How to Disassemble a Sleep Number Bed (10 Steps)

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Knowing how to disassemble a Sleep Number bed comes in handy not only when you need to move houses. You could be doing a bedroom makeover that would require you to move your Sleep Number bed to another part of the room or a different room altogether. And while it takes a bit more time and effort to disassemble it than a regular bed, it is not rocket science. The process is, in fact, quite simple.

You can divide the steps for a Sleep Number bed disassembly into five parts – disassembling the mattress, removing the connector hoses, packing the mattress, unplugging the Firmness Control™ System, and disassembling the modular or FlexFit™ base. The process should take 30 minutes to complete.

Below are the steps on how to disassemble a Sleep Number bed:

1. Disassemble the mattress.
2. Remove the connector hoses.
3. Take out all internal mattress components.
4. Deflate the air chambers.
5. Unplug the Firmness Control System.
6. Box the aired-out air chambers.
7. Pack up all other mattress components.
8. Remove all mattress retainers.
9. Remove the deck panels, side rails, and legs.
10.  Pack up the base components.

You can hire Sleep Number to dismantle your mattress. However, a Sleep Number bed disassembly costs $179.99 – and this does not include moving the bed after. If you want to save money and the hassle of calling customer service, then learning how to disassemble a Sleep Number bed will be your best option.

How to Disassemble Sleep Number Beds

1. Disassemble the mattress.

Begin disassembling your Sleep Number mattress by opening it. As you do this, make sure that it is lying in a flat position. Next, locate the zipper between the pillow cover and base at the head of your bed. If you have a duvet-style bed, unzip only the bottom of the two zippers. You will find this hidden under the edge of the mattress.

For queen-sized and larger beds, disassembling the Sleep Number mattress typically requires two people, especially if your bed has an adjustable base. Having someone else to help will make the process simpler and safer.

2. Remove the connector hoses.

Once you have opened the mattress cover, locate the gray tab on the side of the bed (this is where the hose is attached to the air chambers). Next, push in that gray tab and gently pull the connector hose out of the mattress cover through its opening. For Sleep Number beds with a dual-system, make sure to remove the two connector hoses per air chamber. You may start from either the left or right side of the mattress.

3. Take out all internal mattress components.

With the connector hoses removed, begin taking out the comfort layer (view on Amazon), air chambers, center foam wall, side and end foam walls, base pad, and corner lock system (if your bed has one). Once all these pieces are removed, you will see the bottom of your mattress.

I recommend taking photos of the inside of your mattress during disassembly. These photos will serve as a guide later on for proper placement of these same components – once you reassemble your Sleep Number bed in a different room or when you have moved house.

4. Deflate the air chambers.

To deflate the air chambers, press the down arrow on the hand-held controller. If your bed has a dual-system, hold the right (R) or left (L) button simultaneously with the down arrow button. The display reading zero would mean that all the air is out of the chambers. The Sleep Number remote would always be the best way to fill or air out your air chambers. If you lost your remote, you could do this via the SleepIQ app. Otherwise, you can call customer service and order a replacement remote or purchase one from online stores.

Similar to inflating the air chambers (view on Amazon), remember that you can only deflate them one at a time. It only takes about 5-7 minutes to air out the air chambers. Stepping or sitting on them while they are letting air out will speed up the process. But be careful not to puncture or damage them.

5. Unplug the Firmness Control System.

Since the connector hoses have already been removed, you can easily unplug this large white box unit from the wall or from underneath the bed for FlexFit™ bases. Likewise, make sure to disconnect all cables from the back. Once unplugged, you can secure the Firmness Control™ System, along with the remote, into a packing box and surround the box with packing material. For loose cables, secure them by wrapping and taping or tying them to the adjustable base.

It would be best if you still have the original box that the Firmness Control™ System came with to ensure a snug fit. If not, you can simply get a packing box from the store. The important thing is that the unit is protected from exposure to excess shock and vibration, which could result in damage.

6. Box the aired-out air chambers.

Like how you packed the Firmness Control™ System, you should also surround the air chambers with packing material to protect them from puncture or damage. Caution is a must when packing up the air chambers. Otherwise, you may need to purchase replacements.

7. Pack up all other mattress components.

After setting aside the Firmness Control™ System and air chambers, proceed to box the comfort layer, foam side walls and base pad, and mattress cover. Make sure to place them into a double bag to prevent these mattress components from being soiled during transport. I suggest placing them in a sturdy box to help keep their shape intact. When moving house, never put heavy boxes on top of this package.

8. Remove all mattress retainers.

Using a 7/16 inch socket, remove the mattress retainers starting with loosening the hex bolts that hold the mattress cover bottom to the adjustable base. If you have an Eastern King, California King, Split King, or FlexTop King bed, you would need to separate the two individual adjustable bases. Without completely removing them, loosen the bases by turning the two inside legs at the head of the bed counter-clockwise. Next, remove the bed straps and screw the legs back in. Repeat this step at the foot of your Sleep Number bed.

