Quick Answer: The most effective way to make a firm mattress softer is to add a 2 to 4 inch memory foam or latex mattress topper ($80 to $250). If your mattress is new, give it 30 to 60 days to break in before making changes. You can also try warming the room (memory foam softens in warmer temperatures), switching to a slatted frame with flex slats, or using the mattress brand's comfort adjustment option (Novosbed and Juno both offer free softening toppers if their mattresses feel too firm). If none of these fixes work, you may need a softer replacement mattress.
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Wait for the Break-In Period First
If your mattress is new (purchased within the last 60 days), it may not have fully broken in yet. This is especially true for bed-in-a-box mattresses that arrive compressed.
A new mattress needs 30 to 60 days of regular use to reach its intended firmness level. High-density memory foam can take the longest to soften because the dense cell structure needs time and body heat to relax. During this period, the foam gradually responds to your body weight and sleeping position, becoming noticeably softer in the areas where you apply the most pressure.
| Mattress Type | Break-In Period | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Memory foam | 3-6 weeks | Starts firm, softens gradually as foam cells relax |
| Hybrid | 2-4 weeks | Coils are consistent; foam comfort layer softens |
| Latex | 2-4 weeks | Less dramatic change; latex is more consistent from day one |
| Innerspring | 1-2 weeks | Coils flex quickly; minimal break-in needed |
Speed Up the Break-In Process
You can accelerate the break-in by gently walking or crawling on the mattress surface for 10 to 15 minutes each day. This applies pressure across the entire surface, helping the foam cells relax faster than sleeping in one position. Focus on the areas that feel firmest. This technique is recommended by several mattress manufacturers and typically cuts the break-in period by 1 to 2 weeks.
Add a Mattress Topper (Best Solution)
A mattress topper is the most effective and cost-efficient way to soften a firm mattress. It adds a cushioning layer between your body and the firm mattress surface without altering the mattress itself.
Dorothy, Sleep Specialist: "A lot of people come in thinking they need a new mattress when really a good topper would solve the problem. If your mattress is less than five years old and there is no sag, a 2 to 3 inch memory foam or latex topper can change the feel completely. We keep toppers in stock and you are welcome to feel the different densities before you buy one."
Memory Foam Topper (2-4 inches)
Best for: Maximum softening effect. A 3 to 4 inch memory foam topper transforms a firm mattress into a medium or medium-soft feel. The topper absorbs pressure at your shoulders and hips while the firm mattress underneath provides structural support. Cost: $100 to $250 for a Queen.
Latex Topper (2-3 inches)
Best for: Softening without the "sinking" feeling of memory foam. Latex is more responsive, so you feel cushioned but not trapped. Natural latex toppers also sleep cooler than memory foam. Cost: $150 to $350 for a Queen.
Feather/Down Topper (2-3 inches)
Best for: A plush, hotel-like feel. Down toppers create a soft surface layer but provide minimal support. They work best as comfort enhancement on a mattress that already has good support but just feels too hard on the surface. Cost: $100 to $300 for a Queen.
| Topper Type | Softening Effect | Cost (Queen) | Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory foam 3-4" | High | $100-$250 | Can sleep warm; slow response time |
| Memory foam 2" | Moderate | $80-$150 | May not be enough for a very firm mattress |
| Latex 2-3" | Moderate | $150-$350 | Higher cost; heavier to handle |
| Feather/down 2-3" | Surface only | $100-$300 | Compresses over time; needs fluffing; allergen potential |
Use Temperature to Your Advantage
Memory foam is temperature-sensitive by design. It was engineered to soften in response to body heat. This property means that room temperature directly affects how firm or soft a memory foam mattress feels.
A cooler room makes memory foam firmer. A warmer room makes it softer.
If your memory foam mattress feels too firm, try increasing the room temperature by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius. In Canadian winters, bedrooms can drop to 15 to 16 degrees, which makes memory foam noticeably harder. Setting the thermostat to 20 degrees for the bedroom can make the mattress feel softer without any other changes.
Alternatively, use a heated mattress pad for the first 15 to 20 minutes before bed. This pre-warms the foam surface, making it softer when you lie down. Turn off the heated pad before falling asleep to avoid overheating during the night.
Sleep Science: Temperature and Foam Firmness
Memory foam (viscoelastic polyurethane) has a glass transition temperature range where its behaviour changes from rigid to pliable. At typical body temperature (37 degrees Celsius), the foam softens and conforms. Below 18 degrees Celsius, the foam becomes noticeably firmer. This is why the same mattress can feel different in a cold bedroom versus a warm one. Latex and hybrid mattresses are much less affected by temperature changes.
Check Your Bed Foundation
Your bed foundation affects how firm the mattress feels. A rigid surface makes a mattress feel firmer. A flexible surface adds give.
Solid platform or box spring: These create the firmest base. The mattress has no flex underneath and all pressure goes directly into the firm foam layers.
Rigid slat frame: Flat wooden slats provide a firm base similar to a platform, but with slightly more ventilation. The firmness is comparable.
Flex slat frame (curved slats): Curved or sprung slats flex under pressure, adding a slight give that makes the overall sleeping surface feel softer. If your mattress is on a rigid base, switching to a flex slat frame can reduce the perceived firmness by roughly half a point on a 10-point firmness scale. Cost: $100 to $300 for a Queen frame.
Adjustable base: An adjustable base changes the angle of the mattress, which redistributes pressure. Elevating the head and knees slightly (the "zero gravity" position) can reduce pressure on the lower back and make a firm mattress feel more comfortable without actually softening it.
Rotate or Flip the Mattress
If your mattress is more than 6 months old, rotating it 180 degrees (head to foot) redistributes wear. The areas under your heaviest body parts (hips and shoulders) have been compressed more than the rest of the mattress. Rotating puts your heavy zones on fresher, more resilient foam that has not been compressed as much.
For double-sided (flippable) mattresses: Flip the mattress over. Some double-sided mattresses have different firmness levels on each side. The side you are sleeping on may be the firmer option.
For single-sided mattresses: Do not flip. Single-sided mattresses have a support base on the bottom that is not designed for sleeping. Only rotate head to foot.
Brand-Specific Comfort Adjustments
Several Canadian mattress brands offer built-in softening options if their mattress feels too firm.
| Brand | Softening Option | Cost | How to Get It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novosbed | Comfort+ kit (foam topper insert) | Free | Contact Novosbed; they ship a topper that zips into the mattress cover |
| Juno | Free foam topper | Free | Contact Juno customer service; they send a softening topper |
| Logan and Cove | Exchange for different firmness | Free | Choose Medium or Luxury Firm; exchange within 365-night trial |
| Douglas | Full return and replacement | Free | 365-night trial; return for refund if too firm |
| Endy | Full return and replacement | Free | 365-night trial; return for refund if too firm |
Check Before You Buy a Topper
If your mattress is still within its trial period, contact the brand first. Getting a free softening topper (Novosbed, Juno) or exchanging for a softer firmness (Logan and Cove) saves you the cost of buying a separate topper. Only invest in a third-party topper if the mattress brand cannot accommodate your firmness preference.
Use a Body Pillow for Pressure Relief
A body pillow does not soften the mattress, but it reduces the pressure your body experiences on a firm surface. Side sleepers benefit the most: placing a body pillow between your knees aligns the hips and reduces pressure on the lower hip that is bearing your weight against the firm mattress.
For back sleepers, a pillow under the knees creates a slight bend that takes pressure off the lower back. This makes a firm mattress feel more comfortable without changing its actual firmness.
When Softening Is Not Enough
Sometimes a mattress is genuinely too firm for your body type and sleep position, and no accessory can adequately compensate. Here are the signs that you need a softer replacement rather than a fix.
- You weigh under 130 lbs and sleep on your side. Lighter side sleepers need a mattress rated 4 to 5 on the firmness scale to achieve proper shoulder and hip pressure relief. A mattress rated 7+ will feel like sleeping on a board, and a topper can only reduce firmness by 1 to 2 points.
- You have tried a 3-inch topper and still feel pressure. If a thick topper does not resolve pressure point pain, the underlying mattress is providing too much resistance for your body weight.
- The mattress has passed the break-in period (60+ days) and the brand has no softening option. The mattress has reached its permanent firmness level and will not get noticeably softer with more use.
