You’ve done it – you’ve bought a king size bed! You saved up and you looked through all the IKEA catalogs you could stand and you committed and you brought one into your home. You’ve slept on it like a baby with all the space you could possibly need. It’s been wonderful. Except now it’s time to move and your bed is coming with you. Which may be a bit of a problem, considering how big it is. So how are you going to pack and move a king size mattress? Well, as the best Fort Lauderdale movers know, it’s not easy as folding it up and putting it in a box. But where there’s a will, there’s a way!
Is your mattress worth moving at all?
Look, we get it. Mattresses can be expensive so you don’t really want to change them that often if you can avoid it. And after sleeping on one for a while you grow kind of attached to it. Trust us, we’ve all been there. But not all beds are worth moving. Sometimes they’re just too old, too damaged, too much of a hassle. So before you pack and move a king size mattress, really think about it. Does it still belong in your home inventory? Or would you be better off getting rid of it and buying a new one?
The condition of the bed
When deciding on whether to move a bed, consider its condition first. And we’re not just talking about when you bought it (though that definitely plays a significant role too). According to the Better Sleep Council, there’s a lot more to take into consideration. Ask yourself these questions:
- Is the mattress more than 7 years old?
- Are there visible sunken spots or other damage?
- Have you slept better on a different mattress recently?
- Do you wake up sore and stiff?
- Do you wake up still tired?
If you find yourself mostly saying yes, it’s time for an upgrade!
The conditions of the relocation
It’s not just the bed itself that you need to consider – it’s the move too. Are you moving across town? Or are you planning on a long-distance relocation? Because taking all your furniture with you makes sense if you’re only headed to another neighborhood. But if you’re changing states, countries or even continents, replacing the bulkiest pieces may be easier. And in case you’re downsizing from a house to an apartment, you may simply want to use the smaller space differently.
Hire someone to pack and move the bed for you
The easiest way to pack and move a king size mattress is to have an experienced professional do it for you. You can find plenty of cheap movers Miami who offer all kinds of services from packing to storage to specialty relocation. If you think that packing and moving your bed will be too difficult for you, these movers will take it in stride. So don’t hesitate to ask for their help!
How to pack and move a king size mattress yourself
Of course, for a variety of different reasons, you may opt to pack and move a king size mattress yourself. If this is the case, you should prepare for the unique challenge that moving such a large mattress presents. King size mattresses are usually about 76 by 80 inches (although there is some variation between manufacturers). That’s quite large. And it’s also quite heavy! What makes mattresses even more difficult for transportation is that they’re floppy and don’t always keep the shape you expect them to. Basically, what that means is that you won’t be able to move one yourself and certainly not without proper technique or tools.
Get the right tools
While it is possible to improvise with makeshift DIY tools or simply do without them, it is definitely not advisable. The right tools make the job easier and investing in quality supplies is easily one of the top packing tips we can give you. A mattress bag or box in the right size can go a long way in protecting your mattress as well as making it easier to move. Plastic sheeting can be a suitable replacement too. Furniture pads and moving blankets will make it easier for you to drag the mattress around while moving straps and dolly will make carrying one around safer.
Just remember not to use the straps already on the mattress. These are not here for the kind of moving you’ll be doing but rather only to help you adjust the mattress a bit once it’s on a bed. They will rip under the weight and strain, causing damage to the mattress and potentially endangering you.
Get someone to help you
It’s not easy to pack and move a king size mattress. It’s at least a two-person job. Make sure, therefore, to have someone around to help you out. You’ll want to get the mattress on its wider side and move it while it’s upright so it can fit through doors. Use a moving blanket to slide it around or carry it as if in a sling.
Hire the right size moving truck
With an item this size there’s a real possibility of not being able to fit it into a moving truck. Measure your mattress and bed carefully and make sure the moving truck you’re renting has enough space. If you’re hiring movers, inform them of the mattress’s dimensions so they can come prepared.
Follow manufacturer’s instructions
While we would generally advise moving the mattress in an upright position (leaning on its wider side) to save space, this isn’t always an option. Some mattresses, especially if they’re made of memory foam or gel, must stay flat on the bed or the floor. Check with the manufacturer if you’re not sure! In some cases, it may even be easier to pack and move a king size mattress with the bed. If you opt for that, move the bed in its entirety as a single unit – don’t partially disassemble it. Beds should always be either fully assembled or fully disassembled. Anything else can leave parts of it without proper support and spell out disaster!
