Mattress toppers were introduced as an accessory to modify the feel of your bed. Regardless of whether your mattress is too firm or too soft, you can use a mattress topper to improve your comfort. One common complaint with these sleep-promoting accessories is their lack of stability—nobody wants to deal with a constantly-shifting mattress topper.
If your mattress topper is always shifting, it can be hard to get good sleep. Many bedding brands design their toppers with technologies to keep it in place, but more budget-friendly toppers are often lacking in these features. Not to worry though—our guide outlines tips to prevent your mattress topper from sliding.
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Why Do Mattress Toppers Slide?
A stable, supportive base and sufficient friction between the mattress and topper help in keeping the topper in place.
There may be several reasons which cause the topper to slide off a mattress, such as a smooth mattress cover, absence of headboard and footboard, incompatible size, or an unstable base.
Smooth Mattress Cover
The mattress cover may be too smooth, offering little to no friction, affecting grip quality. The smoothness of the mattress cover depends on the weave of the fabric. Both natural and synthetic materials may offer a sleek surface, causing a topper to slide off.
Absence of Headboard and Footboard
If your mattress topper touches both the headboard and footboard, there’s a level of protection preventing it from sliding up or down. However, a headboard and footboard can’t prevent the topper from sliding sideways.
Incompatible Size
Sometimes your mattress topper may be slightly larger or smaller than your mattress. This mismatch causes improper balance, causing the topper to slide off.
Unstable Base
Sometimes, lightweight bed frames glide on the floor creating a slippery base for the mattress and topper. Keeping an area rug at the bottom of the bed provides slip-resistance, preventing the bed frame from sliding.
Ways to Prevent Sliding
Check if your mattress topper comes with a feature to keep it in place. If not, there are different ways to improve the grip of your mattress topper, like a tightly fitted sheet, sheet straps, velcro system, non-skid mat, carpet tape, safety pins or duct tape.
Use a Tight Fitted Sheet
A tightly fitted sheet covering the mattress and topper may prevent sliding. If you can’t find a deep enough fitted sheet to include both the mattress thickness and topper, you can tuck in a flat sheet beneath the bed, holding the mattress and topper together. However, this solution is temporary because excess movement may loosen the hold, causing the topper to shift.
Sometimes placing a fitted sheet over the mattress builds required friction, preventing topper movement. Drape your mattress with a tightly fitted sheet, then place a topper on it. Finally, you can put a flat sheet on the topper and tuck it in tight beneath the mattress.
Bed Sheet Holders or Sheet Straps
Sheet straps are stretchable bands that tuck underneath a mattress to prevent the sheet from bunching up. Tight sheets hold together the mattress and topper securely, preventing the topper from shifting.
Velcro System
Stitching velcro strips or sticking velcro tape along the edges of the mattress and topper will fasten them together, preventing the topper from shifting.
Non-Skid Mat
The same non-skid mats used in showers to prevent slipping can be placed between the mattress and topper. They work well with latex and memory foam mattresses, sticking to the comfort layers. The uneven surface of the non-skid mat enhances grip, keeping the topper in place.
Carpet Tape
Dual-sided carpet tape used to prevent carpets from sliding on the floor can also be utilized to hold a topper in place. Putting carpet tape along the edges and sides of the mattress and topper will keep them together.
Safety Pins
Safety pins are the most convenient option in fastening the mattress and topper together. Pinning together the mattress and topper is easy and doesn’t take time. Use at least five big safety pins on each side of the bed, depending on mattress size.
Duct Tape
Duct tape can hold anything together, including a mattress and topper. The strong adhesive glues the mattress and topper together. However, liquid or spray adhesive shouldn’t be used as it may leave marks on your mattress.
Our Amerisleep Lift® Mattress Topper
At Amerisleep, we offer our custom Lift® mattress topper, available in two firmness options—Comfort or Support. Our Comfort Lift® provides a softer sleeping surface, while our Support Lift® enhances firmness for better support. The bottom of each topper features our MicroGrip® technology, using gentle friction to keep the topper in place without damaging the cover of the mattress.
Prices of Amerisleep Lift® Mattress Topper
| Size | Lift® Price |
|---|---|
| Twin | $199 |
| Twin XL | $249 |
| Full | $279 |
| Queen | $299 |
| King | $349 |
| California king | $349 |
FAQs
What is the ideal thickness of a mattress topper?
The ideal level of thickness of your mattress topper depends on your sleeping position. Toppers are usually 2 to 4 inches thick.
Back and stomach sleepers require firmer support, while side and combination sleepers need more cushion for comfort. If you are a back or stomach sleeper, a thinner mattress topper will be perfect, providing the required contouring with support.
Side and combination sleepers feel comfortable on thicker mattress toppers since they cushion the hips and shoulder regions and relieve pressure.
Can a mattress topper take the place of a mattress?
Mattress toppers are not thick enough to provide comfort by themselves. Instead, they’re meant to be placed on a quality mattress to enhance cushion or support for better comfort (we do not recommend using a mattress topper on an unsupportive mattress, as the topper will sag in the same spots as the bed).
Mattress toppers are especially beneficial to innerspring mattress owners—a mattress topper provides better pressure relief since an innerspring lacks a thick comfort layer.
Will safety pins shred your mattress?
No, bigger safety pins won’t shred your mattress. If you use them carefully and place them at regular intervals, along the edges and side, they won’t ruin your bed. Use more safety pins for bigger beds to equally distribute pressure along all the pins.
What’s an approximate price range of mattress toppers?
Mattress toppers can range between $90 to $500, depending on the size and quality of materials. They are available in a variety of options such as memory foam, gel memory foam, latex, down, or cotton.
Conclusion
Sliding mattress toppers can cause discomfort, affecting sleep quality. Before buying a new mattress topper, see if a fastening system, such as velcro, is included.
About the author
Sanchita Sen is a full-time writer focusing on the sleep health and mattress industry. She is a former journalist who has written numerous articles on the healthcare sector. Some of the topics she has covered include how to lucid dream, fever dreams, melatonin for sleep, and best gel memory foam mattress. Sanchita holds a Master of Arts in Communications from Convergence Institute of Mass Media and Information Technology Studies. She is also a published author, who seeks inspiration from both real life and the world of fiction.
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