Do you sink into your mattress when you lie down or find yourself feeling trapped when you try to move? Even worse, do you find yourself waking up with a bad case of lower back pain? The culprit might just be a too soft mattress.<\/p>\n
Softening and sagging can occur as mattresses age, and their materials lose support. While this loss of support is a good sign that it\u2019s time to replace your mattress<\/a>, it may not be feasible to replace your bed immediately. There are ways of firming up a mattress that will make your bed feel comfortable and supportive.<\/p>\n One of the simpler ways to replace a too-soft mattress is by checking the attached sleep trial and warranty policies. A sleep trial for a bed in a box mattress<\/a> should last for the first few months, and some companies offer a full year to test out your mattress. If you\u2019re sleeping on a new mattress and find it\u2019s too soft, you may need a firmer mattress model.<\/p>\n If your mattress<\/a> is no longer new and has grown soft and started to sag, you might be able to file a warranty claim for repairs or a replacement mattress. Measure how deep any indentations are, and see if they\u2019re deep enough for your warranty to cover.<\/p>\n How deep a mattress must sag to be covered varies by company. Some will replace your mattress once it sags an inch or more, while others will only offer a replacement once sagging exceeds 2 inches.<\/p>\n Mattress toppers aren\u2019t just for softening up a bed. You can also buy toppers with a firm feel to fix a sagging mattress<\/a>. While a good topper can cost up to a few hundred dollars, it\u2019s still far more affordable than buying a new mattress.<\/p>\n Toppers are usually made from memory foam, latex, or poly-foam. Be sure to compare features and prices and look at customer reviews, like you would when shopping for a new mattress.<\/p>\n Slipping a piece of plywood or particleboard under the mattress can give the mattress a firmer feel. A solid or slatted foundation<\/a>\u00a0keeps a mattress lifted and deters sagging.<\/p>\n The downside to a plywood board is that the solid construction can limit airflow and promote mildew growth in your mattress. We recommend shopping for moisture-resistant plywood and keeping your mattress encased in a waterproof protector.<\/p>\n A hard floor can provide the same uniform support as a plywood board and is a suitable method for firming up your mattress if you need an immediate solution. However, leaving your mattress on the floor is not the best solution in the long run because it can expose your mattress to dirt, pests, and mildew.<\/p>\n The floor presents the same problem as a piece of plywood, preventing air from circulating through the bottom of your mattress and collecting absorbed moisture. This moisture can build up and let mold grow in and around your mattress. Too much humidity can also soften up your mattress.<\/p>\n Is keeping your mattress on the floor for a while unavoidable? Then lift it once a week and lean it against a wall to let airflow through the mattress.<\/p>\n Box springs often last longer than mattresses, but they will need to be replaced eventually. The inner coils will eventually lose support and sag, providing uneven support. Most box springs shouldn\u2019t be used for more than a decade, and you should check their condition if you hear squeaks or creaks\u00a0or if the wood smells.<\/p>\n Using a box spring with a mattress<\/a>\u00a0can also cause the bed to sag prematurely if the box spring doesn\u2019t provide the full support the mattress needs. Memory foam mattresses shouldn\u2019t be placed on a box spring, nor should any other type of foam mattresses such as latex and poly-foam.<\/p>\n Removing the box spring and replacing it with a solid or slatted foundation for a memory foam mattress<\/a>\u00a0can make your bed feel firmer.<\/p>\n Some mattresses are temperature sensitive, such as memory foam beds. Memory foam mattresses<\/a> are designed to soften up when exposed to heat, which lets the mattress conform to your body for pressure relief. This sensitivity means the bed can also feel firmer in colder temperatures.<\/p>\n Try lowering your thermostat, turning on a fan, or opening your window to firm up your mattress a little<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just body heat that can soften a mattress\u2014retained moisture can soften up a mattress as well. If you live in a humid climate, your mattress may absorb moisture throughout the day and night.