How To Make Mattress Firmer? Finding the Right Mattress Firmness Update 12/2024

There are times when I can’t get out of bed because I’ve sunk too far into my bed. Do you wake up in the morning with painful lower back pain on a daily basis? Too-soft mattresses could be to fault.

Mattresses can soften and droop over time as their components lose their resilience. The fact that you can’t get a new bed immediately away is a good clue that your mattress needs to be replaced. The appropriate mattress firmness can soften or firmen your bed.

Ten Ways to Make a Mattress Firmer

1. Check Your Mattress’s Sleep Trial and Warranty

Two easy ways to replace a mattress that is excessively soft are to check the sleep trial and warranty terms. The first three months of a trial period for a bed in a box mattress should be sufficient, however other businesses allow up to a year of testing. If you find your new mattress too soft, a firmer mattress type may be the solution.

if your mattress is no longer brand new and has softened and begun to sag, you may be able to file for a warranty claim. Consider whether any indentations are large enough to void your guarantee.

If you’re looking to fix mattress sagging, you need to know that it differs greatly from business to company. It all depends on the company, however some firms will replace your mattress for free, while others will only replace it if the mattress is more than 2 inches drooping in the middle.

2. Buy a Firm Mattress Topper

Mattress toppers can be used to enhance the look and feel of the mattress in addition to increasing its comfort level. Firm mattress toppers are another option for fixing a sinking mattress. Even if a high-quality mattress topper can cost up to a few hundred dollars, it is still more expensive to buy a new mattress.
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Memory foam, latex, and poly-foam are some of the most popular materials used in mattress toppers. Check out customer reviews and features just as you would when shopping for a new mattress.

3. Add or Replace Plywood

Placing a piece of plywood or particleboard under the mattress might make the mattress feel more firm. If a mattress is supported by a solid or slatted foundation, it will not sag.

It’s possible that plywood’s robust construction can impede airflow in your mattress, leading to the formation of mildew. Investing in moisture-resistant plywood and using a waterproof mattress cover is what we suggest.

4. Move the Mattress to the Floor

A hard floor can provide the same level of uniform support as a plywood board for individuals who need a quick cure to firm up their mattress. Dirt, bugs, and mildew will be more likely to build up on your mattress if you keep it on the floor.

Floors obstruct ventilation and trap moisture under your mattress, so they make sleeping more difficult. As a result of the moisture accumulation, mold growth can occur both inside and outside of your mattress. High levels of humidity can cause mattresses to lose their firmness.

You may have to keep your mattress on the floor for a while. The mattress should be elevated and leaning against a wall once a week so that it may air out.

5. Change Your Box Spring

Mattress box springs, contrary to popular assumption, do not last endlessly. The droop in the inner coils will cause uneven support. If your box spring is making noises or emitting a musty odor, it’s time to replace it. After ten years, it’s time to replace your box springs.

To prevent the bed from sinking early, the box spring must provide adequate support for the mattress. Under a memory foam mattress or any other foam mattress, whether latex or poly-foam, there is no need for a box spring.

The firmness of your mattress can be improved by removing the box spring and replacing it with a sturdy foundation made of memory foam.

6. Lower the Room Temperature

For example, temperature-sensitive memory foam mattresses are on the market. Heating memory foam mattresses allows the mattress to conform to your body and alleviate pressure points, making it a more comfortable sleep experience overall. When it’s chilly outdoors, the bed may actually feel firmer because of this sensitivity.

In order to firm up your mattress, you can lower your thermostat, turn on a fan, or open the window.

7. Give it Time to Breathe

In addition to body heat, retained moisture in the fibers of a mattress can soften it. In hot and humid areas, it is possible to sleep on a damp mattress.

If you want your mattress to get some natural light, take it out for a walk. With sunshine, a mattress can be cleaned of bacteria, mildew, and other allergens that have built up over time.

8. Rotate and Flip the Mattress

If so, do you sleep in the same place every night? Over time, the mattress may sag as a result of the stress on that portion of the mattress. By rotating your mattress, you’ll find that it provides a more consistent sleeping experience for your entire body.

However, the majority of foam and hybrid mattresses cannot be turned over. In contrast, flippable foam or hybrid mattresses allow you to evenly distribute the wear and strain on your mattress simply flipping it.

You should rotate and, if possible, flip your mattress every three to six months.

9. Flatten Your Bedding

If you like a firmer mattress, make sure your fitted sheets are flat. Too tight of a fit might cause a mattress to harden.
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If you want your bed to have a more opulent appearance, you may opt to skip the mattress pads. If you want an extra layer of protection between your sheets and your mattress, a mattress protector is a preferable choice.

10. Replace Old Layers

This is an option if your mattress is comprised of latex or memory foam and has a removable cover. You should be able to get a new set of mattresses if you can relocate the layers and unzip the old ones. An additional layer of foam may be ordered specifically for you by your mattress provider.

Finding the Right Mattress Firmness

Choosing the proper mattress firmness depends on your favorite sleeping position and your weight. When buying for a mattress, keep these two characteristics in mind to avoid purchasing one that is either too soft or too hard.

