How do I pack my mattress for shipping or return?
Tips
25 November 2023
Preparing large items for transport is no small challenge, but fortunately it can be overcome thanks to simple ways. One example is shipping a mattress by courier. How do you do this so that the goods arrive intact? With this guide, a seemingly daunting task can be accomplished in just a few minutes.
Can a mattress be sent by courier?
Good news for those selling such bedroom furnishings is that they can be transported by courier. The transport service for such large items is offered by InPost. In order for the mattress to be delivered, all that will be needed is what is necessary for every shipment, i.e. proper packing. Importantly, doing this skilfully reduces the size of the item. Although even in this case cheap shipping of the mattress is not possible, it gives the chance to significantly reduce the transport costs of an item of such a large size.
The safety of the shipment is also no less important. For this reason, remember to drape the mattress in suitably durable material to protect it from mechanical damage and moisture. To prevent the first problem, you will need to purchase a strong box. You can protect your mattress from the damaging effects of water by wrapping it in thick plastic. This is the most effective method, although not the only one. Another way is to ship it on a pallet. However, it is worth considering which service to choose before making a decision, as both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Shipping a mattress - on a pallet or in a parcel?
Transporting a product of such large dimensions and considerable weight as a mattress is difficult, as there is a risk of damaging it. This applies in particular to spring models. It is simply not possible to fold them up and put them in a small package, as this would result in breaking the metal parts inside. For this reason, such pieces must be transported on a pallet. Unfortunately, you also have to reckon with the increased cost of the courier service, which is particularly acute for businesses sending mattresses to their customers on a daily basis.
How do you transport a mattress that has no springs? Fortunately, shipping such a model can be approached quite differently. Transporting it on a pallet is possible, and what is more, it provides the greatest safety for the goods. When unfolded to its final position, it will not deform. However, many people may have doubts about protecting the product from damage. In reality, it depends on the packaging it comes in. Properly prepared protection is sufficient for it to arrive without defects acquired during transport. This can also reduce the (sometimes considerable) cost of shipping the parcel.
Items needed to pack the mattress for shipping or return
Packing any type of merchandise requires protecting it from dangers, which, in the case of something as delicate as a mattress, are tears and moisture. The best way to protect it is with the cover provided by the manufacturer. If you do not have one, it remains to surround the shipping item with strong stretch or bubble wrap. First, however, it is worth trying to roll the mattress up. Once it has been folded and wrapped, the package still needs to be protected against accidental opening. To do this, you will need a rope to tie off the package. To be on the safe side, it can also be taped.
Wrapping the mattress in one type of foil protects the contents to a large extent and is therefore sufficient to hand over the package to the courier. However, it is worth protecting it additionally by putting it in a cardboard box. On the internet, you can find companies that also distribute non-standard boxes. If you decide to do this, you still need to remember to seal the parcel tightly. How do I pack the mattress for shipment to ensure that the cardboard box does not tear? It's best to tape it down with strong tape in all the places where it could tear, i.e. the edges. For maximum protection of the package, it is a good idea to apply several (two or even three) layers of tape.
How do you send a mattress that is really big? In such a situation, there is no choice but to ask another person for help. What's more, finding a big enough box can be a problem. If you can't find a large enough box, you may have to wrap the package in a double layer of plastic wrap. This should be done regardless of whether the mattress will be stored in a cardboard box or transported on a pallet after rolling.
How do I prepare my mattress for shipping or return?
As with any parcel delivered by courier, the package needs to be addressed correctly. These details are needed not only for sending, but also for returning the mattress. The carrier will require information such as:
- personal details or the name of the company sending the product;
- addresses of sender and recipient;
- the name of the recipient;
- gabarage, i.e. the dimensions and weight of the consignment.
To send a courier parcel at InPost, use the Parcel Manager platform. After creating an account or logging in to your profile, all you need to do is fill in the relevant fields and the system itself will generate a shipping label in the form of a PDF file. Once the label has been printed, it is a good idea to insert it into the self-adhesive stick-on label and place it in a prominent position on the foil or mattress carton.
Those wondering how to pack a mattress for return should still bear in mind that it is best for the product to be returned in its original packaging. This is why it should not be thrown away immediately after purchase, but only after two weeks, which is when the return period has passed. If the parcel has been delivered without its original packaging (cover or cardboard box), but only in a foil that had to be torn when it was opened, it remains to send it back in its own packaging.
Instructions on how to properly pack a mattress for shipment or return
The instructions showing how to transport the mattress can be reduced to a few points describing the next steps. It will make packing the parcel simple and will only take a few moments. So what should you do to prepare the package for the courier?
- Specify the type of mattress. If it's a sprung model, send it on a pallet, and if there are no springs, you can roll it up and pack it away.
- Whether the mattress is delivered on a pallet or in a parcel, wrap it in stretch or bubble wrap. For even better protection, it is worth doing this at least twice.
- Tape the protected goods to prevent the foil from slipping during transport. If the mattress can be rolled up, you can additionally wrap it with strings.
- If you want to send the package in a cardboard box, remember to tape the edges of the box. It is best to do this more than once. Importantly, choose a strong tape suitable for securing parcels or from a builders' shop, rather than a much weaker office tape.
Fill in the address label and stick it in a visible place on the package.
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