Moving a mattress is one of the most tedious jobs when you are relocating. Moving the mattress is as stressful as moving heavy furniture. It entails folding or rolling the mattress, loading, unloading, and storing.
In this article, I’m going to guide you on how to roll a spring mattress and move it properly. Rolling and compressing a mattress, moving to a new destination, and storing it for future use are interrelated activities. I will try to give you a complete and comprehensive guide that covers all these topics.
Table of Contents
Construction of a spring mattress
Although old-fashioned, a spring mattress is still popular for its comfort and so many other good features. Before knowing the rolling process, it is important to know its construction. Thus you will understand what goes through a spring mattress when you fold or roll a spring mattress.
Rolling a spring mattress is a controversial topic. Knowing the construction will also give you knowledge about whether you should or should not roll a spring mattress.
Base layer or the core
It is the support of the spring mattress. The core is made of metal coils springs. The quality of the springs determines the firmness of the mattress. Bonnell coils are the springs that laced together. They are the oldest type of mattress core.
Other than this, mattress coils can be three other different types – offset coils, continuous coils, and marshall pocket coils. Unlike the Bonnell coils, pocket coils are made of independent springs.
Comfort layer or cushioning
Well, it might possible you know what a cold foam mattress is and think it’s better than a spring mattress. But It is the cover cushioning of the spring mattress that ensures comfort and pressure relief.
The cushioning of the mattress is often called the upholstery layer. The core of the mattress provides the support and the upholstery layer provides comfort.
Under the cushioning layer, there is an insulator that keeps the upholstery and the metal coils separate. At the top of the upholstery, there is a thin layer of foam or fiber. This upper layer is often called the quilt. It is stitched together with the cushion and ensures the softness of the surface.
The rolling of a spring mattress or moving process will be different based on the type of innerspring mattress you have. Bonnell and pocket spring are the two most popular types of innerspring mattresses available in the market.
The roll a spring mattress process will be different for each of these types.
Roll a spring mattress – Pocket version
The pocket spring system is the upgraded version of the regular mattresses. In this system, individual springs are wrapped and stitched separately below the comfort layer. Unlike the regular spring coils, the pocket springs are totally independent.
Therefore, this type of innerspring mattress is free from motion transfer issues. Usually, a pocket spring mattress is more comfortable than a traditional spring mattress.
Necessary equipment
A mattress vacuum bag is the most necessary equipment to compress the pocket mattress before you roll a spring mattress. If you have kept the bag that came with the new mattress then you can use it. No worries if you don’t have that bag now. These mattress vacuum bags are readily available in the market.
Apart from this bag, you will need a vacuum machine for the suction of air. The higher the horsepower of the vacuum, the better and easier it is for the compression of the mattress.
You also need ratchet straps to tie the mattress after you roll a spring mattress. Fortunately, most vacuum bags come with free ratchet straps. Therefore, purchase the bag before the straps and check whether you get the free straps.
Process to roll a spring mattress – pocket version
A pocket coil mattress is usually shipped in a box as compressed and rolled. A rolled or folded mattress is easier to transport. Below is the step-by-step process of how you can roll a pocket spring mattress for easy transport and storage.
- The first step to roll a spring mattress is placing it inside the vacuum bag for compression. Make sure that you have removed all the beddings from the mattress before placing the mattress into the bag.
- The next step is closing and sealing the bag. Move the zip slider to seal the top of the bag. Press the zip slider tightly so that no air can leak out.
- After ensuring perfect sealing, place the circular hose of the vacuum onto the valve of the bag. The valve should fill the hose completely without any leakage.
- Now it’s the time for vacuuming. Turn on the vacuum and start sucking the air inside the bag. The bag will start to shrink.
- After all the air from the bag is sucked out, the mattress will start to shrink. You may walk on the mattress during vacuuming to help the springs get shrunk.
- When you see that the bag and the mattress are not shrinking anymore, remove the vacuum hose and close the lid.
- Now start to roll a spring mattress from one side and stop at the end. When you roll a spring mattress is done, put the mattress inside a plastic bag. Make use you do not damage the bag during transport.
Transporting the rolled pocket mattress
Transporting a rolled mattress is thousand times easier than moving without rolling. Whether you are carrying the rolled mattress in a truck or a car, make sure you do not damage the vacuum bag. Otherwise, the mattress can get inflated and create a mess.
It is better if you can carry the mattress in the carton that came from the manufacturer. If you can not manage a carton, then tie the mattress with the vehicle so that it can not move.
