Can You Put Your Mattress on the Floor?

Laying down your mattress on the floor may seem like a good option, but it isn't usually recommended. Without finished flooring or some type of barrier such as plywood, foam mats, blankets or cardboard separating it from germs and moisture sources, your mattress could become susceptible to germs and moisture build-up.

Most mattresses require a bed frame or foundation that provides air flow and prevents mold and mildew build-up for proper airflow and mold prevention. Furthermore, certain mattress warranties specify this requirement.

Benefits

Placing your mattress directly on the floor can save money by eliminating the need for costly foundation or bed frame structures that cost hundreds of dollars. Furthermore, sleeping on the floor has been shown to decrease back pain by providing proper spinal alignment and evenly distributing body weight distribution. Furthermore, some find sleeping on the floor cooler and lessen night sweats or sore joints.

However, most of this year's best mattresses are designed for use on a mattress foundation or bed frame; placing them directly on the floor could damage them and possibly void their warranties, leaving you with costly repair bills or replacement options.

Experts generally advise placing a mattress on a hard, flat surface such as hardwood floors, tile, or synthetic carpets and rugs - such as hardwood, tile or synthetic. Unfinished flooring such as natural jute wool cotton carpets could absorb moisture that contaminates your mattress causing allergies as well as mildew or mold to grow resulting in allergic reactions and mold growth.

Alternative solutions include portable, lightweight rolling mattresses like airbeds which deflate and roll back up when not in use - an ideal option for guests sleeping over or those with limited space as they do away with foundation or bed frames altogether. Unfortunately, it may not offer as much support and some individuals may experience hip pressure while sleeping sideways.

Disadvantages

Assuming you decide to switch, sleeping on the floor has its share of downsides, so be wary before making the leap. Sleeping directly on the ground may result in premature wear and sagging due to restricted air flow that damages its interior, as well as mold growth that exacerbates warm and humid environments. Dust/sweep/vacuum your floor regularly to keep dust bunnies at bay, and use mild detergent or cleaning products when cleaning mattresses with hot water bath. To ensure maximum hygiene.

If you suffer from allergies, sleeping on a mattress on the floor could contribute to further aggravating them by encouraging dust mites and other potentially harmful organisms to gather inside it more easily. This could result in itchy or irritated skin issues as well as bedbug infestation. They'd likely find it easier to burrow their way in too, since less is between them and their host.

Another drawback of putting your mattress on the floor is that doing so may invalidate warranties meant to cover you in case of defective or sagging mattresses. Some brands require using specific foundation or bed frames with their warranty policy in order to honor their guarantee. Lastly, getting in and out of a mattress on the floor may be challenging for those with limited mobility who use wheelchairs or who rely on wheelchairs as assistance.

Pros

One major benefit of placing your mattress directly on the floor is to save money, by eliminating the expense of bed frames or foundations. Unfortunately, however, most of this year's best mattresses are designed specifically to be used on an appropriate base and doing it this way may cause irreparable damage that voids their warranty.

If your mattress has become soft or sags, placing it on the floor can quickly restore its firmness. Furthermore, placing it this way can also prevent moisture and mold accumulation as liquids cannot penetrate through its layers onto your mattress surface.

Some mattresses can be placed directly on the floor, such as innerspring, latex and some air mattresses. However, memory foam or any type of foam mattress must always be placed on a foundation or box spring for proper support and ventilation.

Placing your mattress directly on the floor makes it easy for pests such as bed bugs and other small animals to infiltrate it. They tend to hide in carpet fibers or under planks of wood, making it easy for them to enter and take up residence on your mattress. Furthermore, this creates an increased dust build-up which could cause respiratory issues or allergic reactions in some people.

Cons

Sleeping on the floor poses numerous disadvantages for mattresses, with dust and dirt from the ground being drawn into them by means of bunky boards, tatami mats or any other barrier between it and your mattress. Without such measures in place these particles could make their way inside, potentially contributing to mold, mildew and bacteria growth within, leading to respiratory problems as well as other ailments which could easily be avoided by elevating it off the ground.

Sleeping on the floor increases your risk of insects and pests entering your bed, especially bed bugs which have been known to hide in carpet fibers and hardwood floor planks. Placing the mattress directly on the floor makes this task even more difficult to avoid.

Sleeping on the floor can make getting in and out of bed more challenging for those with limited mobility, including disabled individuals. Climbing onto and off of a mattress in such an uncomfortable low position may put strain on joints and muscles which can be painful; additionally, sleeping on the floor voids most mattress warranties that require frame or foundation support to guarantee support is provided during use of your mattress investment.