Ways to Make Your Mattress Firmer (How-To Guide)

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Having problems with a mattress that’s too soft? If you’re looking for a quick fix, you’re in the right place. Just remember that you can’t make an old sagging mattress feel like new again. Depending on the age and type of your mattress, there are different things you can try. You may literally need a few minutes and zero dollars if you have a flippable mattress. Alternatively, you may make the mattress firmer with a mattress topper.

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First Check if It’s Really the Mattress

You might have an old or incompatible box spring or frame, so be sure to test that first before you set off on a journey of how to make a soft mattress firm. You can test this out by putting your mattress on the floor and sleeping like that for a night or two If you manage to increase sleep quality and notice that it did make your mattress firmer, you should consider these options:

• Get a new box spring/frame
• Slip a plywood board between the mattress and the frame to add support
• Leave the mattress on the floor

The quickest fix here is to just leave it on the floor until you figure out what to do next.

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My Brand New Mattress Is Too Soft – What Can I Do?

The first thing you should bear in mind is that a new bed will get softer with time. As it breaks in, the bed’s firmness will soften up. You can:

• Return the mattress using a free sleep trial policy
• Flip the mattress
• Get a topper

Return the mattress

If a new mattress is so soft that it causes pain, you should first consider returning it. Only a handful of brick-and-mortar stores offer free trial periods, but if you bought your mattress online, you probably have a policy that gives you 90 days or more for a free sleep trial. In that case, simply exchange it for a firmer model or ask for a refund.

Flip the mattress

What if you still want to keep the mattress? If the manufacturer doesn’t specifically say that the mattress is only to be used on one side, you can flip it and see if that makes it firmer. It may sound crazy, but the other side might offer you better firmness. It’s common for hybrid mattresses to have more comfort layers on top than on the bottom. You may prefer that other side.

Some manufacturers, like Layla, make flippable mattresses. For example, it’s a medium-soft mattress on one side and a medium-firm mattress on the other. If you have such a two-sided mattress and the firmer side isn’t good enough, just return it without thinking. You have the free sleep trial anyway.

Get a topper

Your last option here is to get a firm mattress topper. However, since you’ve already paid for a brand new mattress that already doesn’t suit you and knowing it’s only going to get softer, a topper might be a bad investment.

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Make a Used Mattress Firmer

So you’ve used your mattress for a while now and it seems to have lost some of its firmness recently. You should try to:

• Dry it out
• Rotate the mattress
• Flip the mattress
• Replace worn-out layers
• Use a firm mattress topper

Dry it out

Mattresses may get softer when they’re exposed to a lot of humidity. The dampness gets in the mattress and then it can’t get out easily. The moisture stays in because all the time either someone’s sleeping in it or the bed is covered with a blanket and it can’t evaporate. What gets the moisture in, you’re wondering? It could be due to a humid climate or simply due to accumulated body sweat. Remember that moisture and warmness make a perfect environment for bacteria and mold to develop.

Vacuum the mattress and leave it out in the sun. Let it dry completely and when you come back, you’ll find a firmer mattress. Do the same with your pillows while you’re at that. They’ll also benefit from occasional sunbathing. Some mattress manufacturers may specifically say that due to the specific materials used in their product, you shouldn’t leave your mattress in strong sunlight. If this is the case, you can either put it outside in the morning and late afternoon hours or just leave it out in a warm and airy but shaded area.

Rotate the mattress

One of the most common pieces of advice is to rotate your mattress if you want to freshen it up. All those impressions and wear that developed on the side where you sleep contribute to the feeling of a softer mattress. Once you’ve rotated it, you’ll make the mattress feel firmer because you’ll be sleeping on the fresh, new side. Even if you have a Queen-sized bed and a partner, you’ll both benefit from mattress rotation – your legs are much lighter than the upper part of your body so when you start sleeping on a rotated mattress, you’re bound to feel a difference.

