
Fact checked by Jonathan Eilenberg, CPE
Jonathan Eilenberg, CPE
Jonathan Eilenberg is a Certified Professional Ergonomist who is a Senior Ergonomics Engineer at Casper with over 6 years of experience in occupational injury prevention.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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:
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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:
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.
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:
Depending on your mattress materials and desired softness level, changing your mattress’s supportive base could be a game-changer.
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.
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:
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?
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.
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