StaffHaving a mattress that will not stay in place can be frustrating. It is thus best to understand what the reasons behind this movement could be and what you can do to prevent the same. This guide will cover as much, thus enabling you to make the most out of your mattress.
Moving around in bed in inevitable, but that does not mean that the mattress should move with you. It could be anything from having a pillow fight to tossing and turning in the night. Whatever it is, you should have an assurance that the mattress will stay in place. Else, you could end up sliding out of bed and injuring yourself.
Keeping a mattress in place requires some effort, and you are better off engaging an assistant for this. It could be a friend or a family member. Mattresses are bulky, and moving them on all sides could put a lot of pressure on your body. And as you do not wish to get injured, having some help is of the essence.
As with everything, it is best to understand the underlying factors before moving to the solution. It is only in this way that you can prevent another occurrence of the same.
Friction
Mattresses need a good grip on the bed frame for them to stay in place. Where there is no or little friction, they tend to slide as they have nothing on which to hold. It is especially the case when you are using a double-sided latex foam or memory foam mattress. Where this is the case, you need to create some friction to keep the mattress from moving around the frame.
Age
How long have you had the mattress? Very few things get better with age, and with mattresses, the older they are, the less quality that they have. Suppose your mattress is more than ten years old, you should consider that the movement is as a result of the aging. Ten years is a lot of time, which allows the mattress to collect dirt and oil. These two combine to form a slippery layer that contributes to the sliding. You could try cleaning the mattress, but the chances are high that it is due for a replacement.
Support
The problem may not be with your mattress, but rather, it could be as a result of inadequate support. Where the bed frame is much bigger than the mattress, this creates room for sliding. In most cases, you will find that the frame will be a few inches larger than the mattress. This space accommodates bedding. However, where it is too big such that bedding cannot fill it, the mattress can start sliding.
Also, consider the legs to the frame. If they are not stable, they could contribute to the sliding of the mattress. It is especially so when they are made of wood and are on top of a slippery surface.
Now that you have considered the possible reasons behind this movement, it is time to tackle the problem. Here is what you can do: Holding a Mattress in Place, Keeping a Mattress Topper in Place, Holding a Bed Frame in Place.
How To Keep A Mattress From Sliding
- Holding a Mattress in Place
Using PVC
Suppose your mattress moves around a lot, it could be as a result of no or reduced friction. You can fix this by using a non-slip mattress pad. Place the material between the mattress and the bed frame. Getting a pad should not be a difficult task, as they are readily available in many stores. You can get one made of PVC and get the right fit for your bed frame. In this way, you can get something that works with your mattress. Slide it between the two surfaces and see if it works.
Where you are unable to get a pad that works with the size of your mattress, you can combine two pads. All you have to do is ensure that there is no space left and you will be okay.
You may have concerns as to how the use of a pad would affect the comfort level of the mattress. However, this should not be a cause for worry. The rubber surfaces are available in thin strips such that you can barely tell that they are in play. You thus will not interfere with the luxurious feeling of the mattress.
Use Rubber Matting
In some cases, you could find that the use of a rubber mat could be less costly as compared to the PVC. However, it will depend on the brand in play. Some options work for both area rugs and mattresses. Thus, they may lie in the same price range as the PVC. Shopping around will help you get the best deal in the market.
Once you find something that works for you, get it in a size that can fit under your mattress. Where the mat is larger than the frame, be sure to trim it such that it fits easily under the mattress.
Use Velcro Strips
If you want to solve the problem without incurring substantial costs, Velcro strips are the way to go. Get the ones with Velcro on one side and adhesive on the other side. Ensure that the pieces are long such that they can cover the width of your bed frame with ease. Proceed to cut the strips such that they can fit the frame as well as the mattress. Now stick them under the mattress while adding opposing pieces to the bed frame. Gauge the distances such that when you place the mattress on the frame, the strips can align. The alignment will hold the mattress in place.
When doing the placement, ensure that you get the loop and hook parts of the strips on opposite sides. If you do not do this, the pieces will not stick, and you will have to start from the beginning. Also, where you cannot find Velcro strips, you can make do with double-sided carpet tape. Follow the instructions as they are, and the mattress will stay in place.
Use a Wedge
Sometimes, a mattress moves a lot owing to a space between the sides of the frame and the mattress. You can solve this problem through the use of a wedge. Place a towel or other soft material in the space and see how it feels. The material should be soft such that you do not get injured while on the bed, and the mattress does not get damaged.
Note that this is not a permanent fix to the problem as you will often have to adjust the material. It is, therefore, best to get a solution that can work through the seasons.
Change the Bed Frame
Where the sliding owes from a space between the bed frame and the mattress, your best bet lies in using a tighter frame. If the frame is way larger than the mattress or the sides are short such that they cannot hold the mattress in place, consider the use of a new frame.
When doing so, go for one with a footboard and a headboard. With these two in play, it is highly unlikely that the mattress would slide.
Use a One-Sided Mattress
If you have tried the above methods and none of them seem to work, you can switch to a one-sided mattress. When doing so, get one with a flat slide that has a grip on the frame and a sleeping side. They are much more comfortable as the upper side features maximum comfort. Thus, you will keep the mattress from sliding and get an upgrade with one purchase. - Keeping a Mattress Topper in Place
If your mattress topper does not stay in place, you can fix this by having a tight sheet over it. When the sheets are loose, the topper is more likely to come off and cause you discomfort. Alternatively, you could use straps or sheet suspenders to hold the sheet as well as the topper in place. Ensure that you clip the straps to the corners at the bottom of the sheet. In this way, they form an X under the mattress.
If you do not wish to incur a lot of costs in this exercise, you can hold the topper in place with some safety pins. Have at least five pins on each side as this will help in the distribution of pressure. It will also aid you in securing the topper.
Additionally, you can use a spray adhesive or duct tape to keep the topper in place. For the tape, focus on the corners on the edges and hold them down. When using the spray, have it all over the back of the topper and stick it onto the mattress. After this, use a tight sheet. Note that the use of tape and adhesive will result in the formation of a residue. - Holding a Bed Frame in Place
Where the bed frame keeps slipping, the chances are high that the surface underneath is slippery. Thus, you should place an area rug under the frame, ensuring that it is a bit bigger than the bed covers. You could also use non-skid furniture feet under the legs where you wish to do without the rug.
With these measures in place, you can look forward to a good night’s sleep.
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