How to Make Mattress Firmer - Tips and Tricks
How to make a mattress firmer and improve sleep quality and support? This article will assist you if your mattress is too soft or needs more support. We will explore effective strategies and provide practical tips on making your mattress firmer. Whether you own memory foam, latex, or innerspring mattress, these techniques will enable you to attain the desired level of firmness, ensuring a comfortable and restful night's sleep.
Why is a Firm Mattress Important?
A mattress is the foundation for a good night's sleep; its firmness enhances your overall sleep experience. Let's find out other reasons why a firm mattress is important:
- Optimal Spinal Alignment: A firm mattress provides essential support to maintain proper spinal alignment during sleep. This support helps relieve pressure points and reduces the risk of waking up with back and neck pain. It actively aligns the spine, minimising discomfort.
- Enhanced Sleep Quality: Sleeping on a firm mattress promotes better sleep quality by minimising motion transfer and ensuring stable support throughout the night. This stability helps prevent shifting, allowing for deeper and more peaceful sleep. It enables you to sleep soundly and undisturbed.
- Improved Posture: Firm mattresses encourage better posture by supporting the body's natural curvature. They provide the necessary support to promote a more aligned and comfortable sleeping position. Your body is properly supported, aiding in maintaining a healthy posture.
- Long-Term Health: Consistently sleeping on a firm mattress can contribute to long-term health benefits, including improved circulation and reduced muscle stiffness. It actively improves blood flow and helps prevent muscle tightness.
- Increased Mattress Durability: Firm mattresses tend to maintain their shape and structural integrity longer than softer mattresses. This durability ensures prolonged comfort and support, extending the lifespan of your mattress investment. Your mattress remains in excellent condition for an extended period, providing long-lasting comfort.
Factors Affecting Mattress Firmness
Mattress Type
The type of mattress influences its firmness level. Memory foam, latex, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses with unique construction and materials provide varying firmness levels.
Age of the Mattress
Another significant factor to consider is the age of your mattress. Over time, mattresses may lose their initial firmness and support due to regular use and the effects of wear and tear. Frequent usage, weight distribution, and proper maintenance also contribute to how quickly a mattress loses its firmness.
Materials Used
The choice of materials directly impacts the firmness level of a mattress. For example, memory foam mattresses provide a softer feel, whereas latex mattresses are typically firmer and more responsive.
Impact of Environmental Factors on Mattress Firmness
Environmental conditions can have an impact on the firmness of a mattress in the following ways:
- Fluctuations in temperature and humidity affect the materials used in the mattress materials, such as memory foam, resulting in changes in firmness.
- Exposure to sunlight exposure can degrade foam and fabric, leading to a gradual loss of firmness over time.
Understanding Mattress Support Layers
Mattresses typically consist of multiple layers, each serving a specific purpose in determining firmness and support. Here's a breakdown of the support layers found in mattresses and their impact.
Core Support Layer
- The core support layer forms the mattress's foundation and provides primary support.
Transition Layer
- The transition layer sits between the core support and the comfort layers.
- Its role is to distribute weight evenly and prevent excessive sinking.
Comfort Layer
- The comfort layer is situated beneath the mattress cover and is the topmost layer.
- It provides cushioning and contouring to relieve pressure points and enhance overall comfort.
Quilted Cover
- The quilted cover is the outermost layer of the mattress.
- It often includes additional padding to enhance softness and contributes to the overall feel of the mattress.
Comparing Mattress Materials for Firmness
Different materials influence mattress firmness. Here's a closer look at how various materials can affect firmness over time:
Memory foam
Memory foam mattresses provides an initial plush feel. However, it may become softer as it adjusts to the body’s shape. The density of the memory foam influences its firmness, with higher-density foam providing greater support.
Latex
Latex mattresses provide a responsive feel that maintains firmness and supportiveness over time. They come in different types, including Talalay, softer, and Dunlop, firmer.
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses get their firmness from the coil gauge. Bonnel coils give firmer support, while pocketed coils decrease motion transfer. However, over time, innerspring coils might lose strength, affecting the mattress's overall firmness and support.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses combine innerspring coils with foam or latex comfort layers to balance support and cushioning. The materials used in the comfort layers determine the firmness levels offered by hybrid mattresses. This combination allows for versatility in firmness options, accommodating different sleep preferences and needs.
