How To Make Your Mattress Firmer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Last Updated on Feb 16, 2023
Are you struggling with a mattress that is too soft? Maybe you're finding it difficult to get a good night's sleep because your bed is just not doing its job. A broken-down or sagging mattress can keep you up at night because you can’t find a comfortable sleeping position. So, how to make a sagging mattress firmer? Fear not because there are ways to make your mattress firmer!
In this guide, we will share some tips on how to make a mattress firmer and more comfortable. Keep reading for helpful advice.
12 Easy Tips on How to Make Mattress Firmer
Mattresses can sag or lose their firmness over time, and if buying a new one may not be in your immediate future, you will need to know how to make a mattress firmer and how to make a mattress more comfortable. So let’s find a way to make your bed firm enough to support your body. The steps mentioned below may help you sleep better at night until you get a replacement mattress.
1. Flip your mattress
Flipping your mattress is one of the easiest ways to make it firmer. Every few months, flip your mattress over so that the other side is facing up. Some mattresses can be used on both sides, so flipping them over can help. Flipping your mattress will help even out the wear and tear on your mattress so that it will remain firm. Doing this will help keep it evenly distributed and will help prevent the mattress sagging on one side. Do this every six months or so, depending on how often your bed is used. Now you know how to fix a sagging mattress.
2. Use a mattress topper
If your soft mattress prevents you from getting a great night’s sleep, know how to make a soft mattress firmer by adding a firm mattress topper. There are different types of mattress toppers that you can get, such as hard foam or memory foam. A memory foam mattress topper has a different hardness to it which means that you’ll be able to find long-lasting firmness for your bed.
A polyurethane or latex topper can also work. Pads tend to be thinner and are usually filled with polyester or other materials that may not give you the firmness that you seek. Instead of a pad, use plywood under the mattress topper to get the desired stiffness.
3. Check and replace damaged or worn-out layers
Some mattresses are made from several layers held in place by a mattress cover. What’s great about having this type of mattress is that you will be able to replace any layer that is already worn or damaged instead of buying a brand new mattress. All you have to do is open the mattress and remove the damaged layer to be replaced afterward.
4. Check and replace box Spring or foundation
The coils of the box spring of your mattress can lose their spring due to wear and tear. If you find that your mattress has lost its firmness, it may be that the box spring needs to be replaced. Since you are getting a new box spring, this will add to the firmness of your bed, and it will also add height to it.
5. Add plywood support
Talk to your mattress manufacturers to see if they can recommend a solution to your soft mattress before you add the plywood. If they give you the go-ahead, choose plywood that matches your mattress. Also, see that the plywood is not treated and that the edges and sides have been sanded before you install it in your bed.
6. Move the mattress to the floor
Another tip on making your mattress firmer is to put it on the floor. This may be your last resort, significantly when the steps mentioned above haven’t helped. However, before you place your mattress on the floor, you need to keep in mind that you will be exposed to dust, dirt, and bugs that may get to your bed. If you think this will help firm up your mattress and the rest doesn't bother you, plop yourself on the floor and enjoy a good night's sleep.
7. Adjust the room temperature
It is possible that the type of mattress that you have can be affected by the temperature in your room. For example, if you have a 100% memory foam mattress, it tends to become softer when your room is warm. Adjusting the thermostat can add firmness to the mattress. Now you know how to make a memory foam mattress firmer just by adjusting the temperature.
8. Air the Mattress out
A bed absorbs moisture, and this can soften it over time. This is a natural process, but it can be slowed down by regularly airing the mattress out in the sun. Sun drying the mattress not only firms it up but also kills germs, bacteria, viruses, mildew, and other pests living in your mattress. In addition, it's an excellent way to clean your mattress and make it firmer simultaneously!
9. Keep bedding flat
If you want a firmer mattress, examine the smoothness of your fitted sheets. A tight fit applies pressure to the mattress and can make it harder to feel. This is because when the sheets are close against it, it will be more difficult for the mattress to expand and shrink.
