Why You Shouldn’t Skip the Mattress Bag for Moving

If you’re moving, you’re likely dealing with lots of expenses and may be considering skipping the mattress bag to save some money. Advice from moving experts is: don’t.

Transporting your mattress exposes it to various environments and an uncovered mattress is much more likely to get dirty during a move. Think about it: do you want to sleep on a mattress that’s been in contact with the dirty floor of a moving van? It’s also important to keep your mattress clean because it’s the one item you are going to need immediately. Everything else – entertainment centers, pots, pans, rugs – can wait, but you’re going to need to sleep in your new place. That last thing you want to deal with after a long move is getting your mattress professionally cleaned.

Packing your mattress will be the last thing to pack, given that you need to sleep on it before you move, and the first thing to unpack, given that you need to sleep in your new place. So how can you ensure that it stays in good condition during the move, ready for immediate use? Utilizing mattress bags for moving or storage, along with other safety strategies, is crucial.

What Are Mattress Bags?

A mattress bag is a removable cover to put over a mattress during transport or if being put into storage. They are made out of sturdy plastic for any size or type of mattress. Many mattress bags come with zippers to seal them shut. (It’s also helpful to have some heavy-duty tape on hand to keep the zipper in place.) For both transport and storage, mattress bags are essential.

Why Do You Need a Mattress Cover for Moving?

If you’re moving a mattress, it needs a cover. Mattress bags not only protect the mattress itself, but also have many benefits for your health. So if you’re considering risking it, here are a few reasons you shouldn’t skimp on mattress bags for storage or moving.

To Maintain Cleanliness

You do not want your mattress to be dirty, dusty, or muddy to sleep on. Plus, you will need extra pairs of hands to move your mattress. Especially with COVID-19, maintaining cleanliness is a priority. The place where you sleep should be clean and free of physical stressors so that the body can actually relax during sleeping. It’s crucial to protect your health and not have the immune system working overtime to ward off germs. Mattress covers for moving maintain cleanliness for your sleeping area and as a result, protect your health.

To Keep the Mattress Dry

You don’t want a moist or soggy mattress as the chances of growing mildew are high. Mildew can cause respiratory irritation and exacerbate other health conditions, such as asthma or allergies. If it rains, or your friend spills their coffee on your mattress during the move, you’ll

To Keep Out Bugs and Bacteria

Keep out creepy crawlies and allergens with a sealable mattress bag! Ever heard of bed bugs? Hopefully you will never have to experience them. Avoid having to buy a new mattress, and having wasted time, effort, and money moving a mattress that turns out to be infested with bugs. Mold or harmful bacteria can grow as a result of a mattress contaminated by dirt and moisture, which in turn attract more bugs. Most people find out the hard way – not immediately – after they’re all moved in, realizing later on they suddenly have a mysterious skin irritation. Plus, an insect infestation could spread to your carpet or other parts of your bedroom.

To Prevent Smells

Mold, mildew, bacteria, and grime that can happen as a result of an unprotected mattress will cause it to smell. Obviously you want the place you lay your head to not smell bad and a cover is a simple solution to prevent stench!

To Maintain the Shape of the Mattress

Mattresses are naturally a little floppy. A mattress in transport or storage with a cover, stowed properly, will keep its shape. Whether it’s made of memory foam or box springs, it is at risk of getting bent out of shape during the moving process if not protected or handled properly. A bent mattress is no fun to sleep on: it can cause back problems, and disrupt your sleep, which opens the door to a whole host of negative health consequences. Mattress covers act like a case and help keep the shape so you can use your mattress for years to come.

To Protect Against Punctures

If something were to go wrong in the moving process, you don’t want it to involve your mattress. A mattress bag made of durable material protects the mattress against tears and punctures that can happen during a move.

To Save Money

Mattress bags cost around $10 on average, and mattresses cost hundreds. Trust us, don’t skip the mattress cover. In the end, it’ll be much cheaper to buy a mattress bag than to get a replacement mattress.

