Can a Mattress Topper Make My Mattress Firmer?

The short answer is yes, a mattress topper can make a mattress firmer. But not every mattress topper is designed to do that.

When purchasing a new mattress, you’ll have to consider different factors including comfort, price, durability and more. Everyone has a preference. Some people prefer a hard or high-density mattress while others prefer it soft or with low density. But even if you’ve found your perfect match, most mattresses will change over time as they get worn down.

If your mattress isn’t firm enough, it won’t provide the proper amount of support you need to sleep comfortably. People that suffer from back problems and arthritis need a medium-firm mattress that provides sufficient support without putting enormous pressure on the joints. When choosing a mattress topper, you need to check the materials used, thickness, and density. Getting the best firm mattress topper can add extra support to an otherwise soft mattress.

Why Do Mattresses Lose Firmness and What’s an Ideal Solution?

Mattresses can lose firmness due to the premature breakdown of foam materials or springs. However, even durable mattresses have a lifespan. If your mattress is quite old, it will start to develop dips and dents.

If your mattress has uneven surfaces, it won’t give you the comfort and support you require to sleep soundly. Fortunately, you don’t have to put up with a mattress that sags in the middle or the back and neck problems it causes.

There are lots of temporary and lasting solutions to consider if you aren’t ready to replace your mattress. Mattress toppers can give you the extra cushioning you require to support your body comfortably and sink in slightly without hurting your spine. If you’re looking for the best mattress topper, consider your sleeping position and choose the right firmness level to distribute pressure or weight evenly.

Is a Mattress Topper The Right Choice?

A mattress topper is a removable layer that sits on top of your mattress to offer extra support and cushioning. It’s made of a variety of materials that include foam, latex, wool, or feathers. Just like mattresses, toppers come in a range if thicknesses and densities, so you have lots of options at your disposal.

It’s easy to confuse a mattress pad with a topper. A mattress topper is a thin piece of fabric that’s attached to the sheets and has straps on the sides that hold onto the mattress. The primary goal of a mattress pad is to add an extra layer of firmness, luxury, and comfort on your mattress.

If your existing mattress is still in good shape, adding a mattress topper can help fine tune the feel of your mattress. However, if you have an old mattress that’s sagging or deteriorating, a mattress topper is just a band-aid for a bigger issue.

Types of Mattress Toppers For Making Your Mattress Firmer

While choosing the best mattress topper, consider the materials have pros and cons and find one that provides breathability and resistance to dust mites. Latex toppers are hypoallergenic and will suit your needs if you aren’t allergic to the latex. If your mattress is too soft, select a firm memory foam or latex topper to balance the support and contouring.

Firmness is a relative concept as a mattress that’s firm for you may not be supportive enough for another. Determining your ideal firmness level is essential for comfortable sleep. While weighing several options, consider your weight.

If you’re petite, you’ll get optimum support from a soft surface. But a plus-sized sleeper will need a firmer surface to avoid sagging. Once you walk into your nearest bedding and furniture shop, you’ll find an extensive list of mattress toppers. You need to choose carefully to avoid ending up with a topper that doesn’t suit your specific needs.

The most common materials are:

• Memory foam
• Polyester blends
• Polyester blends
• Wool
• Feathers
  

Unless you have a special condition or specific preferences, memory foam toppers will suit your needs as they provide medium-firm support, cushioning, and breathability.

 Memory foam is polyurethane that comes in a wide range of thicknesses and densities to meet the needs of most people. The memory foam mattress toppers are efficient at improving the comfort levels of old mattresses and meeting the specific needs of many people. If the sags and lumps are causing you to toss and turn throughout the night, then you know it’s time to invest in a mattress topper.

Other Ways to Make a Mattress Firmer

If your mattress is no longer offering the firmness you need to sleep comfortably throughout the night, you might feel frustrated. But there are many ways to improve your sleeping experience without spending a fortune on a new mattress.