Signs Your Mattress Needs Firming Up
Sagging or Indentations
If you notice visible sagging on your mattress, it indicates a need for firming. Over time, mattresses can develop sagging in areas with the most pressure. These areas may no longer provide adequate support, causing discomfort and affecting sleep quality.
Lack of Support
A firm mattress should offer proper support to maintain spinal alignment and reduce pressure points. If your mattress lacks adequate support, especially in the lower back or hips, it may require firming. Insufficient support can lead to discomfort and improper sleep posture, resulting in aches, pains, or stiffness upon waking.
Discomfort During Sleep
Experiencing discomfort, such as aches, pains, or stiffness upon waking, is a common sign that your mattress needs firming. Firming the mattress is essential to eliminating these issues.
Methods to Make Your Mattress Firmer
If you want to improve the firmness of your mattress, there are several simple methods you can try:
Use a Mattress Topper
Consider adding a firm mattress topper to enhance the firmness of your mattress. Look for a high-density foam or latex topper for optimal support and comfort.
Confused whether mattress topper works or not? Check out our other blog and clear your confusion. "Do mattress topper work"
Add Plywood Between the Mattress and the Bed Frame
Place a piece of plywood between your mattress and bed frame to create a firmer sleeping surface. Ensure the plywood is the same size as your mattress and evenly distributes its weight.
Check your Sleep Trial Period
If your mattress is still in the sleep trial period, consider exchanging or returning it for a firmer model. Many mattress companies offer this flexibility to ensure customer satisfaction.
Flip or Rotate Your Mattress
If your mattress is double-sided or designed for flipping, try flipping it over to see if the other side provides better support. Regularly rotating your mattress regularly can help distribute wear and maintain firmness over time.
Pull Your Bed Sheet Tight
Tightly pull your bedsheet to help create a firmer surface. This simple adjustment can minimise any sagging or softness in the mattress, providing better support during sleep.
Find the Right Room Temperature
Maintaining the appropriate room temperature can also impact mattress firmness. Cooler temperatures generally help keep memory foam and other materials firmer, while warmer temperatures can soften them. Adjusting the thermostat to a cooler setting may improve the firmness of your mattress.
Place Your Mattress on a More Supportive Bed Base
The type of bed base or foundation your mattress sits on can affect its firmness. Consider placing your mattress on a more supportive bed base to enhance its firmness and supportiveness.
Air Out Your Mattress
Periodically allowing your mattress to air out can help maintain its firmness and freshness. Remove bedding and let your mattress breathe for a few hours to dissipate any trapped moisture or odour that may affect its firmness over time.
The Role of Mattress Foundations
Mattress foundations are crucial for maintaining a mattress’s firmness and support. A sturdy foundation provides a solid base, preserving the mattress's structural integrity over time. Platform beds or solid bases offer excellent support and promote a firmer feel. Choosing the right foundation ensures a comfortable and restful night's sleep.
Warranty Considerations When Firming a Mattress
When considering methods to firm your mattress, it’s important to consider how modifications may affect the mattress warranty. Certain adjustments to the mattress may void the manufacturer’s warranty.
Before implementing any firming methods, carefully review the terms and conditions of your mattress warranty to understand any limitations or exclusions related to the modification.
Maintenance Tips for a Firm Mattress
Regular Inspection and Adjustment
Regular inspection and adjustments are essential for maintaining firmness. Check for signs of sagging, indentations, or uneven wear and promptly address them. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations by rotating or flipping your mattress to distribute wear evenly and prevent sagging in specific areas. Consider using a mattress topper or adjusting the bed base to optimise support and firmness.
Avoiding Common Practices That Reduce Mattress Firmness
Maintaining the firmness of your mattress requires avoiding certain common practices that can cause degradation over time. Here are two key practices to avoid:
Overloading the Mattress with Heavy Items
Avoid placing heavy items or excessive weight on your mattress, as this can compress the materials, resulting in sagging and reduced firmness. Refraining from subjecting your mattress to prolonged periods of excessive weight is advisable.
