Key Takeaways 

• Moving a queen mattress starts with gathering the right supplies, including a mattress bag, packing tape, and tie-downs.
• Mattresses should be covered and sealed with a mattress bag to protect against tearing, dirt, and moisture during the move.
• Using proper lifting techniques can help you avoid injuries when moving heavy mattresses.
• Avoid folding or bending mattresses to prevent damage.

When it comes to moving, the large items are always the most difficult. A queen mattress is approximately 60” x 80” and, while awkward, can be moved safely as long as you’re using the right technique.

If you’re not sure how to move a queen mattress, check out this guide to learn how you can safely and efficiently complete your move.

Step 1: Gather the Essential Supplies for Moving a Mattress 

Before you move a queen mattress, you need to have the right supplies. Start by gathering some mattress-moving essentials:

• Mattress bag. A mattress bag is a heavy-duty cover that’s designed to protect your mattress when you’re moving. Just like you wrap and protect furniture, mattress bags are designed to simply slide over your mattress.
• Packing tape. Once you’ve got the mattress bag over your mattress, you need packing tape to seal it. This is an important step because it helps prevent damage to your mattress from dirt, water, and anything else it might be exposed to during the move.
• Moving equipment. Moving straps and other moving equipment can be helpful when moving a queen mattress, especially if you have another person to stand on the other side of the mattress.
• Tie-downs. If you’re moving your mattress in the back of a truck or on top of a van or car, you need tie-downs to make sure it stays put while you’re driving.
• Moving blankets. Moving blankets provide additional protection against mattress rips and tears while moving.

Step 2: Prep and Seal the Queen Mattress

Now that you’ve got all the equipment you need, it’s time to prep and seal the queen mattress. Start by removing the bedding and pillows and storing them. Next, slide the mattress bag over the queen mattress and pull the excess plastic over one edge to tightly seal it. Use packing tape to seal the mattress bag and protect against moisture and dirt.

If you don’t have a mattress bag, you can use heavy-duty shrink wrap or moving blankets to protect your mattress from tears.

Whether you want to store stuff during deployment or during a move, using the right protective equipment is crucial.

Step 3: Clear the Path for the Queen Mattress 

When you’re moving anything large, it’s always a smart idea to clear out a path between the moving truck and the rooms where large items are located. Clearing a path from your bedroom to your car or truck allows you to seamlessly move your mattress without worrying about tripping.

Clearing out a path is also important because it helps you avoid snagging your mattress on things while you’re carrying it, which is an easy way to cause rips and tears.

Step 4: Safely Lift and Move the Queen Mattress Out of the Room

After the mattress is sealed in a mattress bag and you’ve got a clear path from the bedroom to your car or truck, it’s time to lift the mattress and carry it outside. Moving straps make it easy to get a firm hold underneath the mattress, but you’ll need one person on each side of the mattress.

When you’re lifting your mattress, lift with your lower body and core instead of your back. Improper lifting technique can result in back injuries.

When navigating stairs and narrow hallways, keep the mattress vertical to minimize the space it takes up. In some cases, it may be easier to move a mattress one way out of a hallway to straighten it out before moving it back the other way.

Step 5: Load and Transport the Queen Mattress into the Vehicle

Choosing the right vehicle is one of the toughest parts of knowing how to transport a queen size mattress. The easiest way to transport a queen mattress is to use a moving truck that has enough space for you to lay the mattress down flat in the back. If that’s not an option, you can use your own truck, van, or car to move your mattress.

Transporting your queen mattress in a truck, van, or car 

If you’re transporting a queen mattress in a van or truck, the process can vary depending on the size of the vehicle. Some vans and trucks are large enough that a queen mattress can lie flat in the back, but you might have to lean it up against the wall of the truck bed or cargo space. If you’re leaning a mattress against the side of your truck bed, tie it down to make sure it stays put.

Figuring out how to move a queen size mattress with a car can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. If you lay your mattress over the top of your car and use straps to tie it down, you can safely transport it. When you’re moving a queen mattress that’s strapped down to a car, it’s best to stick to short-distance moves. If you need to move your queen mattress to another state or a distant city, hiring movers or renting a moving van will make your life a lot easier.

Tips for Moving a Queen Mattress by Yourself 

Moving a queen mattress is always a bit of a challenge, but figuring out how to move a queen size mattress by yourself is even more difficult.

If you have to move a queen size mattress by yourself, it might be a little easier with a dolly or platform truck. You can use ratchet straps to keep the mattress attached to moving equipment, but avoid ratcheting straps too tightly to prevent damage.

You can also try using moving straps to move a queen mattress by yourself. These straps are designed to wrap around the edge of the mattress to give you more leverage, which makes it easier to lift heavy mattresses.

Follow the same basic tips whether you’re moving a mattress by yourself or with a partner. Use a mattress bag and moving blankets to protect your mattress, focus on proper lifting techniques, and secure it in the vehicle after loading it up.

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Moving a Queen Mattress

Moving a queen mattress is a large feat, but you can do it with a little determination, the proper equipmen, and the right packing tips. Avoiding common mistakes can make moving a queen mattress even easier:

• Bending or folding it. Most mattresses aren’t designed to be bent or folded, and doing so can cause significant damage. Avoid folding your mattress to ensure it maintains its shape during the move.
• Not using mattress protection. Mattresses are delicate when it comes to ripping and tearing, so you don’t want to slide your mattress across the bed of your truck or the ground. Use a mattress bag or heavy-duty shrink wrap to protect your mattress from tears, dirt, and moisture.
• Not securing the mattress. Once you’ve got your queen mattress loaded in your vehicle, make sure it’s secure to prevent accidents. If you’re transporting a queen mattress on top of your car, tie it down to keep it in place.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving a Queen Mattress

Can you fold a queen mattress to move it?

Folding or bending a queen mattress to move it isn’t generally recommended because it can damage the mattress. It’s important to choose a vehicle that’s large enough to transport your mattress without folding it, or tie it to the top of your car.

How do I move a memory foam queen mattress without damaging it? 

To move a memory foam queen mattress without damaging it, make sure the mattress is protected with a mattress bag and avoid folding it. Lay the mattress flat in a truck or van before transporting it.

Is it better to move a queen mattress with a dolly or by sliding it?

It’s better to move a queen mattress with a dolly because sliding it can cause tearing. Protecting your queen mattress with a mattress bag and moving blankets helps you prevent damage during the move.

Move Your Queen Mattress Like a Professional

Whether you’re getting ready to store a mattress or learning to move a queen mattress alone, choosing the right equipment and preparing ahead of time makes a world of difference.

If you’re planning a move, Storage Hub can help you eliminate the stress with a convenient storage unit. Contact us to learn more about our storage unit options and find a location near you.