How to Move a Mattress? Moving a Mattress By Yourself

Moving a mattress by yourself doesn’t have to be a frustrating, cumbersome process. While it can’t be as easy as snapping your fingers, following a step-by-step roadmap (with some tips from professional movers) can be a lifesaver if you need help moving a mattress.

Yes, mattresses are awkward to move. Sure, mattresses take up quite a lot of space. But when you do it the right way, moving your mattress can be easy. If you’re ready to learn how the professionals recommend it, let’s get started…

A Step-by-Step Guide to Transporting Your Mattress

From vehicles to materials to preparing your mattress for transport, we’ve got everything covered. Simply follow along to become a mattress moving expert!

Of course, you can always get in touch with us here at Esquire Moving if you have any questions or would like to schedule a mattress moving service!

Step 1: Pick Out the Best Vehicle

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can easily fold up your mattress and stick it in the trunk. When it comes to how to move a mattress, choosing the right vehicle goes a very long way. While you can strap a mattress to the roof of a car, it’s not the recommended form of transportation. Instead, opt for a pickup truck or a moving vehicle.

A pickup truck will offer plenty of space in its bed. You’ll still want to use straps to keep your mattress secure, but space shouldn’t be much of an issue. If you’ll be moving a mattress along with the rest of your things, you can wedge boxes up against the mattress to keep it from moving during the ride. Of course, make sure nothing sharp comes near the mattress, and use blankets or towels for added protection. Don’t have a truck to use? You can always rent one.

For even more space, go with a moving van or a moving truck. Once again, you can rent moving vehicles for this purpose.

Step 2: Obtain Materials & Equipment

There’s a very good friend you’ll have all necessary materials already on hand, but be sure to go out and grab anything not in your possession…

The first thing you’ll want to obtain is a mattress bag. This is often a clear, plastic bag that slides easily over the mattress. This keeps your mattress clean and adds a bit of protection.

Next, get out your straps. In lieu of straps, you can also use rope or other similar materials. This is what you’ll use to secure the mattress whether it will be travelling in the bed of a truck or the roof of a vehicle. This makes moving a mattress with a car much easier.

Round out your materials with duct tape.

Step 3: Prep Your Mattress

An important thing to know in this process is how to wrap a mattress when moving. First, clean off all sheets so your mattress is naked. Then slip the mattress bag over the mattress. If you don’t have a mattress bag, wrap plastic around the entire shape.

With the duct tape, secure the extra plastic or the open end of the mattress bag. Moving a mattress in a car becomes far less stressful when you know there’s no chance that the wind can turn your bag into a sail, so don’t forget the duct tape!

Step 4: Pick Out Your Straps/Rope

You can find straps made specifically for tying down objects on or around your vehicle. But you can also secure your mattress to the roof of your vehicle using rope. If you’re looking for the best rope to tie a mattress to your car, consider both the quality of material and length.

You’ll likely want rope that’s four times the width of your mattress in order to secure it safely.

Step 5: Tie Down the Mattress

While the best option is moving your mattress in a moving truck, moving a mattress without a truck can be done by strapping the mattress to the roof of your vehicle. Of course, your straps or rope will play a key role as you tie down the mattress.

With your mattress secure in the mattress bag (which is closed with the use of duct tape), lift the mattress and lay it flat on the roof of your vehicle. Now get your rope out.

The first piece of rope will go from front to back. Make sure the rope is long enough to reach across the top of the mattress with one end easily reaching the front of the vehicle and the other end easily reaching the back of the vehicle.

Tie each end of the rope to the underside of the vehicle. Make sure the rope is secured with a strong knot. When tying the second end, make sure the rope is taut, which keeps the mattress secure on the roof of the car.

Next, roll down all windows apart from the driver’s window. Going over the width of the mattress, you’ll want to snake another piece of rope through the open windows. Go around twice for a secure fit, then tie the rope together on the inside of the vehicle.

Remember, securing the mattress is much more important than making sure the ropes line up perfectly.

Step 6: Travel

When it comes to moving a mattress, the safer option is the best option. So, rather than taking highways, take back roads (if at all possible). If you have the opportunity, have someone drive behind you to give you regular updates in case the ropes loosen or the mattress begins to shift.

Drive a safe, slow speed and check the ropes throughout the journey if you’ll be travelling a significant distance.

Conclusion

Moving a mattress used to be a headache. Now, with this step-by-step guide, you can do it by yourself. Of course, the easiest path to safely moving a mattress is by hiring the professionals here at Esquire Moving. They can prep, transport, and move your mattresses with the assistance of a large, well-maintained moving vehicle. That means no more strapping a mattress to the roof of your car and worrying about checking the ropes during transport. All you have to do is get in touch with Esquire Moving today. We’ll be happy to speak with you about your mattress moving needs.