How do you move a king-size mattress by yourself?

Answered by Katherine Broome

February 10, 2021

Before you move your mattress, you'll want to get either a mattress bag or a mattress box to move your mattress in. Since you’re going to be moving it by yourself, we recommend a mattress box.

We also recommend evaluating if your mattress is worth moving. If it’s old, then it might be time for a new one (studies show it’s best to replace a mattress every five to seven years).

To move your mattress, (after stripping it of sheets and blankets) follow these steps:

1. Slide it into a mattress box and tape it shut
   1. You can also put it into a bag and fold it, but folding your mattress can cause other issues like creating a crease in the bed
2. Make sure you have a vehicle that can move your mattress and either slide it out of your house or use a dolly to wheel it out
   1. This takes the weight off of you and makes it easier to move
3. While a pickup truck can theoretically move a king-size bed, you might be better off with it in a 10’ box truck for U-Haul or another rental company
   1. This gives you more room and lets you add other items to your move
   2. It also protects your mattress from the elements since U-Hauls are enclosed

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Lift with your knees to avoid back injuries
• Get close to the item that you are lifting
  • Also, keep the object close to your body as you are lifting and moving it
• Don't twist your back when moving the object
• When setting the object down, squat, don't bend