A mattress lifter includes an air bladder sized to fit between a mattress and a mattress foundation, so that when inflated the air bladder lifts the mattress from the mattress foundation sufficiently to allow removal and replacement of bed linens and easy tucking of bedding under the mattress. Height-limiting material within the air bladder limits a height of the air bladder when the air bladder is inflated. An air pump inflates the air bladder by pumping air through a connection hose. When the air pump is turned on, air moves from the air pump to the air bladder inflating the air bladder. When the air pump is turned off, air moves from the air bladder to the air pump so that the air bladder automatically deflates when the air pump is turned off.