Sleep Health

Published July 6, 2022

8 min

Can You Put a Mattress On the Floor?

Maybe you have recently moved to a new home or had a new mattress delivered. Since you are without a bed frame or a box spring, you are probably wondering if you can put a mattress on the floor.

DreamCloud Editorial Team

Table of contents

Pros of Putting Mattress on the Floor Cons of Putting Mattress on the FloorWhat Types of Mattresses Can You Put On the Floor? What Type of Mattresses You Can’t Put on the Floor? How to Properly Sleep With a Mattress on the Floor? Frequently Asked Questions

Maybe you have recently moved to a new home or had a new mattress delivered. Since you are without a bed frame or a box spring, you are probably wondering if you can put a mattress on the floor.Putting a mattress directly on the floor is not recommended as it can damage the quality of the mattress and most mattresses are designed to be used on a bed base itself. This article will walk you through the pros and cons of using a mattress on the floor and more. Read ahead!

Pros of Putting Mattress on the Floor

Moving your mattress to the floor is not all bad. You experience a few benefits when you put your mattress on the floor.

Economical

One of the main benefits of moving your mattress on the floor is the money you save, which would have otherwise been spent on a bed frame or a base. A solid bed frame doesn’t come cheap, and you will be saving several hundred dollars. In fact, there are suitable mattress types to be used on the floor, so you can plan ahead and opt for a supportive mattress.

Improves Blood Circulation

Sleeping on the floor brings in a few health benefits. Since the floor is a firmer base, your body weight gets evenly distributed, which aids healthy blood circulation because there is less pressure on the lumbar spine, shoulders, and hips. When the blood circulation improves, your organs will be able to function properly and prevent any diseases.

Back Pain Relief

Today, you will find mattresses that are suitable to be used on the floor because placing your mattress on the floor can relieve back pain. When you sleep on the floor your spine and neck stay in proper alignment and help you correct your posture too. Since the sleeping surface is extremely firm, it is advised to sleep on the back to avail of the benefits.

Keeps You Cool

We have been taught in school that hot air rises while the cool air stays down. So, sleeping closer to the ground is usually cooler than sleeping on a raised platform. However, today, you have mattresses with cooling technology that is perfect for hot sleepers.

You May Save Some Space

The bed frames are usually larger than the mattress, which can take up too much space. If you have a small room and more space is something you crave, sleeping on the floor can be beneficial.

Cons of Putting Mattress on the Floor

Some drawbacks of putting your mattress on the floor are given below.

Gets Dirty, Faster

One of the main drawbacks of a floor mattress is that it can get dirty easily. Since it’s on the floor, you may walk on the mattress as you move around. And the ground is where all the dust and dead skin cells collect, even if you are vacuuming and cleaning the floor regularly, it can still make your mattress prone to dust and debris.

Can Increase Your Allergies

If you have any respiratory issues or allergies, putting your bed on the floor should be avoided as the dust can trigger allergic reactions. This will interrupt your sleep cycle leading to an unproductive morning and can also hamper your health.

Mold and Mildew

When you place your mattress on an elevated platform, the airflow keeps the mold and mildew away as the mattress stays dry. But, that’s not the case when you are putting your mattress directly on the floor. The moisture accumulated in your mattress via sweat and other body oils can cause mold and mildew buildup.

Difficult To Get In And Out Of The Bed

Imagine you have had a few beers, and you need to hit the washroom several times throughout the night. But getting up and then laying down can be difficult when your mattress is on the floor. While putting your mattress on the ground is a good temporary fix, it can be problematic in the long run.

Not Suitable For Side Sleepers

Side sleepers need a plush mattress that adjusts to their body's shape. But, with a firmer surface that won’t be achieved.

Can Interfere With Your Warranty

Since the mattresses are designed to be placed on the bed frame, putting your mattress on the ground can lead to its quick deterioration. And there are manufacturers who advise against it and it can also lead to voiding the warranty.

What Types of Mattresses Can You Put On the Floor?