What to Look for in a Mattress Bag for Moving or Storage

The correct size: If you’re not sure if your mattress is a twin or a double, for example, use a tape measure to get the accurate length, width, and thickness. Covers are available in all sizes, but if your size is out of stock, it is better to get a bigger size than one that might not fit.
The right quality: Look for a sturdy mattress cover for storage or moving that can’t be easily punctured. Make sure you get high-quality and heavy duty material, not cheap and flimsy. Those extra few dollars will pay off in the end.
The right quantity: You will need a cover for every mattress you are moving. Don’t forget to choose the right size for each mattress.
Sealable or not: Some mattress covers are essentially a large plastic bag that you can seal yourself with tape. (Remember to set aside scissors from packing so that you can get the mattress out once you’re in your new place.) Others have zippers that fully seal shut.
Extra features: Would you like your cover to have handles so you can easily pick it up and move it? Are you looking for a waterproof cover, or will a water resistant one suffice? Do you want a reusable cover in case you need to move a mattress again in the future?

How to Protect Mattress When Moving

There are several ways to protect your mattress during the moving process:

In Preparing to Move the Mattress

Make sure the mattress is dry and clean before sealing the cover. Wipe it down or vacuum it. The point of the cover is to keep out moisture and dirt, so if the mattress is dirty or wet going in the cover to begin with, it defeats the purpose.
Before sealing the mattress in the bag, make sure there are no sheets, pillows, or blankets: the bag is just meant to contain the mattress itself.
Double bag the mattress if you are concerned about the quality of the cover.
Get help: trying to move the mattress by yourself will likely end up damaging the mattress (and increase risk of injury). It is a two (or even three) person job.

While Moving

You can further protect your mattress by being gentle. Though a mattress is bouncy and sturdy, don’t just toss it over the stairwell to get it down the stairs. It’s where you lay your head: it cradles you every night. And with the price of mattresses – especially high-quality ones – it’s not worth the risk of damage.
It may be tempting to use it as a pad or cushion to protect more breakable items in a moving truck. But that is not the purpose of a mattress. A mattress needs its own protection. Pack your other items well with bubble wrap, wrapped in linens, or padded with paper in boxes. Don’t put your mattress in danger of being torn or bent out of shape by using it as a buffer in the moving truck.
Make sure you have a clear pathway for transporting the mattress down stairs and from room to room, with nothing breakable in the way. Prop doors open or have someone ready to open the door for you.
A hand truck, furniture slider, mattress dolly, or wheeled cart can help to move it across parking lots, sidewalks, hallways, and in elevators. Especially if you have fewer helping hands to get the job done, securing the mattress with straps or cords on a wheeled device will keep it steady. It can also decrease risk of injury.
If you don’t have access to any wheeled assistance, slide the mattress on its side or carry it sideways to fit through doors. Walk slowly so you don’t trip and drop it. Communicate with your helper as you lift with your knees. This stage of the process is just as much about protecting yourself as it is protecting the mattress. Remember, you will need strength and energy to unload and unpack, too! Follow these moving tips for when you get the mattress out of the vehicle as well.

Once your Mattress is in the Vehicle

Pack it smartly and safely in the moving truck: don’t lay it flat and put boxes on top. Prop it up on its side against the side of the moving truck and secure it there with moving straps. You may also lay it flat if it can be secured. It is best to lay memory foam mattresses flat. Always let mattresses of any kind lie flat when in storage so the springs and memory foam stay intact.
If you are transporting your mattress by car, be extremely careful. Tie it securely with ropes, straps, bungee cords, or a combination. Don’t skimp on the security and risk the mattress catching the wind and flying off, obstructing your vision or hitting the cars near you on the highway. It is possible to transport a mattress on the top of a car, but keeping it within a moving truck is a much more safe and secure method.
Remember, a mattress bag for moving is another layer of protection, but it cannot protect the mattress from falls, tears, or other major structural damage.

Leave it to the Experts at Jubel Moving & Storage

Besides investing in a mattress bag for moving, you may need a moving and storage company to help you get the job done. The hills and chills of foggy weather in the Bay Area can make moving feel like an especially overwhelming endeavor – especially with a mattress in tow. Don’t do it alone! Jubel Moving & Storage is here for your moving and storage needs, whether you need residential or commercial services. For experienced movers in San Francisco, contact Jubel Moving & Storage for a free estimate today.