Quick Answer: Fixing a Mattress That Feels Too Firm or Too Soft
If your mattress is too firm, add a soft topper (memory foam or latex, 2 to 4 inches thick) to create a comfort layer without replacing the mattress. If your mattress is too soft, try a firm topper, place a plywood board under the mattress, or check whether your foundation is sagging. Give a new mattress 30 to 90 days to break in before making changes. Most comfort issues have affordable solutions that extend the life of your mattress rather than requiring a replacement.
Table of Contents
Diagnosing the Problem: Firm vs Soft Issues
Before you fix anything, confirm what the actual problem is. Comfort issues that feel like firmness or softness can sometimes have other root causes.
Signs Your Mattress Is Too Firm
- You feel pressure points at your shoulders, hips, or knees when lying on your side
- You wake up with numbness, tingling, or soreness in contact areas
- You toss and turn frequently trying to find a comfortable position
- Your spine feels straight rather than maintaining its natural curve when lying on your side
- You sleep better on softer surfaces (hotel beds, couches, guest beds)
Signs Your Mattress Is Too Soft
- You wake up with lower back pain that improves after standing and moving
- You feel like you are sinking into the mattress with difficulty changing positions
- Your hips sink deeper than your shoulders when lying on your side
- You roll toward the centre of the bed or toward your partner
- Getting out of bed requires extra effort because you have to climb out of a body impression
The Alignment Test
Have someone take a photo of you lying on your side on the mattress. Your spine should form a roughly straight horizontal line from your neck through your lower back. If your hips sag below the line, the mattress is too soft. If your hips are pushed up above the line (and your shoulders are compressed), the mattress is too firm. This simple visual test is more reliable than subjective comfort impressions, especially during the first few weeks with a new mattress when your body has not yet adapted.
Other Issues That Mimic Firmness or Softness
- Wrong pillow: A pillow that is too thin or too thick throws off spinal alignment regardless of mattress firmness. Before changing the mattress, try a different pillow
- Sagging foundation: A box spring or platform with bent slats can make a good mattress feel uneven or too soft in specific areas. Check the foundation before blaming the mattress
- Temperature issues: Sleeping hot can make a mattress feel more firm (you are not sinking in because heat-activated foam has not softened yet) or more soft (over-softening as the foam heats up). This is a temperature problem, not a firmness problem
Fixes for a Mattress That Is Too Firm
1. Add a Mattress Topper
The most effective and popular solution. A mattress topper adds a comfort layer on top of your existing mattress, reducing surface firmness while keeping the support structure underneath.
- Memory foam topper (2 to 4 inches): Best for pressure relief. Conforms closely to body shape. Choose 3-pound density or higher for durability. A 3-inch memory foam topper transforms a firm mattress into a medium-feel surface. Price: $100 to $300 CAD for a queen
- Latex topper (2 to 3 inches): Offers pressure relief with more bounce and breathability than memory foam. Good for people who sleep hot or change positions frequently. Price: $200 to $500 CAD for a queen
- Down or down-alternative topper (2 to 4 inches): Softest option. Creates a plush sleeping surface. Less durable than foam options and can flatten over time. Price: $80 to $250 CAD for a queen
- Wool topper (1 to 3 inches): Natural temperature regulation and moderate softening. Good for people who want slight softening without a dramatic change. Price: $150 to $400 CAD for a queen
Choosing Topper Thickness
The right topper thickness depends on how much you need to change the feel. If the mattress is slightly too firm, a 2-inch topper is usually sufficient. If it is significantly too firm, go with 3 to 4 inches. Thicker is not always better, as a very thick topper on a firm base can create a "hammock" effect where your body sinks through the soft layer and hits the firm mattress underneath, resulting in an inconsistent feel. For most people, 3 inches is the sweet spot.
2. Give It Time
New mattresses need 30 to 90 days to break in. Foam layers soften with use, coils adjust to body weight patterns, and your body adapts to the new surface. A mattress that feels too firm in week one may feel perfect by week six. See the break-in section below for details.
3. Adjust Room Temperature
Memory foam and some polyurethane foams are temperature-sensitive. They soften in warmer conditions and firm up in cooler ones. If your mattress feels too firm, try raising the bedroom temperature slightly (to 20 to 22 degrees Celsius) or using a heated mattress pad. This is especially effective in Canadian winters when bedrooms can get cold.