- You wake up with numbness or tingling. This indicates that the mattress is creating pressure that restricts blood flow, usually at the shoulder or hip. This is a sign the mattress is too firm for your body weight and sleep position.
Firm Mattress Help in Brantford
Brantford and Brant County
If your mattress is too firm and you are not sure whether a topper or a replacement is the right solution, visit Mattress Miracle at 441 1/2 West St, Brantford. We can assess your current mattress, recommend topper options, and let you test softer mattresses in our showroom. We carry mattresses across the firmness spectrum, and our team can match you with the right level for your body type and sleep position. Family-owned since 1987.
Need to soften your mattress? Mattress Miracle at 441½ West Street in Brantford carries mattress toppers, protectors, and a full range of mattresses if a topper is not enough. Dorothy or Talia can help you figure out whether a topper will fix the problem or whether it is time for a replacement. Call (519) 770-0001.
Shop: Firm Mattresses at Mattress Miracle
Shop This Topic at Mattress Miracle
Here are the firm mattresses we carry at Mattress Miracle:
- Sentora Ultra Firm Mattress
- Spinal Rest Firm Mattress
- Sydney TT Firm Euro Top Mattress
- High Density Firm Mattress
Or firm mattresses in our Brantford showroom.
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1987. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make my firm mattress softer without buying a new one?
The most effective method is adding a 2 to 4 inch memory foam or latex mattress topper ($80 to $250). Other options include warming the room to soften memory foam, switching to a flex slat bed frame, using a heated mattress pad to pre-warm the surface, and placing a body pillow between your knees for pressure relief. If the mattress is new, wait 30 to 60 days for the break-in period before making changes.
How long does it take for a new mattress to soften?
Most new mattresses take 30 to 60 days to break in fully. Memory foam takes the longest (3 to 6 weeks) because high-density foam needs body heat and pressure to relax the cell structure. Hybrids and latex take 2 to 4 weeks. You can accelerate the process by gently walking on the mattress for 10 to 15 minutes daily and keeping the room at 20 degrees Celsius or warmer.
Will a mattress topper make a firm mattress feel softer?
Yes. A 2-inch topper reduces perceived firmness by approximately 1 point on a 10-point scale. A 3 to 4 inch topper reduces it by 1.5 to 2 points. Memory foam toppers provide the most dramatic softening, while latex toppers provide moderate softening with more bounce. For a very firm mattress (8 or 9 out of 10), a 3 to 4 inch memory foam topper is recommended to achieve a meaningful change in feel.
Does room temperature affect mattress firmness?
Yes, for memory foam mattresses. Memory foam softens when warm and firms up when cold. A bedroom at 16 degrees Celsius will make a memory foam mattress feel noticeably firmer than the same mattress at 21 degrees. In Canadian winters, this temperature sensitivity is a common reason why a mattress that felt fine in summer suddenly feels too firm. Increasing your bedroom temperature by 2 to 3 degrees can help. Latex and innerspring mattresses are not significantly affected by temperature.
Can I exchange my mattress for a softer one?
If your mattress is within its trial period, most Canadian bed-in-a-box brands offer free returns. Some brands (Logan and Cove, Novosbed) offer firmness exchanges or comfort adjustment kits at no extra cost. Contact the brand directly to discuss your options before the trial period ends. If you purchased from a physical store, check the store's exchange policy, as many retailers offer one-time comfort exchanges within 30 to 90 days of purchase.
Sources
- Sleep Foundation. "How to Make a Mattress Softer." sleepfoundation.org. Accessed February 2026.
- Helix Sleep. "How to Break in a New Mattress." helixsleep.com. Accessed February 2026.
- Kovacs, F.M. et al. "Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain." The Lancet, vol. 362, no. 9396, pp. 1599-1604 (2003).
- Radwan, A. et al. "Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment." Sleep Health, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 257-267 (2015).
Is Your Mattress Too Firm?
Mattress Miracle can help you find the right softening solution, whether that is a topper, a comfort exchange, or a new mattress matched to your body type.
Visit us at 441 1/2 West St, Brantford, ON or call for personalized firmness advice.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441½ West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle — 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON — (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 12pm–4pm.
Not sure if your firm mattress needs a topper or a full replacement? Come to the showroom and describe how it feels. Dorothy can recommend the right topper density or show you mattresses with softer comfort layers.