How to Pack, Move & Store a Mattress Long Term

The first step in any long drive around Australia is packing up the household.

To ensure that your belongings are in perfect condition and ready for use once you return from your travels, you should take extra care when packing and moving them into storage.

Moving boxes in the style of a tea chest are great for most furniture and other household items, but not mattresses.

Because of their bulk and weight, mattresses are only sometimes easy to transport.

Therefore, we have compiled this handy guide to assist you in safely and securely transporting, relocating, and storing your mattress for an extended period.

1. Get Physical Assistance

• Moving mattresses is a difficult feat, so enlisting help when shifting them is essential.
• If you want to move a king-sized memory foam mattress, hire at least four people to help.
• Placing the mattress on its side makes moving more manageable, but there are more space-efficient or secure ways to transport or store it.
• Some mattress makers recommend placing the mattress flat when moving and storing it to prevent the foam layers from detaching.
• To a greater extent, this will be the case if you intend to keep it in storage for an entire year or more while you travel across Australia.
• Check the manufacturer’s website or call the customer service line if you have questions about the safest and most efficient way to move and store your mattress.

2. Gather Your Packing Materials

Here is what you’ll need to safeguard your mattress throughout the move and while it’s in storage:

• You can protect your mattress from dust, pests, and moisture with the help of a mattress bag, a specially designed pouch with built-in handles for easy transport. When moving the truck or van, secure the mattress by bringing some ratchet ties, hard-moving straps, and rope.
• A handcart or piano dolly will come in handy for transporting the mattress.
• You’ll need a big roll of packing tape to seal the mattress in its bag.
• Corrugated cardboard: This is what will hold the mattress in place.

 3. Enclose the Mattress to its Mattress Cover

First, take off the sheet and mattress cover. Pack the bed linens separately.  

You should store a mattress inside a bag to protect them from dust, dirt, and insects. Use packing tape to seal the bag completely.

If you need to move more than one mattress, label each bag or carton with the room you will place it.

4. Move the Bed and Mattress

• After you’ve got the mattress inside the bag, you can lay it out flat and carry it with the handles.
• Two people should position themselves, one on each end and one on each side, when moving a heavy mattress.
• You can make short work of the task by placing the mattress on a trolley, similar to those used to move pianos, and then pushing and guiding the trolley.
• If the mattress is too flimsy to be rolled, you can keep it from shifting by securing flattened cardboard to each side.
• Avoid dropping the mattress on the floor. If you don’t have a dolly, you can make moving the mattress easier by placing some flat cartons on the floor and swivelling the mattress across them.
• If your mattress bag doesn’t have strong handles, placing a harness under the mattress can facilitate transport.

5. Pack Up Your Bed and Take It to Long-Term Storage

• You should load the mattress into the back of the truck once you’ve got it there to take it for storage.
• Before attempting to transport a mattress, it’s essential to consider its size and shape.
• Mattresses with coil springs can be stacked on their side or laid flat. Do not stack anything else on it.
• However, if your mattress is yours, you should place it on cartons and belongings. Never fold or twist your foam mattress.
• You can use adjustable tie-downs or ropes to keep the mattress in place.

6. Long-Term Storage Tips for a Clean and Dry Mattress 

Here are some things to keep in mind when putting your mattress away for an extended time:

• Keep dust, bugs, and moisture out of your mattress by sealing it inside a mattress protector.
• If you’re concerned about moisture in the mattress or the bag, throw in some silica gel packets to absorb moisture.
• Make sure the mattress is clean, dry, and free of sharp edges or objects by stacking it on cartons and pieces of furniture.
• Don’t put anything on top of the bed’s mattress.

Essential Tips To Help You Preserve Your Mattress

If a mattress is rolled up and stored in a box, how long will it last?

You have up to three months to unpack your mattress from its shipping container, but you should do so within the first two to three weeks for maximum comfort and support.

Is it best to roll up a mattress and store it?

Under no circumstances is it acceptable to re-roll a mattress. Shop owners sometimes roll mattresses when selling them from the store but doing so when storing them will only damage the mattress by disturbing the materials inside.

Rolling it may nullify your mattress’s warranty. When unrolled again, it won’t have the same feel.

Make Sure Your Mattress Is in Good Condition

Your mattress needs periodic inspection.

Some potential problems and their solutions are detailed below.

• If something has harmed the mattress or its cover, find out what happened, and then fortify the mattress with extra padding or protection.
• If there are disruptive mattress features like uneven filling or lumps, remove anything from on top of the bed, ensuring there is nothing under the mattress.
• If you notice some sort of condensation inside the bag, the mattresses need air, so keep the bag open and clean.
• If there are patches of wetness on the bed, remove the mattress cover and let it dry completely before replacing the seal.
• If there are any notably different weather patterns, bring the temperature back up to standard with the help of a fan or heater.

What can I use to cover the mattress?

You can use a mattress cover or a sheet of porous plastic to encase the bed for safety because a  mattress is fragile and could be damaged if packed alongside other transport items.

Safeguard your mattress from the elements, dust mites, insects, and light with a mattress bag made from durable plastic.

1. The use of a mattress bag is as follows:

• Tuck the bag under the corner of the bed.
• Get a helper to hold up the end of the bed while you cover the whole thing.
• Before transporting, seal it thoroughly and inspect it for tears.
• Alternatively, you may utilise additional plastic sheets or blankets to package your mattress instead of a mattress bag.

2. How to properly plastic-wrap your mattress:

• Spread the plastic out on a spotless floor.
• Prepare the plastic sheet for the mattress.
• Roll the plastic carefully over the bed.
• Put some duct tape on it, and it will be good to go.
• Before you move it, ensure there are no holes in the packaging.

Clean before you use it.

• Recleaning the mattress after moving is recommended to remove any additional dirt, dust, or stains.
• The mattress should be left out of the bag to air for three to four hours to remove any potential odour.
• Now place your mattress back on the bed!

How to store a mattress cover

• Vacuum
• Apply some mild detergent to the stained area and wash it thoroughly.
• Place the cap inside a plastic bag for safety.
• Keep in a cool, dry place with good ventilation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it may seem daunting to pack up, move, and store a mattress for an extended period, but the process can be smooth and stress-free with the proper preparation and precautions. 

Remember to thoroughly clean your mattress and dry it out completely before packing it away in a protective material like plastic wrap or a mattress bag. If you want to keep your bed from sliding around during a move, tie it down tightly. Last but not least, when storing your mattress for an extended period, keep it in a clean, dry, and well-ventilated area, and never pile anything heavy on top of it. 

If you follow these guidelines, your mattress should last for years and provide many more peaceful hours of sleep.