4. Check Your Foundation
A solid platform or rigid slatted base makes any mattress feel firmer. If your foundation has no give, switching to a box spring with slight flex can soften the overall feel. Some slatted bases allow you to adjust slat firmness by changing their spacing or position.
Fixes for a Mattress That Is Too Soft
1. Add a Firm Topper
A firm latex or high-density foam topper placed on top of a soft mattress adds a supportive layer that prevents excessive sinking. Choose a firm-rated topper with a density of 4 pounds or higher for polyurethane, or a firm ILD (36+) for latex.
2. Plywood Board
Placing a thin plywood board (1/2 to 3/4 inch thick) between the mattress and the foundation adds rigidity to the sleep surface. Cut the board to match your mattress dimensions. This eliminates foundation flex and prevents the mattress from sagging into the foundation. Cost: under $30 at any hardware store. This is an old technique but it works.
3. Replace the Foundation
If your box spring is worn out, its springs may have lost tension, making the mattress feel softer than it should. A new foundation (box spring, bunky board, or platform) can restore proper support. This is often the real fix when a mattress gradually becomes too soft over months or years.
4. Flip or Rotate
If your mattress is flippable (same comfort level on both sides), flip it over. The side you have not been sleeping on is firmer because it has not been compressed by your body weight. If the mattress is one-sided (most modern mattresses are), rotate it 180 degrees so your feet are where your head was. This puts you on a less-worn section of the foam.
The Two-Sided Approach
If your mattress is slightly too soft in some areas and fine in others, the problem may be localized foam degradation rather than overall softness. Rotating the mattress redistributes weight to less-worn areas. If the mattress has a noticeable body impression deeper than 3 centimetres, foam degradation is the likely cause, and no fix short of replacement will fully resolve it.
5. Remove the Topper
If you are using a soft topper on a medium mattress, the combined effect may be too soft. Remove the topper and try the mattress alone. You may find the base mattress provides exactly the right firmness without the added soft layer.
The Break-In Period: When to Wait
New mattresses need time to reach their intended firmness level. Do not judge (or try to fix) a new mattress before the break-in period is complete:
Memory Foam: 30 to 60 Days
Memory foam starts firmer than its rated feel and softens as the cellular structure breaks in. Body heat and weight gradually open the foam cells. The first 2 weeks show the most dramatic change, with continued subtle softening through day 60.
Latex: 14 to 30 Days
Natural latex softens less dramatically than memory foam. The initial break-in period is shorter, and the long-term firmness remains closer to the out-of-box feel. Latex reaches its settled firmness within about a month.
Hybrid and Innerspring: 30 to 90 Days
Coil systems need time for the metal to settle into its working tension. Combined with foam comfort layer break-in, hybrids can take up to 90 days to reach their final feel. The coil unit often softens slightly over the first month.
Bed-in-a-Box: Add 3 to 7 Days
Compressed mattresses need additional time to fully expand beyond normal break-in. While most achieve their stated dimensions within 24 to 48 hours, the foam cell structure takes longer to recover from prolonged compression. Add about a week to the normal break-in timeline for compressed mattresses.
When Fixes Will Not Work and Replacement Is Needed
Some comfort issues cannot be solved with toppers or adjustments:
- Body impressions deeper than 4 centimetres: The foam has permanently deformed and will not recover. No topper can fix the underlying depression
- Broken or protruding coils: Structural failure requires replacement. A broken coil can also poke through comfort layers and become a safety issue
- Mattress is more than 10 years old: Materials degrade with age regardless of visible condition. Foam loses its resilience, coils fatigue, and comfort layers compress permanently
- Persistent back pain despite trying fixes: If you have tried toppers, foundation changes, and pillow adjustments and still wake up in pain, the mattress may simply be wrong for your body type and sleeping position
- Odour, staining, or hygiene concerns: If the mattress has significant staining, persistent odour, or hygiene issues that cleaning cannot resolve, replacement is the healthiest choice
Try Before You Decide to Replace
Before spending on a new mattress, visit Mattress Miracle at 441 1/2 West Street, Brantford to try different firmness levels. Bring your pillow and lie in your usual sleeping position for at least 10 minutes on each mattress. We can also recommend specific toppers or adjustments that might fix your current mattress for a fraction of the replacement cost. Call (519) 304-8543 or visit any day of the week.
Preventing Future Comfort Issues
- Test in-store: Spend at least 10 minutes on any mattress before buying. What feels good for 30 seconds may not work for a full night
- Match firmness to sleeping position: Side sleepers generally need medium to medium-soft. Back sleepers need medium to medium-firm. Stomach sleepers need firm. Combination sleepers need medium
- Consider your weight: Heavier sleepers (above 100 kilograms) need firmer mattresses to prevent excessive sinking. Lighter sleepers (under 60 kilograms) need softer mattresses to allow adequate contouring
- Use a proper foundation: The right foundation maintains mattress performance and extends its lifespan
- Rotate regularly: Rotate your mattress 180 degrees every 3 to 6 months to distribute wear evenly
- Use a mattress protector: Protects against moisture damage that can accelerate foam degradation
Shop: Shop Our Mattress Collection
Shop This Topic at Mattress Miracle
Popular picks at Mattress Miracle:
- Restonic ComfortCare Dalton & Albany pocketed-coil mattress
- Whitney flippable mattress
- Somnia 3.0 pillow
Or shop our mattress collection 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 1997. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
Will a topper make my mattress sleep hotter?
It depends on the topper material. Memory foam toppers can trap heat because they conform closely and restrict airflow. Gel-infused memory foam and open-cell foam toppers sleep cooler. Latex toppers are naturally breathable. Wool toppers regulate temperature in both directions (cooling in summer, warming in winter). If you already sleep hot, choose latex or wool over standard memory foam.
Can I return a mattress that feels too firm or too soft?
Most mattress retailers offer comfort guarantees or exchange periods (30 to 120 days). Some require a minimum break-in period (usually 30 days) before processing a return or exchange. Online bed-in-a-box companies typically offer 100 to 365 night trials. Check the return policy before purchasing and understand any restocking fees or return shipping charges.
Does body weight affect how firm a mattress feels?
Significantly. The same mattress feels firmer to a 55-kilogram person than to a 100-kilogram person because heavier sleepers compress the foam and coils more, reaching deeper (typically firmer) support layers. This is why mattress firmness ratings are subjective and why testing in-store with your actual body is the only reliable way to assess comfort. Most mattress firmness guides use 70 to 80 kilograms as their reference point.
Should I flip my mattress to change firmness?
Only if it is designed to be flipped (dual-sided). Most modern mattresses are one-sided with comfort layers on top and support layers on the bottom. Flipping a one-sided mattress means sleeping on the support base, which will be uncomfortably hard and not designed for body contact. Check the manufacturer label or documentation to confirm whether your mattress is flippable.
How much does a good mattress topper cost in Canada?
For a queen-size topper: basic memory foam runs $80 to $150. Quality memory foam (3+ pound density) costs $150 to $300. Natural latex toppers cost $200 to $500. Wool toppers cost $150 to $400. Down and down-alternative toppers cost $80 to $250. The most durable option per dollar is typically a quality latex topper, which lasts 5 to 8 years compared to 3 to 5 years for memory foam.
Sources
- Jacobson, B.H., et al. (2010). Effectiveness of a selected bedding system on quality of sleep, low back pain, shoulder pain, and spine stiffness. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 9(4), 184-189.
- Radwan, A., et al. (2015). Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment. Sleep Health, 1(4), 257-267.
- International Sleep Products Association. (2024). Mattress care and maintenance guidelines. ISPA.
- Canadian Chiropractic Association. (2024). Choosing the right mattress. CCA Patient Resources.
- Bader, G.G. & Engdal, S. (2000). The influence of bed firmness on sleep quality. Applied Ergonomics, 31(5), 487-497.
Find Your Perfect Firmness
Not sure if you need a fix or a replacement? Visit Mattress Miracle at 441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, ON to test different firmness levels and get honest advice about your options. We carry toppers, foundations, and full mattresses at every firmness level. Call (519) 304-8543 or visit any day of the week.
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.