How to Make a Mattress Softer

You can sometimes make a mattress softer by giving it time to break in, using a mattress topper, rotating the mattress, or applying pressure. But if your mattress was too firm to begin with or it’s past its prime, it might be time for a replacement.

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Laying down for a trip to dreamland should be a relaxing, cozy experience — the first step to rejuvenating after a long day. But if you’re tossing and turning on an uncomfortable slab of foam and springs that’s too firm, you might be wondering how to make a mattress softer. 

There are many steps you can take to hone your mattress’s plush potential. From honoring the break-in period to changing your bed base, you have options for making your sacred sleep space more comfortable. 

We’re breaking down nine of these options in this guide. From less labor-intensive strategies (like using a mattress topper) to solutions that might require some elbow grease (like flipping your mattress), we’re exploring some of the best options for people trying to soften up their mattresses. 

How Do You Know If Your Mattress Is Too Firm In the First Place? 

While you lie awake on an uncomfortable mattress hoping to slip into slumber, you might be thinking, “Maybe this mattress is just too firm to save.” 

In some cases, that might be true — especially if:

• Your mattress is aging – If you’ve been sleeping on the same mattress for many years, it should have softened up significantly. Since mattresses get softer with time, you might need to throw in the towel and find a replacement if you’ve given your bed multiple years to soften.¹

• You settled on a firmer mattress design – Whether you needed a mattress in a pinch (after a cross-country move, for instance) or you had to compromise with a partner who prefers a firmer bed, you simply may not have picked the right mattress that best matches your needs.

If all of the strategies for softening described below don’t make a dent in your stubborn, stiff sleep surface, it might be time to consider a replacement mattress.

9 Tips to Make Your Mattress Softer

With the above in mind, let’s dive into how to make a mattress softer. The nine strategies below could help you unlock your mattress’s plush qualities — and help you sink into a blissful, better sleep.

Give It Time to Break In 

Mattresses soften up as they age.¹ However, they also soften up as they settle during their first few weeks on your frame. 

So, if you’re not sleeping soundly on a new mattress just yet, pack your patience. It could take time for your mattress to reach peak plushness. 

How long should you wait? How do you break in a mattress properly? What should you do in the meantime to support the break-in process? If you’re waiting for the mattress magic to kick in, remember to:

• Check the manufacturer’s break-in time – Whether you purchased a mattress in a box or a traditional bed from a big box store, the manufacturer will offer specific instructions for the break-in period — including a standard schedule. We’ll explore the Casper mattress break-in schedule below.

• Explore additional tips from your manufacturer – Your specific manufacturer may have included specific break-in instructions for your mattress. Whether you need to wait multiple days before sleeping on your new bed or rotate it once a week in the early days, follow your brand’s instructions to the letter to curate the perfect sleep surface.

At Casper, our break-in times vary based on the mattress model. While you should check the instructions that came in the box, here’s a list of standard break-in times based on your mattress type:

• Memory foam mattresses – 60 days
• Spring mattresses – 30 days
• Latex mattresses – 2-14 days
• Hybrid mattresses – 30-90 days

Apply Pressure to Speed Up Softening 

As you break in your mattress, your body weight can help materials shift into place and settle into their final positions (especially if you purchased a mattress in a box). So, to speed up the break-in process and potentially make your mattress softer, consider applying weight when you’re not sleeping.

To add weight to your bed, place heavy items on the mattress while you’re not using it. Lay down a drop cloth, then add items like:

• Armchairs and other furniture items
• Luggage or storage totes
• Spare cinder blocks or pieces of lumber

While this may not be the most practical solution, it could help a firmer mattress release, aerate, and wiggle into its final, plush form faster.

Use a Mattress Topper 

Whether you’ve already finished the break-in period or you’re still waiting for your mattress to settle, consider adding a comfy mattress topper to boost overall comfort and softness. 

Mattress toppers are designed to:

• Add bulk – Mattress toppers are typically multiple inches thick, adding another layer of plushness on top of your base. 

• Adjust comfort – Whether your mattress is too soft or too firm, a mattress topper can significantly change the feel of your mattress in either direction. However, its specific effect will depend on the design and the materials used to make it. 

Both of these effects can help you get through the break-in period or adjust a mattress that’s still firmer than you’d like it to be after the break-in. Learn more about the benefits of a mattress topper in our blog.

Warm Up the Mattress 

Depending on the materials used in your mattress, it could be responding to the temperature in your room. Memory foam, in particular, is very temperature-responsive — it’s firmer in cold, dry rooms and softer in warm, more humid spaces.²

This is why memory foam mattresses hug the body so snugly during sleep. The foam responds to your body temperature, making it more pliable and plush while we’re laying on it.

Other mattress materials (like latex and springs) aren’t as temperature responsive as memory foam, but they can soften up in response to heat, too. 

What does all of this mean, practically speaking? If you’re trying to make your mattress softer, consider:

• Increasing your room temperature – Bump up the thermostat for a few nights to see if a warmer room improves your plushness.

