Whether you’re moving house, putting your mattress into storage, returning it to the manufacturer, or simply trying to get a bulky new mattress up a narrow stairwell, knowing how to compress a mattress at home can save you a significant amount of time, effort, and frustration.
Here’s something most people don’t realise: air makes up somewhere between 60 and 70 per cent of the total volume of a mattress. That means the actual foam, coils, and materials inside your mattress take up far less space than the mattress appears to. If you can remove most of that air, the mattress becomes dramatically smaller and more manageable to handle.
The big online mattress brands Koala, Ecosa, Emma, Casper, and others ship their mattresses compressed into surprisingly small boxes using large industrial hydraulic machinery. You don’t have access to that kind of equipment at home, but you can achieve a similar result using two simple techniques that require either a vacuum cleaner and a mattress seal bag, or some rope, ratchet straps, and a helping hand.
This guide walks you through both methods in detail, explains which mattress types can and cannot be safely compressed, and gives you everything you need to get the job done safely and effectively.
Which Mattresses Can Be Compressed?
Before you attempt to compress your mattress, it’s essential to know whether your specific mattress type is safe to compress. Compressing the wrong type of mattress can permanently damage it and, in some cases, void your warranty.
Mattresses That Are Safe to Compress
- Memory foam mattresses: Memory foam is highly compressible and responds well to both the vacuum bag and folding techniques. It’s the most commonly compressed mattress type at home.
- Latex mattresses: Natural and synthetic latex mattresses can generally be compressed, though they’re heavier and denser than memory foam and may require more effort.
- Hybrid mattresses: Most hybrid mattresses (foam plus pocket springs) can be safely compressed, particularly those that shipped in a box originally.
- Pocket coil mattresses: Generally safe to compress, as the individually wrapped coils have more flexibility than traditional innerspring designs.
- Bed-in-a-box mattresses: If your mattress arrived compressed in a box from a brand like Koala, Ecosa, Emma, or Casper, it can almost certainly be re-compressed using the same principles.
Mattresses That Should NOT Be Compressed
- Traditional innerspring mattresses: Older innerspring mattresses with interconnected or Bonnell coil systems should never be compressed or folded. The springs can buckle, warp, or pop out, permanently damaging the mattress’s structural integrity.
- Very thick mattresses (over 30cm): Extremely thick mattresses may be difficult or unsafe to fold, particularly using the rope/strap technique.
If you’re unsure whether your mattress can be safely compressed, particularly if it’s a premium or high-cost mattress, contact the manufacturer before attempting compression. Some warranties are voided if the mattress is compressed after delivery.
Technique 1: Mattress Seal Bag and Vacuum Cleaner (Best Method)
Best for: Memory foam, latex, hybrid, and pocket spring mattresses.
This is the most effective way to compress a mattress at home. It achieves the greatest reduction in volume, similar to the result you’d get from a factory compression, and keeps the mattress sealed and protected during transport or storage. The key piece of equipment you’ll need is a mattress seal bag (also called a vacuum storage bag for mattresses).
A mattress seal bag is a heavy-duty, thick plastic bag fitted with a one-way valve that allows air to be sucked out with a vacuum cleaner but prevents air from re-entering. They’re available online at major retailers and in many hardware stores across Australia. Look for bags specifically designed for mattresses, not standard vacuum storage bags. Mattress bags are substantially thicker and more durable.
What to Look for When Buying a Mattress Seal Bag
- Size: Buy a bag that is slightly larger than your mattress dimensions. Trying to squeeze a mattress into an undersized bag is frustrating and risks damaging the bag.
- Thickness: The thicker the plastic, the better. A thicker bag provides a stronger seal and better resistance to punctures during rolling, transport, and storage. Look for bags rated at least 0.1mm thick; heavier-duty bags at 0.2mm or more are ideal for larger or heavier mattresses.
Step-by-Step: Vacuum Compression Method
- Strip the mattress completely. Remove all sheets, pillowcases, the mattress protector, and any toppers. These need to be packed and transported separately.
- Clean the mattress (optional but recommended). Use your vacuum cleaner to remove any dust, pet hair, debris, or particles from the mattress surface, sides, and edges. If dirt is sealed inside the bag with the mattress, it can contribute to mildew or mould during storage.
- Insert the mattress into the bag. It’s easier to do this with the mattress standing upright against a wall rather than lying flat on the floor. Position the zip-lock closure at the top.
- Seal the bag. Zip the closure fully and carefully, making sure there are no gaps, folds, or wrinkles at the seal. A complete, airtight seal is essential; even a small gap will prevent the bag from compressing properly.
