Putting Your Mattress On The Floor? Read This First

Bed frames can be expensive, especially for those moving into their first homes. It may seem better and more affordable to place the mattress on the floor. Before proceeding with this, however, there are a few critical things that everyone should know. There are both good things and bad things about this sleeping situation.

Putting your mattress on the floor requires knowledge about a variety of potential issues, such as:

• Dust allergies
• Sleeping position pain
• Mold and bugs

These should be taken into account before making this decision, among other items that could affect your quality of sleep.

Read on to learn all the necessary items you should understand before deciding to place your mattress on the floor. By the end, you will be able to make a well-informed decision on whether this decision is right for you.

Is It Bad to Put a Mattress on the Floor?

Before we begin, you might be wondering if it is a bad idea to put a mattress on the floor. The answer is not so simple. There are many benefits to placing this item on the floor, which include:

• A better night’s sleep
• Reduced risk of scoliosis
• More money in your pocket

However, there are also negative things that may happen. These consist of items such as:

• The cold that the sleeper will be exposed to
• The risk of mold
• The potential destruction of a warranty

However, all of these items depend on the user who invests in the mattress. No, putting your sleeping area on the floor is not inherently terrible. Whether it is good for you is for you to decide on your own.

Map out a Location in Your Home First

Before you do anything, you should see if you even have the room in your home to place a mattress on the floor. If the area where your bed was first is hardwood or tile, this will suffice as a good space for the bed. However, if it was lined with carpet, you will need to locate another section to place it.

A good location will have:

• A hard surface for the mattress to lie on
• Proximity to an outlet for your devices
• Room for you to stand up and lie down without hitting your head or limbs on anything

Securing a spot should always be the first step with anything that involves big pieces of furniture. There is no sense in moving it if you do not have the room to do so in the first place.

What Sleeping on the Floor Does to Your Body

Sleeping on the floor has many impacts on your body. Some of these are great, while others are not. Knowing how a mattress on the floor will impact your body ahead of time is a great way to decide whether this is a good decision for you.

We will discuss the benefits and disadvantages of sleeping on the floor for your overall health. Though there are mainly good things, there are also some negative aspects to consider.

Health Benefits from Sleeping on the Floor

Many good things can come from moving your mattress to the floor. Thanks to its unique positioning, those concerned about their health can expect some quality benefits to happen.

By sleeping on a floor mattress, participants can expect health benefits such as:

• Improved blood circulation throughout the body
• Reduced back pain in certain people
• Benefitted muscle recovery due to a firmer sleeping surface
• Reduced risk of developing scoliosis for those who sleep in the correct position

These are great for any individual’s quality of life. If any of these issues are plaguing you, moving your mattress to the floor might be the ultimate unexpected solution for your problem. You can try it out and see if it is helpful to you and your body.

Health Detriments for Sleeping on the Floor

Though there are not many negatives, it is still vital to consider the impact that sleeping in this manner can have on your body. You should be prepared for things that might happen as a result of this shift.

Negative health benefits that might result from sleeping on the floor include:

• Back pain for those who do not sleep on their sides
• Inhalation of dust and other items on the floor
• A potential for chills as a result of the colder environment closer to the floor

None of these are life-threatening, but they are a cause of pain and discomfort. If you are a side sleeper, you are especially susceptible to discomfort as a result of this mattress position. We will talk more about this later on.

Consider the negative health impacts before deciding to move your bed to the floor. For many these will not be bothersome, but for the few that it is, it could be the end of a comfortable night of sleep.

Invest in an Insulating Layer

Though this is not necessary, an insulative layer placed beneath your mattress can help you in many ways. This layer does not need to be expensive. It just needs to fit underneath your mattress.

Some items that this surface can be made out of include:

• Cardboard
• A thick blanket
• Inexpensive foam

You do not need to spend a lot of money on this step, and you do not need to invest in it. However, there are a few benefits you should take note of. We will discuss them next.

The Layer Will Help to Regulate Temperature

With a mattress directly on the floor, your body is more prone to the temperature changes that a solid surface experiences. This happens most often in the winter, particularly in states and regions that experience a severe chill in the colder months.

The insulative layer will:

• Prevent cold from reaching the mattress as fast as without an extra layer
• Provide extra warmth to the sleeper

Anyone concerned about the cooler months will want to do this with a mattress on the floor. It will prevent any cold-related illnesses from occurring and keep you in good health while you recharge during the night.

The Layer Will Prevent Mold Buildup

By using a layer, the mold can latch onto before reaching you. If it is made out of cheap material, you can simply dispose of the sheet and invest in a new one.

To guarantee this protection, make sure that your insulating layer is:

• Pushed close to the bottom of your mattress so that there is no extra room for the mold to squeeze in
• Made of a material that will not rot, but will protect your mattress from any growth that may appear

Plastic or foam will serve best for this duty. You can find these items at any local hardware store for a reasonable sum of money. Make sure that it is a little bigger than your bed to provide full coverage of the base.

