When you are moving, helping a friend move, or upgrading your bedroom furniture, it is very common for you to need to relocate a mattress.If you have a friend help you move a mattress, it will be easier.If you move the mattress on your own, be sure to use a dolly and tie-down.Wrap the mattress in a protective plastic wrap to prevent it from being covered in dirt.
Step 1: Purchase a mattress cover.
These are sold at U-Haul locations.You can find mattress covers at a hardware store.They sell for $5 to $10USD.The sides and top of your mattress may come in contact with floors, stairs, the ground outside and the inside of a moving van during the process of being moved.There is a plastic mattress cover that you can use to keep your mattress clean.If you are moving the mattress from one room to another within the same house or apartment, you don't need to purchase or use a mattress cover.
Step 2: Remove the mattress from the bed.
The mattress needs to be lifted off of the bed frame or box spring before you can move it.Remove any blankets or quilts.You can move the mattress with the fitted sheet and mattress pad on, but not the other sheets.
Step 3: The mattress cover needs to be put over the mattress.
Stand the mattress on its side and slip the end of the zipper over the base of it.Pull the top of the cover over the mattress.The cover must be slid up until the entire mattress is inside.If you have someone with you, ask them to hold the head of the mattress up in the air.
Step 4: Zip the bag shut or tape it closed.
You can adjust the corners of the cover when your mattress is completely in it.There should be no spots where the plastic is stretched thin around the mattress.Zip the bag closed.To make sure that the cover is completely sealed, you need to use packaging tape.If you want to keep the dust out of the room, you need to fold the plastic cover over and tape down the loose edges.
Step 5: The way to the vehicle needs to be prepared.
Before you put the mattress in the truck, make sure you have a clear path to the vehicle.If you are going to walk through boxes and furniture, prop doors open so you don't have to open them while holding the mattress.You can still clear a path if you only move the mattress from one room to another.There is a chance you could trip over a chair.Before you start walking, make sure you know which route to take.This should be communicated to the person helping you move the mattress.
Step 6: Stand at one end of the mattress and have your friend stand at the other.
It's a good idea to have two people move the mattress.It will make it easier to maneuver the mattress if necessary.Before you start walking, make sure you know who will be moving backwards and forwards.
Step 7: Place the mattress under the corners.
Place the mattress on one of the edges.You can reach the bottom of the mattress if you bend at your knees.Put your hands under the corner of the mattress.Have your friend do the same thing.
Step 8: Lift the mattress with your legs.
Inform your friend so that they both stand and lift the mattress at the same time.One of you will be gaining more weight than the other.You can begin moving the mattress once it is elevated.If you stand up with your back turned, you could hurt yourself.
Step 9: Take the mattress out of the car.
Since you or your friend will be walking backwards, move slowly.To avoid tiring your arms, hold the mattress low around the level of your hips.If you want to rest your arms, you can set the mattress down.Let your friend know so they can both set the weight down.You may need to navigate tricky areas like tight corners, small doorways, and stairs while moving the mattress out of the bedroom or apartment.You need to angle one end of the mattress to fit through tight areas.
Step 10: The mattress should be on the edge of the van.
When Mattresses are kept upright on an edge, they move best.Don't try to balance boxes on top of your mattress in a moving van, and do not stack your heavy mattress on other objects inside of the van.If your moving van is not tightly packed with other boxes and household items, you will need to use some of your tie-down straps to hold your mattress in place against one of the walls.You can attach straps to the handles or bars on the interior walls of moving vans.Mattresses on their sides tend to crease in the middle.
Step 11: The mattress should be folded in half.
A queen- or king-size mattress is hard to lift.To reduce the height and width of the mattress, fold it in half.The top and bottom of the mattress should be touching.The side of the mattress that you sleep on should be on the inside.You can load a double or twin mattress on a dolly without folding it.The folding mattress will make it easier to move by yourself.
Step 12: There are tie-down around the mattress.
Space the tie-down straps out by about 2 feet (0.61 m) on the folded mattress.Pull on the loose end of the strap until it is tight.This will prevent the mattress from unfolding while it is being moved.You can buy a package of tie-down straps at any store that sells moving supplies.You don't need to secure a twin mattress with tie-down if you choose to move it without folding it.
Step 13: The mattress should be on top of the dolly.
Stand the folded and secured mattress up on to one of its ends so that it won't drag on the ground while being wheeled on a dolly.Lift the mattress with care.Lifting it off the ground will allow you to slide it on the dolly.If you want to rent a dolly from a hardware store, you should be able to find one at any U-Haul location.
Step 14: Take the mattress out of your vehicle.
You can put the mattress on the dolly and take it out of the house.The mattress shouldn't bounce or slide off of the side if the dolly is rolled slowly.Roll the dolly down the stairs if you have to take the mattress down.To prevent the mattress from falling down the stairway, lean back and move slowly.
Step 15: The mattress should be on the top of the vehicle.
If you don't use a moving van to carry your mattress, tying it to the top of your car or truck is the best way to move it.Make sure that the mattress is centered over the car by using your legs to lift the dolly and slide it on.Use bungee cords or straps to secure the mattress to the vehicle.Wrap 3 or 4 straps around the roof rack or top of the vehicle.The mattress will be held in place from side to side.Attach 2 bungee cords to the back and front of the vehicle.The mattress can fly off the back of the car.You don't have to untie and unfold the mattress until it's in the new apartment or bedroom, so leave it folded on the vehicle.If you are transporting a box spring, tie it on top of your car.Box springs hold their shape and will support your mattress and keep it from sagging over the window.