How to Move and Store a Mattress

Before You Begin

Consider these three important steps before you lift a finger to move a mattress.

A mattress is extremely heavy and cumbersome, even for two people.

For example, king and queen mattresses of any material can weigh over 100 pounds.

New mattress lying on wooden floor next to houseplant to be stored

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Trying to liftany size mattressonto the roof can bruise you and possibly rip the mattress.

Slide the bag over the mattress and secure it with packing tape.

The weight may damage the mattress.

Materials and tools to move and store a mattress

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Clean the mattress yourselfusing a steam cleaner or have itprofessionally cleanedbefore storing it.

Make certain that the mattress is thoroughly dry before storage to eliminate the risk of mold and mildew.

Never store a mattress uncovered.

Mattress back covering corner of mattress closeup

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Mattresses should be stored flat with nothing placed on top.

Heavy furniture or boxes will compress the mattress, and it will not bounce back.

Neverstore a mattress on its side for an extended period of time.

Mattress in clear mattress bag stacked on its side and leaning on wall

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

This rule applies to all types of mattresses includinggel memory foam,latex,hybrid, or spring coil.

There are also plenty of smallermoving companiesthat may be willing to move only your mattress a short distance.

Mattress placed on furniture folly and secured with orange rachet straps for moving

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Transporting a mattress on top of a vehicle

The Spruce / Danielle Moore

Steam cleaning a mattress

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

A mattress on its side in a mattress bag in storage

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Using packing tape on a mattress bag

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Two sets of hands moving mattress on wooden floor

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo