How To Make A Mattress Firmer?
Do you have a problem with the firmness of your mattress? Does it feel like you’re sleeping on a hammock or sinking into quicksand? If so, there are several ways to make your mattress firmer. In this article, we’ll go over some of the options you have to fix a too soft mattress.
Check Your Trial Period
Many online mattress manufacturers offer a trial period, during which you can return your mattress and get a full refund. Some companies will even pick it up for free if you find the mattress uncomfortable, too soft or too firm.
If your return falls outside of its trial period, there are some instances when you can still receive a partial refund or store credit. Some online mattress companies offer very long trial periods, check Brentwood Home with their impressive 12-month sleep trial.
Replace Compressed and Soft Layers
Some companies offer memory foam mattresses or latex mattresses with layers that can be changed and removed so you can regain your perfect level of firmness without having to buy a new one. You may be able to order one firm layer to replace a worn out later, as long as your mattress has a removable cover.
If this sounds like a good option to save money without sacrificing too much comfort, look for a mattress with multiple layers that are removable, such as Sleep EZ.
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Use a Firm Mattress Topper
The main reason to buy a mattress topper is for more support. A mattress topper sits on top of your mattress to provide additional support, comfort, and firmness. If you already have a good mattress but find it too soft and need just a little bit of extra support, this is the easiest solution.
When you get the adequate support for your sleeping position, you’ll wake up without any muscle or joint pain. Mattress toppers are available in a variety of firmness levels and fillings, and they make a noticeable change to the feel of your mattress.
The best firm mattress topper is a latex mattress topper (check Latex for Less Topper) because latex is a natural firm material free from harmful chemicals and it has a great balance of support and comfort.
Add Plywood between The Mattress and The Bed Frame
If you want to make your mattress firmer, you can try adding a plywood board or an MDF sheet between the mattress and the bed frame. It's because the even and hard surface will make it much sturdier and supportive.
It will also help the mattress not to sag as quickly. However, this sheet can dramatically reduce the breathability of your mattress and cause heat retention. To avoid that problem, you should cut holes in it to allow the air to flow and the mattress to remain well ventilated.
Replace Your Box Spring or Slats
Another way to make your mattress feel firmer is to replace your box spring or slats. If you have an old box spring that has lost its strength, then it may need to be replaced. Box springs might wear down over time.
When they begin to lose their strength, they offer less support for your mattress than it should, which may result in your mattress feeling softer. Box springs are typically less expensive to replace than mattresses, and they may help to firm up your mattress. A broken frame can also affect how soft or firm your mattress feels.
Before you select a new bed frame, be sure that it has strong slats that are 3 inches apart to provide optimal support. Opt for solid wood bed frames that are much more durable and sturdier than MDF or Plywood frames.
Flip or Rotate Your Mattress Regularly
Rotating your mattress regularly can help with even distribution of filling and prevent sagging or impressions. To rotate your mattress, simply turn it around and make sure that the heavier parts of your body (hips, shoulders) lay in different spots.
You may also try flipping your bed to make it firmer if it is two-sided. However, it's essential to double-check that the mattress is flippable.
Some beds, like the Latex for Less, for example, come with two different firmness levels on each side. If your flippable mattress doesn't have different firmness levels, you can still flip it because the unused side is usually firmer.
Use Fitted Sheets
Tensing your fitted sheets over your mattress will make it feel more supportive. To lay properly on your bed, the fitted sheet should stay flat, without any ripples or dents in it.
This means that as you move throughout the night, the mattress will still feel as firm as when you first laid down. It can always help to tighten your sheets from time to time.
Keep Your Mattress Dry and Airy
A damp mattress may become soft over time because the moisture in the air causes the filling to expand, eventually becoming too soft to support your body. Keeping your mattress dry and air out will help it maintain its firmness.
In order to do it, just take the bedding off and lay it outside in the sun for a few hours. Sunlight kills bacteria, making your mattress healthier as well as firmer. If you live near the coast or if there is humidity in your bedroom, this should be done regularly to prevent mold from spoiling the filling.
If you´ve got a latex mattress, you can´t leave it in the sun as direct sunlight damages natural latex. In that case, you can opt for regularly running a dehumidifier in your bedroom and keep your windows open for a few hours a day.
Lower Your Room Temperature
Memory foam mattresses made from polyurethane foam are often very sensitive to temperature. If the room is cold, they become firmer but if it's too hot, they get all squashy. A good idea then is to lower the temperature of the bedroom a by few degrees.
Add an extra blanket or get a higher quality duvet for winter for example. During summer, use a fan or air conditioning to keep your room cool.
