How To Keep Your Mattress From Sliding For A Peaceful Night's Sleep
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Few things in life are more annoying than a sliding mattress. After all, how are you supposed to mentally replay your most embarrassing moments and count sheep peacefully when the mattress keeps moving? If you're tired of waking up in the middle of the night to straighten your bed or chugging caffeine in the morning to remove the cobwebs from your brain, it's time to troubleshoot the problem. Fortunately, there are multiple ways you can keep your mattress from sliding for a peaceful night's sleep. For instance, sticking double-sided carpet tape around the sides of your bed will keep the mattress from skidding.
The simple hack works since tape creates friction between the bed frame and the mattress, keeping the latter in place. That being said, it's a short-term solution at best since the tape will lose its effectiveness over time. Moreover, it can leave behind unsightly adhesive marks or rip the mattress's threads, so you don't want to use this method for long. But don't worry. There are other methods you can try before spending money on a new mattress.
Reasons your mattress keeps sliding
To choose the best way to keep your mattress from sliding, it's important to understand the reason behind its unruly behavior. To illustrate, you might be experiencing this issue if the mattress doesn't receive ample assistance from the bed frame. An irregular frame or too wide slats make it difficult for the mattress to stay in place. But how can you determine if the frame is the culprit? Check if your tossing or turning on the bed is punctuated by squeaky noises.
Similarly, if the mattress is smaller than the frame, it'll try to occupy the leftover space and keep moving despite your best efforts. For instance, if you place a queen-sized bed on a king-sized frame, it'll keep skidding. Another reason your mattress causes you discomfort is a lack of railing. Without railings guarding it, it'll trespass into foreign territory and move around while you toss and turn in your sleep. Double-sided mattresses or ones made of latex and memory foam might also move due to insufficient traction between the frame and the bed. Or the reason could be as simple as your mattress's age. If your mattress has been in commission for over seven years, the explosive combination of dead skin cells, sweat, oils, and other body fluids from your body will result in a slippery surface. Even if you choose the best mattress, it might slide due to wear and tear over the years.
Buy non-slip mattress pads
Non-slip mattress pads, not to be confused with a mattress protector or cover, are specifically designed to keep mattresses in place and discourage skidding. They're available in various sizes, including twin, full, king, and queen, and can fit most bed frames. In case the pad doesn't perfectly fit your mattress size, you can even cut it for a custom fit. Just slip it beneath your mattress to keep it from slipping. Some pads might even provide extra cushion.
We like Foboull's mattress slide stopper and gripper. You can get a twin-sized (39 inches long and 75 inches wide) non-slip mattress for $15 on Amazon. If you aren't too keen on spending money, a yoga (or thin exercise) mat will work in a pinch for a twin-sized mattress.
Use rubber pad grippers
The rubber pad gripper you use to keep your rugs and carpets in place works just as well for mattresses. Simply sandwich them between the mattress and the platform beneath to get a good night's sleep. These grippers are easy to use, available in varied sizes, and can be trimmed to fit your mattress. Plus, they're cost-effective. In fact, you can buy Gorilla Grip's 2 feet x 3 feet extra strong rug pad gripper for around $10 on Amazon.
Velcro tape to the rescue
You might have used Velcro around the house to secure decor items or hang commonly used tools. But did you know that this tape can keep your mattress in place? All you have to do is stick a strip to the sides and middle of the mattress. The double-sided adhesive strips will create friction between the frame and the mattress, preventing it from sliding off the bed. Bonus advantage: cleaning Velcro is easier than you think, so you don't need to worry about damaging the bed or frame when you remove it. If you don't have Velcro handy, order an 8-strip pack of 4-inch x 2-inch black Velcro for about $9 on Amazon.
Add a railing or retainer bar around your bed
Boxing in your bed with railings is a great way to prevent the mattress from sliding and disrupting your beauty sleep. Essentially, it ensures the mattress doesn't leave the frame's boundaries. You can go for pre-made adjustable railings or commission a custom railing for your bed to ascertain the decor and size match your requirements. However, these options cost a pretty penny. So, if you'd rather not spend much for a railing and love to DIY things around the house, build one yourself.
Another option is to get a U-shaped retainer bar. They need to be placed under the mattress to prevent it from moving away from the frame. These metal rods are a cross between manufactured guard rails and the DIY railing option. If you're interested, check out YZMLOL's mattress slide stoppers. The retainer bars work with most mattresses, and a set of 2 black rods costs about $13 on Amazon.
Power up your vacuum
One of the most innocuous reasons for a sliding mattress is the dust and dirt nestled between the bed and the frame. These tiny particles give way to a slippery surface, making your mattress skid. So, fasten the upholstery attachment onto your vacuum and power it up. Now, suck the dust and debris beneath the bed to help your mattress stay in place. While you're at it, don't forget to clean both sides of the mattress to eliminate lingering dirt and make it easier for your mattress to remain seated atop the frame.
Get a mattress extender
If your mattress keeps moving through the night because the bed's frame is too big for it, get a gap filler instead of buying a new mattress. The foam extenders will help you eliminate the gaps between the frame and the mattress. They can be used to fill both horizontal and vertical gaps without throwing your budget in disarray. In fact, you can get a twin or twin XL bed gap filler from WUIOYNF for about $15 from Amazon. Similarly, you can get one based on your mattress's size and the gap you want to bridge.