Moving to a new place in Charleston is exciting, but packing up your mattress? That’s a whole different story. Your mattress is one of the biggest and most awkward things you’ll move, and it’s also one of your most expensive belongings. The last thing you want is to damage it with dirt, tears, or moisture during your move. Don’t worry—packing a mattress isn’t as hard as it looks. You just need the right supplies and a simple plan. Whether you’re moving from James Island to Mount Pleasant or just across town to West Ashley, this guide will show you exactly how to pack your mattress the right way.
We’ll walk you through every step, from cleaning your mattress to loading it in the truck. Plus, we’ll share tips specifically for Charleston moves (because our humidity is no joke). Essential Supplies for Packing a Mattress.Before you start, grab these supplies. You can find most of them at any Home Depot or Lowe’s in Charleston:
Must-Have Materials
First up is a mattress bag or cover. This is basically a giant plastic bag for your mattress. Get a heavy-duty one (look for 4-6 mil thick on the package). They come in sizes from Twin to King, so measure your mattress first. These usually cost $10-30. You’ll need packing tape too. Grab 2-3 rolls because you’ll use more than you think. Regular packing tape works fine, just make sure it’s strong. Get some rope or ratchet straps to hold your mattress in place once it’s in the truck or container. Ratchet straps are better because they don’t slip, but rope works too.
Moving blankets are important for protection. Get 2-3 blankets to protect your mattress. You can buy them or sometimes rent them from moving companies. And don’t forget scissors. Trust us, use scissors instead of a box cutter. It’s way safer and you won’t accidentally slice your mattress.
Optional But Really Helpful
You don’t absolutely need these, but they make things easier. Cardboard sheets can make floppy mattresses easier to carry. A furniture dolly or hand truck helps a lot if you have stairs. Corner protectors keep the edges safe. And furniture sliders let you slide the mattress across the floor without lifting.
Before You Start: Prepare Your Mattress
Don’t just throw your mattress in a bag and call it good. A little prep work goes a long way.
Step 1: Strip All Bedding
Take everything off. That means sheets, blankets, comforter, mattress topper, the works. Pack your bedding in a separate box and label it “Bedroom – Unpack First” so you can make your bed right away at your new place.
Step 2: Clean Thoroughly
Start by vacuuming everything. Get all sides of your mattress, not just the top. Pay extra attention to the seams where dust likes to hide. Next, spot clean any stains. Use a mattress cleaner or just a damp cloth with a little soap. Don’t soak it, just clean the spots. Then let it dry completely. This is super important, especially in Charleston. Our humidity is already high, so you can’t pack a damp mattress. It’ll grow mold faster than you can say “Lowcountry.” Give it at least 2-4 hours to air out. Point a fan at it if you’re in a hurry.
Step 3: Check for Damage
Look for any rips, tears, or stains. Take pictures with your phone. This helps if you need to file an insurance claim later, plus you’ll know what damage was already there versus what happened during the move.
Step 4: Measure and Plan Your Route
Measure your mattress (length, width, and how thick it is). Then measure your doorways, hallway, and stairs. Charleston has lots of older homes with narrow hallways and tight corners, so you need to know if your mattress will fit through.
Walk the path from your bedroom to the front door (or wherever you’re loading). Move anything that’s in the way. Picture frames, lamps, plants, whatever. You don’t want to knock things over while carrying a queen mattress.
How to Pack Your Mattress: Step-by-Step
Alright, here’s the actual packing process. Follow these steps and your mattress will be protected.
Step 1: Get Someone to Help
Seriously, don’t try to move a mattress by yourself. Even a twin mattress is awkward. For a queen or king, you absolutely need at least 2 people. For a king size, get 3 people. When you lift, bend your knees and use your legs, not your back. Keep the mattress close to your body. If you need to stop and rest, stop and rest. A hurt back is way worse than taking an extra 5 minutes.
Step 2: Slide the Mattress Into the Bag
Lay the mattress bag flat on the floor. With your helper, lift one end of the mattress and slide it into the bag. Work it all the way in until the mattress is completely covered. Be gentle, don’t tear the bag.
