Buzz
After browsing through a variety of full, queen, or king mattresses, you might notice not all of them feature handles sewn onto the sides. If you don’t catch this detail in-store, you’ll realize it when it’s time to move or adjust the mattress. Didn’t mattresses used to come standard with handles? What’s behind their disappearance?
The likely reason: You weren’t using them the right way.
Innerspring mattresses, the ones with steel coils for support, often come with four to eight handles along the edges. Consumers tend to grab them first when it’s time to flip, adjust, or move the mattress. However, if you read the fine print from mattress makers or sellers, you’ll discover that these handles were never designed to bear the full weight of the mattress.
For instance, leading mattress brand Serta provides a warning about the handles on their website [PDF]. Under the 'Dos and Don’ts' section, Serta cautions: 'Don’t lift your mattress by the handles (if they’re included). Handles are intended for positioning the mattress only.'
Tempur-Pedic also takes a firm stance on handle misuse. On their site, they warn: 'The handles on certain Tempur-Pedic mattresses are for positioning only—not for carrying.'
Simmons gives similar advice, explaining why: 'Handles are meant to help position the mattress on the foundation. Using them to carry the mattress could tear the fabric.'
Handles sewn into the fabric are generally not strong enough to bear the full weight of a mattress. They might, but it's uncertain. When included, their purpose is to assist with small adjustments while the mattress’s weight is supported by the box spring or bed frame. Additionally, most modern mattresses no longer need to be flipped, making the handles less necessary.
It's difficult to determine exactly when handles started disappearing. As early as 2003, industry publication Furniture Today reported their decline, noting that 'removing the handles reinforces the idea to consumers that the mattress doesn’t need to be flipped.'
Handles are often unnecessary, and some manufacturers may remove them to save costs, while others do so to prevent misuse by consumers.
If you need to move a mattress, it’s a good idea to buy a mattress bag for protection. Some of these bags come with handles, but if not, you can use ratchet straps to create a makeshift grip.
As for the mattress tag: It’s wise to heed manufacturers' advice here as well. While removing it isn’t illegal, if you need warranty service—such as for handles that have been torn off—you'll likely need the information on the tag to help with that process.
