3 Ways to improve an old uncomfortable mattress

Let’s be honest, it’s not always practical to be able to switch your mattress for a different one if it becomes uncomfortable. Quality mattresses are a considered purchase and with the cost of living it can be one of those items that you fail to save for. Resulting in you sometimes having to put up with an uncomfortable mattress whilst you sort your finances out.

Here are 3 tips for improving an uncomfortable or poor mattress in the short term.

1. Softening your mattress with a topper

If you’re finding your mattress too firm or even worse, you can feel the spring unit, then adding a mattress topper can help soften the feel of your bed. Toppers provide a deeper ‘comfort’ layer to a mattress meaning you can help buffer the firmer support unit of a mattress from you by softening the top layers.

Now you can buy a specific mattress topper which gives you an ideal custom-made sleep surface. These can contain either synthetic fibres such as polyester or you could go all out for a Natural fibre or Latex mattress topper for the ultimate in sleep comfort.

Natural fibres will provide you with breathable fibres to help you sink into a deep sleep or the cheaper synthetic ones are a cheaper non-breathable alternative. But what if you’re on a budget and need a cheaper option to help soften your mattress?

What’s the cheapest mattress topper?

The alternative is to use a spare duvet under your bedsheets directly on top of your mattress. Usually without even spending a penny.

This will help provide an additional comfort layer and give more comfort to your mattress. You will need to keep adjusting this type of topper as it moves around but this is a great tip, especially if you’re on holiday and stuck on a firm mattress. Simply use spare blankets or ask for an additional duvet to help improve the sleep surface. If this helps you sleep better you can always move onto a real mattress topper. This is the cheapest way to improve your old uncomfortable mattress.

2. Firming up your old sagging mattress

What if you’ve got the alternative problem of an old mattress that you sink too far into or feel is too soft?

Well, there’s an option for that too! Quite often mattresses are placed onto slatted bases. The issue with this is that over time a cheaper mattress can start to mould itself in between the slats. Especially if the slats are too far apart (more on that here).

If you find your mattress sagging then a quick fix can be to add a layer of plywood or MDF underneath the mattress on top of the base. This can help firm up a mattress and prevent it from sagging between the slats. This method can also be used on sprung slats to help give a firmer feel. It’s a cost-effective way to firm up your mattress in no time.

What’s the cheapest way to firm up a soft mattress?

If your mattress is on a sprung edge divan, ie a base that is also sprung, then a layer of plywood on top of the base will also firm up the overall feel of your mattress. You can check if your base is sprung or not by removing your mattress and lying directly on top of the base. If it is spring you’ll feel yourself sink. If it is really firm then it’s a platform top divan. Adding a wooden board usually costs around £10-£15 and can instantly bring more support to your bed!

This is an easy low-cost way of helping give your mattress more support if you’re struggling during the night.

3. Turn the mattress over to even out wear

Now, this may surprise you but if you have a two-sided mattress it needs to be turned every month to help even our wear. If you’ve not turned your mattress in forever then turning and rotating it may fix your sleep issues. You’d be surprised how much the other side of the bed can feel like a new mattress.

Check the mattress label or model to check if it is two sided, usually because its missing the ‘no turn’ sticker or label. Then with help if needed, turn the mattress over and then rotate. This way the foot end becomes the head end for a brand new sleep experience!

If you’re stuck with a one-sided mattress such as an Eve, Casper, Made or Tempur models then obviously you can’t do this as you’re limited to only have one side. However, you can still rotate these mattresses meaning the foot of the bed becomes the head. Coupled up with a topper this can really help transform your comfort during the night.

What if these mattress tweaks don’t work?

If you’ve tried the above and none of them works for you then it may be time to call it quits with your current mattress.

There’s only so much tweaking you can do. If you’ve had your mattress for a number of years then sometimes the only alternative is to buy a new one. However, rather than rushing out to find the cheapest deal or latest ‘Mattress in a box’ that are mass-produced, why not speak to one of our friendly experts to see what better alternatives you could get?

Choosing a mattress that’s customised to your needs

If your mattress has come to the end of its life then doing your research to choose your next mattress is essential. If you rush to buy whatever mattress is on offer then you may end up needing to change it again in a few years!

The key to finding the most comfortable and suitable mattress is making sure that it is tailored to you by ensuring the following 3 key steps:

1.Pick a spring tension that is customised to your bodyweight

The pocket spring tension is always dictated by your weight and not based on whether you like a softer or firm mattress (see step 2 for this). If you fail to choose the correct support in a mattress then it will never be truly comfortable or right for you. So this first step is essential!

2. Choose a mattress that has upholstery to suit your comfort preference

This is where you can identify which mattresses meet your preference for a soft, medium, or firm feel. These upholstery layers are often referred to as comfort layers. If you like a firmer feel mattress then choose firmer upholstery like coir or horsehair, likewise, if you like a softer mattress then fibres like wool and alpaca will provide a luxurious soft feel.

3. Pay close attention to the mattress detailing & guarantee

This is the most overlooked step when buying a new mattress. By ignoring the mattress details such as the type of side stitching, cover fabric or whether it’s a one or two-sided mattress, you can fall into a trap by choosing a lower-quality mattress.

Mattress detailing is the hidden secret of spotting a well-made mattress from a poor mass-produced ‘bed in a box’ that will last only a few years. The same goes for the mattress guarantee. Always check what the terms are, whether it’s a full guarantee or a proportional warranty for example. You can read more on mattress guarantees here and how to avoid scams!

We’d love to speak to you about the options for your budget and how you can avoid one-sided mattresses or having to compromise on your sleep quality. Why not watch our guide as Ryan explains everything you need to know to find the perfect mattress online.