How to Fix a Mattress Topper That Keeps Sliding with Tips and Tricks

A mattress topper is an extra layer that sits on top of a mattress to add the right degree of firmness or softness to your regular mattress. It provides added cushioning, comfort, and support, and therefore improves the quality of your sleep. You can find mattress toppers for many different ailments. For example, you can choose a mattress topper to help reduce shoulder pain or choose a mattress topper to help hip pain. It can also play an important role in covering up lumps and other signs of wear and tear on your old mattress, making it feel new again. But, if you find that your mattress topper keeps sliding off, and are wondering how to make sure it stays in position…

To fix a mattress topper that keeps sliding off, increase the friction between your mattress and mattress topper using non-slip mats or velcro, even out the top of your mattress, or buy a headboard and footboard to keep the mattress topper in place. You can also purchase mattress straps to anchor your mattress topper.

Typically, mattress toppers slide off when the surface of your regular mattress is uneven because it is old or when there isn’t enough friction to keep the topper in place. It also happens when there is no headboard or footboard to act as stoppers or when the sizes of your bed frame, mattress, and topper aren’t good matches.

Below you’ll find our tips to fix a mattress topper that keeps sliding off. There are ways to improve the grip of your mattress topper such as using duct tape, pins, velcro, or use tightly fitted sheets or sheet straps to keep it in place. Non-skid mats or even a layer of cotton can keep the mattress topper from slipping. Or you can replace the mattress. You may also find value in learning if you really need a mattress protector as well. After reading this article, if you think you still need more ideas, check out how to hold down a mattress topper for even more tips and tricks.

Make sure to take a look at our complete guide to mattress topper benefits and disadvantages for tons of ideas and information. You may also find when should you buy a mattress topper instead of a mattress valuable too.

Tips to Fix a Mattress Topper That Keeps Sliding Off

1. Use Tight Fitted Sheets to Reduce Mattress Topper Shifting

Place the mattress topper on top of your mattress, get the tightest fitting sheet, and cover both tightly together. However, excess tossing in bed will cause the sheet to loosen and the topper to shift. Here are some highly-rated fitted sheets from Amazon.

2. Use Sheet Straps to Hold a Mattress Topper in Position

In order to prevent the mattress topper from moving around, use stretchable sheet straps, and clip each corner of the topper to the bottom of the regular mattress. Place your bed sheet over the mattress topper and these sheet straps to hold the corners in place.

3. Use Velcro Strips to Hold a Mattress Topper in Place

Stitch velcro strips or attach velcro tape near the edges on the underside of your mattress topper and on the top of the mattress. Make sure that the harder sides of the velcro are aligned correctly with the soft sides when placing the topper on top of the mattress. This method is effective because velcro strips don’t become loose quickly. Here are some high adhesive velcro strips you could use.

4. Non-skid Mats Can Keep a Mattress Topper in Place

Non-skid mats usually sit under rugs or in wet areas like in the shower or kitchen to prevent slippage. They are also used as shelf and drawer liners. Simply place the non-skid mat between your mattress and topper. Its rubber material creates friction, which helps keep the topper in place. It is also possible to buy a trimmable non-skid mat designed specifically to use on a bed, such as the Gorilla Grip Mattress Gripper.

5. Use Duct Tape

Tape the edges of the topper to the mattress to hold them together. Avoid using liquid or spray adhesives as they may leave stains on your mattress when you remove the topper.

6. Use Safety Pins

Using safety pins is a cheap option. Pin the mattress topper to the mattress with at least five big pins per side to secure the topper in place.

7. Use a Layer of Cotton

If the surface of your mattress is too slick, simply place a cotton or a polyester pad on top of the mattress to make sure that the topper doesn’t lie directly on the slippery surface. The cotton layer will hold the topper more tightly to the mattress.

8. Upgrade Your Mattress

If the reason that the topper is sliding off is that your mattress is too old and, so, none of the above solutions work to prevent your topper from slipping, your last resort may be to purchase a new mattress.

Non-Slip Mats for Mattress Pads and Mattress Toppers

A non-slip pad can keep a mattress topper from sliding off.

You cannot have a restful sleep when your mattress topper or pad moves around and keeps you awake. If this is happening, consider getting a non-slip mat for mattress pads and mattress toppers. Non-slip mats are available in different sizes to fit a variety of bed frames, sofas, chairs, and even floors. They prevent mattresses, bedding, and rugs from slipping. If you wish to lock your topper in place and prevent it from sliding, simply lift it up and place the non-slip mat between the topper and the mattress. It is the non-slip material that makes the topper or pad more slip-resistant and difficult to move. You will wake up feeling refreshed if you no longer need to fix the topper or pad that has been moving around or sliding as you sleep.

