How to Make Your Mattress Softer 101

There’s a lot of pressure when buying a mattress these days. Both websites and salespeople will constantly ask if you’re a back-, stomach-, or side-sleeper and if you prefer foam, latex, or box springs. On top of that you are also supposed to know if you want a firm, medium, or soft mattress. When did it all get so complicated? With so many options available to consumers, it comes as no surprise that many will choose a mattress that is a bit too firm for their liking. What should you do at this point? Return it or put it in the guest bedroom and forget about it? Well, you may be interested to know that there are some common tips and tweaks in order to make your mattress a bit softer. So, before you send your new mattress packing, let’s go through a few of these and see if we can still get that perfect level of firmness after all.

Sleep on It

We don’t mean to sound patronizing, but often the best way to break in your new mattress is to just use it for a few weeks. One of the reasons why so many companies offer a sleep trial is because they know that it takes a while for a person to get used to a new mattress. If you purchased a memory foam mattress like the Emma Original, then the memory foam will respond to your body’s weight and heat, making the bed a little softer after the initial unboxing. There’s no need to do anything extreme like jumping or cannonballing on the mattress, just have a little patience. If, after a few weeks of sleeping on it, you still aren’t satisfied, then move on to the next few options below.

Check it Out: Foundation

Take a look at the type of bed frame you currently have. Usually foundations come in two varieties: solid platform or slatted. Solid platforms normally make the mattress firmer, while slatted foundations can make it a bit softer or at least not any firmer than it was before. If you have a solid platform frame, you might want to consider switching to a slatted frame if possible, especially if you are already considering updating your bed frame. Remember that the center of the frame should also be supported to prevent the mattress from sagging in the middle.

Top it Off

A mattress topper can also be very useful in making your new mattress softer. It is also a great alternative to going out and buying another mattress or sending your current one back. Some mattress companies like Emma will offer a mattress topper to their customers during the trial period in order to help with the adjustment period. Often times new mattress adopters won’t even need the topper after they have gotten used to the new bed. Mattress toppers are thin pieces of quality memory foam that come in a variety of firmness levels. We suggest talking to a customer service representative in order to make sure you get a topper that suits your needs in making the mattress softer, since there are toppers that can make it firmer.

Heat it Up

Like we discussed before in the “Sleep on It” section, memory foam mattresses are sensitive to heat and can soften a bit when molding to the contours of your body. Another trick you can use is to turn up the heat setting in your bedroom so that the mattress softens a bit before you lay down. This option will be especially appealing in the winter since we are already blasting our radiators during those cold, frosty days.

Flip it, Turn it, Rotate it

If you have an older mattress, flipping and rotating might be an option for you. Newer mattresses often don’t need to be rotated or flipped since the foam layers are placed in a specific order. Older mattress (depending on the materials), however, are supposed to be moved regularly to avoid one side becoming too hard or soft. A good rule of thumb is to flip and rotate twice a year.

Play it Safe

If all else fails, check to see if your new mattress purchase comes with a trial period. Not every mattress will be a match made in heaven, so don’t feel bad for having to return one if it doesn’t work out. If you are hesitant about trying out a specific mattress then look for offers like Emma’s 200-night trial. This would give you plenty of time to figure out if the mattress is right for you.

And there you have it, six ways to help make your mattress a bit softer if it’s too firm for your taste. We hope these tips helped you in finding a good solution for your stiff bed woes. Once again, remember that if you purchased a new mattress, the adjustment period can take a few months before your body grows accustomed to the new bed. We will keep our fingers crossed and wish that you start getting the amazing sleep you deserve.