- Connect the vacuum cleaner. Attach the vacuum cleaner hose to the one-way valve on the bag. Turn on the vacuum and begin removing the air. This process typically takes between 5 and 15 minutes, depending on the size of the mattress and the power of your vacuum. If your vacuum gets hot, give it a short rest before continuing.
- Help the compression along. As the vacuum removes air, walk across the mattress surface or apply weight with heavy objects (like weight plates or stacked books) to help push the air toward the valve and speed up compression.
- Close the valve. Once you’re satisfied with the level of compression, close the valve to prevent air from re-entering.
- Roll the mattress tightly. Starting from one end, roll the compressed mattress as tightly as possible.
- Secure the roll. Use ratchet straps, thick rope, or heavy-duty duct tape to hold the rolled mattress in its compressed form. Multiple straps spaced evenly along the length of the roll work best.
Important: Do not drag the rolled mattress along the ground. This can puncture the bag and ruin the compression. Always lift from both ends and carry the mattress roll to wherever it needs to go.
Technique 2: Fold and Secure with Rope or Ratchet Straps
Best for: Memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses. Works best on mattresses under 30cm thick.
This technique doesn’t achieve full air compression; instead, it folds the mattress in half (or thirds for thinner mattresses) and secures it in that position. It’s the simplest approach and requires no specialised equipment, just ropes or ratchet straps and an extra pair of hands.
The trade-off is that this method only reduces the mattress volume by about half or two-thirds, compared to the much more dramatic reduction achieved with vacuum compression. Still, for getting a mattress through a narrow doorway, up a stairwell, or into a moving truck, it’s often perfectly adequate.
Step-by-Step: Fold and Secure Method
- Remove all bedding. Strip the mattress of sheets, protector, and toppers.
- Protect the mattress (optional but recommended). If you’re moving the mattress, whether across a hallway or across town, it will get dirty the moment it leaves the bedroom. Wrapping the mattress in a moving blanket, a large bed sheet, or a mattress storage bag before folding will protect it from scuffs and stains, and the covering can be reused on future moves.
- Fold the mattress. With a helper on each side, fold the mattress in half lengthways or widthways, whichever makes the most sense for the space you’re navigating.
- Secure with rope or ratchet straps. Use at least two lengths of rope or ratchet straps spaced evenly along the fold to hold the mattress in its folded position. If using rope, a taut line hitch knot is ideal because it allows you to adjust the tension easily. Ratchet straps are faster and easier to use if you have them available. Make the straps firm enough to hold the fold securely, but not so tight that they cut into or permanently deform the mattress material.
- Move the mattress. With the straps or rope in place, the folded mattress is much easier to navigate through doorways, up stairs, and into transport vehicles.
Note: This method is suitable for temporary compression during a move, not for long-term storage. If you leave a mattress folded for an extended period, the crease point can develop permanent indentations that affect the sleeping surface. For storage longer than a day or two, use the vacuum compression method instead. This technique is also not recommended for innerspring mattresses or for very thick mattresses (over 30cm), as folding can damage the internal structure.
After Compression: Re-Expanding Your Mattress
Once your mattress is in its new location, the process of re-expansion is straightforward. Remove the straps or cut open the vacuum seal bag, unroll or unfold the mattress, and lay it flat on the bed base or floor. Most memory foam and latex mattresses will begin expanding immediately and will fully recover their original dimensions within a few hours to 24 hours. Some thicker or denser mattresses may take up to 72 hours to fully expand. Avoid sleeping on the mattress until it has fully re-expanded to its normal shape.
Tips for a Successful Compression
- Have at least one helper for both methods; mattresses are heavy and unwieldy, especially when being folded or rolled.
- Work in a clear space with plenty of room on all sides of the mattress.
- For vacuum compression, having the mattress against a wall rather than flat on the floor makes it much easier to get it into the bag.
- Don’t rush the vacuum step. The slower and more thoroughly you remove the air, the smaller and more manageable the final roll will be.
- Always check your mattress warranty before compressing to ensure you’re not inadvertently voiding coverage.
Final Thoughts
Compressing a mattress at home is a practical skill that can make moving, storing, or returning a mattress significantly less stressful. The vacuum seal bag method delivers the best results: a tight, compact roll that’s easy to transport and protects the mattress during storage. The folding and strapping method is a solid backup when you need a quick solution without specialist equipment.
Whichever method you use, remember to handle compressed mattresses with care, allow adequate re-expansion time before sleeping, and always check your mattress type before attempting compression. With the right approach, what seems like an unmanageable task becomes a straightforward job that anyone can do at home.
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