Mattress Too Soft? Fix Solutions That Actually Work for Canadians

# When Your Mattress Feels Like a Hammock Instead of a Bed Sandra bought a plush mattress six months ago. It felt heavenly in the showroom-that soft, enveloping sensation seemed luxurious. Now she wakes up every morning with back pain. She sinks in too deep. Getting out of bed requires a strategic roll and push. Her husband jokes that they need ladders. She's not laughing. "I can't afford a new mattress," she told us. "There has to be a way to fix this one." There are ways. None are perfect. Some are temporary band-aids. But if you're stuck with a too-soft mattress, you have options. **Quick Answer:** To fix a too-soft mattress, place a firm mattress topper (latex or high-density foam), add a bunkie board or plywood between mattress and foundation, or place the mattress directly on the floor. For minor issues, try rotating the mattress or adding a supportive mattress pad. These fixes work temporarily but can't fully transform a soft mattress into a firm one. --- **Table of Contents:** - [Why Soft Mattresses Cause Problems](#why-soft-mattresses-cause-problems) - [The Foundation Fix: Adding Support from Below](#the-foundation-fix-adding-support-from-below) - [The Topper Fix: Adding Firmness from Above](#the-topper-fix-adding-firmness-from-above) - [Rotation and Position Adjustments](#rotation-and-position-adjustments) - [When to Accept Defeat and Replace](#when-to-accept-defeat-and-replace) - [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions) --- ## Why Soft Mattresses Cause Problems Softness isn't inherently bad. Some people need plush surfaces for pressure relief. But when a mattress is too soft for your body, specific problems emerge: **Spinal misalignment:** Your hips and shoulders are the heaviest parts. On a too-soft mattress, they sink while your midsection stays elevated. Your spine curves into a U-shape. This strains muscles and ligaments all night. The Canadian Chiropractic Association notes that proper spinal alignment during sleep means maintaining the natural curves of your spine-cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. Too-soft mattresses disrupt this. **Difficult movement:** You sink in and get stuck. Changing positions becomes a workout. This disrupts sleep as you struggle to find comfort. **Pressure redistribution failure:** Soft mattresses promise pressure relief, but too soft creates the opposite problem. Your body weight concentrates instead of distributing. You wake up with numbness or tingling. **Heat retention:** Sinking deep into foam reduces airflow around your body. You sleep hotter. Brad's observation: "The customers who struggle most with soft mattresses are stomach sleepers and heavier individuals. Stomach sleepers need support to prevent lower back arch. Heavier people simply overwhelm the comfort layers." --- ## The Foundation Fix: Adding Support from Below

Sometimes the problem isn't the mattress-it's what's under it. Or the solution is adding rigidity below. **The bunkie board solution:** A bunkie board is a thin, solid platform (typically 1-3 inches thick) that goes between your mattress and foundation. It creates a solid, non-flexing surface. - **Cost:** $50-150 - **Effect:** Prevents the mattress from flexing into a box spring, creating firmer feel - **Best for:** Mattresses on box springs that are too flexible **The plywood method:** A cheaper DIY version: place a sheet of plywood (or several narrower boards) between mattress and foundation. - **Cost:** $30-60 - **Effect:** Similar to bunkie board-creates solid, inflexible support - **Caution:** Can trap moisture; ensure some airflow Brad's advice on this: "It works, but it's not elegant. You're fighting the mattress design. If you need plywood to make your bed sleepable, you bought the wrong mattress." **Floor placement:** Placing the mattress directly on the floor eliminates all foundation flex. This is the firmest possible setup. - **Pros:** Maximum support, no cost - **Cons:** Reduced airflow (mold risk), harder to get in/out of bed, looks unfinished Dorothy warns: "I don't recommend long-term floor use. Moisture buildup is real, especially in Ontario's humid summers. If you do this, air out the mattress regularly and use a dehumidifier." --- ## The Topper Fix: Adding Firmness from Above This sounds backwards-adding a layer to make it firmer? But the right topper can change the feel significantly. **Firm latex topper:** Latex comes in various firmness levels. A firm latex topper (2-3 inches) provides a solid surface that doesn't let you sink through to the soft mattress below. - **Cost:** $150-300 - **Best thickness:** 2-3 inches - **Firmness:** Look for "firm" or "extra firm" ratings Talia has recommended this solution successfully. "Latex doesn't compress like foam. Even if the mattress below is soft, a firm latex topper creates a stable sleeping surface. It's not perfect, but it's the best topper option." **High-density foam topper:** Convoluted (egg-crate) or high-density polyurethane foam toppers can add some firmness. - **Cost:** $50-150 - **Limitations:** Less effective than latex; may just add another soft layer - **Best for:** Minor softness issues **What doesn't work:** - Featherbeds (add softness, not firmness) - Memory foam toppers (usually add softness/plushness) - Quilted cotton pads (minimal effect on firmness) --- ## Rotation and Position Adjustments

**Rotate the mattress:** If your mattress is newer, rotation might help. The center section (where you sleep) softens faster than the edges. Rotating 180 degrees moves your body to less-compressed foam. - Rotate every few weeks initially - Eventually the whole surface will soften, but rotation buys time **Sleep on a different area:** If you share a queen or king, try sleeping closer to the edge where the mattress is typically firmer. Not ideal, but a temporary workaround. **Check your foundation:** Sometimes the foundation is the problem: - Broken or worn box springs create sagging - Slats too far apart let the mattress sink between them - Old foundations lose structural integrity Replacing a failing foundation costs less than replacing a mattress and might solve the problem. --- ## When to Accept Defeat and Replace At some point, fixes become throwing good money after bad. **Replace when:** - The mattress is visibly sagging (not just soft, but actually compressed) - You've tried fixes and still wake up in pain - The mattress is over 7-8 years old - You're spending significant money on fixes ($200+ in toppers and boards) **The math:** A $150 topper on a $800 mattress you're going to replace anyway in a year is wasted money. Save it toward the replacement. Brad's honest take: "I'll sell you a topper if you want, but I'd rather sell you the right mattress. A topper on a too-soft mattress is a Band-Aid on a broken arm. It might help a little, but you're not fixing the core problem." **If you replace:** Learn from the mistake: - Firmness ratings are subjective-test thoroughly - Spend at least 15-20 minutes lying on a mattress before buying - Consider your sleep position (stomach sleepers need firmer) - Factor in body weight (heavier people need more support) - Understand return policies before purchasing The [ComfortCare Dalton Albany](/products/restonic-comfortcare-dalton-albany) and [Revive St. Charles Elizabeth](/products/restonic-revive-st-charles-elizabeth) offer firmer options with good support for those who've learned they need it. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions

**Can you make a soft mattress firmer?** You can improve it somewhat with foundation adjustments, firm toppers, or floor placement. But you can't fundamentally change the mattress construction. These are temporary fixes or partial improvements, not true solutions. **Will a firm mattress topper help a soft bed?** A firm latex topper can help by creating a more supportive surface layer. Standard foam toppers usually add softness, not firmness. Look specifically for "firm" or "extra firm" latex toppers, 2-3 inches thick. **Does putting plywood under mattress make it firmer?** Yes. Plywood (or a bunkie board) creates a solid, non-flexing surface. This prevents the mattress from sinking into a box spring or slats. The effect is a firmer, more supportive feel. However, it can trap moisture, so ensure ventilation. **Is it bad to sleep on a mattress that's too soft?** Long-term, yes. Chronic sleeping on an unsupportive surface can cause or worsen back pain, create muscle tension, and disrupt sleep quality. Short-term discomfort might be tolerable, but don't make it permanent. **How do I know if my mattress is too soft or if it's just worn out?** Worn out mattresses show visible sagging, lumps, or body impressions deeper than 1.5 inches. A too-soft (but not worn) mattress maintains its shape but simply doesn't provide enough support for your body. Worn mattresses need replacement; too-soft mattresses might be fixable or returnable. --- ## Related Reading - [Difference Between Plush and Firm Mattress](/blogs/mattress-guides/difference-between-plush-and-firm-mattress) - [Do Mattresses Soften Over Time?](/blogs/mattress-guides/do-mattresses-soften-over-time) - [Why Does My Mattress Sag in the Middle?](/blogs/mattress-guides/why-does-my-mattress-sag-middle) --- *A too-soft mattress is frustrating, especially when you can't return it. We can help you find temporary fixes or guide you toward a proper replacement. Visit Mattress Miracle at 441 1/2 West Street in Brantford, or call 519-770-0001. Brad, Dorothy, and Talia will give you honest advice-even if that advice is 'it's time for a new mattress.'*