Eighty-one percent of memory foam mattress owners report being satisfied with their mattresses.
With such high satisfaction rates, their value potential is great. They are known for reducing pressure, relieving pain, and improving motion isolation. They have so many benefits. So why then, do sleepers want to know how to make their memory foam mattress firmer?
Memory foam tends to soften slightly over time as the mattress breaks in. While the mattress may have had a perfect, comfortable feeling, in the beginning, it may now be losing some of that firmness.
It is possible to make your memory foam mattress firmer, and in this article, we will share with you ten ways to make a memory foam mattress firmer.
First, let’s look at why a mattress loses its firmness.
Why Does A Memory Foam Mattress Lose Its Firmness?
You know it’s time for a new mattress when it begins to feel too soft, or you feel like you’re about to sink in it.
A mattress’s firmness is a significant factor in how well you sleep. Not to mention, the proper level of firmness provides the necessary support you need for your head, neck and back.
There are a few reasons why a mattress loses its firmness that includes;
- heavy usage,
- temperature changes that cause the firmness to fluctuate, and;
- insufficient care and improper positioning.
How Can I Make My Memory Foam Mattress Firmer
Before buying a new mattress, consider some of these simple fixes to save some money.
1. Consider Getting a Mattress Topper
A mattress topper can be the ultimate solution for keeping the firmness of your memory foam mattress.
Mattress toppers come in a variety of materials. And since mattress toppers can add both softness or firmness to your mattress, you have to ensure you’re getting one that will firm up your mattress.
Consider using compact wool or Dunlop latex topper to make the memory foam mattress firmer. For instance, here is a great Dunlop latex topper from the brand PureTree which is 100% organic and are certified by both USDA and GOLS:
You can learn more about this topper as well as check out its price over at Amazon here.
2. Consider Getting a Mattress Protector
It’s a wise choice to use a mattress protector with your mattress from the beginning of its use.
That’s because it protects your mattress from all sorts of things like dust mites, bacteria, and it’s waterproof. Which means it protects your mattress from spills. As a result, the firmness of your mattress will last for a longer time.
If you don’t have a mattress protector on your memory foam mattress yet, then I definitely recommend Amerisleep’s protector. This is the one me and my spouse sleep on and it’s very comfortable. You can learn more about the protector here.
3. Change Your Foundation
You may need to check the foundation to make sure it is intact or not broken, especially if your mattress is getting old.
You may need to confirm if there is excessive wear and tear. Without a solid foundation, the mattress is likely to sag and may not be very comfortable. If it is broken, replace it immediately.
4. Change the Box Spring
Due to wear and tear, the box spring of your mattress can loosen its spring. If this happens, you need to replace the box spring to keep the firmness of your mattress.
A new box spring helps you retain the firmness of your mattress. It also gives support to the mattress which adds height. The suitable high position of your firm mattress ensures sound and comfortable sleep.
Amerisleep has a very affordable and high quality box spring/bed base available. We don’t own this ourselves but from looking at their reviews and generous return policy, we will definitely get one from them when it’s time to do so. Here’s a link to their box spring if you want to learn more about it.
5. Adjust the Room Temperature
Memory foam responds to the temperature of its surroundings. You can adjust the room temperature to correspond with how you would like the mattress to feel.
If it’s cool in the room, the mattress will become firmer (the cooler the room temperature, the firmer the mattress will be). If it’s warm in the room, the mattress will likely feel softer. So adjust the room temperature to stiffen the material so it becomes a bit firmer.
6. Flip Your Bed
Some mattresses are made to sleep on either side. First, check to see if your mattress fits this description. If so, it’s a good idea to flip your mattress at least every six months.
Flipping a mattress ensures that weight and the resultant pressure are distributed evenly on both sides of the mattress. This prevents the overuse of one side, which can lead to premature sagging.
Flipping can increase the lifespan as well as keep the firmness of your memory foam mattress for a longer time.
7. Air It In The Sun
Your mattress may become too soft after absorbing water or moisture from the air especially if you live in humid areas.
So, it’s good to air it out in the sun once in a while to rid of excess moisture. Doing so will not only firm up your mattress, but will also freshen it, killing bacteria, mold, and other bugs.
But be sure to check the instructions to ensure the mattress will not be affected by direct sunlight.
8. Replace Layers
Most mattresses come with a removable cover or a zipper. This allows you to remove saggy and old layers. That also means you can easily replace these layers with firm ones.
However, if you’re within your trial period, be sure to check the warranty since most manufacturers will not allow you to return the mattress if it’s altered or defective.
