It's the end of a very long moving day, and you've got one final item to move: the mattress. You're completely out of ideas on how to get it from the van into your bedroom because there are some tricky, tight corners along the way. Can you bend a mattress to move it? We've researched various methods to move a mattress safely and soundly so you can finally rest.
You should never fold a spring mattress because bending can permanently damage the metal coils and border rods. Also, bent coils can spring through the mattress fabric, tearing through to the exterior. Foam mattresses can bend temporarily, but should not be folded for a length of time otherwise risk damage. If your mattress arrives in a box, simply move the box and open the mattress when it lands in the intended room.
Unnecessary wear on a mattress risks ruining the comfort and sustainability, as well as voiding the mattress's warranty. It is doable but not the most efficient or safe method. Read on to learn the safer methods of moving a mattress without bending it.
How Much Can You Bend A Mattress?
Folding a mattress with springs should never be attempted, nor would it be an easy feat. The metal coils could permanently be damaged or broken or potentially tear the fabric. The rod that borders that mattress should also not be bent, as it will be permanently disfigured, never able to be restored to its previous condition. The furthest a spring mattress can safely bend is 15 degrees.
On the other hand, foam mattresses can bend, but not without a few caveats of their own. The foam in the mattress could shift, leading to disfigurement. The memory foam's recall could be permanently lost. The foam mattress cannot be left folded for a long amount of time; otherwise, it risks sustaining damage. The fold line can cause wear on the mattress, thinning the material.
How Do You Get A Mattress Upstairs?
Find a Moving Buddy
What is the easiest way to move a mattress? There are a variety of other ways to move a mattress safely, without undue damage. Carrying a mattress becomes much easier and faster with two people, so find a moving buddy to help, and try the technique below.
Flip the mattress onto its side, then stand at opposite sides of the mattress -front and back. Each mover should bend down and lift from the corner facing you. This is a safe lifting method for decreased risk of muscle strain, falls, and wear to the mattress. It is incredibly important to remember to lift with your knees rather than your back and check to make sure you've fully cleared your path beforehand.
Move It Yourself
However, it isn't always possible to have help. To move a mattress yourself, secure the mattress in a plastic mattress bag; as the first thing. Once you've done that, flip the mattress onto its side and grab onto both corners facing you. This method could be a little tricky due to walking backwards up the stairs with the mattress's weight. To make it a little easier on yourself, you could also tie a rope or bungee cord along the length of the mattress to drag it.
You could also try to push the mattress up the stairs if your staircase is wide enough and the mattress small enough. This method should absolutely be a last-ditch attempt though, and isn't even guaranteed to work for every single mattress type. It could also damage the mattress and also isn't the easiest method for your body.
Keep It Boxed/Packaged
If your mattress arrives in a box, you could just leave the mattress in the box and move it that way. This is far easier than lugging an open mattress up the stairs because it takes up much less space in the box and poses less risk of injuring yourself or ruining the mattress.
Hire the Professionals
If none of the above methods work for you, consider hiring professional movers. This is the easiest method, though the least cost-efficient; the typical price range for movers ranges from $300 to $5,000, depending on the contents of your move.
The Final Fold -Foam Mattresses Only
Every method has their own set of drawbacks, but are all safer than folding the mattress. However, what do you do if you have exhausted every other possible method, including pushing it up the stairs? If the mattress is foam, it can be folded for a short time under certain circumstances.
Cover the mattress with the mattress bag first and tape it shut with masking tape. It is much easier to try to fold with two people rather than one. Fold the mattress width-wise rather than length-wise, and be sure to check that the side you sleep on is folded on the inside. Use about two or three ropes to tie the folded mattress together to make sure it doesn't become unfolded as you carry it.
Take the same precautions as you would with any other way of moving the mattress, and once again, make sure to lift with your knees rather than your back. If you're still in search of mattress options for your new digs, check out "Do Pillow Top Mattresses Wear Out Faster?"
In Closing
Overall, there are many ways you could move your mattress with a friend, by yourself, or with professional movers. Fold only under certain circumstances if moving a foam mattress.
Need to get some rest between moves? Check out "8 Mattress Alternatives You Can Consider At Times of Need."