How to Keep a Mattress Topper From Sliding

Mattress toppers are a great way to adjust the firmness of your mattress without having to spend the money buying a whole new bed. They are essentially a thin cushioned layer that sits on top of your mattress and can be a quick, affordable fix for one that is too soft or too firm for your liking.

Despite their multitude of benefits, many people who use a mattress topper, find keeping it in place throughout the night proves rather difficult. Various factors can contribute to a sliding mattress topper, including incorrect sizing, super-smooth surfaces, and tossing and turning while sleeping.

While some toppers come with features like built-in straps or Velcro to keep them in place, others may not. Mattress toppers that won’t stay put can cause restless nights of frustration and, as a result, negatively impact your sleep.

In this post, we explain what causes a mattress topper to slide and offer helpful tips for keeping it in place.

Why Do Mattress Toppers Slide?

Lack of Grip

The covers of some mattresses are very smooth and slick, making it more challenging to secure the topper to the mattress’s cover. Older mattresses can especially be prone to this problem since, over time, the surface can wear down from use and lose some of its texture.

Budget-friendly mattress toppers may also lack a slipover cover fabric with an elastic skirt or straps to better increase affordability. These features can keep a topper from sliding out of place on a smoother mattress.

Incorrect Size

If your mattress topper is slightly longer or wider than your mattress, it might be harder to keep it balanced. This mismatch in size can cause the topper to move around and slide off your mattress.

Tossing and Turning

Sleepless nights, feeling restless, and even sleep disorders like sleep apnea can be the reason we toss and turn in bed. This movement can easily cause bedding to shift—and a mattress topper is no different. Those who frequently toss and turn might find they have a harder time keeping their topper in place through the night.

Unstable Mattress

Sometimes your topper moves because your mattress won’t stay put. A mattress that slides around can be because the bed frame is too large for it. The extra space between the mattress edge and the bed frame can allow for increased movement.

Another reason for an unstable mattress is if its cover is smooth and lacks friction with the bed frame. The sleek surface may have a hard time gripping the frame, causing it to slide around.

Lack of Headboard or Footboard

A headboard or footboard can act as a barrier for your mattress topper, stopping it from sliding around too much. When a bed frame is without either, the mattress topper has a higher chance of slipping off.

Adjustable Beds

In the same way that sheets or pillows can slide off an adjustable bed as it moves through positions, a topper can slide out of place on an adjustable bed if it’s not secured. Securing the topper can keep it in place to ensure maximum comfort, which for many sleepers is the purpose of an adjustable bed.

Of course, instead of using a topper, some may simply wish to enjoy the new mattress in an adjustable bed and mattress combo bundle.

SEE ALSO: How to Keep Sheets on an Adjustable Bed

How To Prevent Mattress Toppers From Sliding

Sheet Suspenders/Straps

Sheet straps are adjustable stretchy bands with clips to hold the corners of your sheets in place, preventing them from lifting or folding. By securing these tightly, they can keep your fitted sheet securely in place which prevents the topper from moving around.

Non-Skid Mat

Non-skid mats are similar to those used with floor rugs and in showers to prevent slipping. These mats can work the same way with mattress toppers when placed between the topper and mattress. A non-skid mat adds a thin layer of grip to keep a topper securely in place.

Velcro Strips

Velcro tape can provide considerable grip and eliminate the risk of tears that may come with other methods. The best way to use Velcro to prevent your mattress topper from sliding is to attach the “hook” side to your topper and the “loop” side to your mattress. When laying the topper down, make sure the strips line up to ensure maximum hold.

The downside of Velcro tape is the adhesive backing can lose its stickiness over time and become ineffective. If this happens, sewing strips of Velcro or using safety pins is an alternative way of attaching it to your mattress or topper.

Duct Tape

Known for its strong hold, duct tape can be a cheap and easy fix for a sliding mattress topper. To use, tape the edges or corners of your topper to the mattress and then cover with a tightly-fitted sheet for added hold.

