers to assist you can be rather costly. Therefore, most people opt to move a mattress by themselves.

While not everyone can move a mattress alone, most people won’t have an issue. Before attempting to move a mattress by yourself, you need to know how much the mattress weighs and whether you’re in good enough physical shape to lift it.

On average, mattresses weigh between 40 and 180 pounds. How much your mattress weighs is dependent on its size and type. Those with a bad back, limited mobility, or severe joint issues should not attempt to move a mattress by themselves. Safety is paramount when deciding to move a mattress by yourself.

In this article, we’ll break down the process of moving a mattress by yourself into five easy-to-follow steps. Then, we’ll address how heavy is too heavy to move by yourself. Next, we’ll discuss mattress transportation options and answer a few mattress moving questions.

Step 1: Mattress Prep

The first thing you’ll need to do is remove all bedding from the mattress. If your mattress is brand new, this won’t be a big deal. You can place your blankets in a heavy-duty garbage bag, vacuum-sealed bag, or moving box.

Then, you’ll want to place a plastic cover over your mattress. This cover keeps your mattress protected from dirt, damage, or stains during the moving process. Plastic covers are especially helpful for moving during inclement weather. Placing your mattress with a plastic cover into a mattress bag is the final step of preparing your mattress for transport.

To make a bed easier to move, you can try compressing your mattress at home. We advise caution as improper compression can damage the mattress’s materials.

Step 2: Path Clearance

Once your mattress is ready to be moved, you’ll need to plan your path. You do not want to have to worry about tripping and falling when moving your mattress. Moreover, you’ll want to choose a path that gets you from point a to point b as quickly as possible.

Make sure your vehicle or moving van isn’t a long-distance away. The door or trunk should be open, and seats should be folded down. Taking the time to plan out your path and ready your transport vehicle makes the entire process much smoother.

Step 3: The Heavy Lifting

It’s important not to overlook the actual lifting part of the process. Incorrectly lifting a mattress, even if it is on the lighter side, can lead to severe injuries. Always lift with your legs and not your back. Those with bad knees or hip issues may want to wear a brace when moving a mattress by themselves.

To lift your mattress, bend down until your legs are at a 90-degree angle with the floor. Get a good, solid grip on your mattress. Use your leg strength to stand straight up while maintaining a hold on the mattress. If you notice any pain or strong discomfort, put the mattress down immediately.

Step 4: To Room or Vehicle

Where you’re transporting your mattress matters. Moving your mattress somewhere within the same house or building complex may seem easier. However, it can be difficult to navigate stairs while carrying a mattress. If you must move your mattress to a vehicle plus another location instead of just a different room, you may want to ask for help.

Those transporting their mattress by vehicle to a new home, apartment, or condo don’t always have it easier. You’ll likely need to carry your mattress further on foot to load it into the vehicle. Always measure your vehicle to make sure you have room to safely fit the mattress inside or attach it to the roof without issue.

Step 5: Transport

Transporting a mattress doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. Taking your time with each step of the transportation process makes things relatively simple and minimizes potential problems. Regardless of where you’re transporting your mattress, safety is critical. Always make sure your bed frame is strong enough to support your mattress plus its foundation.

When placing your mattress on top of or inside a vehicle, you need to make sure your driving view is not obstructed. Likewise, you don’t want the mattress falling out of or off the top of the vehicle. A mattress that is strapped atop a car needs to be tightly secured. If you’re putting your mattress in your car, make sure you can close the trunk and still see out your mirrors.

How heavy is too heavy to transport by yourself?

Those uncertain about moving a mattress by themselves may be wondering, ‘how heavy is too heavy?’ The answer to this question depends on your age, physical fitness, and overall strength. What is too heavy for one person to lift may be perfectly feasible for another.

It’s also important to understand how much your mattress weighs. A few key points about mattress weight:

• Larger king size mattresses weigh more than smaller ones. Similarly, thicker mattresses weigh more than thinner beds.
• Memory foam, hybrid, and latex mattresses all weigh more than innerspring mattresses.
• Latex and hybrid mattresses often weigh significantly weigh more than memory foam mattresses.

