How To Shrink a Memory Foam Mattress: Safe Options, Limits, and FAQs

If you’re searching for “How To Shrink a Memory Foam Mattress”, you’re likely trying to move, store, or transport a mattress that currently feels too bulky. This guide explains what is and isn’t realistic, how compression works, and what to consider before you try to shrink or roll up a memory foam mattress at home.

Can You Really Shrink a Memory Foam Mattress?

Yes, but only in a limited way.

When people ask how to shrink a memory foam mattress, they usually mean one of two things:

  1. Compressing it for moving or storage (making it thinner and easier to roll or carry)
  2. Permanently making it smaller (thinner or shorter in size)

You can temporarily compress most memory foam mattresses with the right tools and care.
You cannot safely change the actual size (length, width, or original thickness) without cutting or damaging it.

How Do Manufacturers Shrink and Roll Pack Memory Foam?

New mattresses often arrive tightly rolled in a box. This is done using:

  • Industrial-grade vacuum compressors
  • Strong plastic wrapping and heat sealing
  • Precise control over how much the foam is compressed

At home, you cannot replicate this exactly, and trying to over-compress foam can:

  • Tear the foam layers
  • Stress the seams and cover
  • Affect how the mattress feels and performs over time

Still, a careful, lighter version of compression is possible for short-term needs.

How To Shrink a Memory Foam Mattress for Moving or Storage

If your goal is simply to make the mattress easier to move, here is a general, cautious approach many people use:

1. Check the Label and Warranty

Before you start:

  • Look for care instructions on the mattress tag or documentation.
  • Some manufacturers discourage re-compressing or folding the mattress, especially for long periods.

If guidance is unclear, it’s safest to keep any compression short-term (a few days rather than weeks or months).

2. Gather Basic Supplies

Common items people use include:

  • A mattress bag or thick plastic sheet
  • Heavy-duty packing tape
  • A household vacuum cleaner with a hose
  • Straps or ratchet straps to keep a rolled mattress from expanding

3. Compressing the Mattress (Step by Step)

These are general steps often used to temporarily shrink a memory foam mattress:

  1. Clear and lay flat
    Place the mattress flat on a clean floor, with no sharp objects nearby.

  2. Bag or wrap the mattress
    Slide it into a mattress bag or wrap it fully in plastic.
    Seal most of the open end with tape, leaving a small space for the vacuum hose.

  3. Create a vacuum seal
    Insert the vacuum hose into the small opening and seal around it with tape so air won’t leak.
    Turn on the vacuum so it pulls air out of the bag, gradually compressing the foam.

  4. Help the compression
    As the air leaves, you can gently press or kneel to even out the compression, but avoid jumping or deep bending that could crease the foam.

  5. Roll and secure
    Once compressed and relatively firm, carefully roll the mattress from one end.
    Use straps or tape around the rolled mattress to hold it in place.

🔧 Important: This method is best for short-term transport. Leaving the mattress tightly compressed for too long can affect how well it returns to shape.

Is It Safe To Fold or Bend a Memory Foam Mattress?

Memory foam is flexible, but:

  • Light folding for a brief time is usually tolerated better by thinner mattresses.
  • Thick or multi-layer designs may not respond well to being bent sharply.

To reduce risk:

  • Avoid folding the mattress in half for long periods.
  • If folding is necessary, do it foam-to-foam (sleep surfaces facing each other) to reduce tension on the cover and outer layers.
  • For longer storage, store flat rather than folded or tightly rolled whenever possible.

Can You Permanently Shrink or Thin a Memory Foam Mattress?

If “How To Shrink a Memory Foam Mattress” means changing its actual dimensions, the options are limited:

  • Shortening or narrowing the mattress requires cutting the foam and the cover, which is permanent and may void any coverage or support from the manufacturer.
  • Making it thinner would mean removing layers, which usually changes the feel and support in unpredictable ways.

Most sleepers who try to permanently alter thickness or size find that the mattress no longer feels the same or wears evenly.

For long-term comfort and durability, it’s generally better to use the mattress at its intended size and thickness.

How Long Can a Memory Foam Mattress Stay Compressed?

A newly purchased mattress is often compressed for an extended period before you open it. That process is planned and controlled by the manufacturer.

At home:

  • Aim to keep DIY compression as brief as possible—ideally a few days or less.
  • The longer a mattress stays tightly compressed or folded, the more likely it is to develop permanent indentations or slow recovery when unrolled.

If you notice the mattress does not fully return to its original shape after being compressed, allowing extra time in a room with normal temperature may help it relax and expand.

✔️ Quick Mattress Takeaways

Key points about How To Shrink a Memory Foam Mattress

  • You can temporarily shrink (compress) a memory foam mattress for moving or short-term storage using a bag, vacuum, and straps.
  • You cannot safely change its true size or thickness without cutting or altering the foam, which is permanent.
  • Home compression is not the same as factory roll packing and should be done gently and for a limited time.
  • Avoid long-term folding or tight rolling; store the mattress flat when possible to preserve its feel.
  • Always check manufacturer guidance before compressing, shrinking, or folding a memory foam mattress.

Handled carefully, temporary shrinking can make a memory foam mattress easier to move, while still keeping its comfort and support as close as possible to its original condition.