Tips For Making A Firm Mattress Softer

Do you have a mattress that is too firm? Do you want to learn ways you can make your mattress softer without buying a new one? Don't worry, we got you!

Keep reading to find out if your mattress is too firm and what simple solutions you should try for a softer sleeping surface. These basic tips will go a long way in making your mattress more comfortable and helping you get a good night’s sleep!

Sleeper Types Who Benefit From Softer Mattresses

The ideal mattress firmness for you depends heavily on your sleeping position and body frame. Mattress firmness is ranked on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest.

Side sleepers sleep most comfortably on mattresses that are soft (3) to medium-firm (6), depending on their body weight. This type of sleeper needs a cushier surface that contours around their body and alleviates pressure in their shoulders and knees.

Lightweight sleepers who weigh 130 pounds or less may experience more comfortable sleep on mattresses with a softness of 3 or lower. Their lower weight keeps their bodies from sinking too deeply into the material, so it provides just enough support to keep their spines aligned and improve their sleep posture.

Whatever your body frame or sleeping position, having a mattress with the right firmness level directly affects your sleep and well-being. If your mattress is too soft or too firm, you may need to make changes to your bed or replace your mattress entirely.

What Are The Signs That Your Mattress Is Too Firm?

Before making adjustments to your bed and mattress, check these usual signs that your current mattress is too firm for you.

You Toss And Turn At Night

If you’re constantly shifting in bed to find a comfier sleeping position, this is a sign that your mattress isn’t helping with your spine alignment or alleviating body pressure.

You Wake Up With Sore, Aching Muscles

A mattress that’s too firm won’t relieve your body’s pressure points, such as your hips, shoulders, and neck. If you feel pain or discomfort in those areas, you may need a softer mattress to cradle your body and help you drift off to sleep.

You Feel Fatigued In The Morning

With unrelieved pressure and restless nights, it’s no wonder that sleeping on a mattress that’s too firm can make you feel exhausted first thing in the morning. This reduces your focus, increases irritability, and decreases your stamina for daily tasks.

Keep in mind that daytime fatigue may also be caused by underlying medical conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea, depression, or allergies. If you have the latter, consider cleaning and deodorizing your mattress to remove allergens like mites, mold, or dust. If changing or cleaning your mattress doesn’t help your daytime fatigue, consult a doctor.

You Have Persistent Back Pain

Back pain can be caused by numerous factors, such as arthritis, bad posture, or the wrong mattress. If your mattress is too firm for your sleeping position, it could be adding pressure to your back instead of relieving it, causing you to wake up with an aching back.

While it’s always a good idea to have your back problems checked by a medical professional, it’s also helpful to find out if you’re sleeping on an uncomfortable surface. If you get up from a nap or a full night of sleep with backache, it’s a strong indicator that you need a different mattress.

How To Make Your Mattress Softer

If your current mattress is too firm for a cozy, restful night, consider trying these tips first to make it feel softer to sleep on. These will help you sleep more comfortably without replacing your mattress.

1. Break Your Mattress In

New mattresses may feel firmer than you expected because some mattresses adjust to our body contours. Repeatedly sleeping on your new mattress allows the layers and filling to distribute evenly and mold themselves around your body. This is the main reason why many manufacturers have a “sleep trial” of up to one year, so buyers can see if the mattress gradually reaches its ideal softness after a reasonable period.

Other materials like memory foam respond to temperature. Our body heat warms memory foam, which softens it up and makes it feel plusher. This means it’ll take at least a few hours before it becomes a more comfortable surface to sleep on.

2. Use A Mattress Topper

A mattress topper is a removable extra layer designed to be placed on top of a mattress. Mattress toppers can give you added support and cushioning as you sleep. They typically come in a thickness ranging from two to four inches and can be made from a variety of organic and synthetic materials like latex, memory foam, and gel.

Getting a mattress topper with a lower firmness level can make your mattress feel softer to sleep on. This will immediately help you settle in comfortably and enjoy a restful night’s sleep.

3. Replace Your Bed Frame And Slats

Solid slats or fixed-slatted bed frames can make your mattress feel firmer, as they add pressure while supporting your mattress. Consider getting a bed frame with sprung slats to make your mattress feel softer. Sprung slats reduce strain on your mattress while responding to body pressure and movement. This provides cushioned support while prolonging the lifespan of your mattress.

4. Make Your Room Warmer

Some mattresses are made of temperature-sensitive materials, like memory foam. If your mattress is made from materials that respond to heat, consider increasing your room’s temperature to make your mattress softer.

If you don’t want to change your entire room’s temperature, you can use a hot water bottle instead. Keep one under your blanket or duvet before turning in for the night. This will help your mattress get warmer and soften up before you lie down on it, making it cozier to sleep on.

5. Rotate Or Flip Your Mattress

Check your mattress’ label for instructions on how often it should be flipped or rotated. If your mattress is double-sided, you may be able to flip it over and sleep on the other side. But if your mattress has only one sleepable surface, you may only be able to rotate it to change where your head and feet are on the mattress.

Mattress rotating and flipping are typically done to distribute wear evenly and improve its lifespan. These practices can prevent dips from overuse, lumps, and sagging. This also helps all parts of your mattress gradually adjust to your body’s pressure and heat.

The Right Mattress Helps You Get A Good Night’s Sleep

Getting enough sleep is key to good physical and mental health. When you get a good night’s sleep, you feel alert and ready for the day. If your mattress is too firm and none of these solutions are helping, look at options for a new mattress. 

Purple offers a variety of mattresses that are incredibly soft. Providing true comfort to bring you the rest and relaxation you need.