The Gorilla Grip company gives you lots of information about their non-slip pads.

Examples of Non-slip Mats for Mattress Pads and Mattress Toppers

Product Name and Link to Amazon	Product Details	Price
Tru Lite Bedding Non-Slip Mattress Pad Queen Size	Holds a topper tightly in place Trimmable to fit any size Can also be used to secure sofas, bedding, and rugs	~$20
GORILLA GRIP Original Slip-Resistant Mattress Gripper Pad	Designed to prevent mattresses and toppers from sliding Available in multiple sizes Can be used on sofas, futons, daybeds, and chairs	~$30

Examples of Mattress Toppers with Anchor Bands

Mattress toppers with anchor bands keep a mattress topper in place and prevent slipping.

Many mattress toppers come with an anchor band or strap at each corner. When you place your mattress topper over your mattress, you can easily wrap each band around each corner of the mattress. The straps are elastic and will fit all mattress thicknesses. They prevent your topper or pad from moving on the mattress. Your sleep won’t be disturbed by your topper sliding, slipping, or bunching up.

Examples of Mattress Toppers With Built-in Anchor Straps

Product Name and Link to Amazon	Product Details	Price
Royal Plush Mattress Topper, Twin, 3″	Features four elastic anchor bands that hold the topper in place Fits all mattress thicknesses	~$60
Home Sweet Home Dreams Thick Hypoallergenic Down Alternative Mattress Topper, Queen, 2”	Features four anchor bands, one attached on each corner of the topper Elastic bands wrap around the mattress to keep the topper in place Prevents movement	~$65

Preventing a Mattress Topper or Pad from Bunching Up

Your mattress topper or pad will lay flat all over your mattress at first. However, as soon as you roll over and shift in bed, some toppers and pad begin to bunch up, creating ridges and bumps. Then, they become uncomfortable to sleep on. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your topper or pad run flat on your mattress.

To prevent a mattress topper or pad from bunching up, follow these steps using sheet straps. Cover your mattress topper or pad with a tightly fitted sheet and tuck that under your regular mattress. Use the four sheet straps to hold all of it (sheet, mattress, and topper) securely in place. Clip one of the straps to one corner edge of the sheet, and stretch it down until it wraps around the corner of your regular mattress. Then, attach the strap to the opposite edge of the sheet corner. Repeat for the remaining sheet’s corners.

Note: Gel vs. memory foam mattress toppers may be more firm and therefore they may not bunch up as easily.

Buying a Mattress Topper with Straps

Another example of a mattress topper with anchor bands included.

A lot of mattress toppers come equipped with anchor straps as part of the package. See our section above on anchor bands for examples. The straps are attached from edge to edge on each corner of the topper. They wrap around the corners of your regular mattress to keep the topper in place on the mattress.

You will be able to toss and turn in bed without worrying about finding your topper displaced and crumpled. Make sure to also check out our articles on choosing a mattress topper for a side sleeper and how to choose a mattress topper to help with neck pain and support if you suffer from either of these ailments.

Mattress toppers are available with anchor straps that will help anchor your topper to your regular mattress and keep it laying flat without bunching up. The straps are elastic and can therefore fit mattresses of all depths. They ensure a strong grip and tight fit to prevent the topper from shifting whenever you get in and out of the bed or anytime you or your partner move about during the night.

Will Mattress Retainer Bars Keep a Mattress Topper from Sliding?

Mattress retainer bars are special bars mounted on the sides or corners of a bed to prevent a mattress from sliding around when pressure is applied or released. They are found as part of adjustable beds to keep the mattress in place when the head or foot of the bed lifts up or down. They are typically screwed or attached to the bed frame and stay in contact with the mattress.

Mattress retainer bars will not keep a mattress topper from sliding because the topper adds more height to the mattress and the bars do not normally reach that height. The retainer bars are short and cannot handle more than one light mattress.

Can you use a mattress topper on top of a memory foam mattress?

Will Bed Sheet Clips Keep a Mattress Topper In Place?

Bedsheet clips connect to the edges of your bed sheet or mattress topper and slide easily along a strap under your regular mattress without lifting. The strap wraps around the edge of the mattress and clips to the opposite edge of the topper. This setup keeps the sheets, the topper, and the mattress in a tight package so that nothing slips off. One effective product is essentially a set of suspenders for a bed, made by a manufacturer of suspenders, the Hold Up Suspender Company.

Bedsheet clips will keep a mattress topper in place by enveloping the mattress and mattress topper in a single cover and anchoring the two together with pressure from the bedsheet. They work well with all bed types and sizes.

How To Fix a Mattress Topper That Keeps Sliding Off