How To Make A Firm Mattress Softer? Comprehensive Guide

There are three methods you can learn to soften a stiff mattress. If you want to sleep on a cushioned surface, this can be applied to your new mattress. Keep in mind that a softer bed may be preferable for certain sleeping postures.

You will gain an understanding of the science behind these three methods, allowing you to tailor them to your specific mattress. To ensure they won’t cause any harm to the mattress, it’s important to make sure they’re suitable for the fabric used. Therefore, without further ado, here are some tips for finding a comfortable bed!

5 Benefits of A Good Mattress

1. Achieve Adequate, Quality Nighttime Sleep

The major benefit of a decent mattress is that it guarantees a restful sleep or nap every time. Depending on the mattress type you have, they can either offer pressure point relief, back support, or both, while making you feel like you’re on cloud nine.

Your mattress, if it’s any good, will facilitate rather than disrupt your slumber. Constant discomfort during sleep, trouble falling asleep, or waking up in agony are all indicators that it may be time to upgrade to a new mattress. If you suffer from persistent back discomfort, click here to read about the most highly recommended mattresses.

2. Promote Good Form and Posture

It’s possible that people don’t even realize how frequently they switch sleeping positions throughout the night. If you have the correct mattress, you can keep or restore your body’s natural alignment. If you sleep in the same position night after night, you need a mattress that supports that position.

For instance, people who sleep on their sides are more likely to experience back pain because the fetal posture puts extra stress on the spine and neck. Since it will be forced against the mattress, it might also exert pressure on the arms and shoulders, cutting off circulation. Also, sleeping on your right side puts extra strain on your internal organs.

Memory foam mattresses, thankfully, have you covered if you sleep on your side. As a result of the material’s reactivity, the spine can be supported and pressure spots can be cushioned. However, your spine and joints may suffer if you choose a mattress that isn’t designed for side sleepers. Consider your preferred sleeping posture before making a purchase.

3. Keep Your Mental and Emotional Health in Check

A poor quality mattress can seriously disrupt a person’s ability to get a good night’s rest. Sleeping on a terrible mattress every night can lead to sleep deprivation and fatigue, even if it simply causes insomnia at first. Sleep deprivation has been related to a variety of negative outcomes, both immediate and long-term, and can have a significant impact on your mental and emotional well-being.

Some of the most prevalent psychological and emotional consequences of insufficient sleep are as follows:

• a failure to maintain focus and clarity.
• Brings on sleepiness and yawning during the day.
• Tends to make people more irritable and prone to mood swings.
• Conditions of the mind such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and ADD are exacerbated (ADHD).
• Reduces mental efficiency and productivity.

If you invest in a high-quality mattress, you’ll reduce your risk of developing any of the aforementioned health problems while you snooze. However, keep in mind that even with the most comfortable bed, you probably won’t get the finest sleep.

4. Develop an Inclination to Your Sleeping

Unfortunately, a terrible mattress is just one of the numerous individual factors that can cause people to dislike sleeping. Some people are so busy with their hectic schedules of job, school, and other activities that they neglect to get enough rest each night. If you invest in a high-quality mattress, you may be able to restore your normal sleeping habits.

If you aren’t feeling rested after a night in bed, your mattress could be to blame. Also, curating an inviting sleeping environment can encourage you to sleep more.

You may be unhappy with your mattress if you find yourself unsatisfied after a night of sleep. A more restful night’s sleep can be facilitated by creating a relaxing bedroom setting.

• Your bed should only be used for sleeping or personal moments.
• Decrease background noise and other potential disruptions.
• Turn down the temperature, preferably to around 65 degrees Fahrenheit or 18.3 degrees Celsius.
• Do not place any electronic devices within reach.
• Keep the visual noise to a minimum
• Color your bedroom with warmer tones.

5. Get the Most Out of Your Purchase

The current market price of a mattress is not funny. It’s not easy to put up money for a mattress, even a cheap one, especially if you’re also responsible for a lot of other people’s bills and necessities.

That’s why a quality bed is an investment that will last a lifetime. Quality mattresses can last for several years with proper care, so you can get your money’s worth out of buying one.

Compare the typical durability of various mattress materials:

• Five to six and a half years is the average age of an innerspring.
• From 6 to 7 years for foam
• 5-8.5 years for latex
• 5–7.5 years for hybrids

How To Soften A Firm Mattress

Break it in

A stiff mattress can be made more comfortable by breaking it in gradually. Just why is this going to be effective? It may take some time for your new bed to reach its full size after purchasing.