10. Get a new bed frame
If the slats on your bed frame have weakened or been displaced or broken, it's good to invest in a new bed frame. This will help to keep your mattress firm and in place.
A brand new bed frame with new slats will offer more support. To make your mattress firmer, you should consider bed frames with solid slats as they provide a more supportive feel. This is because they don't have any spaces between the slats, which can cause the mattress to sag.
11. Trial period
Many online mattress brands have trial periods so that you can get to know your new mattress before you commit. This way, if you find that the mattress is too firm or too soft, you can always return it and get a new one.
12. Invest in a New Mattress
The firmness of your bed is essential for your spinal health and to prevent body aches and stiffness, especially for back and stomach sleepers.
A bed that's been used for a long time is uncomfortable and makes it difficult to get a good night's sleep. It isn't just challenging to obtain a relaxing sleep on such an old mattress.
It's important to invest in a new mattress if you're finding that yours is no longer firm. A brand new mattress will help improve your sleep quality and relieve any body aches and stiffness you may be experiencing.
Importance of Thickness and Firmness in Mattress
When it comes to getting a good night's sleep, the firmness of your mattress is just as important as the thickness. A mattress that is too soft can cause your spine to curve and your body to sink, both of which can lead to discomfort and poor sleep quality.
Conversely, a mattress that is too firm can cause stiffness and pain in the neck, back, and joints. Therefore, it's important to find the mattress firmness that is not too soft or too firm but just right.
Another factor to consider when trying to make your mattress firm is the thickness of the mattress. A thicker mattress will provide more support and be less likely to sag.
However, it is essential to note that not everyone prefers a thick mattress. Some people find them too firm, while others find the mattress too soft. Therefore, it is important to consider your preferences when choosing a mattress thickness.
Even so, thickness does not translate directly to sinkage. A thicker mattress may mean more transition layers and a solid support layer making up the foundation, which will help keep you from sinking into the bed.
Additionally, a thicker mattress is likely to last longer than a thinner one because there are more materials to support your weight.
Mattress Firmness for Different Types of Sleepers
If you have ever wondered what the ideal mattress firmness is for you, the answer may depend on the kind of sleeper you are.
Side Sleeper
Most of the pressure is concentrated on their hips and shoulders for side sleepers. So, side sleepers need a soft mattress to contour the body well and provide pressure relief. Mattress with firmness level 3-6 is ideal for side sleepers.
Back Sleeper
Back sleepers require a slightly firmer mattress so that their hips and shoulders do not sink lower than the rest of their bodies. A mattress firmness level of 6 should work the best for them.
Stomach Sleeper
Stomach sleepers usually require a firmer mattress to support their body during sleep. Sleeping on a soft mattress can cause their spine to arch, leading to lower back pain. A firm mattress of 6-8 works best for them.
Combination Sleeper
Combination sleepers switch their sleep positions multiple times. Therefore, the mattress should provide ample back support and body contouring to relieve pressure. Depending on which position you sleep in often, you can choose a mattress with a firmness level of 3-8.
Benefits of a Firm Mattress
Now that you know how to firm a soft mattress, you should know what benefits it brings to your health.
- When you sleep on a firm mattress, your spinal cord tends to straighten, thus improving your posture. A firmer mattress offers you the support your joints and spinal cord need, allowing you a deeper sleep every time.
- A firm mattress is ideal for multiple sleeping positions. If you are a combination sleeper, it is best to buy a medium-firm mattress to support you in your sleep.
- A firm mattress provides the support that cuts the tossing and turning to give the sleeper an uninterrupted, restful sleep.
- Maintaining it becomes easy as the mattress isn’t sagging or bulging from anywhere. In addition, the maintenance cost for a firmer mattress is considerably low.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to make a soft bed firmer can save you a lot of money. We hope these tips help you turn your soft and sagging mattress into a firm and comfortable one. And if you need to buy a new mattress, you know what firmness level to look for.
