by It can be challenging to carry a queen-size or larger mattress alone. The mattresses tend to be big and awkward to handle. Some are heavy, and you might need a few helping hands.
So, when doing it on your own, you have to be careful, or you might damage it or even injure yourself.
To sort things out for you, we have developed this guide so you can move your mattress without needing any help, so read on.
Things Required to Move a Mattress on Your Own
Before you make any decision, consider the fact whether you need to move your mattress or not. If you wake up with pain or your mattress is pretty darn old, replacing it might be a better option.
These mattresses don’t come cheap, and quality mattresses tend to last for around ten years or so. If your bed is in good condition, you might have to move it to your new home. So, you need to purchase a few things that will come in handy to move it yourself.
Mattress bag
These are made of plastic, and they are pretty heavy-duty. These bags are big enough to envelop your entire mattress. You can find them in all sizes, and they are available from hardware stores or outlets where moving supplies are available.
Bubble wrap, tape & scissors
With the help of bubble wrap, you will get an additional layer of protection for your bed. Just wrap it around while keeping it upright and lean against a wall. You will need scissors and tape to seal the bubble wrap before you move.
Tie-down straps
These straps are useful because they make things easier for you when carrying your bed to your vehicle. You can find these straps at any hardware store; they come with buckles and hooks. Therefore, securing your bed will be much easier. You can use ropes if you have good knot-tying skills.
Cardboard
Based on how you plan to pack your mattress, you might or might not need cardboard. But it’s a good option if you want to reinforce your mattress.
Dolly
Another option is a dolly, and you can rent it. It’s a platform with wheels, and you can conveniently carry your mattress from home to your vehicle.
A truck/pickup truck/van
You will need a big vehicle with enough space to accommodate the entire mattress. Smaller-sized mattresses can also fit in a van if you can fold the seats. You will need a truck or a pickup truck for bigger mattresses.
Steps for Moving a Mattress on Your Own
Even moving a mattress on your own can be pretty intimidating. But the following text will list down a few steps you must follow to complete the job.
Be sure to remove all the bedding accessories from your mattress. These include the likes of pads, mattress toppers, and sheets.
Covering the mattress
The most convenient way that you can go when it comes to covering your mattress is by using a mattress bag. To put your bed inside the bag, stand it on its side and insert it.
If you have a zippered bag, there is no need to tape it. But if there is no zipper, fold in the open sides and tape them down. Then, you can run the tap around the mattress to secure the bag.
If a mattress bag is unavailable, you can use plastic wrap or bubble tape for the same purpose. Bubble wrap will add a protection layer.
While moving, your bed might brush against your vehicle’s walls, stairs, floor, and insides. So, covering your mattress with protection will protect it from any damage or stains.
Clearing the path to your vehicle
After covering the entire mattress, the next step is to check your path. From here, you will be taking your mattress to your vehicle. Be sure to move any boxes or other furniture in the bath. This way, you eliminate any risk of bumping into some obstacle or breaking anything.
As split mattresses are joined together in your bed frame, moving these smaller mattresses will be a much easier task for you to handle.
Carrying the mattress to your vehicle
Keep in mind that those larger-sized memory foam mattresses tend to be floppy. So, you have to reinforce them with something like cardboard. Doing so will significantly ease the entire process, allowing you to carry your mattress easily to your vehicle.
Going for larger cardboard boxes can be a good option. You will have to open, disassemble and flatten those cardboard boxes and place each on either side of the mattress. After that, you need to tie your mattress with tie-down straps or ropes.
Once you have secured your mattress, lift it gently and slide it on a dolly. And then gently roll your dolly out so the mattress doesn’t slide off. Now, move the dolly to your vehicle conveniently.
Drive to your destination
You must pick an appropriate vehicle that can conveniently accommodate the mattress size. Moving the mattress on its side is best because it becomes much easier to tackle.
When loading your mattress, keep it standing on one side but leaning towards a wall. If there is not enough space for you to keep it standing up, lay it down flat but don’t stack anything, or it might result in sagging.
Other Ways to Move Your Bed
If you still find it difficult to move your mattress, it’s better to hire a professional service. You can ship a mattress to the destination, which is an even simpler option. But of course, you will have to spend more money here.
Shipping your mattress
Shipping a packed mattress will cost you a fortune, and it will cost you even more if you have a larger mattress and how far it will go. However, this option is much more convenient, so you have to pay more. It will be handy if you move to a new state or a city.
Hiring a professional service
Another good option is to hire a professional moving service. You will save yourself from the hassle of packing or carrying your large bed. They are experts in moving and understand well how to drive various things without damaging them.