Improper Storage Leading to Damage
Improper storage conditions, such as folding or compressing the mattress, can damage the materials and compromise firmness. Store your mattress flat in a dry, well-ventilated area to maintain structural integrity and prevent sagging or indentation.
Mattress Firmness and Sleeping Position
| Sleeping Position | Recommended Firmness Level |
| Side Sleepers | Medium to Medium-firm |
| Back Sleepers | Medium-firm to Firm |
| Stomach Sleepers | Firm |
Different sleeping positions require varying levels of mattress firmness. Side sleepers typically need a medium to medium-firm mattress to support their shoulders and hips. Back sleepers often prefer a medium-firm to firm mattress to uphold proper spinal alignment. Stomach sleepers require a firmer mattress to prevent excessive sinkage and ensure adequate spine support. Adjusting the firmness level according to your sleeping position can help improve overall comfort and sleep quality.
How to Choose the Right Mattress Firmness?
Choosing the appropriate mattress firmness ensures optimal comfort and support while sleeping. Here are some factors to consider when determining the right firmness level:
- Sleeping position: Your preferred sleeping position significantly influences the ideal firmness level. Side sleepers often prefer medium to medium-firm mattresses. In contrast, back sleepers tend to opt for medium-firm to firm mattresses. Stomach sleepers typically require firmer mattresses.
- Body weight: Your body weight is another important consideration. Heavier individuals generally find firmer mattresses more supportive, whereas lighter individuals may find softer mattresses more comfortable.
- Personal Preference: Personal preference varies from person to person. Some people prefer a softer feel with more sinkage. Others prefer a firmer feel with less sinkage and more support.
- Health conditions: It’s essential to evaluate any existing health conditions. Certain firmness levels can relieve discomfort associated with chronic pain or joint issues, so it’s important to consider your specific needs.
- Mattress Type: Different mattress types offer varying firmness levels. Testing various types and firmness levels helps find the most suitable option for comfort and support preferences.
Is it Time to Get a New Mattress?
Achieving the ideal firmness for your mattress is essential for a comfortable and restful night's sleep. Following the practical tips and effective strategies mentioned above, you can make your mattress firmer and enhance your sleep quality and overall well-being. Remember to consider your sleeping position, body weight, personal preference, and health conditions when selecting the appropriate firmness for your mattress.
Here at Rest Relax, we understand the importance of a high-quality mattress in delivering a superior sleep experience. Our extensive range of mattresses, including memory foam, latex, innerspring, and hybrid options, cater to diverse choices and needs. With our staunch commitment to providing stylish, contemporary furniture for families across the UK, Rest Relax is your trusted partner in achieving a firmer, more comfortable mattress for a good night's sleep. Visit our website to explore our collection and find the perfect mattress for you and your family.
How to Make Mattress Firmer - FAQs
Can I make my mattress firmer without buying a new one?
Yes! You can try several methods to firm up your mattress, such as using a mattress topper, adding plywood between the mattress and bed frame, or adjusting your sleep trial period if applicable.
How does the firmness of a mattress affect back pain?
The firmness of a mattress can significantly impact back pain. A mattress that is too soft may not provide adequate support, leading to improper spinal alignment and increased back pain. Conversely, a mattress that is too firm can create pressure points and worsen discomfort.
What is the difference between a mattress topper and a mattress pad in terms of adding firmness?
A mattress topper is typically thicker and provides additional cushioning and support, which can help make a mattress firmer. On the other hand, a mattress pad is thinner and primarily used to protect the mattress from spills and stains, with minimal impact on firmness.
Learn more about mattress topper in our comprehensive blog, "What is mattress topper?"
How often should I rotate or flip my mattress to maintain its firmness?
To maintain firmness, rotate your mattress every 3-6 months. If it is double-sided, flip it over once or twice a year to prevent sagging and prolong its lifespan.
Can the type of bed frame or foundation I use affect the firmness of my mattress?
Yes! The type of bed frame or foundation can affect the firmness of your mattress. A sturdy and supportive bed base, such as a platform bed or solid foundation, can enhance your mattress's firmness and supportiveness.
What should I do if my new mattress is too soft?
If your new mattress is too soft, add a firmer mattress topper or place plywood between the mattress and bed frame to increase support. Additionally, consider changing the mattress if it is still in the trial period.