5 Ways To Make Your Existing Mattress More Supportive

How long have you been sleeping on your current mattress? Are you getting a good night’s sleep or barely getting out of bed in the morning? If your mattress is old, you’re probably not getting the sleep you should be getting. Old mattresses cause many problems including back and neck pain, sore joints, and sleep deprivation.

Seventy-five percent of Americans report having sleep problems at least a few nights each week. Sleep deprivation can negatively impact a person’s quality of life and take a toll on mental and physical health. A supportive mattress is essential to a good night’s sleep.

Your mattress may have been perfect when you bought it years ago, but if it’s no longer supporting your body, it won’t do you any good to continue sleeping on it. However, if you’re not in a financial position to buy a new mattress, here are 5 ways to make your existing mattress more supportive:

1. First -- find out what kind of support you really need

Do you know what kind of support your body really needs? It’s a good idea to know what you need before you buy anything or make any permanent changes to your sleeping setup. There is a spectrum of firmness to choose from, but sometimes every mattress you test in the store feels equally comfortable. The trick is to figure out which mattress will support you throughout the night and give you a good night’s sleep.

Generally speaking, most people prefer a firm mattress over a soft mattress, although bodyweight tends to influence the way a mattress is perceived. A 250-pound person might describe a mattress as soft while a 120-pound person might describe it as firm.

Don't determine your needs by a broken mattress

You can figure out what you need by noticing what isn’t working, but be aware that cues from your current mattress can be misleading. For instance, if your mattress sinks in the middle, you might think a firm mattress will provide the best support. However, don’t discount the idea of soft support. After sleeping on a mattress that caves in the middle, it’s natural to gravitate toward firm support thinking your mattress is too soft when it’s really just broken.

Surprisingly, a sleep survey found that 13% of people sleep on a mattress older than 15 years. One person from the survey had been sleeping on the same mattress for 37 years. If your mattress is sagging, it’s not too soft – it’s old and broken and needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

Know what you need before you buy

Even though most new mattresses come with a return window of a few days, it’s a hassle to get a mattress back to the store. If you purchased a foam mattress, for example, it probably came in a vacuum sealed bag and has since tripled in size. To return a mattress in pristine condition, you’ll need to spend money on a mattress cover and the good ones aren’t cheap. If you borrowed a friend’s truck to pick it up, you’ll need to borrow it again.

Instead of getting the first mattress you think will work, take your time testing out all the mattresses you can find. Figure out what level of support you need first, and then start considering your options.

2. Use a mattress topper

Using a mattress topper on top of your mattress is an inexpensive way to get the support you need. Mattress toppers are usually made from memory foam or another supportive material. They’re a few inches thick, easy to move, and come in different densities from soft to firm. When you know the kind of support you need, you can buy the right kind of mattress topper online. Our Gel Fusion mattress topper is made of memory foam and uses cooling gel technology to keep your body cool during the night. 

3. Flip your mattress horizontally and spin it vertically

Every mattress needs to be flipped once in a while, but double-sided foam mattresses should be flipped more frequently. Foam mattresses are prone to maintaining body impressions after a while and should be flipped both horizontally and spun vertically to ensure it gets used evenly. However, there is one caution: not all mattresses should be flipped

Single-sided mattresses should not be flipped. Make sure your mattress is truly double sided before flipping it. If your mattress is layered like many modern mattresses are, flipping it to sleep on the other side will be a disaster. Only spin a layered mattress to swap the head and the foot. 

4. Pad your mattress with a folded comforter

If your mattress is too firm and you need it to be just a touch softer, fold up a comforter the long way and place it on top of your mattress. If your fitted sheet is deep enough, you can put it over the comforter. If not, you’ll have to sleep directly on the comforter or use a second top sheet to lay over it.

A comforter is a simple, temporary fix while you save up for a new mattress.

5. Put your top mattress directly on the floor

Your box spring or slat-based platform could be the reason your mattress lacks support. Placing your mattress directly on the floor could give you more support, especially if you’re on the heavier side and your mattress is thin.

Investing in a new memory foam mattress is worth every penny

To see what’s available, browse our selection of mattresses and compare all the features. We offer memory foam mattresses with a medium firm, medium soft, and medium feel. Our mattresses are layered with cooling gel technology and other types of foam to provide maximum airflow and support while you sleep.

No matter how long it takes, it’s worth saving for a new memory foam mattress. Investing in a good night’s sleep is priceless.