Fix Your Sagging Mattress Quick
Do you wake up with hip pain, a stiff spine, or a sore back?
Yeah – it's probably your sagging foam mattress.
Waking up with back pain is an indication that your sagging mattress may be hurting you, particularly if you feel the stiffness / pain fade during the day.
Our first suggestion is to look for sagging spots on your mattress. A sagging mattress throws your spine out of proper alignment, leading to spinal stiffness and pain.
Keep in mind that we spend a third of every day sleeping. That is six to nine hours your backbone could be putting out of whack, which may affect blood circulation and your muscles.
To test if your mattress has sagging areas, place something flat like a yardstick across the surface of your mattress and look for gaps beneath. Frequent areas of sagging are where significant human body pressure points exist – such as the shoulders, hips, knees and head.
Also, run your hands over your mattress and feel for lumpy places and areas where your springs feel different or are poking through.
If you feel any of these, you'll either have to repair the mattress (tough) or buy a new one.
Fixing a Memory Foam Mattress
Mattresses made by the top memory foam companies like TempurPedic last about eight to ten years, while some more affordable options begin to sag within fewer years of use.
If your memory foam mattress is sagging, first, try rotating the mattress 180 degrees or turn it over it if it is double-sided bed. This will make it so that your body applies pressure in new areas. This can even out the foam by redistributing weight.
If that does not work, look at buying a memory foam mattress topper. A solid topper will cover slight indentations and does not change your mattress's feel too much.
Memory foam toppers are available in various thicknesses and offer optional features like cooling and extra pressure relief.
How To Fix a Sagging Pillow Top Mattress
Leading pillow-top mattresses such as Avocado and Dreamcloud cannot be flipped, so the only answer is to rotate the bed. The same method applies, your weight will be redistributed and can hopefully even out the pillow top.
If rotating does not work, try slipping a 1″ thick wooden plank between your mattress and box spring or mattress frame where it is sagging. The board will serve as another layer of support for your mattress base, which will even out the bed and decrease the sagging. Keep in mind it may make your mattress feel firmer, however.
You can also try testing your bed's box spring to determine if it has broken or weak spots. A faulty box spring cannot support a mattress correctly, which may cause sagging.
You can test your box spring simply by pushing your hands on it, or you may even catch your little children and have them walking around on it a little bit.
How to Fix a Sagging Mattress Using a Mattress Topper
If your mattress is sagging only marginally, you can improve your sleep using a mattress topper.
If you sleep alone or are lightweight, a mattress topper may also provide a softer top to make your bed feel more inviting.
Remember that mattress toppers tend to make mattresses feel softer, so you need to think about your adequate firmness level before making the switch.
How to Fix with Plywood
If your mattress has a little sag or you notice it may require more support in a specific area, in some instances you'll be able to fix it with plywood.
Plywood is an affordable choice to fortify your mattress frame, and it is easy to DIY.
Just set the plywood between your mattress and your box spring in the area you will need the fix.
Adding plywood provides more support, and it could also help prevent your mattress from squeaking if there is too much pressure in your box spring.
If you don't have a box spring and sit your mattress on your frame, you may want to double up on the plywood to ensure it stays straight and sturdy. Plywood won't completely resolve the problem, but it should help.
If you want a bit more under mattress support, cut your plywood so that it is the exact dimensions of your mattress, and then set the plywood under the entirety of your bed.
Signs It Is Time to Buy a New Mattress
Unfortunately, the answers above are temporary solutions. They can help a mattress to feel firmer or softer – and enhance its stability – but they aren't likely to correct the sagging completely.
The one thing that will genuinely repair your sagging mattress problem is buying a new mattress.
Here are some quick rules for when you are way overdue to purchase a new mattress that does not sag:
- Your mattress is broken in some way and has springs poking out of it
- Your mattress has a permanent indent of 1.5″ or deeper
- Your mattress is over ten years old and uncomfortable
Best Mattress that Won't Sag
Hybrid and coil mattresses will be the sturdiest beds and tend to hold up better over time, meaning less sagging or permanent indentations.
Coil and Hybrid options are especially perfect for heavier individuals who need more support to prevent sagging.
One especially notable mattress is the Saatva mattress. This mattress uses a double layer of coils. It's an innerspring support system on the bottom and individually wrapped coils in the center for optimum support.
If you're on the lookout for an extra durable mattress, Saatva is a fantastic option.
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