Caution
If you can not compress, vacuum, and roll the mattress properly then move it in the flat condition. The inside springs of the mattress can be deformed if the compression is not perfect and uniform. A mattress with a deformed and damaged spring will create uneven surfaces and discomfort. Thus, the mattress will be ultimately useless. Therefore, if you are not confident that you can roll the mattress, then don’t even try it.
Manufacturers in recent times prefer delivering the mattress packed in the carton box. Boxed mattresses are relatively cheaper because of the less delivery, storage, and logistics costs. They have the expertise, commercial rolling, and vacuum machines for packing the mattress.
Therefore, it is not always correct that a mattress that came in a box in rolled condition can be rolled. It depends on your expertise and availability of the necessary tools.
Rolling and moving a Bonnell coil mattress
The Bonnell coil mattress is the traditional type of innerspring mattress. The inside springs of this type of mattress are interconnected. Thus, a mesh or web of metal constructs the spring system. As the spring system is connected to each other, the movement of one spring affects the movement of the whole system. Therefore, while you are sleeping, your movement can move the whole mattress and create discomfort for your partner.
Can you roll a Bonnell spring mattress?
You should never roll a spring mattress nor even try to fold them. Tying to fold an innerspring mattress will damage it and void the warranty. From the construction of a Bonnell spring mattress, we know that there are multiple layers of spring coils in it. The thickness of a Bonnell spring mattress is at least 12 inches.
Because of the inside coils metal springs and high thickness, the manufacturers usually do not allow the users to bend the mattress more than 45 degrees. Therefore, considering these features of a Bonnell spring mattress, we never recommend rolling it for transporting. Rather, you should follow a step-by-step guideline while moving a Bonnel spring mattress to keep it intact.
Guide to move the Bonnell mattress without rolling
You already know that rolling the Bonnell spring mattress is not recommended. If you can not roll or fold them, then how to transport such mattresses to your new destination conveniently? I’m going to discuss this in this section.
Find a friend
The weight of a Bonnell spring mattress can be around 100 pounds. If you try moving it singlehandedly you may end up with injury and muscle strain. Therefore, you need to find a buddy or a partner to get help from them. Do the job together – from wrapping the mattress, carrying to the vehicle, loading, unloading, and storing to the new place.
Get the equipment ready
You need the following equipment for safe and comfortable transport. Check whether you have all of these.
- Transporting bag – a big plastic mattress bag is necessary to protect the mattress from dust and damage during moving it to the new place.
- Hand truck – a hand truck will help you move the mattress smoothly from the bedroom to the vehicle. It will be also equally beneficial during the unloading time.
- Shipping tape – make sure you have strong and water-resistant shipping tape to seal the mattress bag.
- Ratchet straps – these will tie down the mattress with the truck and keep it stiff.
- Strong rope – this is an alternative to ratchet straps. Get strong and sturdy nylon rope from the local hardware store.
- Knife- you will need it for cutting the rope and the mattress bag. Follow the safety instructions and do not cut the mattress inadvertently when unpacking it.
- Tool set and sandwich bag – if the mattress is attached to the bed frame, then you need a tool set to disassemble and reassemble the mattress. A sandwich bag will keep the small parts together and save them from getting lost.
Pack the mattress inside the bag
Put the mattress inside the bag with the help of your partner. Place the mattress flat on the floor and keep one end of the mattress against the wall. Now raise the other side of it and ask your friend to push the bag. After covering the mattress with the bag, seal the open end with duct tape. Do not forget to fold the flaps and tighten the sealing.
Prepare for loading to the vehicle
The preparation starts from choosing the right vehicle. You should not transport your mattress in a car. I would not recommend transporting it on the roof of the car as well. There is a chance that the mattress will get damaged if you carry it on the roof. The best vehicle for transporting the mattress is a specious moving truck.
If the packing is done and the truck is ready, clear the walkway. Make sure you have kept the door of the truck open. You should also fix and clear the interior of the truck where you are going to place the mattress.
Carry the mattress to the truck
After the loading preparation is done, lift the mattress with your partner. Lift it lengthwise. Do not use your back when forcing the lifting energy. Rather, try to use your legs and keep yourself straight. Do not bend forward when lifting the mattress.
Now place the mattress upright on the hand truck. If you can not manage a hand truck, then place the mattress on cardboard and drag it to the vehicle. If the walkway has stairs, then lift the mattress again. Do not try to use a hand truck on the stairs.