Buy a Firmer Mattress
If all else fails, you should consider buying a firmer mattress. If your current mattress is so soft that you feel the need to brace yourself every time you get in bed, then it’s definitely too soft for you.
All things being equal, sleeping on a softer mattress will generally cause more aches and pains throughout the day because there is no support between your body and the mattress.
On the other hand, those who sleep on a firmer mattress tend to sleep better and feel the need for less sleep than their counterparts on a softer bed.
This is because firm mattresses provide more support and keep your spine in proper alignment. They also reduce pressure points between your body and the mattress so you don’t wake up with sore hips and shoulders.
Consider buying a new mattress, especially if your mattress is more than 8 years old. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel in the morning after sleeping on a firmer bed. Check our review of the best
How Firm Should Your Mattress Be?
It’s important to know what type of sleeper you are before buying a new mattress. For example, what's your sleeping position, do you sleep on your back, stomach or side? How old is the current bed that you have? Are there any medical conditions that may affect your sleeping habits?
All these factors matter when deciding which firmness level will suit you best. When in doubt, it's always better to err on the side of more firmness rather than less.
In this section, we will take a look at what, in general, the various firmness levels are and who would benefit the most by sleeping on them.
What's the Best Mattress Firmness for Side Sleepers?
Side sleepers should have a medium-firm mattress that’s on the softer spectrum. The softer mattress will respond more fully to the curves of your body, so you won't wake up with a stiff back or develop persistent back pain. Check our review of the best mattresses for side sleepers for more information.
What's the Right Mattress Firmness for Back and Stomach Sleepers?
The best mattress for back and stomach sleepers is a firm mattress. This means it remains supportive, but doesn’t have too much give.
Back and stomach sleepers need the most firmness because they are putting the most pressure on their mattresses because of their sleeping positions. They also need that extra firmness to keep their spines straight all night long.
What's the Best Firmness Level for Combo Sleepers?
A medium-firm bed is best for combination sleepers. This means that it falls between a medium and firm mattress, and is the most popular option. It provides enough support and pressure relief to keep you from waking up with back problems, but also keeps your spine in proper alignment as well.
What's the Right Mattress Firmness for Kids?
For kids, you should opt for a slightly softer mattress that is between medium and firm. This fits most children’s needs. They still need some support, but they don’t put as much pressure on their beds as adults do.
Kids also need more temperature regulation from their mattresses since they sleep hot at night. Check our review of the best mattresses for kids for more information.
What's the Best Firmness Level for the Elderly?
Elderly people definitely need a softer mattress because they do not have as much pressure on their joints and backs, so there is no need to get a mattress that is extremely firm.
In fact, a mattress that is on the firmer side may not be suitable for this age group either because their bodies need more pressure relief than what firmer mattresses provide.
What's the Best Firmness Level for Pregnancy?
For pregnant women, you should opt for a medium-firm mattress. This is because firm mattresses often press back against your spine, which may make you uncomfortable with the extra pressure. A medium-firm mattress is softer than a firm one, but firmer than what most women prefer.
What's the Best Firmness Level for Weight?
A heavier person should opt for a slightly firmer mattress so that they don’t sink too deeply into the bed. A softer mattress will not support their body weight as well, so they may wake up with aches and pains in some parts of their body.
Why is your mattress firmness level important?
Choosing a mattress with the correct firmness level is very important for a good night's sleep. The firmness level determines the feeling of lying on the mattress and also supports the correct position of the spine and hips. an uncomfortable mattress will seriously affect your sleep quality.
A healthy and ergonomic lying position is necessary, in particular for pregnant women, seniors, and people with back problems. If your mattress is too soft or too hard, it can negatively affect your sleep and cause bad back or other health problems. For the best possible relaxation, the level of firmness of a mattress is very important.
If a mattress is too hard, it does not mold to your body, so that you cannot sink into it enough for the spine to be correctly aligned. The shoulder area is raised upwards and the neck is tense, which can cause pain in the back or stiff shoulders.
A mattress that is too soft causes a forward tilt of the hips. This sags the spine into an S-shape, which can lead to back pain or even scoliosis.
Conclusion
Mattresses should be firm and supportive. If yours is too soft, you can try to make your mattress firmer by following our tips. These simple tricks, such as getting a good mattress topper or using plywood, will help you avoid tossing and turning all night long!
If you are still not satisfied with the result, or if your mattress is really old and you want to change it, then go ahead and buy a new one.
Let us know how it goes!
Have you tried making your mattress firmer? How did your try end up? Do you have any rules of thumb when buying a mattress? Share them with us in the comment section!
Read More: How to fix a sagging mattress?
