This Is How To Support A Mattress Without A Box Spring

bed box spring

You can support your mattress without a box spring. Here are the best choices to support and protect your bed. 

In the absence of a box spring, one can support a mattress with the correct bed frame or placing the mattress directly on the floor.

Box spring bases remain a steadfast favourite among sleepers but are they absolutely necessary? Nope. We explain why and provide the top 2 alternatives for your mattress.


How To Support Your Mattress Without A Box Spring

A box spring is a closed rectangle. A box spring is often wrapped entirely with fabric. The name comes from the springs that are often inside the box but not all box springs contain coils. So is this piece of furniture a total necessity? Not at all. 

You can also place the mattress directly on the floor or raise the mattress on a bed frame. We will cover the pros and cons of both. 

We tracked down the best mattresses that are available on the market today. We reviewed for quality, top brands, and ultimate comfort.


How To Place A Mattress Safely On The Floor

clean floor for bed

There are quite a few things that you must consider before placing a mattress on the floor. 

Clean The Floor Beforehand

Before you plonk your mattress down on a spot, first make sure that the designated area is lemony fresh. Swept clean and washed or if the room has a carpet, properly vacuum cleaned. But whether you mop or shampoo the area, allow the spot to air dry completely. If there is a speck of moisture, it might be enough to encourage the growth of mould – especially if the region has a lot of humid weather. 

Are you having trouble with a moist mattress protector or you are washing a new item for the first time? This is how to dry a mattress protector safely.

Keep Humidity Under Control

There is a reason why people raise their mattresses on box springs or bed frames. These pieces of furniture allow air to flow through the gap underneath them and that reduces the harmful effects of high humidity. 

What are the effects of high humidity?
  • Mould and mildew ruining the mattress.
  • Mould and mildew can also aggravate asthma and allergies (Here are the best tips for hay fever).
  • It can make the mattress feel too hot.

But what if your bed feels too cold? That is just as bad and can interfere with a good night’s sleep. Discover the top 4 reasons why your mattress is cold. We won’t leave you with frozen toes, either. For every reason, we included a toasty remedy or two!

How Do I Control High Humidity?

Controlling the humidity in your bedroom is essential to add years to the lifespan of your mattress. This becomes even more important if your bedroom has an en suite bathroom where hot showers are the norm (a lot of hot showers also add to the humidity in your bedroom). 

A surefire way to control high humidity in any room is a dehumidifier. While you go about your day, the dehumidifier will purify the air of excess moisture and collect the water inside a tank. You will be amazed at how much water a dehumidifier can collect on a muggy day! In some humid regions, a dehumidifier needs to be emptied several times a day.

That being said, if you do not have a dehumidifier there is no need to rush out and purchase one. Sometimes, creating enough airflow in the room is sufficient. You can do so by creating a draft in the bedroom – open a couple of windows, turn on fans or the ceiling fan. 

Like to stare at that ceiling fan before you turn in for the night? Here are the best mattresses for back sleepers.

How Do I Protect My Mattress On The Floor?

It’s not a good idea to place the mattress directly on the floor. In some cases, it can damage both the floor and the mattress. If you are decor-conscious, one must admit – it looks like unfinished business. Like somebody stole the box spring and just left the bed there. However, when a large carpet is placed under the bed, there is a beautiful touch of style and you know that both the floor and mattress have extra protection.

Are a bed and a mattress the same thing? If this question keeps you awake at night, wonder no more. This is the difference between a mattress and a bed.

The Benefits And Drawbacks Of A Bed Frame

bed frame

Bed frames are becoming so popular that they are quickly replacing box springs. Bed frames are mainly solid sheets or slatted. Both have benefits and problems that need to be considered before you settle either way. 

What Are The Benefits Of Bed Frames?

  • Bed frames are lighter making them easier to move.
  • They are also easier to clean often needing only to be wiped down with a damp cloth. A box spring with fabric normally needs to be shampooed or professionally cleaned.
  • They are available in all designs; from minimalist to ornate.
  • Both the slatted and sheet varieties allow airflow around the mattress.
  • They look more modern.

Learn how to cover a memory foam topper.

What Are The Drawbacks Of Bed Frames?

  • Some bed frames have slats that are spaced too far apart. This can damage a mattress so much that the bed’s lifespan is shortened significantly. 
  • Bed frames that are solid can reduce airflow to a degree.
  • Some bed manufacturers promptly cancel their warranties once they learn that a damaged mattress was placed on a certain bed frame. For this reason, it is wise to check the brand’s recommendations for your new mattress before you buy a frame.

This is how you can make a mattress protector at home.


What Do I Do With My Old Box Spring?

Alright, so you have decided to try a bed frame or the floor. What to do if you now have a box spring without a purpose? This is not an item that you can store in the closet – it takes up a lot of space. 

Charity organisations love old beds and box springs. You can help furnish the home of someone less fortunate by donating your old furniture. You can even advertise the item for free or at a price in the local classifieds. But if your box spring is too damaged, stained or broken, then recycling is the most environmentally friendly route. 

The recycling of mattresses and other bedroom furniture is such a booming industry that we wrote a special article on the topic. Catch all the easy and green tips on how to dispose of a mattress. The information counts for your box spring too!


A Quick Summary On How To Support Your Mattress Without A Box Spring

  • Mattresses need support to stay in great shape.
  • A box spring is an enclosed box (often containing springs) made of fabric.
  • A box spring is not the only option to support a mattress.
  • Two alternatives are to place the mattress on the floor or raised it on a bed frame.
  • Both alternatives have benefits and drawbacks.
  • You can donate an old box spring to a charity or recycle the item.

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About the Author Tom

My journey into the world of sleep came about through living in several properties over my lifetime and always seeming to have the worst luck with neighbors. All but one have been extremely noisy and very inconsiderate. What this made me realize early on, was that the little sleep my neighbors allowed me to get needed to be of great quality. So I started to learn all about sleep, and what helps people get the best quality sleep possible.