How To Make Your Mattress More Comfortable: A Short Guide

There are few things as frustrating as a mattress that is uncomfortable to sleep on. If you're struggling with a lumpy, stiff, or just plain uncomfortable mattress, don't worry – we have some tips to help make it more comfortable! 

Read on to discover 9 tips to turn your mattress into the bed of your dreams. 

1. Determine What Type Of Sleeper You Are

Ideally, you should do this before you purchase a new mattress. This is because your preferred sleeping position, your body weight, and even the temperature you like setting your room at can all affect how comfortable a mattress will be for you. 

Mattress firmness is usually measured on a scale of 1 to 10, from plush to firm. But for simplicity’s sake, we compare the difference between plush, medium, and firm mattresses below:

 

2. Adjust Your Room Temperature

This advice is aimed specifically at memory foam users, as this type of mattress is often temperature-sensitive. Made of dense, synthetic, non-breathable materials, memory foam retains body heat and also becomes softer as the user’s and room’s temperature increases. In cooler climates, memory foam tends to get stiffer. 

Turn up the thermostat if you want to make your memory foam softer, and turn it down if you want a firmer bed. Also, be familiar with the ideal temperature for sleep.

3. Invest In A Good Mattress Topper

A mattress topper is an extra layer of foam about two to four inches thick that you can place over your mattress. There are many different kinds of mattress toppers, from gel-infused memory foam toppers that keep hot sleepers cool on warm nights to plushy down toppers that can make sleeping on a firmer mattress feel much softer. Whether you want to make your mattress softer or firmer, there is a mattress topper out there for you.

4. Flip Or Rotate Your Mattress

If you want to make an old mattress firmer without spending a dime, try flipping or rotating it first. Mattresses naturally sag and become uneven over time, but flipping and rotating them regularly can help mattresses wear more evenly. Doing so also lets you sleep on the side that has less wear and sagging, making for a more comfortable night’s sleep. 

Most manufacturers recommend rotating a mattress every three to six months. But bear in mind that, while most mattresses can be rotated, not all mattresses are flippable. Most polyfoam and innerspring mattresses can be flipped, but mattresses with pillow-tops, as well as most hybrid, memory foam, and latex mattresses are one-sided only. Check with your manufacturer first if you can flip and/or rotate your mattress.

5. Get A Body Pillow

Body pillows are popular with pregnant women who may need a little help supporting their heavy baby bumps, but you don’t need to be pregnant to enjoy the benefits of a good body pillow. These giant pillows are designed to provide side sleepers with additional support and comfort by offloading some of the pressure from one’s hips, shoulders, back, and neck. 

Body pillows are also an excellent solution for people who snore or suffer from sleep apnea, as they can be used to elevate one’s head and neck for a safer and more comfortable breathing position. They’re also useful for people who are recovering from surgery or an injury that requires them to sleep in a position that would otherwise be uncomfortable without the added support.

6. Keep Your Mattress And Beddings Clean

It goes without saying that a clean bed is a comfortable bed. Dust mites, pet dander, and even odorous stains can all exacerbate allergies, which can keep sufferers from enjoying a restful night’s sleep. Make a habit of changing your linens at least once a week and vacuuming your mattress every three to six months. 

For spills and tough stains, there are plenty of cost-effective home remedies out there, like lemon juice, borax, vinegar, and baking soda. These products can also be used to deodorize a mattress that has developed a funky odor. 

7. Buy Quality Beddings And Pillows

There is a reason why many people obsess over thread counts – comfortable sheets can mean the difference between dozing off into dreamland and laying awake all night because the bed is too hot and itchy to relax in. A cozy comforter or duvet can also make sleeping feel more luxurious, even if you’re just at home and not staying in a 5-star hotel.

There is no one-size-fits-all material for beddings. That said, bamboo, linen, and cotton sheets are generally soft and breathable, while flannel sheets are warm and perfect for cold, winter nights. 

If you’re looking for cool, breathable sheets that stretch, try Purple’s cotton bed sheets and pillow covers.

8. Try Mattress Protectors

Thinner than a mattress topper, a mattress protector is a thin, water-resistant layer that fits on top of your mattress like a top sheet. These machine-washable pads are designed to keep dust, dirt, and liquids from penetrating your mattress – so you don’t have to worry about having to vacuum your mattress so often or sopping up late-night accidents from your bed. 

While mattress protectors don’t necessarily make your bed any softer, they can prevent skin irritation and allergies by keeping allergens from building up inside your mattress. 

9. Get A Weighted Blanket

Weighted blankets are all the rage these days, and for good reason. Studies have shown that weighted blankets can reduce stress and restlessness thanks to the effects of Deep Touch Pressure (DTP), helping anxious sleepers get the rest they need. 

Weighted blankets can be a great, temporary solution for people who may find it hard to sleep, as they encourage your brain to release calming, sleep-inducing hormones that’ll help you drift off to sleep faster. 

Cocoon yourself in layers of soft, organic fabric with Purple’s hand-knit Bearaby weighted blanket. Unlike some weighted blankets that can be hard to wash or trap too much body heat, the Bearaby weighted blanket is made of chunky and soft hand-knit sustainable fabric that encourages airflow.

Find A Comfortable Mattress

If none of these solutions make you fall back in love with your old mattress, perhaps it’s time for an upgrade. All of Purple’s mattresses are equipped with our special GelFlex Grid – an extra layer of flexible gel that provides just the right amount of support while remaining soft enough to relieve pressure and reduce tension. This adaptable grid moves as you do and features 1,400+ ventilation chambers that keep your body at just the right temperature all night long.