A few mattress types are designed to be placed on the floor. They are thick and plush and function as they should, even without a base. Some of the most common types of floor mattresses are;

Rollup Mattress: They are very thin mattresses usually used for travel or sleepovers. You can easily roll the mattress and store it without any hassle. These mattresses are also easy to carry.
Folding Mattress: These mattresses can be easily folded and you can carry them even when you are traveling.
Air Mattresses: Inflate the mattress whenever you want to use them with an electric pump or manually and deflate them and easily fold the mattress once done. They are easy to store and use but not suitable for long-term use.

Generally, floor mattresses are designed for temporary use. Maybe you have a wedding to host and several guests are staying with you, or perhaps it's a sleepover, portable mattresses are only suitable in such situations. Now, you can put your innerspring mattress on the floor too, but the chances of it getting damaged are higher as it is not compatible with the floor. But, there is a type of mattress you should never put on the floor.

What Type of Mattresses You Can’t Put on the Floor?

You must never put a Memory foam mattress on the floor because foam mattresses tend to trap heat and moisture and when they are placed on the floor, the airflow is almost completely blocked. This causes mold or mildew build-up, damaging your mattress rather quickly. Also, foam mattresses are not designed to be placed on the floor. A foam mattress needs a foundation that can absorb the weight. And a floor doesn’t help. It will not only hinder the foam but will also prevent the proper functionality of the mattress.

How to Properly Sleep With a Mattress on the Floor?

If you have decided on sleeping with your mattress on the floor, this is how you can properly do it.

Air It Out Once A Week

You know, when a mattress is placed on the floor, it collects moisture. Therefore, airing your mattress every once or twice a week is necessary. Also, if it is a flippable mattress, flip it with every air out session. This will prevent any mold or mildew build-up. Airing out the mattress is especially important for people who are residing in humid cities.

Place It On A Finished Surface

Just because you are placing your mattress on the floor doesn’t mean you keep it anywhere. It is important to place your mattress on finished surfaces, such as hardwood floors or carpets. This can protect your mattress's bottom surface and prevent any dust from penetrating inside.

Bring Home A Mattress Protector

The job of a mattress protector is to take care of your mattress whether it is on a frame or the floor. So, this is a wise investment as it can help keep the mattress clean. And, washing the protector every week is very easy and most of them can be machine washed.

Keep The Floor Clean

When you are using a mattress on the floor, it can easily catch dust. Therefore, it is important to clean the floor, especially where the mattress is placed multiple times.

Clean The Sheets Often

When you are sleeping on the floor, the sheets are more prone to dirt and grime that they catch directly from the floor. Therefore, regularly washing your sheets will maintain your mattress hygiene. When it comes to placing a mattress on the floor, it comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. So, choose wisely and take all the precautions while sleeping on the floor as mentioned above.Disclaimer: This website does not offer medical advice nor professional medical services; rather, it is provided solely for educational, informational, and/or entertainment purposes. Individuals seeking medical advice should consult a licensed physician. The information provided should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any condition, disease, or injury. When you have a medical condition, you should always talk to licensed doctor or other certified medical professional. You should never delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment based on the contents of this website. Call 911 or immediately go to the nearest emergency room if you think you may have a medical emergency. The contents of this website are provided "as-is", Dreamcloud Sleep and its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, contributors disclaim any warranty of the information contained herein. Please contact support@dreamcloud.com to report any errors, omissions, misinformation, or abuse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put a Dreamcloud mattress on the floor? No, we don’t recommend you place the Dreamcloud mattresses on the floor. You can, however, use it with any foundation base . Can you put a box spring on the floor? Yes, it is perfectly alright to put a box spring on the floor. What goes under a mattress? Mattress bases or mattress foundations must go under the mattress. How high should your bed be on the floor? The ideal bed height is between 25-30 inches. How to keep a mattress from sliding? To keep your mattress from sliding, you can make use of a non-slip pad beneath the mattress. What is a low-profile bed frame? A low-profile bed frame sits very close to the ground and is typically only five inches high.