But of course, it will cost you a lot. So, this option comes in handy, especially if you are looking to move to a different place that is far off or the mattress is too big for you to handle.
Key Takeaways: How To Move A Mattress By Yourself
It can be a daunting task to relocate a queen-size or larger mattress by oneself, given the considerable size and challenging maneuverability of such mattresses. Despite these challenges, with the right tools and techniques, moving a mattress solo can be achieved without resorting to professional help.
Preparation is Key
It’s crucial to evaluate if the mattress even needs moving. If you consistently wake up with discomfort or recognize that your mattress is aging, considering a replacement might be more beneficial than relocation. However, if it’s still in prime condition and needs to be shifted, there are specific tools and materials you’d require to safeguard it and facilitate its movement.
Essential Tools and Materials
The cornerstone of mattress movement is a mattress bag, which can be sourced from most hardware stores or moving supply centers. This heavy-duty plastic bag, tailored for mattresses, provides the first layer of protection. Alongside, bubble wrap amplifies protection while tie-down straps or ropes help in securing the mattress for the move. Depending on your approach, additional reinforcements like cardboard might be needed. For ease of transportation, a dolly can be immensely beneficial, especially when coupled with a spacious vehicle like a van or a truck.
Effective Steps to Relocate a Mattress
Moving a mattress might seem overwhelming, but breaking down the process into manageable steps can simplify the task. It starts with stripping the mattress of any bedding and subsequently wrapping it securely. Ensuring a clear and unobstructed path to your vehicle is crucial, and the use of a dolly can streamline this phase. Larger mattresses, especially those made of memory foam, can be floppy and may require cardboard reinforcements. When it comes to transportation, selecting the right vehicle and positioning the mattress appropriately is crucial to prevent any potential damage.
Alternative Approaches
If the idea of moving a mattress independently still seems daunting, there are professional services available that specialize in this. Shipping the mattress or relying on expert moving services can significantly simplify the process, albeit at an additional cost.
Conclusion:
Moving your mattress on your own can be pretty tough, and it seems intimidating. But if you can manage it properly, it is not that difficult. But be careful when moving around your house with your mattress. Clear your path and open any doors so you can easily take the mattress out in one go.
You can always hire professional moving services if you still think it’s tough. Of course, they will cost you more, but your mattresses will be in good caring hands. If you want to move to another city or state, it’s best to ship your mattress to the destination.
There are plenty of options available when moving a mattress on your own. So, which one are you looking to try out?
References
https://www.tsishipping.com/resource-center/how-do-i-ship-mattress
https://casper.com/blog/how-to-move-a-mattress/
Move a mattress by yourself FAQs
Is it illegal to put the mattress on top of your vehicle?
No, tying your mattress on top of your vehicle is not illegal, and it fails the legal gray area in most US states. So, there are no laws associated with it to prohibit this practice.
Hence, if you want to tie your mattress to your car, you can go for it. Be careful when doing so, as it can damage your mattress and your car.
How do you move bed foundations or box springs?
You will need a pickup truck or a truck to move your box springs and foundations. They will take up much more space than your mattress.
Hiring a professional moving service is better because they can do the job effectively without damaging your bed. You can ship the foundations or box springs if you want to move to a distant place.
Can you move a queen size mattress in a van?
A cargo van can conveniently accommodate a queen size mattress. These vans are compact enough for convenient driving. But they have enough space in them to fit in a larger mattress.
For a queen mattress, your cargo van can come in handy. But you will have trouble fitting your queen bed in a regular van, even with the seats folded down.
Can you move a mattress with a utility dolly?
Yes, a utility dolly is very useful in making such moves. With the help of a dolly, you can move your mattress comfortably.
You must hold your mattress firmly to prevent it from slipping off the dolly. Then, lift the mattress above the floor and slide it on the dolly. After that, you can take it to your vehicle for loading.
How do you transport a mattress at home?
To begin with, you will have to wrap your mattress for protection and then stand it up. Keep your path clear, and all doors pop open. Continue from the mattress to your front door.
Just lift your mattress lightly and slide it on the dolly. Then, take it to the vehicle again, stand it up, and load it into your vehicle. You can flatten it out if there is enough space but not stack anything over it.
How to transport a mattress on its side?
It's much easier to transport your mattress by flipping it onto its side. Your job will become much easier, and you can handle the mattress conveniently without needing help.
Don’t fall out of your mattress because it will be in a much awkward position for you to tackle. When loading your mattress onto the vehicle, keep it upright. If you have space, you can flatten it out. But never take anything on it, or it will cause sagging.