Flip the mattress

We’ve already mentioned flipping your mattress. This usually comes after you’ve rotated it a couple of times. Alternatively, if rotation does nothing for you, you should flip the mattress right away (again, unless the manufacturer specifically says not to). If you already have a two-sided flippable mattress, use the firmer side. And if the firmer side is too soft for you, plan on investing some cash because you’ve just run out of free options.

Replace worn-out layers

Are you a DIY type of person? If yes, then get some foam, wool, or another material of your choice and get ready to replace those top layers with new ones. Just make sure you have a mattress cover that can be unzipped.

If you’re too scared to begin, check out our DIY guide to making your own mattress and if you need help with the choice of materials, we have an in-depth mattress type guide that describes all the different materials that go into modern mattresses. The best thing about this is that you have all the freedom to choose your mattress firmness level.

Use a firm mattress topper

Finally, consider getting one of the firm mattress toppers. It may be an easy fix that will give you just the right mattress firmness. Many mattress manufacturers make great mattress toppers and you can choose which topper you want- wool, foam, or a latex topper.

Amerisleep is a company we trust and they have two memory foam mattress topper options – a soft (Comfort Lift) and a firm one (Support Lift). The Amerisleep Support Lift is the best firm mattress topper. It adds 3 inches to your mattress in height and we believe it’s thick and firm enough to neutralize back pain from a too-soft mattress. On top of that, it can add some extra support to your spine.

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Old Mattress Is Too Soft – Fix It or Call It Quits?

To be honest, you’re not likely to win this one with a really old mattress. You should consider:

• Getting rid of it and buying a new one
• Performing a DIY restoration
• Flipping the mattress
• Getting a topper

The last two might work out if you’re lucky, but don’t get high hopes.

Get rid of it and buy a new one

Let’s assume your old mattress wasn’t the cheapest one out there. Because if it was, you may have to throw it away after a few years as it doesn’t make sense to try to fix it.

So, if the mattress is a decent one – just how old is it and how much was it used? If you’ve used it heavily for more than 10 years and now it’s a sagging mattress that gives you a painful experience and poor sleep quality, it’s almost certainly time to get a new mattress. The foam could be crumbling, the coils may be old and noisy and the supportive layers may not support your body weight anymore.

On the flip side, you may have your old mattress removed for free or for a small fee. When you’re buying a new mattress (typically online), you can tell them that you need mattress removal and the mattress company will take care of it for you when they deliver the new mattress to your address.

DIY restoration

But if it’s not all that bad, one option is to restore it to a condition that will help you improve sleep quality. Same drill as above – research about the materials you would like to use, get your DIY tools out, and replace the layers that have been impacted the most.

Flip the mattress

If you are willing to do something, but you’re not a handyman, flip the mattress. It probably won’t work well with really old mattresses because the support layers must be worn out, but it doesn’t hurt to try.

Get a topper

To make a mattress even firmer, top it off with a mattress topper. It will add to the overall mattress firmness. Choose a natural latex topper, a memory foam topper, or whatever works for you. There are really firm toppers out there. And no, they are not only used to make a firm mattress softer.

However, mattress toppers are designed to improve and adjust the feel of a relatively new mattress and to offer adequate support. They are not intended to fix a sagging mattress. So, if you insist on getting a topper for an old mattress, be sure that it’s not a long-term solution.

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Can a Soft Mattress Cause Back Pain?

Yes. Soft mattresses are good for petite people (up to 130 lbs) and side sleepers. Sleep position plays a big role here – back sleepers and stomach sleepers are likely to have pain in their back, especially lower back pain.

Making a mattress firmer will help back sleepers achieve proper spinal alignment. It will also offer some relief to stomach sleepers, although their sleeping position is a problem in itself.

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What Firmness Levels are There?

Mattress firmness is best described using a scale of 1-10, where 1 is the softest and 10 the firmest mattress. This is by no means an accurate or scientific representation, but it’s there to help buyers know the ballpark estimate of the mattress firmness they’re about to purchase.

