Sleep like a baby when you firm up your old mattress. Over time, a mattress can become uncomfortable from uneven wear. You can make your mattress more comfy by firming it up to create a more supportive, even sleeping surface. Whether you prefer an extra-hard bed or simply need to tweak a soft mattress, you're on your way to a more restful night's sleep when you firm up your mattress. Top It Add a special pad to make the mattress more comfy. A thicker mattress pad provides increased comfort and greater support over a thinner one. Choose from either a latex or memory foam pad to top your old mattress. Latex foam pads are available in a variety of thicknesses to add the firming support level you need with a soft feel. Likewise, memory foam mattress pads are available in assorted densities but conform to your body's shape to give you support where you need it. Board It Place a bed board between the mattress and box springs. A bed board typically consists of a solid piece of plywood or several wooden slats tucked inside a canvas cover.
You can purchase a bed board or make one yourself, but either way, the bed board should be as long and as wide as the mattress to provide complete underlying support. Box It Exchange existing box springs for a new replacement. Because a mattress and box springs work together as a unified shock absorber, if you don't currently have a set of box springs, adding this foundation gives your mattress immediate firmness. Box springs are designed with strong steel coils to deliver support; the best box springs compress and slightly give when you apply pressure to them. You can add years of comfort and usefulness to a mattress with quality box springs. Turn It Improve the firm feel of an old mattress without spending a dime. It's important to rotate and flip your mattress at least once every six months to avoid impressions and sags from sleeping in the same spot every night. If you have a pillow-top mattress with the pillow only on one side, you can't flip the mattress but you can rotate it 180 degrees to more evenly distribute your body weight over the top of the mattress.
: How to Use a Bed BoardThe Mattress Lady: Thick Mattress PadsHolder Mattress: Love and Marriage Go Together Like Mattresses and Box Springs Photo Credits John Foxx/Stockbyte/Getty Images Suggest a Correction Is There A Way To Firm Up A Soft Mattress? Q: Dear Apartment Therapy readers, I have a great mattress that I love but that my boyfriend can't stand to sleep in (not a joke). He was recently diagnosed with a bulging disc that make soft mattresses very uncomfortable, and while he only spends some nights at my place, his back hurts so badly after sleeping on my mattress that he'll just sleep on the carpeted floor next to me, although this isn't really comfortable for him either... I purchased the mattress/box spring set only 2 years ago, so I can't rationalize or afford to buy a brand new one. Also, I bought it because I absolutely LOVED the feel of it for me and I've never slept better. I should note, the mattress is on a box spring and is supported by wooden slats across a bed frame, so I doubt it is a foundation issue, I think it's just the very thick pillow top that isn't supportive enough.
Any suggestions for firm mattress toppers or other possible solutions? -Sent by Sleepless in SeattleThere are so many toppers that add softness and fluff, but I've never heard of ones that subtract softness and fluff. Readers, how can Sleepless make sure that the mattress in question is comfortable for all involved parties? • Have a question for our community? Send us yours with a photo or two attached (questions with photos get answered first). A flat and firm mattress guarantees a good night’s sleep. While the mattress you picked out might have been perfect for you originally, your mattress will soften over time. Not only can a too-soft mattress be uncomfortable, but also it can cause back issues. Prevent or fix a mattress that's lost its firmness by following these simple tips. Preventing a Too-Soft Mattress Step 1 – Controlling the Temperature If you can regulate the temperature in your bedroom, you can combat your mattress getting softer faster. The warmer the temperature in your room, the softer the mattress will get.
Colder temperatures make it easier for mattresses to retain their firmness, so keep your room cool. Step 2 – Providing Adequate Support If your mattress has inadequate support, it will go soft more quickly. Make sure your mattress has adequate support, like a plywood base, and never simply put the mattress on the floor. Fixing a Too-Soft Mattress Step 1 – Buying a Mattress Topper A mattress topper is a cushion-like pad that goes on top of your mattress. You can purchase ones in varying prices and qualities. Memory foam is a popular choice. Most toppers come with a strap that can be wound around the corner of the existing mattress, so that it doesn’t move. Place a topper on your too-soft mattress to fix the issue without having to invest in a completely new mattress. Step 2 – Replacing the Existing Plywood Before replacing the plywood under your mattress, check with your manufacturer for their recommendations. Then, if appropriate, purchase some plywood that has the same measurements as the mattress.
Make sure the plywood is not treated, and that it has been sanded for even edges and sides. Replace the existing plywood on your mattress with the new one. Use the same type of materials on the new plywood that was used to secure the old plywood. Step 3 – Replace the Box Spring Box springs are known for giving in to the wear and tear of daily use. If your box spring is losing functionality or if it's broken, replace it with another quality box spring to restore the original firmness. In addition, this will help raise the height of the mattress, giving you a firmer and flatter surface to sleep on.How can I firm up a soft mattress? Some of the ways to increase the firmness of a soft or older mattress are to cover it with a mattress topper or replace the existing box spring with a new one. Another option is to simply flip the mattress. How do you write a review for a mattress topper? What is a NASA memory foam mattress topper? What are some common complaints about Kingsdown mattresses?
Adding a mattress topper to a soft mattress allows you to increase the firmness and support you receive. Most toppers are made of foam or latex, and come in a variety of thicknesses. Consider the material used and thickness to determine the pad that matches your specific sleep needs. Memory foam mattress toppers are a popular choice because of the way they conform to the shape of your body and provide more customized support. Replacing an old box spring with a new one increases the overall firmness you experience while sleeping. The box spring provides added support to the mattress, but over time the wood or springs used weaken and give way. An alternative to completely replacing a box spring is to place a sheet of plywood between the box spring and the mattress. This adds a solid foundation beneath the mattress, making it feel more firm. Every mattress owner should flip it every six months to avoid creating indentations from the body. If you can’t flip your mattress because it has a pillow top, simply rotate it 180 degrees.
Learn more about Beds & Mattresses How do you make a soft mattress hard? Place a 3/8-inch plywood board on the box spring, and set the mattress on top of the board to create a firm resting place. You need an electric saw, measur... Do you have to replace your box spring when you buy a new mattress? Replacing a box spring when buying a new mattress is only necessary if the old box spring is in bad shape. If only a new mattress is needed, it is not nece... What are the dimensions of a queen box spring mattress? A queen box spring mattress is 60 inches wide and 80 inches long. Queen mattresses are the most popular mattress size and are ideal for accommodating two a... Where do you get rid of a mattress? When replacing an old mattress with a new one, the easiest way to get rid of the existing one is to have the retailer take it away during delivery. How do you purchase a used bed? How wide is a full-size bed? What is a gel mattress?