My 6 Moving Hacks for Your Mattress
The perfect plan for moving your mattress all boils down to these two things: How old it is, and what condition it's in. These are vital questions to have answers for before proceeding with crafting a plan, because you must know what you're working with. On average, mattresses last about seven to 10 years, depending on how well you maintain them.
If your mattress is fairly new or in decent condition, you'll want to know the six steps below to prevent wasted time and damage during your transition. But if not, there's one more question to consider: Is it best to get a new mattress or keep your old one?
Read more: I Asked AI to Find My Next Bed. Here's How It Compares to My Own Opinion of the Best Mattress
My 6-step mattress moving checklist
Getty Images/Amy Kim/CNET
Make a mattress plan for a smooth move
The type of mattress you have will dictate what kind of heavy lifting needs to be done. If you have a queen -- or king-sized mattress, you might need someone to help you move from your old place to your new one. It's best not to bend your mattress to avoid ruining its springs and/or firmness.
Now things can get tricky when determining how to transport a bed frame and mattress. With bed frames, you have to consider if it's worth breaking down and then putting it back together or if the frame can be moved whole. Then, if you decide to move it together, will it even fit through the door frames from one location to the next? If you have a platform frame, especially with those storage spaces, it might be a good idea to break it down, but if you have one of those portal frames you may get away with just folding it in half to relocate it. Finally, you need to decide whether you will have transportation that's big enough to accommodate your needs.
Hashing these details out ahead of time can save you from headaches and wasted time. However, another option is to have professionals take care of your mattress and allow them to work out the nitty-gritty details of your move.
Read more: Trusted Moving Companies: How to Find Movers You Can Rely On
Get a mattress cover to avoid damage
No, this step is not mandatory, but it's highly recommended. Buying a mattress cover can limit damage to your mattress during the move, such as tears and stains.
While there are other clever hacks -- like taking sheets and wrapping them around your mattress -- covers for moving mattresses are fairly inexpensive. You can buy plastic covers at your local department store and trash them once you use them. You can also get reusable covers from Amazon to keep and store for your next move.
While you are shopping for a cover, consider adding tie-down straps to the cart, too. These straps make a world of difference when securing your mattress inside a truck or van to keep it in place while driving.
Video: CNET's Sleep Expert Guesses Mattresses Completely Blindfolded
Strip your mattress of all bedding before moving
Now that you have a solid moving plan in place with your mattress cover and supplies, these are the steps you should take for your mattress move. You'll want to remove your sheets, comforter, pillowcases and anything else on it. It's highly recommended that you wash your sheets and comforter before packing them. This keeps everything fresh and clean when you unpack in your new place.
Read more: The Best Way to Machine-Wash Your Sheets, Comforter and Pillowcases
Getty Images - Carlo A
Give your mattress a clean
After stripping off all the bedding, you want to make sure to clean the mattress thoroughly. Over time, your mattress will accumulate germs, and dust bunnies so vacuum it well and then wipe it down with warm water and a touch of dish soap. For a fresh aroma.
Read more: How to Clean Your Mattress at Home
Make sure there's a clear walkway for your mattress
In the rush of moving, sometimes clearing a walkway is the last thing on your mind. To ensure safety for you and your helpers, make sure you have space to navigate your mattress through your old spot.
Transporting your mattress on moving day
Now it's execution time. All of the brainstorming and shopping have come to this moment. If need be, load your mattress into your transportation vehicle with the help of others.
For mattresses with coils or springs, transport them positioned on their side, ideally between large furniture for extra stability. Most memory foam mattresses should be transported flat, though you should definitely check with your manufacturer for specific recommendations for moving.
Read more: How Big a Moving Truck Do I Need? Get the Right Size Rental Truck
Most moving experts do not recommend strapping a mattress to the top of a car. Along with the very real danger of the mattress falling or flying off, it's also much more prone to scratches, tears or damage to the coils or springs.
Now you're at the final stretch. Upon arriving at your new spot and getting your mattress into your new place, be sure to wipe it down again and give it a quick clean. During the move, dirt and germs can accumulate. Once you have cleaned surfaces, now it's time to unpack and get settled into your new pad. But rest assured, you'll have a comfy fresh place to lay your head after all your moving activity is done.
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