If you’ve ever felt like you’re ‘stuck’ or ‘sinking’ into a mattress, you know that firmness can drastically affect whether you get a good night’s rest or toss and turn uncomfortably.  And if you’re not well-rested, it’s harder to be productive and generally enjoy life, so fixing it should be a top priority!  We’re here to offer some suggestions to help make your mattress firmer.

There are all sorts of reasons why you might need a firmer mattress.  If you have an older mattress, maybe it has worn down and become softer over the years.  Maybe you just got a new mattress and are having second thoughts, or maybe you’ve just moved in with someone who has different mattress preferences than you.  Or perhaps your doctor recommended a firmer mattress based on a recent injury.

Why Is A Firm Mattress Important?

To some extent, the best firmness or softness level for your mattress will depend on personal preference.  Some may feel more comfortable on a firm bed, while others will feel better on a relatively soft bed.

However, there are also other reasons why a firmer (or softer) mattress can be desirable under certain conditions.  Your sleeping position is one factor that can affect what level of firmness is appropriate.

Woman's feet standing on scaleIf you sleep on your side, a softer mattress that can more easily contour your body’s curves may be the better choice.  On the other hand, people that sleep on their backs or stomachs may find that a firmer mattress keeps their spine more neutral and aligned, instead of potentially allowing it to arch or round excessively.

Additionally, your weight can affect your preferred firmness level.  If you’re big and tall, you might sink down into mattresses more, and they might feel softer to you.  In comparison, the same mattress might feel firmer to a smaller person.

There is also some scientific evidence to support a connection between a firmer mattress and positive health outcomes, like less joint and back pain, better sleep quality, and a lower overall stress level.  For example, a 2009 study found that for people of average weight, sleeping on a medium firm mattress helped reduce low back pain and made people feel more well rested and less stressed, relative to their old beds.

Making Your Mattress Firmer

If you find yourself sinking into your mattress more than you’d like, or you’ve begun to wake up with some aches and pains, making your mattress firmer might be helpful.  Of course, a mattress must be comfortable (very few people want to sleep on a wooden board), but it must also give you sufficient support, so that your joints are in alignment and not under pressure.  Finding the perfect balance for you is what matters.

If you want to try to firm up a mattress, here are some helpful methods that won’t make a dent in your pocket book.

Rotate Your Mattress

Over time, many mattresses can start to sag, especially if you are only using one side over and over again. If you’re noticing that you’re beginning to sink into your mattress, it might be worthwhile to rotate your mattress, and start using the other, firmer side. This will give the used side a break, increase the longevity of the mattress, and give you a firmer bed.

Alternatively, if you have a two-sided mattress, you can flip it as well as rotate. For detailed guidelines on rotating your mattress, see our article on how often you should be rotating your mattress. Always follow the manufacturer’s suggestions, but generally, most mattresses need to be rotated every 3 months to a year.

Check Your Box Spring/Frame

Like everything, box springs can wear over time, or can break completely. If you’ve noticed your bed feeling gradually softer over time, it’s possible that your box spring is responsible. Perhaps the top of your old box spring is beginning to be too flexible and doesn’t give your mattress enough support. Or maybe the wooden base of your box spring broke after you jumped into bed one day. Usually, this means getting a new box spring, but the silver lining is that this is usually less expensive than getting a new mattress.

Similarly, if you have wooden slats or another foundation for your mattress instead of a boxspring, these can be checked for damage and wear as well. Sometimes individual slats can break and need to be replaced. Screws, nuts and bolts in a bed frame can also become loose, allowing the frame to move and leading the whole bed to feel overly unstable.

Use Plywood

Placing a plywood board between your mattress and boxspring (or bed frame/wood slats) can help make your bed feel firmer. Since plywood is a hard, inflexible surface, using it as a “buffer layer” under your bed can provide more support, especially towards the bottom of the mattress. Using plywood can also be a DIY fix it option if your boxspring is getting too soft, assuming you don’t want to purchase a new one right away.

Consider a Mattress Topper

If you’re noticing that the top of your mattress in particular is losing firmness, you might want to consider investing in a mattress topper. Mattress toppers are usually made of foam, cover the top of your mattress and provide a new, firmer and hopefully more comfortable surface for you to enjoy.

Dry Out Your Mattress

Most mattresses absorb water, which can be problematic if you live in a particularly humid environment. The more moisture that exists in the air, the more your mattress can absorb, and over time, the mattress can actually become softer because of excess water retention.

Taking your mattress off your box spring or bed frame, and letting it air dry up against a wall, can help reduce any build up of moisture. Ideally, dry your mattress somewhere with plenty of sunlight and airflow. Drying a mattress can also help fight against mildew, allergens and any bacteria build up.

Layered Mattresses

Some manufacturers produce layered mattresses, held in place by a mattress cover, which can be easily taken apart. If you have one, but are noticing that a single layer has become worn down or damaged and is getting too soft, you can have it replaced. The benefit here is that replacing a single layer is usually not as expensive as replacing an entire mattress. If the mattress is under warranty, the manufacturer may even do this for you.

Honeywell thermostat on orange wall

Adjust the Temperature

Keep in mind that the surrounding temperature can affect firmness in a mattress. For example, foam mattresses will absorb some of the surrounding heat if it’s hot, leading them to get softer. On a cold winter’s night, the same mattress will get slightly harder and may feel firmer.

So, if you’re looking to make your mattress firmer, consider turning down the thermostat, opening a window, or using the A/C or a fan to make your bedroom a bit cooler.

A Firm Mattress

Making sure your bed has the appropriate level of firmness is important. Not only will it make you feel more comfortable, it will improve the quality of your sleep, and help reduce stress and aches and pains.

If you’re noticing that your mattress is too soft, keep in mind that the tips mentioned in this article can help improve the firmness of your mattress without requiring you to buy a new one.