You’ll be surprised to see how many options you have when it comes to improving your old mattress. Consider the following tips if you’re hoping to make your existing mattress firmer:

1. Replace the Box Springs

In addition to providing more bounce and improving air circulation, box springs play a key role in maintaining your mattress’ firmness. When the box springs start to lose their tension, they will compromise the ventilation or cooling, and you might wake up with a puddle of sweat.

If your mattress has started to lose its edge support, it’s possible to replace the box springs and restore the original quality. Before you consider replacing the springs, ensure that the foam is sturdy enough to avoid a scenario where springs protrude through the worn-out foam and stab you with their sharp ends.

Related Content: How to store a mattress topper

2.Remove Worn-out Layers

If you’re lucky, it might be possible to swap the layers. However, not all mattresses are demountable. If your mattress has removable covers, you can replace them with firmer options that give you a more comfortable sleeping surface.

If you’re keen when buying a mattress, you might notice that some latex mattresses come with three layers made of different materials. It has a firm base, medium-firm middle layer, and a soft upper layer. If any of these layers have begun to sag, you can replace it easily.

Equipping your old mattress with new layers is an inexpensive way to improve your sleeping experience. While choosing the layers, opt for a memory foam base for extra support and enhanced polyurethane middle layer for cooling and ventilation. The natural latex topmost part provides a slight bounce, no-motion transfer, customized comfort, and soft furnishing for optimum comfort.

3. Enhance Support With Plywood Boards

Adding a plywood base directly under the mattress is a great way to improve the support. While the supportive base layer improves the firmness, it can compromise the breathability. A perforated plywood base helps to provide extra support and allow air to circulate through the bedding materials.

Lay the plywood on the slats of your bedframe and use it to support your mattress from beneath and prevent it from sagging. A soft mattress poses severe health risks as it cause your spine to sink. Plywood provides additional support and prevents misalignment issues down the road.

You can use plywood as a temporary fix for a soft mattress while you look for a long-term solution, like buying a new mattress or box spring. Alternatively, you can flip or rotate the mattress to expose the unused portions that tend to be firmer.

4. Sleep on the Floor

Moving your mattress to the floor is a great way to improve the overall comfort of an old mattress without incurring extra costs. Sleeping on the floor may also improve your posture and spine alignment. The firm floor surface will eliminate and dents and dips in your mattress and help to align your spine, neck, and back.

The floor will effortlessly convert your mattress from soft to medium-firm and allow you to sleep comfortably every night. Sleeping on a medium-firm mattress puts less pressure on the arteries, veins, bones, and muscles.

Side sleepers need thick memory foam mattresses to support the weight of shoulders and hips. If the mattresses have gel-infused foam, they also savor the cooler sleep experience.

In addition, sleeping on the floor is significantly cooler. If the space it too tight to accommodate a bedframe, this strategy will work to your advantage.

5. Check Your Indoor Moisture and Temperature

Sleeping in a hot and humid environment not only harms your body but also takes its toll on your mattress. In addition to damaging the different layers, humidity can affect the firmness and ruin your mattress. A firm mattress prevents your back from collapsing and improves the oxygen intake while you sleep. 

If your mattress is damaged by moisture, you’ll have no option but to replace it prematurely. Invest in a thermostat or adjust your HVAC to keep the indoor temperature and humidity within the comfort zone.

Cool room temperatures are the key to improving the longevity of your mattresses and keeping it intact for years. After sleeping on your mattress for a week or so, it’s best to air dry it and let the materials breathe again. Air drying the mattress frequently helps to maintain the firmness and allow the materials to get rid of lingering moisture that could cause extensive damage.

When to Replace Your Mattress

Although there are plenty of ways to renew an aging mattress, most of these remedies are temporary solutions that help you to get by until you’re ready to replace it. While a new mattress is costly, the cost is negligible compared to waking up sore every morning and having persistent allergies that are difficult to bear. The right mattress should neither be too soft or too firm, but one that makes you feel like you’re floating on air.