Written by Jill Zwarensteyn, Editor
Is your bed sinking in the middle? Over time, the part of the mattress that you spend the most time on will naturally suffer the most wear and tear. Even though sagging mattresses are all-too-common, they are no fun to sleep on, and doing so for an extended period can have severe effects on your health, particularly the condition of your back.
Read on as we discuss all of the best ways to fix a sagging mattress and help you decide whether it might be time to purchase a new one altogether.
Why Do Mattresses Sag in the Middle?
You can find many different kinds of mattresses on the market, consisting of various materials. The components and structure of your mattress contribute to how long it will last before it begins to sag.
With repeated use every night, your body weight compacts and softens the materials of your mattress, creating an indentation in the most-used sleeping area of your bed. Furthermore, you’re most likely to feel the sag around your center of gravity. When your mattress no longer provides you with consistent support, your sleep quality may diminish, affecting all areas of your health.
Tips on How to Fix a Sagging Mattress
You may find yourself asking, “How do I fix a lumpy mattress?” A sagging mattress is often a signal to shop for a new bed. However, you can do several things to extend the life of your aging mattress before heading to the store for a new one.
These simple solutions may solve your saggy mattress troubles, at least temporarily.
Flip and Rotate the Mattress
Moving your mattress around will change where your body is distributing your weight while sleeping. Rotating your mattress can reduce the sagging that has already begun and provide you with a fresh, more comfortable mattress area to sleep.
If your mattress is dual-sided, you can also try flipping the mattress. Most modern mattresses have one side intended to be the top, but some offer a dual-sided design that allows you to take advantage of both sides.
Get More Info: How Often Should You Flip Your Mattress
Replace the Mattress Foundation
Just like your mattress, the foundation of your bed can deteriorate over time. A faulty foundation could be the cause of your mattress sagging in some cases. If your bed platform uses slats, confirm their even placement, with no significant gaps for your mattress to sink through.
Mattress foundations with only four legs may also begin to sag in the middle without center support. If your bed lacks an even foundation, the pliable materials will follow the uneven shape. Switching out the box spring or bed frame for your mattress can often solve sagging issues.
Use a Mattress Topper
One of the easiest ways to upgrade your bed and remedy your sleep once your mattress has started sagging is to add a mattress topper. Adding a topper gives your bed additional height and a new layer of comfort. Typical mattress toppers consist of foam or latex; you can also find filled, quilted mattress toppers stuffed with wool or down feathers.
The topper will add a significant cushion to your mattress and provide support where you need it most. While adding a mattress topper will not stop your bed from sagging, it could make your bed comfier and thus improve the quality of your sleep.
Add Extra Pillows
Another quick fix is to add more pillows to your bed. The pillows may fill in the sagging area and provide a more level surface. Pillows will not necessarily stop your mattress from sagging, but they might help you get a good night’s sleep. In addition, these pillows can help reduce pain in your legs, hips, back, and neck.
Be sure to only use pillows on the surface of your mattress. Placing the pillows between your mattress and the foundation can speed up the deterioration of your mattress.
File a Claim With Your Mattress Warranty
If none of these solutions sounds right for you, you also have the option of filing a claim with your mattress’ warranty before purchasing a new bed out-of-pocket. Be sure to read the terms of your warranty carefully.
If you can link the sagging in your mattress to a reason the warranty covers, the manufacturer may either replace or fix your damaged mattress. Most companies will send a person to your home to inspect the mattress.
How to Prevent a Mattress from Sagging
If your mattress is still reasonably new and in good shape, it is always easier to work on preventing sagging than to fix a bed that has already started to decline. You can also use several of the above tips to extend the life of your mattress before it starts causing you problems. Try implementing some of these strategies to maintain your mattress quality:
- Sleep in a different position.
- Regularly rotate your mattress.
- Ensure that you’re using a supportive foundation or box spring.
- Maintain the foundation of your mattress regularly.
- Add a mattress topper to your bed.
Signs That You Need a New Mattress
While all these tips and tricks can certainly extend the life of your mattress, no mattress will last forever. Eventually, you’ll need to replace your mattress. How often you should replace your mattress comes down to the kind of mattress you have.
If any of the following apply to your bed, it might be time to go mattress shopping.
Poor Sleep Quality
If your sleep quality begins to deteriorate, it could be a sign that your mattress needs replacing, even if it is not showing any noticeable signs of sagging. If you are not getting a good night’s sleep, your bedding is not serving its intended function, and you should look into alternatives.
Spine or Back Pain
Sagging or aging mattresses are among the top causes of neck and back pain. When you do not receive proper support during your sleep, you put stress on your bones for hours each night. Over time, this stress can cause severe discomfort and lead to serious health issues.
Broken Mattress
Unfortunately, spotting the signs of a corrupted mattress is not always as apparent as a consistent indentation or damaged springs poking through the cushioning.
One of the most telling signs that your bed needs replacing is edge sagging. Beyond sinking where you sleep, if the defined edges of your mattress begin to fail, you are no longer resting on a safe surface. Poor edge support could lead to you falling out of bed.
If you are looking for a new mattress, take a look at our list of the Best Mattresses of 2024.
Most Durable Mattresses
If you need to replace your mattress, you want to ensure that your new one will last for close to a decade or more. Most mattresses last around 7-10 years, but purchasing a high-quality hybrid or coil mattress could extend that lifespan.
An innerspring mattress is one of the most classic bed designs, and it has stuck around this long for a reason. The interior layer of coils provides support, while upper layers of foam and padding keep you comfortable all night long. You can also usually find this classic style of mattress for a more affordable price than a more modern foam or latex bed.
Hybrid mattresses combine mattress styles and materials, taking the best features from coil, foam, and latex beds to create maximum comfort. In addition, they come in various firmness and support levels, giving you several options from which to discover the right mattress for you.
Jill Zwarensteyn
Editor
About Author
Jill Zwarensteyn is the Editor for Sleep Advisor and a Certified Sleep Science Coach. She is enthusiastic about providing helpful and engaging information on all things sleep and wellness.
Combination Sleeper