Is it bad for you to sleep on a mattress on the floor instead of paying cost of buying a bed?

My uncle slept on floor all his life & loved it. I agree beds are a rip off and not necessary if UR short of cash. Think U done right to let him have the only bed as he clearly has concerns while U dont and if UR charging him a rent and he is trying hard to get a job, his comfort shud indeed be a consideration particularly as U seem to be a bit filthy in your habits, which may be why he has valid complaints about you which you may need to address?

I dont think sleeping on floor is really any less healthy nor are you any more likely to attract bugs on floor than U would if your higher up in a bed. You avoid bugs by not being dirty. But otherwise I see no reason why you need to consider putting a mattress on boxes or whatever as some suggest. The only problem about having your mattress on the floor could be if you have mice or rats in flat they cud get to you particulalry if you constantly leave the place in a disgusting state? Also may be good idea if U turn your mattress daily & change and launder your bed linen at least once every 3 days when U sleep on the floor in your own best interests to avoid any hazards to his and to your health.

As long as you have a boxspring under your mattress it doesn't matter where you put it.

And if you don't have a boxspring, on the floor would be best, as it would make it more firm, which is better for your back. The only important thing, when sleeping you should lie on you back. It's much easier on the spine, and can help prevent lower back pain.

But if you took this guy in, and he isn't paying or sleeping on the street, why is he complaining about not have a lifted mattress?

*If you need a cheap bed (and don't weigh a ton) get four large create and a piece of plywood. You can even decorate it with a bedskirt!

No problem with putting a mattress on the floor. Think about all the cultures, such as Japan, that do not customarily use beds.

What's up with the homeless guy, though? You offer him a place to stay and he does not want to sleep on the floor? Seems like he could have a mattress on the floor as well as you could.

I know many people who have mattresses on the floor because it is better for their back. Maybe he equates it with poverty or something?

If your climate is really humid, you may need to ventilate the mattress or turn it over every week, just to keep mildew away. One cheap way to do that is to put the mattress on a piece of plywood (in the USA it comes in a 4 ft x 8 ft. size) and rest the plywood on cement cinder blocks (large construction bricks), plastic milk crates, 4"x4" sections of wood, etc.--just enough to keep the plywood off the floor a little.

Kudos to you for offering this person a place to stay. I hope that you will encourage him to either go back to school or get a job, so he can become independent.

Mattress On Floor

There is no health concerns about sleeping on a mattress on the floor. In fact, many people with bad backs do just that for the extra support.

Here's a thought... You could buy some plywood and cinder blocks from your local Lowes/Home Depot and make a pedestal base for the bed for no more than $100.

I sleep on a mattress that's just on the floor...doesn't bother me (I'm 40 yrs. old, by the way.) I did it as a teen, too, and it's just not a big enough deal to me to spare extra $ I can use toward something else. I'm a single mom, also, with 4 kids. They ( 3 teens still at home) have boxsprings and mattresses, and two have frames. I'm not embarrassed about it; I think it's kind of fun and cool. But if you hate it, then you should get a frame and box spring when you're able to.

wait a second, you've taken in a homeless person and wanting to give your bed up for him??? No friggin way!!! He should be bloody well grateful he has a warm home to sleep in! Tell that lazy kid to either get a job or claim benefits so that he can buy his own bed. You are too nice a guy and you're being taken for a ride, you've given him shelter, food, a mattress, and you're being left out of pocket.

There must be a second hand store or something near you, or scour the papers, i'm sure you could pick up a cheap bed for under £20 just make sure he pays you back.

You don't need a bed with a frame to put a mattress on, your flat mate is being unreasonable, and certainly do NOT give up your own bed, there is no medical reason why you cannot sleep on the mattress alone, in fact, it should be more beneficial for the back.

I think that you are missing the point that your new flat mate should be the one that is sleeping on a mattress on the floor not you. Go to a second hand shop, look around. But really mate i think you are being too generous. If that guy is homeless, there will be certain things he can claim if he ison benefits. don't be taken for a ride.

As one person says you are probably OK provided you keep your place clean but, as somebody else says, if you have vermin like mice or rats in your home you will be more exposed if you sleep on a mattress on floor than if in a bed with legs.

You could also be more exposed to both dust mites causing you breathing problems and viruses giving you flu like symptoms if your personal hygiene is a bit poor, as your comments suggest it may be? This is particularly so if you sweat a lot in bed and tend to throw off your duvet while asleep to cool yourself down, and also if you do not change your bed linen very often.

But you are no more or less likely to get bedbugs if you sleep on the floor than sleeping in a bed, because bedbugs home in on sleeping humans by your breath when you are asleep.. Also once they have found one sleeper in a home and had a meal off him,they usually lay their eggs in that person's mattress whether on floor or high up, and when new bedbug nymphs get born, they will probably smell another sleeper nearby and set up home there. So your flatmate is likely to get them too if you get them..