When you crunch the numbers, the actual cost of a new mattress is far cheaper than you may first think. Nevertheless, now may not be the best time to upgrade your mattress; instead, you’ll want to turn your attention to how you can upgrade your sleep space.
Our blog covers all the essential questions ranging from ‘How do I make a firm mattress softer?’ to ‘Can a bad mattress cause back pain?’ and everything in between. So, without further ado, discover how you can transform your mattress.
A woman experiencing back pain from her mattress
Firmness and tension are the most important criteria when purchasing a new mattress, hence why you may have purchased a state-of-the-art mattress only to find it too soft or firm. If you’re reading this and wondering, ‘what mattress firmness is best for me?’, read our breakdown on mattress tension and suitability.
If you fear you may have purchased the wrong mattress for your sleep style, don’t worry – there are simple steps you can take to sleep better.
Firm mattresses are perfect for front and back sleepers, who benefit from spinal support and even weight distribution. However, for side sleepers, we’d advise against a firm or extra firm mattress. If this is you, then you’ll know only too well how important soft and cushioned support is.
This is where a mattress topper comes in, helping to make the mattress’s surface softer and provide sumptuous support and pressure relief.
Your bed frame will likely either feature solid or sprung slats. Whereas sprung slats, which feature a curved arch, provide a ‘bouncier’ feel, solid slats are best suited for a firm surface.
Therefore, a cheaper alternative to a new mattress could be to replace your sprung slats with solid slats.
Bed with sprung slats
If you recently purchased your new mattress, it may take a few nights for it to soften. Be patient and reassess after a few nights.
If your mattress isn’t single-sided, it’s best practice to rotate or flip it every three months. This could provide the important pressure relief you’ve been seeking.
Mattress toppers and additional blankets could result in a mattress that’s too soft. As comfortable as they are, remove them for a firmer sleeping surface.
This mostly applies to memory foam mattresses, which tend to firm up in cooler temperatures.
We’ve touched on this earlier, but how you sleep goes a long way to determining the suitability of your mattress. You may find that whilst sleeping on your front and back, your body sinks into the mattress. With this in mind, try sleeping on your side, allowing less pressure on the surface. The inverse applies to a mattress that’s too firm; sleeping on your front and back will allow for even weight distribution instead of feeling discomfort while sleeping on your side.
Have you ever wondered ‘can a bad mattress cause back pain?’ – yes, it absolutely can. Visualise your spine being straight at any given time whilst you’re sleeping. So, if you sleep on your front and back, as mentioned above, and your mattress is too soft, you run the risk of sinking into the mattress.
As a result, you may experience back pain from your mattress. Ideally, we’d recommend purchasing a mattress better suited to your sleeping preferences, especially if your mattress is sagging.
However, a short-term fix could be to get in the habit of stretching every morning to loosen your muscles and improve flexibility. A firm mattress topper could also help; by adding greater support and firmness to your bed, you can ensure your spine is correctly aligned.
There’s no reason why you can’t expect between seven and ten years of use for your mattress. However, this is provided you look after it. With this in mind, below are some of the most important questions to cover regarding mattress care.
Unless specific care instructions with your mattress suggest otherwise, we’d advise vacuuming your mattress to remove any dust or dirt. Then, use a clean cloth to blot the stain—avoid rubbing it, as this could spread the stain.
The next step is to apply a cleaning solution. For fresh stains, try mixing a mild detergent with warm water, applying it to the stained area, and gently scrub.
You’ll want to use a mix of equal parts water and white vinegar for tough stains. This leads us to the next question we often encounter.
You could also sprinkle baking soda over the stain and spray with vinegar for tough stains. Alternatively, try sprinkling baking soda over the entire mattress and let it sit for several hours before vacuuming the surface.
Yes, we always recommend investing in a mattress protector. Think of it this way: You’ll spend hundreds of pounds on something you’ll use every night and expect many years of use from—it therefore only makes sense to invest in a mattress protector.
Sleep easy and ensure your mattress is protected from spillages and body odours. What’s more, any mattress protector purchased alongside a mattress is eligible for our 60-night sleep trial.