There’s nothing quite like the feeling of slipping into a freshly made bed for the night.
Getting an organic mattress topper provides an extra layer of pillowy softness. But if it wanders at night, it can ruin the perfect sleeping experience.
I’ve combined my years of sleep product testing with my passion for research to get to the bottom of the issue.
From shop-bought solutions to simple DIY hacks, read on to discover how to keep a mattress pad from bunching.
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One of the most straightforward solutions is keeping your mattress pad in place with easy-to-attach velcro tape strips.
You’ll want to attach one side of the strip to the bottom of your mattress pad and the other side to the mattress itself.
Two 6” strips in each corner (so eight strips in total) at a 90-degree angle are usually enough to keep most mattress pads in place.
Another low-cost solution is to use safety pins.
Place one on each corner of the mattress pad, and then push the pin through the mattress.
This method provides ample security for your mattress pad but can leave little holes in your expensive bedding if you’re not careful.
While it does provide a good solution, it’s one that you may not want to use in the long term as it might invalidate the warranty of your zero VOC mattress.
A non-skid mat is another effective way to keep your mattress pad from bunching.
Placed between the mattress pad and the mattress, the increased friction caused by the mat should ensure that bunching is kept to an absolute minimum.
Pad straps are a simple yet effective solution to your bunching mattress pad woes.
Usually made from elastic, they wrap around the corners of the mattress and pad, providing a secure anchor that guarantees no more annoying bunching!
Are you good with a needle and thread? Then making DIY elastic straps could be an excellent project to save you a few bucks and improve the quality of your sleep.
Looking for an eco-friendly option that does involve pins, straps, or mats? Well, what about something already in your home…your own eco-friendly bedding!
A tight tuck of a fitted sheet can keep mattress pads from bunching up. But sometimes, those sheets just don’t grip enough.
So why not go for a flat sheet and use some good old-fashioned manual labor to get it snuggly tucked into each corner?
I’ve found that the best tightly fitted sheet method to keep a mattress pad in place is reliable old hospital corners.
Tightly fitted sheets would also work (and save you the job of learning hospital corners). However, be careful to ensure that your sheets are tight enough. Baggy fitted sheets with loose elastic will not do the job correctly.
Duct tape is a simple DIY hack to stop a mattress pad from bunching.
It’s inexpensive, readily available, and won’t leave any holes in your bedding. It’ll also hold up over time, which can be an issue with other solutions.
Simply wrap a large piece of tape around the entire mattress (top, sides, and bottom) and pad at the head end. And then repeat the process at the foot end.
This is a basic solution that’s surprisingly effective.
It’s also definitely the solution my dad would choose. He uses tape for EVERYTHING!
Bed skirts are often overlooked when it comes to mattress pad bunching solutions, but when combined with hospital corners, they can effectively get a clean, tuck-in look without worrying about pins, mats, or straps.
A bed skirt will not only keep your mattress pad from bunching up but also add some flair to your bedroom.
When a silky soft mattress cover meets a silky soft mattress pad or topper, there’s very little friction between the two surfaces.
This causes sliding and bunching.
Bunching and sliding will be significantly worse if your bed frame or box spring is faulty (broken slats, not level, etc.). If so, you might need to look for an affordable eco-friendly bed frame to replace it.
If your mattress pad or topper is too large for the bed, it tends to move and bunch up.
The shifting and bunching will be worse if you’re using an adjustable bed.
This is due to the movement of the mattress when it changes position causing your sheets or mattress pad/topper to slide around.
Technically, yes (you could put a topper or pad on any mattress). However, Tempur-Pedic mattresses use unique materials on the sleep surface, and covering up them negates why you probably bought the mattress in the first place.
Yes, you can use mattress pads or toppers with memory foam mattresses. Just make sure it’s the right size, and you have a way of fixing it securely.
Yes, a mattress pad or topper can help to regulate heat. Some are even specifically designed to keep you cool while you sleep. Look for a 100% organic cotton mattress pad made of breathable organic cotton, or one made from bamboo materials.
It’s best to store your mattress pad or topper in eco friendly storage containers or bags to keep them clean and free from damage.
Alternatively, if space is an issue, you could roll or fold and store compression sacks or containers.
A mattress pad should always go under a mattress protector to provide extra comfort and cushioning.
The protector should be placed on top of the pad to keep your bedding clean and protected from dust, dirt, allergens, spills, and sweat.
A fitted mattress pad wraps around your mattress like a fitted sheet. It provides cushioning while also protecting your mattress.
Keeping a mattress pad or topper from bunching up can be challenging, but plenty of methods exist to prevent it.
From pinning and using straps or mats to tucking flat sheets with hospital corners, there’s something for everyone.
No matter how you choose to fix the issue, be sure to use common sense and test out the solution before committing to it for the long haul.
Good luck, and happy sleeping!
Do you use mattress pads? Or do you prefer the extra comfort provided by mattress toppers?
How do you stop them from bunching? Pad straps? Velcro tape? Or a secret family tip passed down through the generations? Drop me a line and let me know.