Your new mattress is probably firmer than your old one, so it may seem strange to lie down on it at first. Rolling or even just standing on the bed can assist the material’s cells open. When you lie down on a brand new mattress, your body heat can actually help the mattress out. This is especially true of memory foam mattresses.

Some manufacturers even suggest utilizing the mattress before the full expansion occurs in around two days due to the combined effects of pressure and body heat. You’ll become used to the feel and find that it improves your sleep quality. You should still be careful and roll about on your mattress gently.

Use a topper

If your mattress has been in use for a while, there is no point in trying to break it in to make it more comfortable. When the mattress is overly firm, a mattress topper is a simple and easy way to improve comfort. Choose a material and thickness that suits your preferred sleeping posture, and then spread the topper out over the top of the bed.

Due to the even distribution of your weight and pressure, the extra layer on top of your mattress also helps it last longer. The bed will be less likely to droop, and the topper will prevent the mattress from getting stained or damaged. This, however, is only a temporary solution until you can afford a new mattress.

Improve your foundation

If the base or foundation of your mattress is of poor quality, you may find that it is too firm. Like the mattresses we sleep on, different goods require various types of bases. A box spring is required for usage with an innerspring mattress, but it is incompatible with a memory foam mattress.

If you replace the box spring with a different kind of foundation for your innerspring mattress, you’ll get a bed that’s even firmer than when you started. A box spring, on the other hand, will make for a more comfortable and springy night’s sleep. In addition, it’s worth noting that mattresses feel firmer when placed on top of sturdy platform foundations.

A firm base is used with saggy mattresses so that weight is distributed evenly over the bed and pressure is reduced. Do you still not know which foundation to purchase? A good rule of thumb is to follow the care instructions provided by the mattress’s original manufacturer.

What Happens If Your Mattress Is Too Firm?

If you’re wondering whether or not to soften a firm mattress now that you know the three simplest ways to do so, that’s only natural. Is it possible to have negative outcomes from sleeping on a bed that is excessively firm? Always keep in mind that excess of anything is never desirable.

Some people, especially those who sleep on their backs, do better on a firm mattress. This eliminates any space between their body and the bed that could lead to improper posture. However, using a bed that is too firm loses the comfort that’s ideal for quality sleep.

How Do I Know If My Mattress Is Too Firm?

People who sleep on their backs, for example, benefit most from a mattress that is quite firm. This eliminates the space between their body and the mattress, which might lead to improper sleeping posture. However, the ideal support for a good night’s sleep is lost when utilizing a bed that is overly firm.

Make sure you’re resting on the best mattress possible for your needs. Those who sleep on their backs do best with firm mattresses, while those who sleep on their sides prefer softer ones. Is there any advice about which mattress firmness is ideal for which body type?

A heavier person can sleep comfortably on a firm mattress without bending or twisting their back. However, if you are on the lighter side, you should go with a softer mattress so as not to aggravate any existing bodily ache. The trick is to keep all of these things in mind and adjust the firmness of your bed accordingly.

How to Keep Your Mattress in Good Shape Longer

Here are five tried-and-true methods for extending the life of your mattress and avoiding potential catastrophes.

1. Make sure your mattress is properly supported.

While it’s true that you shouldn’t always buy a box spring and mattress together, it’s still important to get the correct amount of support from your mattress. This aids in maintaining materials and delaying wear.

To find out what the manufacturer recommends, you can either contact them directly or read their guarantee. Although spring mattresses are the only ones that should ever be placed on a box spring, memory foam and other specialized mattresses do best when supported by something more substantial.

Queen and king sizes require additional support in the middle of the bed in addition to the headboard and footboard. Depending on the type and weight of the mattress, a platform bed with wide slats may require additional slats for support.

Every year or so, it’s a good idea to inspect the slats and springs supporting your bed to make sure there are no cracks or breaks that could compromise the integrity of your mattress.

2. Use a mattress protector from the beginning.

Protecting your mattress with a protector is one of the easiest and most effective things you can do to extend the life of your bed, as we’ve discussed before.

A high-quality mattress protector not only keeps your bed clean and free of dust, debris, and filth, but it also provides waterproof protection in case of accidents.