9. Add Plywood Boards
You can place plywood boards between the frame of the bed and the mattress. You can also place the plywood under your mattress. Doing this will make your mattress feel firmer.
However, before doing this, check with your mattress manufacturer for their recommendations. Then if appropriate, purchase some plywood that has the same measurements as the measurements of your box spring and mattress.
Make sure the plywood is not treated and that it has been sanded for even edges and sides. Placing plywood boards between the frame and replacing the old ones, will add some extra support. It will also make your mattress firm.
10. Check Sleep Trial Warranty
When everything above fails, and you still find yourself in need of a firmer mattress, check the warranty and sleep trial policies.
Most mattress companies will allow you to try out a new mattress anywhere from 30 to 100 days. If you meet this criterion, you can easily exchange your mattress for a firmer one.
If your mattress is no longer new and outside of a trial period, there is still hope. If your mattress is no longer new and has grown soft and started to sag, you might be able to file a warranty claim for repairs or a replacement mattress.
If filing a claim is not an option or not allowed by the manufacturer, the only other option is to purchase a new mattress.
Getting The Correct Firmness When Buying a Memory Foam Mattress
Should you decide to shop for a new memory foam mattress, there’s some information about the density and the thickness of the mattress that you should know.
It’s easy to confuse thickness and density when shopping for a mattress. Thickness changes with the number of layers in a mattress, while density refers to how solid these layers are together.
Density
Not all memory foam is created equal, and one of the ways that foams differ is in density. Density is considered the defining factor of longevity in memory foam-materials.
The more foam cells there are in the material, the denser it is. When there are more foam cells to bear the weight, the material won’t break down as fast. Higher-density foams can be quite firm and offer a good amount of support for sleepers.
Make sure to inquire about the density when looking over your brand options for a new memory foam mattress. By knowing this information, you’ll be able to determine how durable the bed is as well as how soft or firm it might feel.
Armed with this knowledge, it will help you rule out or hone in on different levels that will adequately suit your needs. By looking at this one factor and knowing what’s best for you, you’ll be better equipped to choose a bed that you love.
When you see a density rating of 6 cubic feet or higher, you’re in the high-density range. That means the mattress is at its firmest. However, the more firm the mattress, the more expensive it likely is.
The good thing is the denser the mattress, the more durable it is, which means it could last a lot longer than the average mattress shelf life of 10 years.
Related reading:
Thickness
Thickness matters with memory foam because the number of layers inside your mattress can affect how supportive and comfortable it is. The more weight applied to a memory foam mattress, the more it compresses.
This is a major factor in comfortability. Mattresses less than 12 inches thick had a different level of comfort and satisfaction for people weighing over 250 pounds.
Beds over 12 inches and with thicker layers of memory foam are more likely to offer comfort for a larger person. So you might want to consider a thicker mattress if you sleep with a partner.
In the end, the thickness can make the difference between sleeping on a marshmallow and sleeping on a rock.
Our Top 2 Firm Memory Foam Mattress Recommendations
After doing a ton of research into the most popular mattress brands that offer firm mattresses we’ve found the following two winners:
1. Overall Best: Layla Memory Foam Mattress (The Firm Side)
The Layla memory foam mattress is a flippable mattress with one side that is soft to medium firm and another side that is firm. This is great if you need to use different firmness levels at different times or if you simply don’t know which level of firmness you need. In the case of Layla you can try it out for yourself!
The mattress has copper gel infused in the memory foam which reacts to increased pressure with a firming response, so it stays soft and huggy while providing ample support around deep compression areas where you need it the most.
The copper also helps you sleep cooler since the particles that make up the copper gel in the memory foam are super conductive. This conductivity helps carry heat away from your body faster which results in a much cooler sleep experience than you get with old-timey conventional memory foams.
You can learn more about the flippale Layla memory foam mattress over at their shop here.
2. Best Bang-For-The-Buck: Brooklyn Bowery (All-Foam)
When it comes to getting value for your money, nothing beats the Brookly Bowery (All-Foam) mattress. It’s a medium to firm mattress of incredibly high quality while still being very affordable.
The all-foam version of the Brookly Bowery features a 3” layer of patented Energex™ foam, paired with a 2” transitional layer for more responsive contouring with targeted pressure point relief. The addition of a 5” high-density base foam ensures durability and stability for the life of your bed.
The mattress is custom made in the U.S.A. with a 10-year warranty. And it comes with a 120-night risk free trial. With a price tag starting at only $499. You can check out the mattress here if you are interested in learning more about it.