Consult these mattress weight charts when determining whether you can safely move a mattress by yourself:

Mattress Sizes and Weights

Mattress Types and Weights

On Top of Your Car vs. Inside a Vehicle

The decision of whether to transport your mattress on top of or inside a vehicle is challenging for some. Transporting a mattress on the roof of your car may seem like the best option, especially for those with smaller cars or compact SUVs. However, issues can arise if you do not adequately secure your mattress.

Some mattresses can fit in the bed of a pickup truck, van, or large SUV. Unfortunately, these options limit the storage potential for those looking to move a lot of other stuff. To maximize your interior cargo area, consider vacuum packing your mattress, so you’re able to haul other items while transporting your mattress.

Tools You’ll Need

If you’re planning to move a mattress by yourself, there are a few tools you want to have handy. As mentioned previously, a mattress cover and mattress bag are necessary to keep your mattress protected. A cardboard box may also be helpful for transportation and lifting.

Other tools that may be necessary when transporting your mattress from one location to the next with a vehicle include zip ties, a dolly cart, or a large cart on wheels. Zip ties are only needed if you are going to strap your mattress to the top of a vehicle.

Do I Have to Move It Myself?

If you want to move a mattress a great distance but also want to avoid the hassle of carrying it and packing it into a vehicle, you can try shipping your mattress. Many professional shipping companies will allow you to ship a mattress using their services.

There are four steps to shipping a mattress:

1. Obtain shipping quotes from companies to find the best deal
2. Ready your mattress for shipping by putting away your bedding
3. Pack the mattress away in a box
4. Drop it off at a pick-up location or arrange a home pick-up

Shipping a mattress can cost a few hundred dollars, so it’s essential to ask yourself how long the mattress should last and whether it’s worth the added charge of shipping it.

FAQs

Does folding a mattress damage it?

Folding a mattress up can cause irreparable damage. This is true for all types of mattresses, but especially innerspring or memory foam mattresses. The last thing you want to do is damage or impair the longevity of your mattress when moving it.

The only mattresses that can be folded up are folding mattresses or air mattresses that have been deflated. For easier transport, consider vacuum packing your memory foam or latex mattress.

Can you roll up a mattress?

You can roll up a mattress if it has been vacuum-packed or deflated. Do not attempt to roll up a mattress that has not had all the air sucked out of it. This leads to unnecessary wear and tear. Once your mattress has been vacuum packed, carefully roll it up in a horizontal direction.

How can I ship my bed to another state?

You can ship your mattress to another state by hiring professional movers or finding a shipping company specializing in mattress transport. Both options are typically more expensive than moving the mattress yourself with a U-Haul, van, or pickup truck.

Mattress shipment cost ranges from $300 to $700 depending on the shipping distance and size of the mattress. Companies like uship can give you free quotes for shipping your bed to another state.

How do you vacuum pack a mattress?

Vacuum packing a mattress can save space but is a bit of a process. First, you need to purchase a vacuum-sealed bag that is the same size as your mattress. Then, you’ll need to make sure you have a vacuum or shop vac with a compatible hose for the bag.

Once you put your mattress inside the bag and attach the nozzle, use duct tape to create an airtight seal. Once all of the air has been sucked out, you can begin to roll the mattress up. After rolling, attach a ratchet strap to keep it secure. For best results, leave the vacuum on and attached during this process. You should remove all bedding before you vacuum pack a mattress.

Can you move a mattress without a truck?

You can certainly move a mattress without a truck. Those with a car or small SUV can secure their mattress to the roof with zip ties. Drivers with a larger van or spacious crossover may fit the mattress inside when they fold-down rear seating.

Renting a U-Haul, moving van, or borrowing a truck are all options for those who do not own a truck. The reason trucks are preferable when transporting a mattress is their large bed storage area.

Conclusion

Moving a mattress by yourself is possible if you are mobile and strong. How easy the mattress transportation process is depends on your mattress’s size and weight and how far you’re moving it. Placing a plastic cover on your mattress and putting it into a mattress bag keeps it protected from dust during transport.

Lifting with your legs and not your back is vital in avoiding injury while lifting a mattress. A clear obstacle-free path is also essential. You can use a moving truck, car, van, SUV, or U-Haul to transport your mattress. Whether attaching the mattress to a roof or storing it inside a vehicle, safety is crucial. Your mattress should not impede your ability to safely navigate the road.