How to move a mattress
A mattress is light for its size but floppy, easy to soil, and easy to damage by bending. The move is mostly about keeping it clean, keeping it supported flat, and keeping it under control in the wind. Do not fold an innerspring or memory-foam mattress, it can permanently damage the core.
- People
- 2 recommended
- Time
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Vehicle
- Any, van, truck, or SUV
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Disassembly
- No, never fold it
In this guide
What you'll need
- Mattress bagKeeps out dirt, water, and bed bugs
- Ratchet straps or ropeTo secure it flat in transit
- Packing tape
- Two peopleOne per end to control the flex
- Clean tarpIf you have no mattress bag
Move it step by step
Strip and bag the mattress
A mattress bag is the single most important item. It keeps out road grime, rain, and, critically, bed bugs, which is why many buildings require bagging.
- Remove all bedding and any mattress topper
- Slide the mattress into a sized bag and tape it shut
- Do not skip this for a short move, one puddle ruins it
Decide flat vs. on-edge
Carry a mattress on its edge to get it through the house, but transport it flat whenever you can. Memory foam and hybrids especially dislike riding on edge for long.
- On edge = easier through doors and down halls
- Flat = the safest way to actually drive it anywhere
Folding or heavily bending a mattress to make it fit. Innerspring and foam cores can crease permanently, it is not a warranty-safe shortcut.
Carry it under control
Two people, one at each end, keeps a floppy mattress from folding on you. Grip the bag, not a handle, most "handles" are decorative and will tear.
Load it flat and low
Lay the mattress flat on the truck floor and stack lighter, flat items on top. If it must ride on edge, brace it firmly against a wall so it cannot bow.
Secure against the wind
A mattress on a roof or open bed becomes a sail. Ropes across the middle alone are not enough, wind gets under the edges and lifts.
- Strap it flat, front-to-back and side-to-side
- Never rely on one person holding it out a window
- If it is on a roof, reconsider, this is how mattresses end up on the highway
Common problems
The mattress keeps folding while we carry it
Put a person on each end and carry it on edge through the house, a mattress is far more rigid across its short dimension than folded flat in the middle.
I only have a car, not a truck
A mattress can ride flat in an SUV or on a roof rack, but never loosely on a car roof held by hand. If it will not sit flat and strap down, do not drive it.
The building requires a mattress bag
Many apartments require bagging to prevent bed bug transfer in shared hallways. Buy a bag sized to your mattress before move day, they are inexpensive.
It got dirty or wet
Surface dirt can be vacuumed and spot-cleaned, but a soaked innerspring or foam mattress can grow mold inside and is often not salvageable. Prevention with a bag is the only real fix.
Will it fit?
Measure your mattress, then compare it with the vehicle's cargo space and door opening. Check the actual vehicle before booking.
Check vehicle fit ↗What will it cost?
Compare estimates for your mattress, distance, stairs, and access. The calculator gives a planning range; your mover confirms the quote.
Estimate moving cost ↗When to get help
- The mattress is a king or heavy hybrid
- You are moving it down stairs or a tight stairwell
- You do not have a vehicle it can ride in flat
- Your building requires bagging and controlled transport
Skip the wrestling match
Have your mattress bagged, carried, and transported flat without the roof-rack gamble.
Get this mattress moved ↗Frequently asked questions
Can you bend or fold a mattress to move it?
No. Innerspring mattresses can have coils bent and foam mattresses can crease permanently. Only some specific foam mattresses are designed to roll, check the manufacturer.
How do you move a mattress by yourself?
Bag it, stand it on edge, and "walk" it along a wall. For anything past the doorway, a second person makes it dramatically safer.
Do you need a mattress bag?
Strongly recommended, and often required by apartment buildings. It protects against dirt, water, and bed bugs for a few dollars.
Should a mattress be moved flat or on its side?
On its side for carrying through the house; flat for transport. Foam and hybrid mattresses should not ride on edge for a long drive.
Can a mattress go on a car roof?
Only strapped flat to a proper roof rack, front-to-back and side-to-side. A mattress held by hand out a window is unsafe and illegal in many places.