This prevents allergens like mildew and dust mites from accumulating on your bed, keeps skin oils and sweat off the bed, and helps preserve the life of the materials inside your bed. Many modern protectors are as comfortable as a fitted sheet, and they all make cleanup a breeze if an accident does occur.

3. Wash bed linens regularly.

Sweat, oils, hair, and dead skin cells all fall off during sleep. Crumbs from breakfast in bed and cat fur are just two examples of the mess that can be tracked into the bedroom. All of this, in addition to being gross, can permeate a mattress’s layers, providing a fertile environment for bacteria and dust mites.

Cleaning professionals recommend washing bed linens once every seven days to two weeks. Even if you use a mattress protector, you should still regularly launder your sheets and pillowcases. Protectors for mattresses should be washed as directed by the manufacturer.

4. Get pets separate beds to snuggle in.

If you’re concerned about what might be hiding in your covers, consider buying your pet a bed of its own.

Just like people, even the cleanest of pets go outdoors, drool, and lose hair and cells, and all of that ends up on your bed. It’s not uncommon for pets to have accidents, which can seriously damage a mattress.

5. Rotate the mattress regularly.

Regular mattress rotation is beneficial for mattresses of any size or composition. Although not all manufacturers recommend it, rotating can help ensure your tires wear evenly and prevent depressions or soft spots.

Turn it from head to toe 180 degrees every 2-4 months. The first couple of years are crucial for “breaking in” a mattress.

6. No jumping on the bed!

Your mom was right when she cautioned you not to jump on the bed. A mattress’s foundation, frame, or foam can all wear out more quickly if you’re tough on it, but spring, water, and air beds are more vulnerable to harm from heavy use.

7. Take care when moving your mattress.

A mattress can easily be damaged during a move, thus it is recommended that you encase it in plastic and refrain from bending or folding it. Heavy-duty mattress bags that can be sealed with tape are available at many moving and box stores to protect your bed from dust, water, and scratches.

It is recommended that mattresses be moved while standing on their sides to prevent folding or sagging. Manufacturers of mattress covers with handles often advise against using them for this purpose.

8. Don’t bring home unwanted hitchhikers.

One of the quickest ways to destroy a mattress is by exposing it to bedbugs, which can be tough to eradicate once they’ve set up shop.

It’s important to check for bed bugs whenever you stay somewhere other than your own bed, and to try to avoid having your luggage on the floor of the room. The Texas A&M University Extension Service has some advice for avoiding introducing bedbugs back into your house if you think you’ve encountered them.

Put some thought into investing in a mattress encasement that can keep out these pests if you live in an apartment or in a portion of the country where they are common. These are superior than mattress protectors since they completely encase the mattress and have locking zippers to keep bugs out.

9. Let the light in occasionally.

Once every two weeks, on a dry, bright day, remove the sheets and let the bed air out for several hours (though if bedbugs are possible, leave the cover on).

According to research conducted at Kingston University, this not only helps prevent moisture from sleepers and humidity, but it may also help control dust mite populations.

10. Follow manufacturer cleaning directions.

Regular cleaning of any mattress is recommended for both the health of the sleeper and the mattress itself.

Most beds should be vacuumed using the hose attachment to remove surface dust, but many manufacturers also give cleaning and stain treatment instructions.

To remove stains, spot-treat with a moderate water and soap solution, then let dry fully before making the bed. Foams should not be cleaned with harsh chemicals since they can compromise the durability of the foam.

Vacuuming should be done once every one to three months, and stains should be cleaned as needed, depending on dust levels, allergies, or personal taste.

While the specifics of mattress upkeep may vary by make and model, the fundamentals are same across the board. Care for the bed by keeping it clean, avoiding accidents, protecting it from harm, keeping it supported, and turning it over so that it wears evenly.

There are a lot of variables that affect how long a mattress will last, but following these guidelines will increase the likelihood that you will get many years of good use out of it. You should know that a 10-year guarantee on your mattress is regarded the bare minimum, whether you’re shopping at a traditional mattress store or one of the new bed-in-a-box startups.

Conclusion

Do you think you’re sleeping on the best mattress possible? If you sleep on your side or are on the lighter side, you may find it helpful to discover how to soften a firm mattress. First, you should expect to break in your bed the right way as soon as you get there.

You can apply a mattress topper or strengthen the base of an old bed to make it more comfortable.