​How to Stop a Mattress From Sliding

A mattress that slides around on its frame is a nuisance at best. A sliding mattress is not only likely to disrupt our recommended 7-9 hours of sleep, it could also result in us feeling less than our best selves in the morning.

Luckily, there are several quick fixes that could resolve your sliding mattress issues. Start by uncovering the reasons behind your mattresses slip and slide behaviour. Once you get to the root of the problem, it’ll be much easier to come up with the right solution.

Want some tips and tricks to stop your mattress sliding? Check out our top (and easy) solutions below.

Why is my mattress siding?

Before resolving the issue of a sliding mattress, it’s a good idea to figure out what’s causing it to slide about in the first place. And the problem could stem from something as simple as the design or materials of the bed frame to trouble with the mattress itself.

A sliding mattress could be the result of one (or more) of the issues outlined below. Read on to learn how to check for and identify any potential problems with your current sleep set up.

Is my mattress sliding because it needs replacing?

Mattress age, albeit not overly nice to think about, could be the root of your sliding issue. As we sleep, our bodies secrete oils, sweat, and other natural bodily fluids that build up over time. This can be a major contributing factor in the sliding sleep surface you’re struggling with nightly.

So, if you’ve been regularly sleeping on the same mattress for 7+ years, a new mattress could be the best resolution. Want to learn more about how to tell if your mattress needs replacing? Check out our guide.

Is my mattress sliding because it’s not the right size for my bed frame?

With standardised UK mattress and bed frame sizes, it’s important to ensure that you choose a mattress that is the correct size for your existing bed. If your mattress happens to be too small for the frame, it’ll be more prone to sliding. Similarly, if your mattress is too large for the frame it’s living on, sliding is inevitable. This situation is an easy one to rectify. Simply choose the mattress size that matches your bed frame.

And if you’re not sure what size bed frame or mattress you have, our handy size guide below can help. All you’ll need is a tape measure!

Mattress and bed sizes and dimensions

In the UK, our standardised mattress and bed frame dimensions are as follows:

Small single: 75cm x 190cm

Single: 90cm x 190cm

Small double: 120cm x 190cm

Double: 137cm x 190cm

King size: 150cm x 200cm

Super king: 180cm x 200cm

Is my mattress sliding due to a lack of support?

Your bed frame plays a bigger part in how supported you are while you sleep than you might think. If the frame is slightly uneven or the slats of your bed frame are spaced too wide apart, it could be causing your mattress to slide.

Ask yourself if your bed creaks while you’re asleep or trying to drop off. If the answer is yes, your bed frame is potentially not supporting your mattress as it should. And it could be time to replace your bed completely.

Does your bed frame feature a guard rail for your mattress?

While bed frames without guard rails look great, most mattresses rely on the rails to keep them in position. So, if your mattress slips on a regular basis, check whether your bed frame features these guard rains or not.

If not, buying a new bed frame (and one that does feature rails) could resolve the issue completely. Especially if your mattress sliding is preventing you from getting the sleep you need.

How can I stop my mattress from sliding?

Once you have worked out what is causing your mattress to slide, the next step is resolving the issue.

Read on to find out how to prevent your mattress from sliding in future.

Stop your mattress from sliding: with a non-slip mattress pad

As their name suggests, non-slip mattress pads are specifically designed to stop mattresses from slipping. What’s more, given that mattress pads are made for this particular purpose, they’re available in standard mattress sizes. So, you’ll be able to get one that’s tailored to your specific bed and mattress size. They’re also likely to be much more durable than alternative fixes.

Stop your mattress from sliding: try rug grippers

Rug grippers are usually used to prevent rugs from sliding on hard floors. But they can actually work just as well on mattresses. Rug grippers are available in a variety of sizes and are generally a budget-friendly solution too. Simply fix the rug grippers in place between your bed frame and your mattress and hopefully the nights of sleeping on a sliding mattress will come to an end.

The best thing about this solution? It has the potential to resolve your mattress troubles at minimal cost.

Stop your mattress from sliding: use Velcro tape

Velcro is used on everything from clothing to couch cushions and beyond. And it’s actually a very reliable way to fix something in place and minimise movement. But, have you ever considered trying to use velcro tape to stop your mattress from sliding? Well, try attaching a strip of velcro tape to both your bed frame and your mattress at the head and the foot. This super simple and affordable solution should prevent your mattress from sliding for a good while so that you can enjoy a better night’s sleep.

Stop your mattress from sliding: clean it

If there is visible dust on your mattress and bed frame, it could be causing your slip and slide sleep disruptions! Dust actually increases the slippiness of a surface. And so, a dusty sleep space is likely to exacerbate how much your mattress slides.

An easy way to minimise this is to implement a proper mattress cleaning routine. Use a soft bristled brush to remove the dust that has accumulated on the surface of your mattress. Be sure to dust your bed frame too. For wooden or metal bed frame, you can use a damp cloth to attract, trap and remove the dust. And for fabric or upholstered beds, you can use the upholstery vacuum attachment if you have one.

You should also vacuum underneath your bed regularly too. This will prevent dust from accumulating and causing your mattress to slip.

Stop your mattress from sliding: add some guard rails to your bed frame

Adding mattress guard rails to your existing bed frame is another way you could potentially prevent your mattress from sliding. These can be purchased through many retailers online. Or, if you happen to be a DIY whizz, you’ll be able to knock up some home-made guard rails for your mattress with little to no direction.

How to stop a mattress from sliding on a divan bed base

Divan beds are one of the most popular bed frames in the UK. Not only are they available in a vast array of colours, many of our divan bases also come with customisable storage options making them dual purpose in smaller homes where additional storage is always welcome. But, divan bed bases generally aren’t fitted with mattress guard rails.

And most wouldn’t look as aesthetically pleasing if you were to add some that you’d either bought or made yourself. So, when addressing the issue of a sliding mattress on a divan bed base, you’ll need to consider one of the other solutions. That is of course, after you’ve assessed whether your mattress needs replacing!

Before trying out our quick fix solutions or setting off on a new mattress shopping spree, here’s a few things to help you assess the condition of your current mattress:

1. How long have you had your mattress? If the answer to this question is more than seven years, it’s highly likely you’re in need of a new model. And your mattress could simply be slipping due to its age.
2. Look for visible signs of wear and tear. Notice any obvious sagging, tears or rips, holes, stains or any other signs of damage? These are all good indications that it’s time to upgrade your mattress.
3. What about those invisible signs of wear and tear? Does your mattress feels lumpy, does it seem to be lacking in support or can you physically feel the springs poking you during the night? If the answer to any of these is yes, then the time has come to get rid of your old mattress.

But, if you’ve assessed your mattress and found that it’s actually in a pretty good condition, try investing in a non-slip mattress pad, velcro tape or some rug grippers. These solutions should all help to stop your mattress from sliding on a divan bed.