How to Stop a Mattress From Sliding

Whilst there is likely only one cause for your mattress sliding around, there are multiple reasons why it could be. These include:

Missing railings

If your bed doesn't have railings along the side to keep your mattress in place, your mattress can slide off your bed. This could also be an issue if your bed doesn't have a headboard or a footboard.

Poor mattress support

Missing bed slats, or an uneven bed base, reduce the amount of support your mattress gets. This, in turn, can lead to mattress movement due to slats being too far apart or if the base is slanted on one side.

Your mattress size

If you've bought the wrong size mattress for your bed, the chance of it moving around increases. A smaller mattress on a bigger bed will lead to the mattress sliding around the larger frame, whilst a larger mattress on a small bed will, in effect, 'float' on top of the bed frame.

Lack of friction

Some mattress types are more likely to slide around than others - particularly, memory foam and latex foam mattresses have less traction. This means they struggle to grip the bed base, making them more likely to slide. Double-sided mattresses may also need more friction, as both sides are usually covered in something soft.

Your mattress age

It's gross to think about, but mattresses collect dead skin, dirt, and bodily fluids over the years - and this all ends up migrating to the bottom of your mattress. This can cause your mattress to slide, so we recommend changing your mattress regularly to avoid this! Check out our article on how often you should change your mattress for more advice.

1. Attach some velcro tape

Try attaching velcro tape to your bed frame and mattress for a quick and cheap option. Many velcro adhesive options are available, and you can attach them to your bed frame or even your headboard to help keep your mattress secure.

2. Use a non-slip pad

Non-slip mattress pads are a great option as they have been specifically designed to be used on beds, meaning they come in standard bed sizes. These pads will help to prevent mattress movement and offer great durability.

3. Add a mattress extender

If your bed frame is slightly larger than your mattress, try adding a mattress extender or a gap filler. This will slightly increase the size of your mattress or fill the gap to reduce movement.

4. Vacuum your mattress

Keeping your mattress clean of oils and dirt will help reduce the risk of sliding on your bed frame. Vacuum both sides carefully, and make sure to clean the bed frame itself as an extra precaution.

5. Add a side rail

Some bed frames don't come with a side rail, so consider adding one yourself to help reduce the risk of a mattress sliding on your bed frame. If you can't find the right mattress railing to buy, then you could always make one.

6. Choose the right size mattress

Make sure you have the correct size mattress for your bed frame. Double-check the size of your mattress compared to your bed - if it's too small or too big, try using one of our tips to help reduce movement; however, getting the right size might be the only solution. Check out our mattress size guide to learn everything about mattress sizes.

How to stop a mattress sliding on a metal bed frame

The good news is that a metal bed frame will likely have the same structure as a wooden bed frame, so our tips will work just as well. Try to add a side rail if you can, use a non-slip pad, or add a mattress extender, and hopefully, your mattress will no longer slide on a metal bed.

Try using some of our tips to reduce the risk of a mattress sliding on a divan bed - in particular, adding velcro strips, vacuuming your mattress, or using a non-slip pad are all viable options for divan beds. Other ways include making sure you place your divan bed against a wall or making sure you have a headboard. Ensuring you have the correct size mattress is very important with a divan bed, as there is a higher risk of your mattress sliding off the bed frame entirely if it's too small or big.

Unfortunately, some methods might not work as well on a divan bed - it can sometimes be tricky, or even impossible, to add a bed rail to a divan bed. Since divans do not usually have side rails, adding gap fillers may not work either.

Mattress toppers are placed on top of a mattress to help protect it, increase its life, and offer extra comfort. It's not attached to your mattress, so it can slide out of place underneath your bed sheets. Stopping a mattress topper from sliding can be as simple as ensuring it has corner straps to keep it firmly in place. If your mattress topper doesn't have straps, then make sure you use a tight-fitting sheet to keep it in place.

As tempting as it might be to just give up on a bed frame and go Japanese style with your bed on the floor, we would not recommend it. Placing your mattress on the floor can cause mould or mildew to grow and prevent airflow through your mattress to help cool it.

Another negative is that a floor isn't specially designed to offer your mattress support, whereas a bed frame has slats that help to give your mattress a natural bounce. A floor can't give like slats, so it risks making your mattress too firm!

If none of the solutions we've mentioned work to stop your mattress from sliding, or you have the wrong size mattress altogether, consider investing in a new one. Here at Happy Beds, we have firmness ratings to suit all sleep styles alongside a wide range of mattress types - from memory foam to open coil spring mattresses and everything in between - all at great prices and with quick delivery available.