Once completed, set these bolts and other hardware components somewhere safe for use later on when reassembling your Sleep Number bed. If you have a FlexFit™ or adjustable bed, this step completes how to take apart a Sleep Number bed.

9. Remove the deck panels, side rails, and legs.

This step is easy and does not require tools. All you have to do for the deck panels is slide them directly off the bed to the left or right. Next, remove the legs and side rails by unscrewing the wing nuts and detaching the legs from the bed frame’s base. The side rails have pins that hold them together – do not forget to slide them out, along with the support beams. When you are done removing the deck panels, side rails, and legs, add the pins to your hardware components bag.

10. Pack up the base components.

With the base of the bed disassembled entirely, place the deck panels and support beams or side rails into a packing box. Again, it would be best if you still have the original box it came in. If not, any other packing box that can fit these components will do. Packing up these parts should help prevent these components from accruing damage during transport.

Depending on your setup, Sleep Number bases may be optional and would save you from doing the last three steps. If you do not have a split-type mattress, you can use an existing base as long as it can properly support the bed. Otherwise, the type of Sleep Number base you have determines how many steps you need to complete in disassembling a base.

A modular base would only require one more extra step after you have disassembled and packed up the mattress. On the other hand, the steps for a FlexFit™ base would be slightly different. FlexFit™ bases work with your SleepIQ technology app to lift your bed into various positions and provide lighting and massage in certain models. These are ergonomic designs with their own power source that require careful attention when packing.

Moving Your Sleep Number Bed

It may not be necessary to disassemble your Sleep Number bed entirely in some situations. A perfect example is when you need to move your bed to a different part of your room or a separate room. All you will need are Sleep Number closure caps to move your mattress in one piece. These air chamber/closure caps are small white plastic caps that come with your bed.

You will find them in your mattress at the top of your bed or the foot of your bed by the Firmness Control™ System if you have a smart bed. If you cannot find them or have lost the caps, you can visit any Sleep Number store or order from authorized Sleep Number distributors online.

When moving your bed, it is essential to fill the mattress on both sides to 100. Afterward, you can disconnect the hoses from your mattress and attach the air chamber caps. For FlexFit 3 bases, disconnecting foot-warming connections located near the hose connections is required. Once you have capped off the connector hoses on the mattress, you need to detach the mattress from the base and bag it. Next, you need to disconnect and box your pump (view on Amazon). Finally, you need to separate your bases and remove your bed’s legs for easier clearance through doorways.

This video by Sleep Number shares important safety warning and instructions for disconnecting the magnetic attachments on your Sleep Number bed.

Tips when Moving House

The steps you need to take when moving your Sleep Number bed to a different home is almost similar to how you would prep your bed when moving it to another room. However, there are some things that you will need to take note of, plus requirements that you will have to meet when using a moving company:

• Although the modular or adjustable base of your Sleep Number bed is durable, it can be bent or twisted while in transit. To avoid this, make sure to completely disassemble your modular base and box it up for moving.
• Remember to disassemble your bed frame and tufted headboard (view on Amazon), save all the hardware components and necessary tools in a bag, and tape them to a larger frame or part to prevent loss while moving.
• To ensure that the Firmness Control™ System works flawlessly come time for reassembly of your Sleep Number bed, never expose it to shock and vibration.
• Your Sleep Number mattress can be moved assembled with a moving company and in a mattress box, provided it is fully inflated and capped off. Of course, it will be better to take it apart entirely if you want the least amount of risk of puncturing or damaging the mattress and its components.
• It is crucial to note that you may incur third-party charges if you do not have the Sleep Number closure caps necessary to move your mattress fully inflated.

Conclusion – Sleep Number Bed Disassembly

In summary, here are the steps on how to disassemble Sleep Number beds:

1. Disassemble the mattress.
2. Remove the connector hoses.
3. Take out all internal mattress components.
4. Deflate the air chambers.
5. Unplug the Firmness Control System.
6. Box the aired-out air chambers.
7. Pack up all other mattress components.
8. Remove all mattress retainers.
9. Remove the deck panels, side rails, and legs.
10. Pack up the base components.

Completing these steps is ideally a two-person job. However, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it on your own. If it is any consolation, a Sleep Number bed weighs less than a traditional mattress. Not to mention that its components can be packed compactly and into smaller boxes, which makes transporting them more convenient.

Disassembling a Sleep Number Bed is not as straightforward as lifting and carrying. You would know this by now, especially if you had personally set up your bed when it first arrived in your home. While it entails a bit more care and effort, knowing how to disassemble a Sleep Number bed is a responsible step in ensuring that you keep your bed within warranty and that you are capable of getting it from one place to another – whether or not a house move is on the horizon.