Step 3: Seal the Bag Tight
Push out as much air as you can, then fold the open end over a few times. Tape it shut really well. Then go crazy with the tape:
- Tape across the top
- Tape around the middle
- Tape across the bottom
- Tape it in both directions, making an X pattern
This might seem like overkill, but it keeps the bag from sliding off during the move. For long-distance moves or storage, some people even use two bags, one inside the other.
Step 4: Add Extra Protection
Wrap your bagged mattress with moving blankets. Tape them in place or use straps to hold them on. This gives you extra cushioning. If you have an older mattress with springs that’s kind of floppy, put cardboard sheets on the front and back. Strap or tape them on. This makes the mattress stiffer and easier to carry.
Step 5: Clear Your Path
Before you pick up that mattress, make sure your path is totally clear. Remove:
- Hanging pictures (you’ll bump them)
- Floor lamps
- Plants or decorations
- Anything breakable
Step 6: Stand the Mattress Up
Here’s a trick most people don’t know: you move a mattress on its side, standing up tall, not laying flat. Flip it onto its long edge so it’s vertical. Why? It fits through doorways way easier. Plus it takes up less space in the moving truck. The only exception is memory foam mattresses—those can stay flat if your move is short.
Step 7: Carry It Through Your House
When going through doorways, tilt and angle the mattress as needed. Sometimes you need to turn it diagonally to fit. Going down stairs takes teamwork. The person in front should guide and the person in back should support most of the weight. Use the wall or handrail to help balance. Let gravity do some of the work as you go down.
If you live in downtown Charleston in one of those beautiful old homes, you probably have narrow stairs. Take your time, stop on the landing if you need to catch your breath. In tight hallways, keep talking to your helper. “Watch the light fixture!” “Corner coming up!” Communication is everything.
Step 8: Load It Into the Vehicle or Container
Position the mattress standing up against the wall of the truck or container, still on its edge. This is the safest position. Use those ratchet straps to secure it to the tie-down points. Use at least two straps, one near the top and one near the bottom. Make sure it’s snug and won’t slide around. You can put lighter boxes or soft items next to the mattress for support. But never, ever put heavy furniture or appliances on it or against it. That’ll crush it.
STOMO Makes This Easier
Here’s where STOMO really helps: we bring a portable storage container right to your house in Charleston. You can take your time packing your mattress (and everything else) at your own pace. No rushing. No truck rental return deadline.
Our containers are weather-resistant to protect your belongings from Charleston’s rain, heat, and humidity. When you’re ready, we pick up the container and either take it to your new place or store it for you. It’s moving and storage in one.
How to Pack Different Types of Mattresses
Not all mattresses are the same. Here’s what you need to know for different types:
Memory Foam Mattresses
These are the squishy ones that mold to your body. Brands like Casper, Purple, and Nectar are memory foam. Can you fold them? Maybe. Only if your mattress is less than 11 inches thick AND the manufacturer says it’s okay. Even then, only fold it for 1-2 hours max.
The best way to move them is to keep them flat if you can. They’re more fragile than they look. Use a thick plastic bag and keep them away from heat. Charleston’s summer sun can damage the foam. Don’t try to re-compress them. If you bought a bed-in-a-box mattress, it came vacuum-sealed. Once you open it, you can’t get it back in that box. Just bag it and keep it flat.
Innerspring and Coil Mattresses
These are the traditional mattresses with metal springs inside. Never, ever fold or bend these. You’ll break the springs and ruin the mattress. Plus it voids your warranty. Keep them upright when you move them. Add that cardboard reinforcement we mentioned earlier because it helps a lot. And remember, they’re heavy. A queen innerspring mattress can weigh 60-100 pounds. Get help.
Hybrid Mattresses
These combine foam on top with springs underneath. They’re popular because they’re comfortable but supportive. They’re the heaviest type. Some king hybrids weigh over 150 pounds. You definitely need at least 2-3 people. Don’t bend them and be extra careful with the corners and edges. If your hybrid has a pillow top, put extra padding on that top surface.
King and California King Mattresses
These monsters are huge. A standard king is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long. A California king is 72 inches wide but 84 inches long. You need at least 3 people. These are too big and heavy for two people. Measure everything twice. King mattresses often don’t fit through standard doorways in older Charleston homes. You might need to remove a door frame or go through a different door.