<\/p>\n Try carrying your mattress outside so it gets exposed to some sunlight. Sunlight evaporates moisture and helps eliminate the germs, mildew, and allergens that a mattress can accumulate.<\/p>\n Do you tend to lie down on the same spot night after night? Many of us do, and the repeated wear and tear can cause that section of the mattress to sag. Rotating your mattress will change where you\u2019re lying on the bed, evening out the mattress\u2019s feel.<\/p>\n Not all mattresses made are flippable, including most foam and hybrid mattresses. But if you have one of the rare flippable foam or hybrid mattresses, flipping the mattress can even out the wear and tear on your bed.<\/p>\n You should rotate and, if possible, flip your mattress every three to six months.<\/p>\n If you want a firmer bed, make sure your fitted sheets lie smooth. A tight fit puts pressure on the mattress that can harden its feel.<\/p>\n And if you use a mattress pad, you might want to skip it since it can add a touch of softness to your bed. If you want a protective layer between your sheets and mattress, consider a mattress protector instead.<\/p>\n This is only an option if your mattress has a removable cover, as some latex and memory foam mattresses<\/a>\u00a0do. If you can unzip the mattress and move its layers, you should be able to remove any worn-out layers and replace them with a new one. Ask your mattress company\u2019s customer service if you can special order a new foam layer.<\/p>\n The best mattress firmness depends on two factors, your favorite sleeping position and your body weight. If you shop with these two considerations in your mind, you\u2019re much less likely to choose a mattress<\/a> that\u2019s too soft or too firm.<\/p>\n Your sleeping position affects where and how much pressure is placed on your body. It also determines what support your spine needs. These variances are why there\u2019s a different firmness range best suited for each sleep position.<\/p>\n Side sleepers are often supported by their shoulders and hips, so those two areas are where pressure points tend to build up. A mattress for side sleeping<\/a>\u00a0should have a soft to medium feel for optimal pressure relief.<\/p>\n Sleeping on your back distributes pressure evenly across your body and naturally keeps the spine in a neutral position. A firmer feel helps the spine remain aligned, so a good mattress for back sleeping<\/a>\u00a0should have a medium-firm to firm feel. A mattress with a medium feel can be considered if it offers targeted back support.<\/p>\n Stomach sleepers risk misaligning their spine if they sleep on a soft mattress<\/a>. When they lie on their front, gravity pushes down on their belly. If their stomach has room to sink into the mattress, it overextends their spine. We recommend a bed with a firm feel to keep the stomach and spine lifted\u2014although it\u2019s even better to switch to side or back sleeping instead.<\/p>\n Combination sleepers move between two or even all three positions. A\u00a0mattress for combination sleeping<\/a>\u00a0should have a medium feel to provide adequate support, no matter the sleeping position. It\u2019s also a smart idea to look for a mattress with motion isolation to limit sleep disturbances.<\/p>\n Your body weight determines how much you press down on the mattress. Naturally, a heavier person places more pressure on a bed, while a petite person exerts less pressure than most sleepers.<\/p>\n If you weigh under 130 pounds, you should shop for a softer mattress. You\u2019re lightweight enough that you should feel lifted on a soft bed, instead of like you\u2019re sinking into your mattress.<\/p>\n If you weigh more than 230 pounds, try a firmer mattress for a bed that can withstand a lot of pressure. A firmer mattress should conform to your body without risking sinkage.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re in between 130 and 230 pounds, then your body weight shouldn\u2019t be a concern as you shop for your perfect mattress.<\/p>\n While the methods we listed are all an excellent way to make a mattress feel firmer, they\u2019re no substitute for sleeping on the right mattress for you.<\/p>\n While it\u2019s important to shop for the right firmness, it\u2019s also a smart idea to make sure you\u2019re buying a mattress with the right thickness. Mattresses can lose their firm feel as the material wears away, and thinner mattresses usually contain less material to resist wear and tear. The best mattresses<\/a>\u00a0are generally at least 10 inches thick.