How To Roll A Mattress Like A Pro

If you’ve ever had to move house in the past (or if you’re planning on moving in the near future) you’ve almost certainly had that moment of wondering how exactly everything is going to fit in your car or the removal van – after all, no matter how little you own, you’re only going to have so much space to work with.

And, naturally, as part of this game of furniture-moving Tetris comes the real big question of how you plan on transporting your plush and comfy mattress to its new destination without potentially damaging it by stacking things on top of it or next to it.

Fortunately, while not possible for every bed, taking the time to roll your mattress into a neat and tight cylinder might just be the perfect solution for your space-saving needs. Take a look at our guide below on how to roll a mattress to see if it’s the sort of option that might work for you!

Why would you need to learn how to roll up a mattress?

Whether you’re moving between homes, planning on putting your mattress into storage, or simply looking to put this key component of your bed out of the way for a short period of time, there are many reasons why you might want to roll your mattress.

Better yet, not only does doing so make storing it properly that much easier (saving you plenty of space compared to if it was fully flat) but by rolling it correctly, you can help protect your mattress from accidental damage that could occur if it was taking up more room.

However, before we get started on the best ways to roll a mattress, you should take a moment to consider that most mattresses aren't built to be re-rolled. That's not to say you can't do it, but be wary that you may impact your warranty or cause lasting damage.

Can you roll a mattress back up?

The short answer here is – it depends.

While all mattresses can technically be rolled, you only ever want to consider rolling up a mattress if its manufacturer specifically states that it can be rolled up without genuine risk of damage.

This is because certain types of mattress fillings are generally not considered rollable to begin with – such as coil and pocket-sprung mattresses – meaning there is a very real chance that you could damage your mattress by ignoring manufacturer guidelines around bending, folding, and rolling your bed. While you may have initially purchased a boxed and rolled up mattress, this was done in the factory using specialist equipment you can't replicate at home.

On the other hand, memory foam mattresses and latex mattresses are less likely to be damaged by rolling, but they should not be kept rolled for too long, or their foam and internal materials may start to lose their shape.

Essentially, if you want to know if your mattress is able to be rolled up or not, it’s best to stick to the recommendations given by your mattress manufacturer.

How to roll a mattress for moving or storage

Having covered whether or not you can roll your mattress, and how to check, let’s now focus on the correct technique for rolling up a mattress the right way. For the best results, we suggest following the steps outlined below, based on the assumption that you will be rolling a latex, memory foam, or other type of foam bed:

• Strip the bedding – before rolling your mattress, you first want to make sure that any bedding, including sheets, has been removed to avoid damaging it in the rolling process.
• Lay your mattress flat – next, once your bedding has been removed, lay your mattress on a flat surface and give it time to settle so that it’s level with the floor.
• Make the first fold – from here, hold the long side of your mattress and fold it over, keeping the side you sleep on inside the fold to protect it. Be slow and careful here to avoid damaging the foam or latex. You may need to ask a friend to help you keep it in place, especially if you have a large king size mattress!
• Roll your mattress – with the mattress rolled width ways, proceed to slowly roll it into a compact cylinder from one end until the entirety of your mattress has been rolled together. Then secure the roll using straps or ropes (ratchet straps are particularly useful here for a secure hold).

And that’s it, your mattress has been successfully rolled and is now ready for moving or storage! We'd recommend wrapping it in plastic wrap or a mattress bag to keep your bed safe from dust mites or moisture.

How to roll up a mattress with springs

For the most part, you’re unlikely to find any spring-based mattress that can be rolled without damaging it. However, in the event that you do find one, then you can follow the steps we’ve just mentioned above to complete the roll.

Please note, however, that we recommend using a looser roll with a spring mattress to minimise any potential spring damage from occurring, and remember to check you're not compromising your warranty by rolling it.

Tips for how to roll up a mattress without damaging it

As we’ve already noted, even if your mattress has been identified as roll-friendly, there’s absolutely no guarantee that it won’t be damaged during the rolling process. However, if you think rolling your mattress is the best option and you want to minimise the chance of damage occurring, then you should definitely consider doing the following:

• Get help – given the size of most mattresses, and the need to keep your main fold and roll in place as you go, rolling a mattress is much, much easier if you have help from someone else.
• Apply gentle pressure – slow and careful movements are the order of the day when it comes to rolling a mattress. Through the application of gentle pressure, you’ll find your mattress rolls that much easier, even if it might take a little longer to roll up completely.
• Try to even the roll – perhaps the most important thing to bear in mind when rolling your mattress is whether or not the roll you’re making is even. An even roll is much more likely to protect your mattress from damage or accidental wear and tear during transit.
• Add a protective sleeve – even if you only plan on transporting your mattress a short distance, it’s always a good idea to keep it in a protective sleeve to prevent dirt from getting on it or your mattress from catching and tearing on something by accident.
• Don’t keep it rolled too long – at the end of the day, even mattresses that can be rolled should not be kept rolled for too long. So, if you plan to put your mattress in storage for a long period, you may want to unroll it once you get it to the storage facility so that it retains its natural shape and firmness.

If your mattress did arrive to you rolled, remember that it's unlikely you'll be able to compress and roll it back up to the same level it was when you first got it. Once your mattress has expanded, it's a lot more difficult to get it as flat as it once was.

Important things to consider before rolling up a mattress

Last, but not least, here are a few essential things to consider before rolling up your mattress to assess its suitability and avoid any unforeseen mishaps:

• Your mattress’s age – before rolling up your mattress, you may want to consider its age. Older mattresses tend to be less firm than new ones, and you’re more likely to damage them through rolling as a result.
• Your mattress’s thickness – as you may expect, the thinner and smaller your mattress, the easier it will be to roll.
• Your mattress’s condition – if your mattress happens to be a bit worse for wear, rolling it for transportation may actually cause more harm than good, as it could worsen whatever damage is already present.
• Double-check your warranty – finally, even if your mattress is suitable for rolling, you should always check your warranty to make sure that rolling it will not void it. That way, should rolling your mattress cause damage, you’ll be able to get it repaired or replaced at minimal cost to yourself.

Find a brand-new mattress in our collection

And there you have it; those are our tips for how to roll up a mattress successfully! Remember, always check to make sure you can roll your mattress before doing so, and if you’re unsure after checking with your manufacturer, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and avoid rolling it at all.

Of course, if you’ve decided that you just want to replace your mattress entirely, rather than go through the hassle of transporting it, then our range has mattress options to suit all sleepers.

From folding beds with storage covers to super king sized models, take your time browsing our range for the perfect bedding solution. And if you want more tips and advice, you can check out our mattress buying guide and Snooze News blog for more information and guides like this one!