Consider hiring help. STOMO’s team has moved countless king mattresses through tricky Charleston staircases. Sometimes it’s just worth getting professionals.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from other people’s mistakes so you don’t make them yourself:
Don’t Skip the Mattress Bag
We’ve seen people try to save $20 by not buying a bag. Then their $1,500 mattress gets dirty, torn, or wet. The bag is worth it, every time. Charleston’s humidity and afternoon rain showers make protection even more important here.
Never Fold or Bend (Unless It’s Approved)
This bears repeating: folding a mattress with springs will break it. You’ll have a lumpy, uncomfortable mattress at your new place. If you’re not sure if you can fold yours, don’t.
Don’t Drag It on Hard Floors
Only drag your mattress on carpet or very short grass. Dragging it across hardwood, tile, or concrete will tear the bag and damage the mattress. Use those furniture sliders if you need to move it across hard floors.
Protect It From Weather
Never move a mattress in the rain without waterproof covering. If your mattress gets soaked, it can take up to a week to dry out completely. In Charleston’s humidity, it’ll probably grow mold before it dries. Watch the weather forecast. If rain is coming, plan accordingly or reschedule.
Don’t Put Heavy Stuff on Top
In the truck, in storage, anywhere—nothing heavy goes on your mattress. Not furniture, not appliances, not a stack of boxes. It’ll create permanent dents and ruin the support.
Don’t Store It Standing Up Long-Term
For a short move (a day or two), standing it on edge is fine. But if you’re storing your mattress for weeks or months, it needs to lay flat. Otherwise it’ll warp and lose its shape. STOMO’s storage containers have enough floor space to store your mattress flat, the right way.
How to Store a Mattress
If you need to store your mattress for a while, here’s what you need to know:
Keep It Flat
Put your mattress on a flat surface, like a pallet or piece of plywood. Never put it directly on the ground. Don’t stack anything on top of it.
Climate Control Is Important for Long-Term Storage
Here in Charleston, our summers are brutal and humid. Our winters are mild but damp. If you’re storing your mattress for more than a few weeks, look for a climate-controlled storage facility. This keeps the temperature steady (between 55-80 degrees) and controls humidity, which prevents mold, mildew, and damage to foam.
STOMO’s weather-resistant portable storage containers protect your mattress from rain, moisture, and the elements. They’re great for short to medium-term storage during your move. For long-term mattress storage (several months or more), you might want to consider a climate-controlled facility to be extra safe.
Use the Right Cover
For short-term storage (less than a month), a plastic bag is fine. For long-term storage, use a breathable fabric cover instead. Plastic traps moisture, which leads to mold in Charleston’s climate. Breathable covers let air circulate while still protecting from dust.
Where NOT to Store a Mattress
Don’t store your mattress in your garage (too hot in summer, too damp in winter), in your attic (way too hot up there), or in a basement (too much moisture, if you even have a basement in Charleston).
Ready for an Easy Charleston Move? STOMO Is Here to Help
STOMO Mobile Storage and MOVEMO Moving Service make Charleston moves simple. We’re local, we’re experienced, and we actually care about your stuff.
Why choose STOMO? We deliver portable containers your Charleston home so you can pack at your own pace without rushing. Our containers are weather-resistant to protect against Charleston’s rain and humidity. We offer flat-rate pricing with no surprise charges. Professional loading help is available when you need it. And we handle moves throughout Charleston, Mount Pleasant, James Island, West Ashley, Myrtle beach and Columbia. Contact us for to get free quote today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fold a mattress for moving?
Only certain memory foam mattresses under 11 inches thick, and only if the manufacturer says it’s okay. Never fold innerspring or hybrid mattresses you’ll break the springs and void your warranty.
Do I really need a mattress bag?
Yes. Even for a local move across Charleston. Bags protect against dirt, moisture, bugs, and damage. It’s a $10-30 investment that protects your $500-2,000 mattress.
How many people does it take to move a mattress?
For a twin or full, you need 2 people. For a queen, 2 people minimum. For a king or California king, you need at least 3 people.
Can you store a mattress standing up?
Only for short-term (less than a month). For longer storage, it needs to lay flat or it’ll warp and get ruined.
How does Charleston’s humidity affect mattress storage?
High humidity means higher mold risk. Always use climate-controlled storage for mattresses in Charleston. Use breathable covers, not plastic. Add a dehumidifier if you’re storing in a regular unit.