Avoid using spray adhesives because these can stain or damage your mattress.

Carpet Tape

Dual-sided carpet tape (normally used to keep carpeting in place) can also be used to keep your mattress topper from moving. Attach it along the side of the bed and edge of the mattress for a secure grip.

Cotton or Cotton-Polyester Blend Pad

If your mattress is too smooth or slick, a cotton pad could be just what you need to create some friction. Placing one in between the topper and mattress counteracts the smoothness of the mattress’s cover and prevents any sliding throughout the night.

Fitted Bed Sheet

A fitted bed sheet can secure a mattress topper in place. This is one of the best options that doesn’t require any extra tools. Cover the mattress and mattress topper with a bed sheet and tightly secure the sheet under the mattress. A fitted shouldn’t drastically alter the feel of an egg crate mattress topper with special cutouts that increase comfort.

If you have a particularly thick mattress or mattress topper, you may need to find a fitted sheet with deep enough pockets to properly fit around both. You can also try a tall mattress protector that can envelop both the mattress and the topper.

For an even better hold, use one fitted bed sheet around the mattress. Then, lay the mattress topper on top and add another fitted bed sheet around both the mattress and the topper. This will add an extra layer between the mattress and the topper and give it an even better chance of staying put.

A potential drawback to using multiple fitted bed sheets is possible heat retention. This can happen when heat from our bodies becomes trapped in the fabric layers below us. To prevent this, we suggest using thinner or more breathable sheets and a cooling mattress topper.

Safety Pins

Using safety pins to attach the mattress topper to the mattress is an easy way to keep both items in place. Of course, you’ll want to opt for larger safety pins because they can bear more weight and are a bit more durable.

When using safety pins to secure a topper, place a pin every one or two feet along the sides of the bed. (Aim to use a minimum of five pins on each side.) Spacing the safety pins apart evenly lessens the chance of damaging the topper or mattress’s cover. Also, make sure the needles of the pins are facing down; this prevents injury if one comes undone.

If you’re having trouble pushing the pins through your mattress or mattress topper, try using curved safety pins. These are easier to push through a surface where you can’t apply pressure from the back, like with a mattress.

Add a Footboard

If your mattress topper tends to slide up or down, as opposed to side-to-side, adding a headboard or footboard can solve this problem. If your bed doesn’t already have footboard brackets for adding a footboard, you can purchase a new bed frame that does. You can also purchase a bracket kit that extends your bed frame to accommodate for the addition of a footboard.

Adding a headboard or footboard to your bed frame is a pricier and more labor-intensive solution for keeping your mattress topper in place, so it’s not our first recommendation. That said, it is something to consider if you’re thinking of purchasing a whole new bed frame.

Understanding Mattress Toppers

Mattress toppers can change the firmness of your bed, enhance comfort, and add extra support. They also are great if you’re in need of a new mattress but aren’t quite ready to buy one yet.

It’s worth noting that mattress toppers can improve the comfort of your bed, such as a mattress topper for back pain correcting an improper firmness. A good topper can boost the comfort of a bed that’s still in relatively good shape.

Alternatively, you can use a memory foam mattress topper to get an idea of how much you would enjoy a memory foam mattress. The same can apply to latex mattress toppers, with the added bonus of saving on the cost of a full-latex mattress.

However, even the best toppers will not help with lumps or sagging in your mattress. Mattress toppers cannot miraculously fix your old mattress—they are specifically designed to modify a mattress’s feel. If your mattress is sagging or lumpy, we recommend replacing your mattress instead of trying to smooth bumps with a topper.

Conclusion

A mattress topper can adjust a bed’s firmness and improve comfort and overall sleep quality. If you find that yours slides around a lot and is impeding your night’s sleep, there are simple things you can do to keep your mattress topper in place and enjoy a peaceful shut-eye.

With the DIY tips in our how-to guide, you’re bound to find a fix suitable for your needs and budget. In the comments below, let us know what solution worked best for you!