How to Keep a Mattress from Sliding on a Platform Bed?

There are many ways to keep your mattress in place and prevent it from wandering around the bed:

You can place a soft towel or a rubber rug between the mattress and the platform. You can attach a mattress to the frame using straps or Velcro strips. Also, you may want to secure the bed frame itself in case it stands on an uneven surface.

And the good news is, neither of these methods requires much time or effort. Check out this guide on how to keep a mattress from sliding on a platform bed, and see it for yourself.

#1 Use Velcro Strips

Let’s start with perhaps the easiest way to keep a mattress in place: Velcro strips. They’re cheap, durable, and can hold your mattress literally for eternity and beyond.

So, to secure your mattress, you need to measure its perimeter and purchase the needed amount of the Velcro tape with the adhesive side. The glue on the tape won’t damage your mattress as it peels away easily, but if you’re worried, I suggest you use a mattress encasement. 

Now, go through the following steps:

• Attach the loop side to your bed frame. You can stick it along the perimeter or across the surface of the slats.
• Attach the hook side to the bottom of the mattress. Make sure you place it evenly and don’t create ripples or bends.
• Place your mattress on the frame. Be sure to match the hook and loop sides precisely so that they create a tight grip.

That’s all! Now your mattress is totally secured. The Velcro has enough force to hold even heavy mattresses like latex or hybrid ones, so you should definitely give it a try.

“Mattress encasements typically are made of tenacious fabrics, so if you decide to use one for your Velcro tape method, it can add some grip as well.”

Also Read: Bed frames for back pain

#2 Secure the Bed Frame

The reason why your mattress is sliding might be hiding in incorrect assembly or an uneven floor surface.

Let’s see what you can do about this:

• Tighten up all the bolts and nuts. If your bed base is unstable, the stability of the whole bed will be affected. Be sure to check the joints regularly and tighten up all the weak bolts. It will not only contribute to a stable surface but also prolong the lifespan of your foundation.
• Place an area rug around the bed. Area rugs may serve a sort of barrier that doesn’t allow your bed frame to move due to sharp impulses.
• Use furniture feet. This accessory isn’t as worthless as it might seem. Non-slip furniture feet can easily keep your bed foundation in place without significantly affecting your bed’s height. You can purchase them at a local hardware store.

Opt for metal bed frames with the slats placed slightly below the outer perimeter. This way there will be some space to fit your mattress and keep it in a fixed position. Here is what it looks like:

#3 Vacuum Under Your Bed

This might seem counterintuitive, but thoroughly cleaning your under-bed space is another effective way to keep a mattress from sliding on a platform bed.

Why?

Because all the dust particles, crumbs, and pet hair is accumulating in the corners and hard-to-reach places. They might get under the bed’s legs, creating an incline of the surface and making your mattress wobbly.

So, be sure to not skip your under-bed area every time you clean the bedroom. You will thank yourself later.

Also Read: Bed frames for hybrid mattress

How to Keep a Mattress from Sliding on a Metal Frame

Steel bed frames are popular because of their durability, weight capacity, and variety of designs.

However, the glossy metal finish on the slats doesn’t help your mattress stay in place.

Here’s what you can try to solve this issue:

• Place a rubber mat under the mattress. Yoga mats can be useful in this case. Just place one or two of them under your mattress — and you’re all set. Soft rubber is very tenacious and will create sufficient grip to hold even a heavy active sleeper.
  
• Use a towel. If you don’t have a rubber rug, a big soft towel may work too. Secure it to the bottom of the mattress with safety pins so that it won’t crinkle and ruin the uniformity of the mattress surface.
• Try a mattress topper. Place it directly on the frame and under your mattress, but make sure to choose a very firm one. Otherwise, the feel of your mattress may be significantly altered. Also, note that a mattress topper will change the height of your bed, so if you don’t need that, choose thinner models.

Also Read: 5 Best Mattresses For Platform Beds

If you own an older bed, it might be time to replace it with a new one. There are some models with an anti-slip bottom cover today, so you may get yourself one and forget about sliding.

“Some users suggest purchasing a rubber shelf liner and use it as a rug under your mattress. Despite being lightweight and relatively thin, the shelf liner can offer a good grip for a memory foam or hybrid bed.”

Also Read: Pros and Cons of a Platform Bed

Sleeping Bag + Mattress Topper: Creative Approach

The final variant on my list of mattress alternatives might seem a bit weird to many of you, but I bet camping devotees will love it.

All you need to do to arrange a decent sleeping spot here is a thick mattress topper of preferred size and a sleeping bag.

Just place the topper on the floor and throw a sleeping bag on it, and you’re all set.

Sleeping on the floor might be a good choice for you in the following cases:

• You’re an active sleeper. I mean, you cannot fall off the floor or hurt your head by stumbling on the corner of your nightstand when you change the position for the tenth time.
• You’re a hot sleeper. Cool air is denser than warm and tends to gather closer to the floor, so you can forget about drowning in your sweat at night.
• You’re struggling with back pain. In some cases, people feel the improvement of their back issues if they sleep on a hard surface. 

Now, the cold air might be also a problem for people who are prone to feeling cold and getting sick. This is what’s a sleeping bag is for. They’re generally made of materials that can adapt to temperature changes and ensure a comfortable climate for sleeping. Also, a thick warm blanket might be a good idea too.

So, have you used any of these alternatives? What was your experience? Share it below!