How to Keep a Mattress from Sliding

Waking in the night to feel the mattress dangling off the edge of the frame or changing positions only to feel the mattress move with is annoying. An action as simple as sitting on the edge of the bed could push half the mattress off the box spring or bed frame. Even worse, this can cause a fitted sheet or mattress pad to slip off your mattress or your mattress topper to fall off, meaning you have to push your mattress back into place and then re-make your bed.

Instead of dealing with this inconvenience, we provide tips on how you can prevent a sliding mattress for a more comfortable night’s rest.

What Causes a Mattress to Slide

Mattress sliding can be caused by several things— lack of friction between the mattress and the bed frame or box spring, missing rails due to the design of the bed frame, a wrong size frame, or an old mattress ready for replacing. Identifying the cause behind a sliding mattress can help you pinpoint the right solution.

Lack of Friction

A lack of friction can cause even the best mattresses to slide, but dual-sided are the most common mattress type to experience this problem. These types of mattresses are encased in a smooth cover to provide a soft surface, no matter which side a person chooses to sleep on.

Another reason for lack of friction between the mattress and the bed frame or box spring is that the mattress cover may not have a good grip on the bed frame. The material might be more textured on the bottom of the bed, but not enough to keep it in place.

Similarly, a piece of bedding can also interfere with friction between the mattress and bed platform. Deep pocket sheets or a bed skirt can add slippery fabric that causes the mattress to slide out of place.

Missing Rails

Most bed frames slightly rise above the slats on either side of the mattress to hold it in place— some bed frames lack this barrier, resulting in a sliding mattress. Other bed frames, like platform beds or metal frames, may lack a headboard or footboard to keep the bed centered on the foundation.

Poor Support

Mattress sliding could result from a too-large bed frame— extra space between the edges of the mattress and sides of the frame can increase skidding. Bed frames should match the standard size of the mattress.

Old Mattress

One reason for mattress sliding is the age of the bed. Over time, mattresses collect bodily fluids, dead skin, and dirt, all of which rest on the bottom of the mattress. As a mattress loses its comfort and support, it can’t provide the good night’s rest it used to. Waking up tired and sore is one sign that it’s time to replace a mattress.

If you’ve had your bed for 7 or more years, it might be time to purchase a new one. Understanding if you have to replace your mattress can get complicated, however, when it comes to occasional-use mattresses in a guest room, which experience less wear and tear.

How to Stop Mattress Movement

Now that you’ve identified the problem, it’s time to find the solution— this can be something as simple as adding a non-slip pad or Velcro strips to fill in the gaps between the mattress and the bed frame. Most of the solutions are cost-effective, but for more drastic measures, you may have to buy a new bed frame or a new mattress.

Use Non-Slip Pad or Rubber Matting

The easiest way to prevent a mattress from sliding is by placing a non-slip pad or rubber matting between the mattress and the bed frame or box spring. Rubber matting is used as a shelf liner and to keep carpets and area rugs in place. Adding a pad or matting shouldn’t affect the feel of the mattress because it’s so thin.

Measure the mattress first to correctly size the pad or matting. Padding and rubber matting can be bought in large sheets. If the pad is too big, it can easily be trimmed down with a pair of scissors. If you’re unable to find a large enough pad for a California king or king size mattress, place two smaller pads side by side.

An alternative material you could use instead of a pad is a thin exercise mat, but this would only work for twin-size beds or a small futon mattress.

Use Velcro Strips

Velcro strips are a good way to hold a mattress in place. Simply remove the protective paper from the adhesive and place 4 to 6 medium “hook” Velcro strips under the mattress and the corresponding “loop” Velcro strips on top of the bed frame or box spring.

You can also place one long strip of Velcro tape at the foot of the bed and another long strip of Velcro at the head to hold the mattress in place.

An alternative to Velcro strips is double-sided carpet tape. Simply apply it using the same method as Velcro strips. Double-sided carpet tape won’t be as stable or as long-lasting as Velcro, but it should prevent mattress skid.

Use Mattress Straps

Unlike strips of specialty tape or rubber mats, straps aren’t slipped under the mattress. Instead, these straps are used to secure the corners of a mattress to a frame or bed platform.

Straps can be especially helpful if you’re trying to keep slats on a metal bed frame. Many metal bed frames have grids of rods for support, which may not have a suitable base for Velcro tape or non-slip mattress pads.