Sleeping Position

How well you sleep affects your body in a variety of ways. The type of support your spine requires is also determined by this. Every sleeping position necessitates a different level of firmness because of these variations.

Side sleepers’ shoulders and hips offer the bulk of their support, increasing the likelihood of pressure points developing there. If you sleep on your side, you should look for a mattress with a gentle to medium firmness.

When you sleep on your back, you naturally have an even distribution of pressure over your body and a neutral spine. Back sleepers benefit most from a mattress that has a medium to firm feel, as this helps to keep the spine in a more neutral position. The best mattress for your back will have a medium feel and a firm core.

Sleeping on your stomach on a mattress that is too soft might cause your spine to be out of alignment. Lie on your back and you’ll feel the weight of gravity on your stomach. Stomach sinking into the mattress causes overextension of the spine. If you sleep on your stomach or back, a firm mattress will maintain your spine and stomach elevated regardless of which way you choose to sleep.

A person who is a combination sleeper can make use of all three positions. In order to provide adequate support regardless of the sleeping position, a mattress for mixed sleeping should have a medium feel. A motion-isolating mattress can help you get a good night’s rest without disturbing your partner.

Body Weight

Your weight affects the amount of pressure you put on the mattress. While most individuals apply more pressure on a bed because of their weight, little people sleep with less pressure than other people because of their smaller size.

For those who weigh less than 130 pounds, a softer mattress is recommended. You shouldn’t feel like you’re sinking into a comfortable bed since you aren’t hefty enough to do so.

Over 230-pound individuals who require a bed that can bear a great deal of stress should consider a firmer mattress. Higher-density mattresses should be able to conform to your body shape without feeling too soft.

If you weigh between 130 and 230 pounds, you don’t have to worry about your weight while looking for a mattress.

Buying the Right Mattress

There is no substitute for getting a good night’s sleep on the right mattress, no matter how beneficial the methods we’ve discussed are.

Consider the thickness as well as the firmness when shopping for a mattress. A mattress’ firmness can decrease over time, thus thinner mattresses frequently have a lesser density of material to help them last longer. Mattresses with a minimum ten-inch thickness are generally considered the best.

Mattresses that are at least 12 inches thick may be necessary for people who weigh more than 250 pounds. It is possible to lessen the risk of bottoming out on a mattress’s support layer by increasing the comfort layers and adding additional transition layers.

Don’t make the mistake of buying an expensive mattress without testing it out first. Consider a sleep trial when deciding whether or not to buy an online mattress that you haven’t tried or seen in person before.

FAQs

Is there a firm mattress topper?

Some mattress toppers stiffen your mattress rather than relax it. Memory foam, latex, poly-foam, and other materials can be used to form a firm mattress topper. However, the most comfortable way to firm up your mattress is with a topper.

How can I make my sagging mattress firmer?

Some sagging mattresses can be mended, so you don’t have to buy a new one just yet. Although it’s the easiest solution, a firm mattress topper is also the most expensive. Also, hard pillows and a sheet help fill mattress indents.

Take a look at the mattress base you’ve chosen. If your foundation isn’t strong enough, it can cause your mattress to sink. No box spring or mattress slats of more than three inches apart should be used with a foam mattress.

Does putting plywood under a mattress make it firmer?

Yes, you can use a piece of plywood or particleboard trimmed to fit over your mattress to make it feel more firm. It’s difficult for air to adequately eliminate moisture from your mattress if the bottom is made of solid wood. If you don’t want to wake up to a mattress full of mildew, make sure the wood you choose is moisture-resistant.

You can also put two mattresses on top of one another. Leaning your mattress against a wall for a few hours each day can help keep it dry. It is suggested that you do this once every seven days.

Can a bed that is too soft hurt your back?

It is possible to wake up in the morning with back pain if you are sleeping on a mattress that is too hard. A soft mattress may put undue strain on your spinal column. On the other hand, sleeping on a mattress that is too firm may result in a misaligned spine.
How to Make Your Soft Mattress Firmer?

When deciding on the ideal mattress firmness, keep in mind your personal preferences for sleeping position and weight. Anyone under 130 pounds should opt to purchase a softer mattress for their nighttime resting positions. People who sleep on their backs or stomachs, or who weigh more than 230 pounds, should choose for a firmer mattress.

Is a firm bed good for a bad back?

Debate is abundant in this situation. A firmer mattress may help with back pain, but you don’t want to go too firm. Studies show that resting on a medium-firm mattress reduces the likelihood of back pain, according to one from 2015.

Memory foam mattresses are the best for relieving back discomfort. This mattress is better than others in relieving pressure points because of its conforming qualities.

Did We Help?

If you want a firmer mattress, you can use a mattress topper, plywood, or even just set the mattress directly on the ground. You don’t have to be an expert to keep your mattress in good shape. In order to get rid of mold, mildew, and other nasty things from your mattress, turn it over frequently and spend some time in the sun.

It is possible to choose a mattress that is just suited for you with a sleep trial and warranty.

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