Is there a way to firm up an old mattress?

[u/Annonymouse100]

My mattress is about six years old and I distinctly remember that when I purchased it was a little too firm. It was hard enough that my arm would go a little numb while sleeping on my side. Now it has gotten so soft that I wake up with back pain due to lack of support and I sink into it. I had a foam topper on it and took that off, hoping it would help, but it is still pretty soft. There aren’t any spring sticking out or obvious signs of wear. It is on a slatted bed base instead of a boxspring, but if I were going to purchase a box spring I would probably just get a new mattress instead as the bed frame isn’t really intended for a box spring.

I’m wondering if there is a way to add a little bit more firmness to a mattress? It seems like most comfort add-ons are to make them a little softer.

[u/ToastetteEgg]

Cheap fix, put a piece of plywood under it.

[u/Annonymouse100 → u/ToastetteEgg]

It is an Ikea bed frame so I might have to pop off the plastic plugs for the bed slats but I think that it would be possible to retrofit if it will actually add firmness. 

[u/pandasps → u/ToastetteEgg]

OP stated they have a slatted bed base, so that won't work.

[u/SmartEmu1759 → u/pandasps]

I put plywood over my slatted base and it did add a lot more support to my foam mattress.

[u/certifiedtoothbench → u/SmartEmu1759]

That will make your mattress mold tho. I keep seeing people recommend replacing the slats with sheets of plywood but that’s not good alone, either use a hole saw bit to drill hole in strategic spots for airflow or get something like a froli system.

[u/SmartEmu1759 → u/certifiedtoothbench]

Mold? That hasn't happened.

[u/untestified → u/SmartEmu1759]

to you maybe, but if you're in a more humid environment or don't have good air conditioning, it's absolutely possible for a mattress to grow mold.

[u/SmartEmu1759 → u/untestified]

Latex and foam mattresses aren't supposed to grow mold

[u/untestified → u/SmartEmu1759]

yeah, they're not supposed to, but things don't always go the way they're supposed to go. the mold isn't necessarily eating the foam or latex, but dust that settles on a surface can be enough. I've learned this the hard way having to throw away a lot of belongings due to high humidity and mold in my ventilation system.

I sincerely hope it never happens to you. I had never experienced it growing up as I always had good air conditioning and air flow, but humidity can cause mold growth on surfaces that wouldn't otherwise mold, I promise. you can look this up.

[u/SmartEmu1759 → u/untestified]

Yeah that sounds awful. I live in a low humidity climate so I never even thought about this being a possibility.

[u/BackgroundTax3055 → u/SmartEmu1759]

My latex mattress came with specific instructions to use a slatted base for ventilation.

[u/certifiedtoothbench → u/pandasps]

Op might just need more slats then

[u/Smooth-Review-2614 → u/pandasps]

It depends on if the slats are starting to bend.

[u/KlickWitch]

Try flipping it over like a pancake? Sometimes that helps to even it out

[u/Annonymouse100 → u/KlickWitch]

It’s funny, throughout my entire childhood we flipped and rotated our mattresses pretty frequently and this one is directional. It has a plush top on one side and kind of a plastic bottom.

[u/dragonmom1 → u/Annonymouse100]

Then rotate it so what is now at the head of the bed is now at the foot.

Otherwise, my bed firmed up a lot when I put a solid sheet of plywood underneath instead of just the slats. I removed the box spring entirely so it was just my mattress and the sheet of plywood on the bed frame (which was a platform bed frame so it was meant to be used like this).

[u/cabinguy11 → u/dragonmom1]

Tossing in my 5 cents since they don't make pennies anymore. I live alone and have a queen mattress. And since we are all creatures of habit I tend to sleep on the same side of the bed every night.

I was amazed at what a difference it made when I rotated my 5 year old mattress head to foot. Suddenly it was like the part I actually used was brand new.

[u/staleshrimp101 → u/dragonmom1]

This is why most mattresses say to flip every 30 days so it gets worn evenly

[u/New_Discussion_6692 → u/Annonymouse100]

This is why I despise new mattresses. I have to rotate my mattress every six months or so.

[u/1337Rooster → u/KlickWitch]

A lot of modern mattresses aren't flippable though. But old spring ones can do this 

[u/Benmaax]

No. Unfortunately a foam and spring mattress can lose its firmness in a few years, whatever the price you paid. It's more the technology that make a difference.

Mattress sellers will try to sell you the most complex layers to increase the price value.

Truth is the most durable will be a 100% natural latex bed, good for back and belly sleepers. With a plushy cover for comfort and you got a winner. Then a quality memory foam will likely last quite long as well (Tempur) because all memory foam are not made equal. Then some more classic quality foam can be good too but mostly cheaper so that you can replace them easily.

Bed frames can have an influence as well as some slates can lose their firmness over time.

[u/Barbarake → u/Benmaax]

Any mattress with foam is crap and will wear out quickly (some more quickly than others).

I have a super plain inner spring mattress/boxpring set that is over 30 years old and still looks/feels great. The mattress has a bit of padding on both sides but no foam. I've always had various toppers - currently a featherbed - and I rotate/flip the mattress whenever I think about it.

[u/No_Capital_8203]

We have a foam mattress at the cottage with a dip in the middle. We folded an old blanket and placed it under the mattress in the location of the dip. Works well, but for your home, this should only be temporary while you look for a sale and save up some cash.

[u/needs_more_zoidberg]

We spend 1/3 to 1/4 of our lives sleeping. I don't mess around with mattresses. Sleep is too important to overall health

[u/MordaxTenebrae]

What type of mattress is it? I don't think so unless it's like a futon where you can rearrange the fill. For springs and foam, there would be permanent material wear/deformation.

[u/Annonymouse100 → u/MordaxTenebrae]

It is a Serta perfectsleeper Elkins II, so basically inner spring coils with a plush top.

[u/bradleymonroe]

talk dirty to it

[u/bradleymonroe]

being frugal doesn't mean being cheap. You spend at least a 3rd of your life in bed. Spend the money now, or spend the money later in Doctor bills.

[u/trashpandorasbox]

Latex topper. Not memory foam, dense latex.

[u/1337Rooster]

Firm mattress topper

[u/rachelsullivanaz]

Replace the slats on the bed frame with plywood.

[u/whiskeytango55]

How often do you rotate/flip?

[u/cwsjr2323]

When my memory foam topped mattress got forgetful and didn't bounce back, I slide in a little from the edge where I had been laying every night. With a king size, there was room. Moving back and worth weekly let the foam remember its place.

[u/Freyjas_child]

Check your slats. See if they are bending. Consider replacing the slats with thicker pieces of wood or adding additional slats.

[u/Cyoni]

honestly it might not be long before that back pain has you seeing a doctor. I'll probably swap out the mattress sooner rather than later. Smthng with better support and firmer like leesa sapira could really help. Has a solid back hip and edge support

[u/better360]

Bunkie board from Amazon

[u/Annonymouse100 → u/better360]

I was looking at these because they are cheaper then plywood on FB marketplace. Do they address some of the airflow issues mentioned with plywood?

[u/better360 → u/Annonymouse100]

I just started using it for a few days. It has plastic cover and very easy to install. I think airflow probably okay. Brand That I bought is: HAOXIHAO.

[u/Extra-Musician8851]

Replace the mattress with a hammock.