How to make a mattress firmer?

One common complaint amongst homeowners is the issue of their mattress being too soft. A too-soft mattress can keep you awake all night because you are either stuck in or can't find a comfortable sleeping position which is not good for your health. Hence, knowing how to make a mattress firmer is invaluable knowledge that can help you sleep better.

Suppose you are looking for a practical approach on how to make your old mattress firmer or how to make a soft mattress firmer without replacing it entirely. Then, you are in the right place. This practical guide will let you in on all you need to know. Let's dive in.

Why is mattress firmness important?

Considering we spend about eight hours a night sleeping, we need a mattress with the right amount of firmness that can help improve posture, relieve pressure from joints, and support our body weight. 

Sleeping on a firm mattress is not a matter of debate if you suffer from back injury or back pain. This is why mattresses designed for bad backs are firm. In addition, the firmness of a mattress is an important factor in our sleep and health.

A recent study showed that an uncomfortable mattress, stress, and using electronic devices in bed are factors causing 75 percent of Americans to currently have sleep problems (1). But that's not all; the same study postulates that using a firm mattress helps reduce back pain and improve sleep quality for average-sized sleepers.

Is your bed too soft or not meeting your sleeping needs? Let's explore how to make a mattress firmer.

Steps to making a mattress firmer

You don't have to feel powerless or helpless in improving the quality of your beddings as there are many things you can do to improve the sleeping surface of your bed and make a mattress firmer.

Here is a list of them:

Flip your mattress

Most high-quality mattresses come in the form of a flippable bed. This means both sides can be used to sleep on. And even if it is not flippable, the unused side of the mattress is usually sturdier than average. Hence once your bed is double-sided, you can flip it to get a firmer surface.

Depending on how often you use your mattress, you should flip it at least once in six months. This will help distribute the wear and tear evenly so that it remains firm.

Place your mattress on the floor.

Sometimes using a bed frame might not be the best for your situation. Hence you can place your mattress on the floor and relive that cool college kid experience. This will add more support to your bed base and harden your mattress at no additional cost.

This is easy and cheap. However, it would be best if you kept in mind that bugs, dust, and dirt may get to your bed more easily.

Use plywood support

Another common and cheap method of making your bed firmer is to lay strong plywood underneath your mattress, between your mattress and the bed frame.

Although some brands may not recommend this because the bedding material will need to breathe from the bottom to avoid mold, it is an effective way to make your bed firmer. Hence, we advise you to talk to your mattress manufacturer before installing plywood.

Adjust room temperature

Some mattresses can be temperature sensitive, especially memory foam mattresses. Hence, if your mattress is too soft, it may be that your room is hot. To make your bed more firm, you should adjust the thermostat in your room to a lower temperature, keep the fan going and even leave the windows open.

Replace damaged or worn layer

Recently, mattresses are manufactured with different layers of material held together by a mattress cover. The best part about this type of mattress is that you can replace any worn or damaged layer instead of purchasing a brand-new mattress.

Thus, if your mattress becomes soft due to damaged or worn layers, you have to replace it, and your mattress will become firmer afterward.

Change the Box Spring

The box spring of your mattress could be the cause of your mattress being soft. The wear and tear over time may cause the box spring to loosen, leading to your bed becoming soft.

In situations like this, changing the box spring is recommended to make your bed firmer. The good thing is that; a new box spring doesn't just add to the firmness of your bed, but it also adds to its height.

Use Mattress Toppers

You might be wondering, aren't mattress toppers to make beds soft? Well! You are right, but there are amazing brands that help to make your bed firmer. Hence, if you are not getting the good night's sleep you deserve, using a mattress topper may help.

These toppers are usually made of different materials, such as memory foam or latex. We recommend you go for the one that gives your mattress the firmness you seek.

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A firm mattress ensures you have all the support needed for a restful night's sleep.