Most mattresses out there are between 4 and 6 (medium-soft and medium-firm, respectively). For example, all Purple mattresses are medium to medium-firm, while Sleepy makes a wide variety from medium-soft to firm. If you’re looking to buy a firmer mattress, the Sleepy’s Rest model is the one to look at.

The full scale looks like this:

• 1 – Extra-Soft
• 2-3 – Soft
• 3-4 – Medium-Soft
• 4-6 – Medium
• 6-7 – Medium-Firm
• 7-8 – Firm
• 9-10 – Extra-Firm

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Where Can I Find a Firm Mattress?

You can easily find a firm bed right here. Firmness, adequate support, great sleep. It’s all there. We’ve made a selection of mattress brands that offer really firm mattresses. These companies will also have the mattress delivered to your door and if you don’t like it, they’ll take it back according to their free sleep trial policy. So without further ado, check them out:

• Amerisleep’s AS1 model is their firmest mattress and it’s definitely not intended for side sleepers. What’s an uncomfortable mattress for them is the real deal for heavy people and back sleepers. Their AS2 is also firm, but not as much.
• Saatva’s Loom & Leaf is a mattress that comes in two firmness options – Relaxed Firm and Firm. Loom & Leaf is the way to go if you’re into eco-friendly options.
• Sleepy’s Rest mattress is a really firm innerspring that make a perfect mattress for back sleepers (and some stomach sleepers).
• Natural Form makes unusual adjustable mattresses. Sleepers can change the settings and make a mattress firmer or softer.
• Noa Lite mattress offers a firmer surface than most mattresses but is not the firmest one out there. It’s great for those who like a firmer bed but don’t have high body weight.

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Should Everyone Sleep on a Firm Bed?

Firm beds are not suitable for every single person, but they are encouraged by some professionals for those who’re having back pain or are recovering from a back injury. Firmness is one of the important factors you need to consider when debating how to choose the right mattress.

Firm beds are not for every sleeping position; side sleepers get pressure points on the hip and the shoulder. These points further push their spine into misalignment. Stomach and back sleepers benefit from a firmer mattress because their spine stays relatively straight. The firmest mattresses are typically a choice of really heavy people who sleep on the back, while slightly less firm or medium-firm mattresses are preferred by stomach sleepers. This is because their knees suffer more pressure on a firmer surface.

Weight also plays a role here. Lightweight individuals may find medium mattresses firm enough, but heavier people sink in them easily, so to get the same amount of support, they need a firmer mattress.

People with back pain may opt for medium-firm mattresses because they have great support but also relieve pressure. However, they should consult their doctors and orthopedics on what mattress to choose.

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FAQ

Can a mattress topper make a bed feel firmer?

Yes, but not any topper. Some toppers are firm and some are soft. Both perform well in creating a firmer or a softer bed.

Is it better to have a softer or firmer mattress?

Generally speaking, medium firmness level mattresses are the most compatible with the majority of people, and very soft mattresses are usually not recommended for anyone as they typically offer poor support (which can lead to back and joint pain). Looking at medium-soft and medium-firm mattresses, it largely depends on body weight and personal preference, but medium-firm ones are slightly better for those who sleep on the back and stomach, while both are good for side sleepers.

Does putting plywood under a mattress make it firmer?

It sure does. Plywood cut to fit your bed frame can eliminate some issues you may have with the frame/box spring and give more support to the mattress. Therefore, you can sleep well on a slightly firmer mattress.

Is a firm mattress good for combination sleepers?

It should be ok if you don’t spend much time sleeping on the side. If you do, you’ll be waking up with a sore shoulder and possibly some pain. Better opt for a medium-firm mattress. If your sleep position is only on the stomach and the back, you can use a firm mattress without any problems.

What’s the difference between a mattress pad and a mattress topper?

Mattress pads are thin and soft. They aren’t supposed to make a mattress firmer. Mattress toppers can be either firm or soft and are usually several inches thick.

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