• Increasing your body temperature – If you’re used to sleeping cold — under very breathable bed sheets or in thin pajamas — try to amp up your snuggle factor. Add a fluffy blanket to the rotation, wear warmer PJs, or cuddle with a pet to see if increasing your body temperature softens up your sleep surface.

Flip or Rotate the Mattress

Just as you flip and turn your pillows each night to find their sweet spot, you can do the same to your entire mattress — a mattress maintenance move that could help you unlock peak plush. 

Flipping and rotating a mattress are two different processes:

• Flipping is turning the entire mattress upside down. The underside becomes the new top side (or your sleep surface).

• Rotating is spinning a mattress 180 degrees — in other words, swapping the head and foot of your mattress. 

These methods can also prevent sagging and uneven mattress wear. Learn how to fix a sagging mattress in our blog.

While not all mattresses can be flipped (especially models with built-in pillow toppers), almost every mattress can be rotated. Rotation can help you find your ideal sleep zone — the area that hugs your body best or offers your perfect softness level. How often should you rotate your mattress? That answer depends on what type of mattress you have. 

Change the Bed Base or Slats

If the above methods don’t work, it’s time to break out the toolbox. You may need to adjust your bed frame to make your mattress softer. 

Start by removing your mattress from the bed frame and taking a peek under the hood. You might find³:

• A box spring – A box spring helps absorb movement, but it can also help distribute weight across the entire mattress. If you’re asking, does a memory foam mattress need a box spring? — typically, it doesn’t. Memory foam mattresses aren’t always compatible with box springs (they can make memory foam firm up). However, mattresses made from other materials can often become softer when paired with a box spring.

• Flat slats – Flat bed slats can provide additional support for a mattress — and make it feel firmer. 

• Sprung slats – Slat systems with springs can increase bounce, which might make a mattress feel softer or more pliable. 

Depending on your mattress materials and desired softness level, changing your mattress’s supportive base could be a game-changer.

Switch Up Your Sleeping Position 

Consider changing your sleep position to fine-tune your comfort and experience while you snooze. Firmer mattresses, for instance, are typically compatible with back sleepers and stomach sleepers; softer mattresses are usually perfect for side sleepers.⁴

So, if your mattress is too firm for your liking, consider sleeping on your back or your stomach. Since firm mattresses are designed to provide support for the spine in these positions, you might be more comfortable after a switch.

Check the Sleep Trial or Return Policy

You’ve tried weighing down your mattress, rotating it, swapping out your bed base, and switching to back sleeping — and your mattress is still too firm. It’s time to consider replacement. 

If your mattress is relatively new, take a look at your manufacturer’s:

• Sleep trial – Many mattress companies offer a sleep trial period: a time window to try out your mattress to see if it meets your needs before committing to it. Casper, for instance, offers a 100-night trial for mattresses. If you don’t like it, you can return it within the trial window for a full refund. 

• Return policy – If your sleep trial window has passed, you might still be eligible for a partial refund depending on your manufacturer. Casper makes returns simple with a dedicated returns center — if you’re not happy with your mattress, we’ll do our best to make it right. 

Invest in a Softer Mattress 

Whether you’re taking advantage of your sleep trial or saying farewell to a mattress that’s served you for a decade, investing in a new mattress is a surefire way to find a new product with your ideal level of plushness. 

If you’re looking for a softer mattress, what should you do while shopping to make sure you find your perfect match?

• Look for plush models – Instead of taking a risk on a medium-firm mattress, jump straight into softer models if you’re looking for undeniable plush.

• Consider soft-friendly materials – Luckily, almost all mattress materials can be used to create a plush profile. However, memory foam and pillow-top mattresses are typically the best fit for sleepers craving softness.

• Find a brand with a sleep trial – If you haven’t bought a mattress in many years, strongly consider opting for a brand with a sleep trial option — ideally, one that offers a full refund and free pickup. 

Find Your Ideal Mattress with Casper

Learning how to make a mattress softer is all about patience, creativity, and (sometimes), knowing when to throw in the towel and choose a more compatible model. 

In your search for the perfect plush mattress that supports you on your trips to Snoozeville, turn to Casper. Our mattress designs are supported by ergonomics, we’re always tweaking our technologies and approach to boost comfort, and we offer flexible trial and return policies. In short, we’re the best mattress maker on the market now. 

Ready to discover quality sleep on a soft mattress? Browse our collection now.

Sources: 

1. Sleepopolis. 7 Ways to Make Your Mattress Softer. https://sleepopolis.com/guides/how-to-make-mattress-softer/ 
2. The Mattress Underground. Memory Foam – Pros and Cons. https://mattressunderground.com/our-articles/memory-foam-pros-and-cons#memory-foam 
3. Sleep Advisor. How to Make a Hard Mattress Softer and More Comfortable. https://www.sleepadvisor.org/how-to-make-mattress-softer/ 
4. Healthline. How to Choose a Mattress: Sleeping Position, Body Type, and More.https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/how-to-choose-a-mattress#before-you-shop