As you roll a spring mattress and carry it to the truck you need to take care not to misplace the mattress. As you place the mattress remember the size of your truck and mattress size.
Load the mattress into the vehicle
If you are moving the mattress with a van then lift it from the hand truck and load it to the moving truck. But if you are bound to use the roof of your car or SUV, then make sure you must have the bag to cover the mattress. The bag will protect the cover of the mattress from dirt, dust, and damage.
Securing the mattress with rope or ratchet straps is an important part of loading. If you are carrying with your SUV, securing the mattress is double important. If the roof does not have a luggage rack, then use the door jam and window to tie and secure the mattress.
How to store?
If you are going to use the mattress right after moving it, then there is nothing to talk about storing. But for storing the mattress for a long time, some instructions should be followed to save it from damage. It is a good practice to keep the mattress in a humidity-controlled storage room. Otherwise, the formation of mold and mildew can make the mattress surface unusable. When you have no option but to keep the mattress in the basement, then keep a dehumidifier next to it to control the moisture.
Keep the mattress flat in the storage room. Do not store it in a folded or rolled condition. Do not keep any heavy objects on it that can cause the deformation of the mattress. You can lay the mattress flat on a raised platform of the storage room to save some space.
Consideration before transporting a mattress
- You can roll only a pocket coil spring mattress. Therefore, the rolling and transportation process depends on the type of mattress. Consider transporting the traditional spring mattress keeping it flat.
- Make sure you have all the necessary tools and equipment before rolling the mattress. If you do not have a powerful vacuum machine then rent one with higher Horsepower.
- If you do not feel confident after reading the rolling process, then do not even try it. Transport the mattress keeping it flat.
- Call a buddy if you are transporting a traditional Bonnel coil spring mattress.
- Clear the walkway and get the vehicle ready before loading the mattress into the truck.
- Read the instruction manual and warranty terms before rolling the mattress.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
-
Can I fold or roll a spring mattress?
If you fold or roll the traditional Bonell spring mattress, it will damage the structure by bending the frame of the metal coil. The result is an ununiform bed surface and discomfort. In the worst case, it will permanently damage the mattress. The warranty terms and conditions of the majority of the manufacturers state that the warranty voids if you keep the mattress folded or rolled. Therefore, it is wise to move the spring mattress keeping it flat. However, you can roll a pocket coil spring mattress given that you have all the necessary equipment for doing this. A pocket spring mattress can also be damaged if not rolled properly.
-
Does the warranty protect the mattress from physical damage?
The majority of the manufacturers’ warranty does not cover any kind of physical damage such as stain, tear, and liquid damage. It does not cover the damage caused during the transportation. Therefore, you need to be careful while moving it. Use a mattress bag and follow proper instructions to save the mattress from damage while moving it
-
How long can I store my spring mattress?
A pocket spring mattress, if rolled, should not be stored for a long time. You have to compress the mattress and the springs during rolling it. If you keep the springs in the compressed state for a long time, then the springs may lose their elasticity. Bending, unwinding, and compressing springs are not ideal. It causes elastic fatigue.
A Bonnell spring mattress can not be rolled or folded. Therefore, there is no risk of damaging the spring due to the long storage time. Therefore, if you follow the storage guideline, you can keep the Bonnell spring mattress unused as long as you wish. -
How to unroll the spring mattress?
Unrolling the pocket spring mattress is quite easy and simple. At first, you need to unzip the zipper bag. It will cause the bag to inflate. After a couple of minutes when you see the mattress gets its form to a substantial level, remove the vacuum bag. Leave the mattress to regain its shape. It may take up to 8 hours to get the mattress back to its original state. However, rolling and unrolling memory foam mattresses or latex mattresses is not as complicated as spring mattresses
-
Can I roll my mattress topper?
You can roll a mattress topper. It is relatively thin. Therefore, rolling them does not require any special skill. However, do not fold a mattress topper. It will create creases that are difficult to remove.
Bottom line
It is better to lay the mattress flat while moving it. Rolling a spring mattress is not ideal if you do not have the necessary equipment and expertise of doing it. The inside springs of spring beds are sensitive to unusual stress. Therefore, be 100% sure that you can roll the mattress according to proper guidelines. Rolling is not everything when you are moving your spring mattress. It requires transporting, storing, and unrolling. The casual handling of a spring mattress may cause injury or damage to the mattress.
