Have you ever had that sinking feeling when lying down in bed?
Are you only too familiar with the frustration of having a soft mattress that just won't cooperate with your desired level of firmness?
Don't despair…I'm here to show you how to make a soft mattress firmer!
My years of testing mattresses and an obsessive approach to research helped me unearth some top tips that'll breathe new life into your old mattress.
Read on, and you'll have your mattress back to its supportive best in no time.
Contents
A mattress topper is a simple, healthy, eco-friendly, and effective way to add an extra layer of support and can change the firmness of any sleep surface.
Look for a thick (4" or more), firm organic mattress topper (preferably made from natural latex) to make a mattress firmer and transform your sleep.
If you've got the tools (and some basic DIY know-how), you could try adding a layer of plywood to the base of your mattress. This will help add extra support and stop it from sagging.
Many people use plywood reinforcement in place of a box spring to offer extra support.
A worn-out box spring or foundation can compromise the support of your mattress. Replacing them with something firmer will give you extra lift and help boost the overall firmness.
However, be sure to check the weight limitations of your bed frame before purchasing a new foundation. Most sustainably made wood and metal bed frames can take a lot of weight, but even the best have their limits.
Flipping your mattress regularly (at least every six months) gives all the parts an equal chance of wear while rotating it (every three months or so) helps keep it evenly balanced.
Just bear in mind that many organic hybrid mattresses are designed with specific layers in specific orders and should not be flipped.
For the ultimate of all firm foundations, try ditching the bed frame and placing your mattress directly on the floor.
Sleeping low down to the floor is not for everyone (especially if you have mobility issues).
However, if you do find that a mattress on the floor works for you, you might want to take it to the next level with a Japanese-inspired organic futon and organic tatami mat combo.
Did you know that extreme temperatures can affect the level of support your mattress gives?
Too much heat will cause it to soften and sag, while cold air can make a mattress firmer.
So, if you want your mattress to stay firm, try setting the thermostat for a cool bedroom.
Using a tight-fitting organic sheet set can help make a mattress firmer (while also having the added bonus of protecting your mattress from debris and dust mites).
Hospital corners are my favorite tight sheet method.
If you've noticed that your mattress is becoming softer, the culprit could be moisture.
Fortunately, this can be reversed and prevented with regular airings out in the sun!
Not only will drying in direct sunlight firm up your mattress, but it’ll also help to banish any smells from germs, bacteria, or viruses living on its surface.
If you've recently purchased a mattress, don't forget to take advantage of any sleep trial it came with.
Sleep trials usually vary from 30 nights to 365 nights (depending on the brand) and enable you to try out your new mattress in the comfort of your home before deciding whether or not it is right for you.
If the mattress doesn't provide enough firmness to your liking, you can return it and try a new one.
If you find that your first mattress is not right, then maybe do some detailed research (or ask me) to find out which mattress would suit you best.
Yes, you can take advantage of multiple sleep trials. However, this is time-consuming and not great for the planet due to the carbon footprint impact of all the extra delivery and return shipping.
Weighted blankets are becoming increasingly popular for their ability to provide deep-pressure therapy to help reduce stress, anxiety, and insomnia, amongst other things.
But did you know that you can also use them to make a mattress firmer?
All you need to do is place the weighted blanket on top of your mattress for an extra firmness layer.
It's always worth checking with the mattress manufacturer or retailer to see if they have any advice or tips for getting a firmer feel from your specific make and model.
It's commonly accepted that we need at least seven hours of sleep each night to function at our best.
Getting your mattress firmness right is essential for a good night's sleep.
The ideal level of firmness will depend on your sleeping position, body weight, and any existing physical issues you may have.
When your mattress is too soft, it can cause your body to sink into it and create an unnatural spine curvature. This not only causes discomfort but also impacts sleep quality significantly.
The problem doesn't only lie with soft mattresses. Sleeping on a mattress that's too firm can cause discomfort and aches in the neck, back, and joints.
Most manufacturers use the terms Soft, Medium, and Firm (with associated combinations such as soft-medium, medium-soft, medium-firm, etc.) to describe the firmness of their mattresses.
However, some opt to use a firmness scale to give a mattress a firmness rating from 0-10:
To help you get the perfect night's sleep, try to match the firmness of your mattress to your sleeping position.
If you're a stomach sleeper, you should avoid soft mattresses as they will cause your spine to arch, leading to backache in the morning.
Mattresses around 6-8 on the firmness scale should work best for you.
With this higher level of support and comfort, you can enjoy restful nights without worrying about potential aches or pains.
If you sleep on your back, a mattress with a firmness level of 6 will provide optimal comfort.
Its soft yet supportive surface ensures that your hips and shoulders don't sink any lower than the rest of your body while sleeping.
If side sleeping is more your thing, you'll need pressure relief specifically concentrated on your hips and shoulders.
A mattress of firmness level 3-6 would be ideal for achieving this.
If you sleep mostly on your side, see the best organic mattresses for side sleepers to find one that meets your needs.
If you're a combination sleeper, you'll find that you move from one sleeping position to another throughout the night and need a mattress that provides both back support and body contouring to help to relieve pressure during each sleep cycle.
Depending on how you most often drift off, choose a mattress with firmness levels of 3-8 for maximum comfort.
Lighter sleepers (under 130lbs) will find that mattresses at the lower end of the firmness scale provide enough support while still offering some sinkage to keep them comfortable.
Those in the middle of the weight range (130lbs - 230lbs) will best suit a firmness level of 4-7.
Heavier individuals (over 230 lbs) should look for a mattress at the higher end of the firmness scale to ensure they get an even level of support throughout the body.
A firmer mattress is not for everyone. However, some of the potential benefits of sleeping on a firm mattress include the following:
The best firm mattress toppers I've tested are the PlusBeds Organic Mattress Topper and the Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper. Both offer incredible firm support.
You can fix minor indentations and sagging. Check out Arabella's excellent 6 Ways to Fix Mattress Indentation & Prolong its Life article.
A firm (but not too firm) mattress is generally considered to be the best for a bad back, although this also depends on your dominant sleep position and body weight.
You also need a mattress that won't degrade or sag, and preferably one that offers zoned support.
This systematic review concluded that a medium-firm mattress is best for avoiding back pain.
Yes, you can. Check out my How to Sleep on a Hard Mattress article for more details.
Yes. The tips in this article will work well with memory foam mattresses.
Some mattresses have a zippered cover that allows you to open and remove/replace different support layers. However, they're not very common.
Whether you're a stomach, back, side, or combination sleeper, ensuring that your mattress offers the proper support for your body weight and sleeping position is essential.
If your mattress is too soft for your needs, I hope that at least one or two tips in this article help you get it back to your desired firmness level.
Have you ever experienced issues with a too-soft mattress?
Have you ever had to employ DIY hacks to make a mattress firmer? Or do you prefer sleeping on a softer mattress? Drop me a line and let me know.