How To Keep A Mattress From Sliding: 11 Solutions To Try + Why It Happens

Key Takeaways

• The best way to keep your mattress from sliding is by choosing the right size bed frame or foundation to keep the mattress in place.
• Mattress gaskets, retainer bars, and railings can help keep your mattress from slipping and hanging over the edge of your bed frame.
• To keep your mattress from moving, try putting carpet tape, velcro tape, a mattress pad, or a rubber mat between the mattress and bed frame.

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night because your mattress has shifted while you were sleeping? Not to worry—this common problem can be fixed. If the type and size of your foundation doesn’t suit your mattress, learning how to keep a mattress from sliding can keep you comfortable and prevent sleep interruptions.

11 Ways To Stop A Mattress From Sliding

Sleeping on a mattress that consistently slips is uncomfortable, frustrating, and interruptive to the quality and duration of your sleep. Keep reading to learn about the most common causes of a slippery mattress and the best ways to prevent it from sliding.

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Why Does My Mattress Keep Sliding?

There are several reasons why mattresses slip on bed frames, bases, and foundations, making it hard for sleepers to get comfortable in bed. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common causes of a mattress slip-and-slide problem.

Incompatible Bed Frame or Foundation Size

It’s important to get the right foundation or bed frame size for your mattress. If your mattress is too small for the frame, it will have extra space to slide around as you move in your sleep. Similarly, your mattress may hang over the frame if it’s larger than the base, which could cause premature sagging and make your mattress slip.

Not sure if your mattress is the right size for your bed frame, foundation, or base? Learn how to measure a mattress to get your mattress’ dimensions and pair it with the right foundation size.

Insufficient Support

Is your bed frame uneven, or are your bed slats too wide? These issues can make for an uneven sleep surface, which may be the culprit behind your sliding mattress and squeaking bed.

No Railing

Most bed frames have some sort of guardrail to stop your bed from sliding, but simple bases and foundations may not have side rails, headboards, or footboards to help keep the mattress in place. Without these features, your mattress is more likely to move around.

Old Mattress

As you sleep, your body releases oils, sweat, and other secretions that build up in your mattress over time, creating a slippery surface that’s prone to sliding. Your mattress may also shrink slightly and lose its fluffiness or firmness due to constant wear and tear over the years. 

A mattress that has shrunk slightly due to age and regular use results in higher chances of slipping while you sleep. If you’ve had your bed for over seven years, it may be time to replace your mattress.

Lack of Friction

Some mattress materials, like latex or memory foam, are more slippery than others. If your mattress lacks grip against your bed base, it may not have enough traction to keep it securely in place.

Uneven Weight Distribution 

Uneven weight distribution may result in localized wear and tear, making your mattress more likely to shift overnight. Your mattress may sag unevenly or slide more if your sleeping partner weighs significantly more or less than you, or if you only sleep on one side of a double bed.

You can help prevent this by regularly rotating your mattress to balance how sleeper weight is distributed and keep your mattress in better condition.

Tossing and Turning

Combination sleepers may find their mattresses shift when they do, disrupting their sleep. While changing position alone may not be enough to make your bed slide off your bed frame, combination sleepers may experience more movement if their mattress and bed frame aren’t a good fit.

For couples who toss and turn, reducing motion transfer in bed can prevent sleep disruptions and limit how much your mattress moves overnight.

Slippery Two-Sided Mattresses

Most modern mattresses are single-sided, but if you have a double-sided mattress, it may slide more than other types of mattresses because both sides have soft outer layers. If you have a two-sided mattress, opting for a single-sided bed instead may solve the issue.

How To Stop A Mattress From Sliding: 11 Tips To Try

A mattress that moves around can be uncomfortable to sleep on. If your mattress keeps slipping and interrupting your sleep, here are 11 tried-and-true options to put an end to your mattress sliding problem and help you sleep more soundly.

1. Use the Right Size Bed Frame

The best way to stop your bed from sliding is to use the correct size bed frame for your mattress. A proper fit ensures that the mattress stays snugly and securely in place no matter how much you toss and turn.

If you’re looking to prevent your bed frame from sliding, your options to increase friction and limit slippage include:

• Non-slip furniture pads
• A rug or carpet
• Rubber mats 

Sturdy, low-profile bed frames may be less likely to slide. When paired with the proper size bed, Purple Bed Frames provide ample support for your mattress to prevent sleep disruptions caused by sliding and premature sagging.

2. Mattress Gaskets

If your mattress keeps sliding, you can add hardware to your bed frame to hold it in place. Some of the most popular options include mattress gaskets, which you can affix to a metal frame or platform by screwing them into place.