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re shopping for a\u00a0mattress for a heavy person<\/a>, you may need to consider a bed that\u2019s at least 12 inches thick. A taller mattress can decrease the risk of bottoming out on the mattress\u2019s support layer, thanks to thicker comfort layers and added transition layers.<\/p>\n And always make sure you buy a mattress with a sleep trial and an extensive warranty. A sleep trial lets you make sure a bed is right for you and is especially crucial if you\u2019re buying an online mattress<\/a>\u00a0that you\u2019ve never seen or felt before.<\/p>\n\n\n\t Yes, some toppers can firm up your mattress instead of softening it. Firm toppers can be made from memory foam, latex, poly-foam, and other materials. A topper isn\u2019t the only way to firm up your mattress, but it is a more comfortable way to change a bed\u2019s feel.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t If your mattress is sagging and you\u2019re not quite ready for a new one, there are a few ways you can even out its feel. A firm mattress topper is the easiest way, though usually, it\u2019s one of the more expensive methods. You can also place firm pillows in any mattress indentations and cover the bed with a sheet to keep the pillows in place.<\/p>\n Finally, check your choice of mattress foundation. If it\u2019s not offering consistent support, it may leave space for your mattress to sag. Bed slats should not be more than 3 inches apart, and a foam mattress should never be kept on a box spring.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Yes, slipping a piece of plywood or particleboard that\u2019s cut to fit your bed is an excellent way to make your mattress feel firmer. The drawback is that a solid piece of wood prevents air from carrying away the moisture that collects at the bottom of your mattress. We strongly recommend you buy wood that\u2019s moisture resistant, or else you might end up sleeping on a mattress full of mildew.<\/p>\n You could also try setting your mattress on the floor to firm up the bed. To avoid moisture build-up, you can lift your mattress and lean it against a wall for a few hours. You should try to do this about once a week.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t You might find yourself waking up with back pain if you\u2019re sleeping on the wrong mattress firmness. If your mattress is too soft, your back may bow into the mattress and add pressure on your spine. On the other hand, a too firm mattress can lift your spine out of its neutral alignment.<\/p>\n It\u2019s best to shop for your ideal mattress firmness by considering your favorite position and body weight. Side sleepers and people under 130 pounds need a softer mattress. Back and stomach sleepers and those who weigh more than 230 pounds will usually rest better on a firmer mattress.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Yes and no. A firmer bed is often good at easing back pain, but you don\u2019t want to choose a bed that\u2019s too firm. A 2015 study<\/a>\u00a0found that sleeping on a medium-firm mattress can relieve back pain.<\/p>\n Memory foam beds are among our top recommendations when you\u2019re shopping for a mattress for back pain<\/a>. The material\u2019s conforming nature allows it to relieve pressure better than most other types of mattresses.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<\/section>\n\n\tTen Ways to Make a Mattress Firmer<\/h2>\n
1. Check Your Mattress\u2019s Sleep Trial and Warranty<\/h3>\n
2. Buy a Firm Mattress Topper<\/h3>\n
3. Add or Replace Plywood<\/h3>\n
4. Move the Mattress to the Floor<\/h3>\n
5. Change Your Box Spring<\/h3>\n
6. Lower the Room Temperature<\/h3>\n
7. Give it Time to Breathe<\/h3>\n
8. Rotate and Flip the Mattress<\/h3>\n
9. Flatten Your Bedding<\/h3>\n
10. Replace Old Layers<\/h3>\n
Finding the Right Mattress Firmness<\/h2>\n
Sleeping Position<\/h3>\n
Body Weight<\/h3>\n
Buying the Right Mattress<\/h2>\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\t\t
Is there a firm mattress topper?<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
How can I make my sagging mattress firmer?<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Does putting plywood under a mattress make it firmer?<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Can a bed that is too soft hurt your back?<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Is a firm bed good for a bad back?<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t