Take Note of Any Allergies

When your mattress is on the floor, you become more prone to items such as dust bunnies or particles of dirt. These can slip into your nose, eyes, and mouth while you sleep. If you have allergies, this can prove to be a nightmare waking up every single day.

There are ways that you can prevent this dust issue. You might:

• Clean your floor on the regular
• Dust your area every night before you sleep
• Invest in a face cover to prevent you from breathing in dust

By taking action, you can minimize or even prevent the allergens that surround you from invading your personal space. A clean floor makes for a good night’s sleep. If you are going to have your face so close to the place where feet take root, you should make sure that it is cleaned frequently.

Consider the Surface of the Floor

You need to have a solid, flat surface to place your mattress on. Something cushy and uneven will not do. If you only have a space that has carpet or a solid floor that is uneven, you may want to avoid doing this. It will not be comfortable or provide the support that your body needs at night.

Some great cleaning tools are necessary for this process. If you decide to palace your sleeping area on the floor, you might want to invest in:

• A broom and dustpan, which can be an easy solution to temporary or sudden dust matters
• A mop, which can provide a thorough cleansing of your floor whenever you use it
• A non-chemical based spray and paper towels, which can help you to do a deep clean of your floors

Whatever you use, make sure that it will not damage your floor. Cleaning is important, but keeping the surface safe from harm is even more so. If you achieve both of these, using the mattress on the floor will probably be safe to do even with the worst of allergies. A clean floor is an easy solution to this problem.

Think about the Temperature of the Room

As we all know, heat rises and cool air falls. This works in tandem with a mattress on the floor. Sleepers will experience a much cooler sleep on the ground than if they were raised in a tall bed frame.  

This can be great if:

• You are a hot sleeper, waking up in a sweat every single night
• You prefer cool air over warm, since that is what you will be exposed to
• You do not live in a freezing area and winter nights will be pleasant instead of deadly

If you sleep cold, this might make you too chilly to go to sleep. YOu should also consider your location. A mattress on the floor in Arizona is very different from a mattress on the floor in New York due to drastic temperature differences in the winter.

Placing your mattress on the ground means that you should prepare yourself to face some chilly nights. You should put more blankets and more pillows on your bed than you would anticipate for one that is positioned on top of a bed frame.

Anticipate Checking for Mold Often

Since the bottom of your mattress is going to be touching the floor at all times, it is much more prone to mold. This is because mold thrives in places that are warm, moist, and dark. Check that the place you plan to lay your mattress down is dry and solid. This will help to prevent mold from happening.

Unfortunately, many of us sweat during the night. This moistness can contribute to the growth of mold. The only solution is to flip over your mattress often and check to see if there is any growth. Mold will usually be black, green, or even blue.

How Often Should I Check for Mold?

Since you need to check for mold often, it might be beneficial to understand how frequently you need to lift your mattress. While you do not need to do it every day, try to stand your mattress up on its side at least once a week. Leave it there for an extended period until you need to utilize it again. Doing this will:

• Prevent moisture build-up by drying it up before it can soak in
• Allow air to dissipate, which otherwise gathers and feeds the mold
• Stop mold and mildew from forming, as they wither once exposed to light, heat, and air

The more frequently you do this, the less likely growth will have a chance at survival. Once a week will suffice if you do not have a lot of time on your hands. You can always stand it up while you are out of the house, then return later and put it back in its position.

If you live in an area that is humid, you should do this more often. If your air conditioner is broken, you should also check more frequently. Anything that could contribute to growth should be a reason to flip your mattress on the regular.

What Do I Do If There Is Mold?

If you do find mold on your mattress, there is no need to worry. You can fix your sleeping place with little issue and in a minimal amount of time. If it has not invaded the entirety of the mattress, you can get rid of it by:

• Using a vacuum to pull the mold off of the surface of the mattress and out of cracks
• Placing your mattress out into the sun and allowing it to die naturally
• Making a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water to spray over the troublesome spots
• Hiring a professional who can come and help you get rid of the growth naturally and quickly

If it is too much, you may just need to get rid of the mattress and buy a new one. This is one of the risks that comes with sleeping in this manner, and you should consider it before making a big commitment.

Mold is a nasty thing. Be aware of it, as you do not want to be breathing it in at night for an extended time. You do not want this invasive growth to cause further damage than the bed.

Do Not Forget about the Possibility of Bugs

Bugs, such as bed bugs or spiders, love to place themselves near beds. This is due to the tendency of a bed to be dark and, especially with bedbugs, wet. Chances are, you will accumulate bugs at some point if your sleeping area is on the ground.

Just like the mold, you can take action by checking the base of your mattress frequently. If any bugs begin to show up, disperse and get rid of them before they can multiply further. Setting up in a dry area will also assist with keeping them away.

What Do I Do If There Are Too Many Bugs?

As with mold, you should become familiar with what to do if your mattress becomes overrun by critters from the floor. There are a few options, though some will end up costing you more than others.

To deal with a mattress that has been infested with bugs:

• You can throw it away and start from scratch
• You can vacuum them out of the cracks and crevices
• You can use an insecticide that is not harmful to humans
• You can hire a professional to take care of your bugs

Bugs are not for everyone. Sometimes, an infestation can go deep inside your mattress. If this is the case, it might be difficult to fully rid your sleeping space of these pests. You may need to toss your mattress and try again at this point, which could end up costing you more from your pocket in the end.

Study Your Warranty Beforehand 

If the warranty is important to you, study yours before subjecting your mattress to the floor. Some companies will not cover any damages if it is placed in a position where it could receive damage easily. If you intend to keep your warranty, double-check yours to see if using the floor could ruin your chances of getting any cashback from the company.

On occasion, placing your mattress on a base or a bed spring may be a requirement. This is up to the individual company that created the mattress. Placing it on the floor could cause damage faster, and many want to avoid that. Do not let them take your warranty away. Examine yours ahead of time to guarantee that you will still qualify.

Calculate Your Budget 

Before you decide to opt-out of buying a bed frame for your mattress, you should calculate the budget that you have. If you can afford it, a bed frame will save a lot of hassle in terms of keeping your sleeping space clean and safe for you to return to every single night.

A bed frame will serve well in preventing:

• Mold from blossoming underneath 
• Bugs from nesting within the mattress
• Temperature issues that come from being low
• Allergens that result from dust on the floor

If all of these are problems that you do not want to deal with, you should consult your budget. A bed frame will put you out of the way of subjecting yourself to each of those on a nightly basis.

Of course, you can have enough in your budget to afford a bed frame and still place your mattress on the floor. This will give you padding in your pocket and permit a unique style of sleeping.

Be Aware of the Position in Which You Sleep

Some sleeping positions are more impacted by the removal of a bed frame than others. It is important to know what kind of sleeper you are before moving further into this commitment. For sleeping on the floor, positions that are not great include:

• Sleeping on your side, which can put pressure on your ribs and other joints
• Sleeping on your stomach, which can hurt your neck and shoulders at the same time
• Sleeping curled up, which can contribute to the curvature of a back and add pain to your body

Since the ground is hard, you should sleep on your back to gain the benefits of the sturdy surface. Sleeping on your side on a harsh floor might cause damage and discomfort to your joints.

If you do not naturally sleep on your back, this choice might be hard on your body. You should consider other alternatives if hard sleeping surfaces have proved painful for you in the past.

Know What Mattress Works Best for the Floor

When selecting a mattress to sleep on the floor, make sure that you know the varieties that work best for this manner of rest. Not all of them are created equally. Some will be harsher for your body, and some absorb sweat to a greater extent than another brand. No two are created equal in the grand scheme of things.

Read on to understand each of the mattresses that you should consider or not consider for your floor bed. Of course, it is ultimately up to you to decide what your mattress will be and where you will place it.

Spring Mattresses

A spring mattress can be safely placed on the floor without fear of collapse or destruction. It provides a solid base for the person that is sleeping on top of it. Just make sure that your spring mattress does not require siding and a base to make it stable.

A spring mattress on the floor works best for those who prefer a more solid surface for their sleeping position. With the additional push from a hard surface, this may be a relief to those who are unsatisfied by the give of a bed frame.

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam mattresses can work great for the floor. They are soft, comfortable, and easy to move around. For those that enjoy softer places to sleep, memory foam can provide support unlike no other. By pairing it with the hard floor, any sleeper will have a perfect combination of hard and soft for the greatest night of sleep.

However, there is one issue with this style of mattress. Since they are made out of memory foam, they tend to absorb rather than store on the outside layers. Because of this, a memory foam mattress:

• Can absorb a lot of sweat throughout its structure
• Grow mold on the inside, which cannot be seen as clearly until it is too late
• Bend and warp in response to liquid

If you sweat a lot at night, you could be creating an environment that will draw in pests and invasive growths. Invest in a spring mattress in this case. If you do not sweat, the memory foam mattress may be a good option for you.

Waterbeds

Waterbeds should not be placed on the floor. They do not have the support or durability that the other mattresses do, meaning the floor could be a make or break for this expensive piece. 

Placing a waterbed on the floor might result in: 

• Alteration of the floor thanks to the weight of the bed
• Destruction if there is a leak of any kind
• A bad night sleep every single night

If you have a waterbed, leave it where it was intended to go. Do not take the risk of putting this liquid-filled sleeping surface on the ground and causing damage to large areas of your home and your bed.

Understand that Getting up May be Harder

The last thing to consider when deciding on this bed is the issue of getting up. Since the mattress is on the floor, gravity becomes a bigger issue. The sleeper needs to rise a lot further to get themselves up in the morning.

While this may not be an issue for younger folks, older people may not be able to pull themselves up off of a mattress on the floor. It strains the knees and the back more than rolling out of bed does. Consider the durability of your joints as you think about what you would like to do.

Conclusion

Putting your mattress on the floor has many benefits, but there are also some disadvantages that come with it. Before moving the furniture to the ground, you should become familiar with some of the issues that come with sleeping closer to the ground.

From dust allergies to bugs, there is the potential to experience a lot on the floor. There is also much potential for good. In the end, after you have taken everything into account, the decision is yours.