How to Make Your Mattress Firmer or Softer
There’s nothing worse than waking up with a sore back. Having a mattress that’s too hard or too soft can be killer on your body and prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. Whether you rest easiest on a firm or soft mattress, having a bed that feels right is a must. If you just can’t seem to get comfortable, try out these tips for improving your mattress and reclaiming your nightly rest and relaxation.
To Make Your Mattress Softer
Check the Foundation
The first thing you should do if your bed doesn’t feel quite right is check the foundation. If you’re using a platform bed, you may want to try switching to slats or adding a box spring — either of these options can give your bed a little extra bounce. If you recently got a memory foam mattress, however, you may want to ditch your box spring, as they’re only designed to work with innerspring mattresses and might make a foam mattress too hard.
Top It Off
One surefire way to make your bed soft as a cloud is buying a mattress topper. These can give you all the support of memory foam — and all the comfort of a pillowtop — without breaking the bank. Even a simple egg carton foam topper can help ease pressure points and make sleeping on a hard bed more comfortable.
Break it In
Sometimes, all a mattress needs to get that soft and cushy feeling you’re looking for is a little use. If your mattress is still new, try carefully walking across the surface of the bed for a few minutes every day. This should help to loosen up the stuffing and make the mattress a little cozier. A few weeks of sleeping on the bed should also do the trick.
Change out Sheets
Sheets can’t do much to fix the actual bed, but getting a softer, more comfortable set of sheets can do wonders to ease your sleep. Thicker sheets like flannel or high-thread-count cotton can help make your bed feel softer and more welcoming. Make sure your fitted sheet is the right size as well — a too-tight sheet can compress your bed, making it firmer and less comfortable to sleep on.
To Make Your Mattress Firmer
Check the Foundation again
Issues with the foundation can also be to blame for a bed that’s too soft. If parts of the foundation have broken down or weakened with age, your mattress might start to go soft and sag. Adding a solid plywood platform underneath can make your mattress firmer and more supportive.
Keep it Cool
Many mattresses are responsive to room temperature, and long-term exposure to warm climates can cause them to get softer. By turning down the thermostat a few degrees, you can help your mattress regain its natural elasticity and make the foam or filling inside harder.
Replace Layers
If your mattress has a removable zip cover, you might be able to swap out worn-down layers. Many mattresses have a multi-layered support system, including memory foam, support layers, and comfort layers. If any of these layers are breaking down or damaged, simply remove them and replace them with fresh ones.
Flip it Over
Try switching up the direction of your mattress. Rotate it so the foot of the bed becomes the head, or flip it upside down (as long as you don’t have a pillowtop or other single-sided mattress). Just like the tires on your car, some spots get worn out faster than others. Restoring your mattress’ original supportiveness might be as easy as finding a firmer spot on the bed.
If you find yourself tossing and turning every night, these tricks might be able to help you get some relief. Of course, if your mattress is very old or broken, there’s only so much that can be done to restore its natural comfort, but these tips can help you catch some extra sleep before the time comes to get a new one.