Straps are also the key to keeping a mattress for a Murphy bed in place when it’s stored upright during the day. Secure the straps around the frame and tighten them around the mattress.

Examine the Bed Frame

If your bed frame is too large for the mattress there are two methods you can choose from to fix this. One solution is to purchase a new bed frame. Choose one that will fit better than the previous one, or purchase the right size bed to fit your current bed frame. Selecting a bed frame with a headboard and a footboard can also prevent mattress sliding.

A second solution is to place wooden planks or small rolls of soft material like towels between the extra spaces. This solution is only temporary and may require frequent adjusting.

Use Mattress Extenders And Gap Fillers

Also known as bed joiners, these fillers are often a few inches thick and made with foam. If you’ve got a too-large bed frame and don’t want to replace it with a frame that offers a snugger fit, you can fill the gap with one of these foam wedges.

Vacuum Under the Mattress

As previously mentioned, your mattress may be sliding due to accumulating debris, skin, and dirt. If purchasing a new mattress is not within your means, the next best thing would be to vacuum the bottom of your mattress. Simply flip the mattress over, and using the upholstery brush attachment, vacuum the underside of the mattress.

Before doing this, if you’d like to take it a step further and deodorize your mattress, simply sprinkle an even coating of baking soda and let it sit for a couple of hours. Afterward, using the upholstery brush attachment, vacuum up the baking soda. For added freshness, mix 20-30 drops of your favorite essential oil, like lavender, into the baking soda before evenly coating the sleep surface. This can be done on both sides of the mattress.

Use Adjustable Side Railing or Mattress Retainer Bar

If your bed frame doesn’t come with any railing, you can add some on your own. Bed rails guards are also an excellent complement to any mattress for seniors, making it easier for them to move out of bed without risking fall damage by holding onto the side railing.

Mattress retainer bars do not go along the sides of the bed and are instead typically attached at the end.  Often, these are U-shaped metal rods that essentially slide under the mattress, with the U-shape rising up and preventing the mattress from sliding forward. Many adjustable beds come with built-in retainer bars for this reason.

If you prefer something that looks a little nicer than a metal rod, consider a footboard instead.

Mattress Sizes

Understanding how big your mattress is can help you cut matting and such to size. If you don’t know how big your bed is, then measure your mattress or just consult our table of standard mattress sizes and dimensions.

Other Things to Consider

Are box springs necessary?

Depends on the mattress, but generally, the answer is no. Memory foam and latex beds don’t need a box spring, but innerspring mattresses and even a few hybrids might perform better with a box spring. Check with the manufacturer to make sure before purchasing a new bed.

Does a mattress need a frame?

A mattress doesn’t need a bed frame, but it might be a good idea if you prefer to keep your mattress and foundation off the floor. Keeping it off the floor is important to keep the mattress pristine, keeping mold spores, dust mites and other pests from settling inside the bed. However, instead of a traditional frame, you can try a low-profile foundation or and adjustable bed.

Can I put my bed on the floor?

We don’t recommend putting your mattress on the floor because it can prevent air from flowing through, creating mold or mildew build-up. Also, damages like this can void your mattress warranty.

Plus, some sleepers find that the floor makes their mattress feel too firm for their liking, particularly if they have a thinner mattress.

How do I keep my adjustable bed from sliding?

A common problem with adjustable beds is that they slide as the bed lifts up. To avoid this, look for beds with technology that ensures the mattress stays up against the wall so you’re not out of reach of your nightstand. It can be a non-skid covering or something as simple as a bar at the foot of the bed.

Why does my mattress slide off the box spring?

Your bed frame could be too big for your mattress. Most frames have a little bit of extra space to accommodate the mattress and box spring, but too much extra space can make the mattress slide off. Adding some railing along the sides of the frame can keep your mattress from slipping off the box spring. You can also try using Velcro or carpet tape.

Conclusion

A sliding mattress may not seem like a big deal the first time it happens. But over time after you’ve adjusted the bed yet again, it can quickly become an arduous task.

Instead of constantly dealing with the inconvenience and making your bed more than you need to, use one of our solutions to fix the problem once and for all. Something as simple as placing a non-slip pad between the mattress and the box spring or bed frame can save you from disrupted sleep.