Single Bed Mattress

Single bed mattresses: natural cotton and kapok for one sleeper

A single bed mattress is the bed of many firsts: a child's first bed of their own, a student's hostel cot, a grandparent's bed in a quieter room, the divan that becomes a guest bed when relatives visit. Because one person sleeps on it, a single mattress is easy to lift, turn and air, which is exactly what a natural fill needs to stay fresh. Soft Souls single bed mattresses are filled with natural cotton or kapok (Illavam Panju), finished in a 100% cotton cover, and each one comes with a pillow.

Single mattress size: what fits your bed

Single beds in India are not one fixed size. Most are between 30 and 36 inches wide and between 72 and 78 inches long, and older wooden cots are often 3 × 6 feet (36 × 72 inches). Our single bed mattresses measure 36 × 75 inches, the right size for a standard single bed or divan. For a narrower or shorter frame, measure inside the edges of the frame, not the outside, and allow for a headboard or footboard.

If your cot is 3 × 6 feet, look at our foldable kapok mattress for single cots, which measures 36 × 72 inches and also comes with a pillow. It folds for storage, which helps in a small room or a hostel cupboard.

Cotton or kapok for a single bed?

Both fills are natural plant fibres, and in the single size both weigh about 5 kg. The difference is the feel.

• Single bed cotton mattress: a medium, steady surface that keeps the body level. Our notes list it for back, side, stomach and combination sleepers, so it is a safe choice when you are buying for someone else.
• Single bed kapok mattress: a medium-soft, springier surface with more give under the shoulder and hip. It suits side, back and combination sleepers who find cotton too firm.

Not sure? Cotton is the more familiar feel for most families; kapok is the choice for someone who wants a little softness without foam.

Who buys a single bed mattress

• Children moving out of the parents' bed. A single mattress on a low frame is a comfortable first bed. Add a kids pillow sized for younger sleepers.
• Students and working professionals in hostels and PGs. A 5 kg mattress is light enough to carry up the stairs and take home in the holidays.
• Elders who prefer their own bed. A single bed is easier to get in and out of, and a steady cotton mattress is a familiar feel for many.
• Guest rooms and divans. A single mattress on a divan doubles as seating by day.

Handling and care for a single mattress

At about 5 kg, one adult can carry a single mattress to a balcony or window to air it, which is the most important habit for any natural fill. Air it in the shade rather than strong sun, turn it end to end every few weeks so the fill settles evenly, and pat out any flat spots with your hands. Never wash or soak the mattress; keep spills off it with a well-tucked bedsheet, and spot clean the cover with a damp cloth.

Completing a single bed

A single bedsheet is the natural partner. Ours are 60 × 90 inches with one matching pillow cover, which leaves enough fabric to tuck in neatly around a 36 × 75 inch mattress. Your mattress already comes with a pillow; a second pillow cover means there is always a fresh one ready on wash day.

Need something lighter?

If you want a slim layer to roll out on the floor or to soften a hard cot, rather than a full mattress, look at our single quilt mattresses in cotton or kapok. They have the same 36 × 75 inch footprint at about 3 kg, without a pillow.

Setting up a single bed for a child

When a child moves into their own single bed, a few small choices make the change easier. Keep the frame low so getting in and out is safe. Choose the steadier cotton fill if your child sleeps on their tummy, or kapok if they like to curl up on their side. Use a kids pillow rather than an adult one, so their neck stays level. A bedsheet in a colour they choose themselves helps the new bed feel like theirs, and a spare sheet makes night-time accidents a quick change rather than a crisis.

Single bed mattress price

Single bed mattresses at Soft Souls start from ₹3,700.00, inclusive of all taxes, with the pillow included. Every product page shows the current price, size, weight and fill in its Material Passport. Orders are dispatched within 1 working day. Unused mattresses can be returned within 7 days.

Single bed mattress questions

Can an adult sleep comfortably on a single mattress? Yes. At 36 inches wide, a single mattress is the standard width for one adult. People who turn a lot or sleep with their arms spread may prefer the extra room of a double.

Will a single mattress fit a 3 × 6 foot cot? A 36 × 75 inch mattress is 3 inches longer than a 72-inch cot. Choose our foldable 36 × 72 inch kapok mattress for an exact fit.

How long does a natural single mattress take to settle? Natural fill settles into its shape over the first few weeks of use. Turning and patting it in that time keeps the surface even.

Can I use it on the floor? Yes, but air it more often, because a mattress on the floor gets less air underneath. A cotton mat or a slatted base below helps.

Part of our Mattresses range. Also see Single Bed Cotton Mattress, Single Bed Kapok Mattress, Double Bed Mattress, Double Bed Cotton Mattress, Double Bed Kapok Mattress, Cotton Mattress.