There are a lot of things that can potentially interfere with a good night’s sleep (a snoring partner, a buzzing mosquito, a blanket that’s too hot, or a pillow that’s too flat are just a few that come to mind).
But there’s nothing quite as disruptive as when your mattress keeps sliding around in its frame throughout the night. Luckily, there are a few easy steps you can take to stop this from happening.
Read on to find out what causes a mattress to slip and slide in the first place and learn how to keep a mattress from sliding.
What’s causing your mattress to slide?
To figure out how to stop your mattress from sliding, you need to first understand why it happens. There are quite a few reasons a mattress might move around while you’re on it. The top causes include:
Inadequate support
If your bed frame is uneven, has slats that are placed too far apart, or creaks as you toss and turn, then your mattress might be sliding because it’s not getting enough support from the bed frame.
Old mattress
The older your mattress is, the more likely it is to slide. That’s because, over time, your mattress absorbs oils, sweat, and other secretions from your body that build up and make the surface of the mattress more slippery.
If you’ve been using your mattress for more than seven years, then its age might be the reason for its sliding.
Lack of friction
Sometimes the reason for mattress sliding is the lack of sufficient friction between the mattress and the bed frame.
For example, dual-sided mattresses that have been designed to provide a smooth and soft surface no matter which side the person chooses to sleep on are particularly prone to sliding.
Depending on the manufacturer, the lack of friction may also be a problem with
Our dual-sided organic natural latex mattress for buoyant, pressure-relieving comfort
and
Our ultra-premium 5-lb memory foam mattress for a body-hugging feel
as these may have trouble gripping to the bed frame due to the nature of the materials.
No rails
Bed frames that are made without rails may look sleek and modern, but sometimes mattresses tend to slide around in them as you toss and turn in your sleep.
Mattress size
When your bed frame is larger than your mattress so that your mattress has room to wiggle around, it will almost definitely do just that. Make sure your bed frame matches the size of your mattress.
How to keep your mattress from sliding
The good news is there are some easy ways to remedy the “traveling mattress” problem.
1. Add a non-slip mattress pad to your bed
Non-slip
Instantly adds a plush layer of comfort and protection
are a great way to prevent a mattress from sliding. These are made specifically for mattresses and come in standard mattress sizes like twin, full, queen, and king.
A non-slip mattress pad is placed directly on the bed frame or box spring and keeps your mattress in place during the night.
2. Put rubber pad grippers between your mattress and foundation
Rubber pad grippers are used to keep rugs in place but can also be used to keep your mattress from sliding.
They come in a variety of sizes and are another simple and affordable solution to the problem of your mattress moving around.
Simply place rubber pad grippers between the mattress and the bed frame to help hold the mattress in place.
3. Use velcro strips at the head and foot of your mattress
Some bed frames actually come with velcro strips attached to the top and bottom slats.
If yours doesn’t, attaching velcro strips to the head and foot of your mattress and bed frame is an easy way to create friction and prevent your mattress from sliding.
4. Vacuum your mattress
Yes, sometimes the sliding problem is easier to solve than you think. In some cases, the sliding is just due to the dust accumulated between your mattress and the bed frame that makes your mattress slippery.
Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum to get rid of those dust bunnies and see if it helps keep your mattress in place (and maybe also stops someone’s constant sneezing during the night).
5. Add a railing to your bed fame
If for whatever reason adding friction isn’t a viable option for you, add a railing to your bed frame and solve the sliding mattress problem once and for all.
Adjustable bed railings are widely available—but if you’re good with tools, you can also make one yourself.
6. Try a mattress extender or gap filler
If your mattress is too small for your bed frame and you’re not quite ready to buy a new one, use a mattress extender to add width to your mattress and help keep it from sliding.
Simply place it along the length of the mattress to fill the gap between the mattress and the bed railing.
7. Buy a new mattress
When nothing else helps or if your mattress is simply too old, the best solution might be to get a new one.
Besides the benefit of sleeping on a mattress that stays in place, you might just rediscover, after many years, the effect of a great-quality mattress on your sleep and your overall well-being.
Time for a new mattress? See what Saatva offers
Saatva Classic Innerspring Mattress
Our flagship luxury mattress is expertly engineered with coil-on-coil construction for durability, a layer of memory foam for enhanced back support, and a cushiony Euro pillow top for extra comfort.
Loom and Leaf Memory Foam Mattress
Premium memory foam, handcrafted in the U.S. with eco-friendly materials. Breathable organic cotton, cooling spinal gel, and layers of high-density support foam assure a cool, comfortable night's sleep.
Zenhaven Latex Mattress
Natural latex responds to every curve for pressure-free support and responsive comfort. Natural latex is supple, resilient, and durable, for the ultimate in elevated sleep. (It's naturally hypoallergenic too.)
FAQs
How do I stop my mattress from sliding?
To keep your mattress from sliding, first, make sure the size of your bed frame matches the size of your mattress. Use a mattress extender if it doesn’t.
In addition, use one of the strategies discussed above to create friction between the mattress and the bed frame (non-slip pads, rubber grippers, or velcro), and/or add bed railings to your bed frame.
How do you secure a mattress to a platform bed?
Insufficient friction is usually the reason your mattress keeps sliding on your platform bed. Make sure your mattress is the same size as the bed and use one of the strategies above (such as non-slip pads or rubber grippers) to help create friction and keep it from sliding.
How do I keep my mattress from sliding on a metal platform bed?
Mattresses tend to slide on metal platform beds because of the lack of friction and, especially in older models, possibly the lack of a headboard and baseboard to help keep it in place.
You can remedy this problem by adding a headboard and baseboard and possibly bed railings or by adding friction between the mattress and the bed frame, e.g., by adding non-slip pads, rubber grippers, or velcro strips.
How do you keep a memory foam mattress in place?
Memory foam mattresses are known to have less friction than other types of mattresses, which is why they tend to slide more.
Keep in mind that some strategies like velcro aren’t the best choice for memory foam as they might damage the mattress. Instead, install bed railings or place a non-slip pad between the mattress and the bed frame.
Find your perfect mattress at Saatva
If you’ve tried these home remedies to stop your mattress from sliding but nothing seems to help, it might be time to get a new mattress.
Saatva offers a wide range of high-quality mattresses to suit your needs. All of our mattresses come with a 365-night home trial and lifetime warranty. When you’re ready, take our mattress quiz to find the perfect mattress for you.