Mattress gaskets are fairly inexpensive and easy to install, making them a convenient solution to keep your mattress from slipping off the edge of the bed.

3. Mattress Retainer Bar or Slide Stopper

Similar to mattress gaskets, mattress retainer bars or slide stoppers are U-shaped metal rods located at the end of a bed, most commonly on adjustable bed frames. Because of their unique shape, retainer bars slide under your mattress and keep it from skidding forward from the frame.

You can attach this to your bed frame for added security, but if you have a design aesthetic to keep in mind, a footboard may allow you more say in the look and feel.

4. Bed Railings

Most bed frames have edges slightly higher than the slats on both sides of your mattress, but some frames and foundations don’t have this design barrier.

You can install side rails on some metal bed frames, though this is an uncommon solution. Alternatively, adding a bed assist railing can be a good option for those with limited mobility or anyone whose mattress moves too much. A bed railing may not align with your bedroom aesthetic, so other alternatives may be a better fit.

If your bed frame or foundation doesn’t have a headboard or footboard to keep the mattress vertically centered, installing a headboard or a footboard can put an end to your mattress sliding.

For a bed base that holds your mattress in place and maximizes your comfort, try an adjustable base for your bed. Purple’s adjustable bases keep your mattress secure while allowing you to customize your sleep experience and rest more easily.

5. Non-Slip Mattress Pads

Using a non-slip mattress pad can be used in addition to or as an alternative to a mattress protector and mattress cover, providing extra grip to keep your mattress in place. 

Place non-slip padding between your mattress and your frame or foundation to give your mattress enough traction to keep it secure. Need a quick fix? Use a yoga mat or thin exercise mat for a twin size mattress and frame. 

Opting for a non-slip mattress pad can increase friction to prevent unwanted movement, and using a mattress protector can help keep your mattress pad in place.

6. Rubber Mats

Rubber mats are typically used to line shelves and keep rugs in place, but you can try placing a rubber mattress pad between your mattress and your frame or box spring to keep it from moving. These mats are thin, so they shouldn’t affect the feel or firmness of your mattress.

Take your mattress measurements to cut the rubber mat to the correct size. If your rubber pads are too small for a king or California king, you can put smaller pads beside each other for the right fit. If your padding is too big, trim down with scissors.

7. Rug Grippers

Designed to keep rugs, door mats, and other floor coverings from sliding, rug grippers can also help keep your mattress in place. Inexpensive and available in various sizes, these pads are slip-resistant but easily disengage, allowing you to reposition your mattress as needed without the risk of unexpected shifting overnight.

8. Velcro Tape

Velcro strips are an affordable way to secure your mattress to your bed frame or foundation. Applying velcro tape to the underside of your mattress and slats of your  base can keep your mattress from moving around.

While velcro is a cost-effective solution, it can be noisier than other options, and if you toss and turn throughout the night, you might be woken by the sounds of it shifting.

9. Carpet Tape

Double-sided carpet tape isn’t as secure as velcro, but it’s a solid temporary fix for keeping your mattress from sliding on your bed slats, box spring, or platform bed base. Apply it to the head and foot of your bed like you would with velcro strips. Over time, dirt and debris may accumulate, making this method less effective at preventing skidding.

10. Mattress Extenders and Gap Fillers

Mattress extenders, otherwise known as gap fillers or bed joiners, are foam wedges that can fill gaps between your mattress and your bed frame. This creates a snug fit so your bed doesn’t slide around.

This can be an imperfect solution, especially if your mattress is too narrow for your bed frame. If you tend to sleep on the edge of your bed, gap fillers along the sides can be uncomfortable compared to the support of your mattress. Similarly, a difference in feel and firmness at the head or foot of your bed could cause some discomfort.

11. Vacuum Under the Mattress

An excess of dust in your room can create a slippery surface between your bed frame or foundation and mattress. If dust has gathered around your mattress, bedding, or bed foundation, it may be the culprit behind your slip-and-slide woes. Use your vacuum’s upholstery attachment to vacuum under your mattress and give it a better grip on your bed platform.

How Do I Stop My Mattress From Being Slippery?

Adding hardware, non-slip pads, or double-sided tape can keep your mattress from sliding, but the best way to hold your bed in place is to ensure that your bed frame or foundation is the correct size for your mattress.

If you’ve tried these methods but still have sliding issues, you should consider buying a new mattress online or in-store so you can stop sliding and enjoy a good night’s sleep. No matter where you choose to shop, it’s a good idea to test a mattress in store to pick the best model for you.

Opt for a responsive mattress that suits your preferences and provides the pressure relief and spinal alignment you need. All Purple mattresses are made with our proprietary GelFlex® Grid technology that provides support and flexibility with hundreds of air channels to keep you cool.

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