Fix Your Sagging Mattress Fast
Do you ever wake up with a sore back, hip pain, or a stiff spine? Dont blame this on old age just yetits most likely your mattress. While we as a society often overlook back pain because it can be caused by so many different things, waking up with back pain is a major sign that it has something to do with your mattress, especially if you notice the pain or stiffness fades over the course of the day.
Our first recommendation is to look for sagging spots in your mattress. A sagging mattress causes spinal pain or stiffness because it throws your spine out of proper alignment. Remember, we spend a third of our 24-hour day sleeping. Thats six to nine hours that your spine could be laying out of whack, which can affect blood flow and your muscles.
To check if your mattress has sagging areas, try laying something flat like a yardstick across the top surface of your bed and look for gaps underneath. Common areas are usually where heavy spots of the body, like the head, hips, and shoulders, lay. Also run your hand over your mattress and feel around for areas that are lumpy, hard, or where there may be areas where your springs feel different or are poking through. If you feel any of these, you either need to fix the mattress or get a new one.
What Else Makes Organic Latex Mattresses Sag
Another factor that contributes to an organic latex mattress sagging is the weight of the person sleeping on it. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds and your partner weighs 100 pounds, then you’ll put more pressure on one side of the bed regularly. This means that for every night you sleep this way, there will be twice as much wear and tear on one particular side of the mattress.
Other factors include:
- How often two people change positions while they are lying next to each other and whether they turn side-to-side or back-to-front.
- A person’s individual body weight, age and sleep habits
- The firmness of the mattress that is selected for a particular person
- The position an individual sleeps in
- How often you change your sheets
- How often you rotate the mattress
- The weight of any quilts or bedding you use
- Whether you’re using a mattress protector
- Whether the latex mattress is used as a guest bed or on a daily basis
- How you store your latex mattress when you don’t need to use it
The above list is not exhaustive and there may be other factors that will affect the life of a latex mattress. It’s also worth remembering that new mattresses are designed to last longer than old ones, so take the age into account before you act on any advice given in this article.
Fix : Mattress Toppers
A common solution to a sagging bed is a memory foam mattress topper. A thick topper can even out a sleeping surface. Still, a topper follows the shape of the mattress, so while it can help with the mattresss feel, a topper wont add support.
A mattress topper is good for a side sleeper, but a back sleeper or stomach sleeper may sink uncomfortably deep, causing misalignment and back pain.
You can find a memory foam mattress topper between $50 and $300, although the price range is dependent on the size and thickness you want.
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How To Fix A Sagging Mattress: Conclusion
Weve covered all the tips youll need to help minimize sagging or how to fix your mattress with the manufacturers help. And using any of these methods will give you more time with your existing mattress, but no mattress will last forever.
In general, most need to be replaced every six to ten years, depending on their design, materials and build quality. For a better overview of what life span you can expect, read our feature answering how long does a mattress last.
Once a mattress has started to sag its only a matter of time before it will need to be replaced, as excess sagging leads to pain and restless sleep. Learning how to choose a mattress for your sleeping position can make a difference to not only your sleep comfort but also how long it lasts.
To boost your sleep comfort further, consider investing in the best pillow for your sleeping position. And to keep your entire bed fresher for longer, cover it well with a good mattress protector for safeguarding against stains and spills.
Vacuum Your Mattress Regularly
- As a part of your monthly general house cleaning is to vacuum your mattress. This is to keep the bed bugs away. Bed Bugs can be harmful to your health. Most especially for your kids. There are even people who are allergic to them. Another great thing about having your mattress vacuumed is that it removes dust particles. This is to prevent asthma, sinusitis, and any other allergic reaction to your family.
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Use A Mattress Helper
Many people are skeptical about using Mattress Helper to fix the issue of sinking in the middle. Well, it works! With the mattress helper, you can restore the sagging areas of your mattress thus making your mattress feel heavenly once more. It offers the lacking support from below the mattress hence giving you proper comfort and alignment.
For better results, you can combine the use of a mattress helper and mattress topper.
Signs You Need A New Mattress
- You feel like you are falling A sloppy mattress does not adequately support your weight therefore, you will probably have a strange feeling of slipping out from your bed or collapsing into the center of the bed as you sleep.
- You feel tired even when you wake up Usually, a sagging mattress impairs sleep quality. Thats because you are aware of the hole in the bed, and youre probably trying to do everything to avert it. This continuous fight all night long prevents you from sleeping peacefully and restoratively, which is why you wake up weary.
- You wake up with back aches Because a sagging mattress no longer supports your spine properly, you might suffer mild back aches in the long term. This happens when your weight is unevenly distributed, and certain nerves and muscles face excessive strain.
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Use A Piece Of Plywood
In some cases, you need to add extra support to your mattress to prevent it from sagging.
A piece of plywood can be successfully used to do that. Place this piece between the mattress and the bed frame. The mattress will rest on the plywood and hopefully return to its original position in a couple of days or weeks.
With that being said, keep in mind that your mattress might feel a little harder at first, but hopefully, youll get used to it. You can also use a combination of a topper and plywood to sandwich your mattress and make it come back to its normal shape.
Choose A Firm Mattress
Choose a firm and supportive latex mattress rather than one that is soft and squishy. Soft mattresses are more likely to sag because they do not have much structural support, whereas the firmer ones will last longer due to their stability.
The best mattress comfort level for side sleepers is medium-firm, while stomach and back sleepers will prefer a firm mattress. The mattress firmness should also be chosen according to your weight. If you weigh more than 230 pounds, you should always opt for a firmer mattress to make sure that it will last longer while you’ll be getting more comfortable sleep.
If you’re lighter than 130 pounds, you can choose a softer mattress, but do not let it be too soft to the point that your weight will make it sag.
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Box Springs Or Slats Replacing
In case you have a platform bed, the potential reason for your depressed mattress can be old and broken underneath box springs or wooden slats. Thus, you need to check them first to determine if they are worn out. For each case, you can:
- Look for the damaged box springs and easily replace them with the new ones for the best results. They may have different sizes and are less expensive than buying a new mattress. Just be sure to get the types that match your mattress springs.
- Find out the warping slats under the box spring and replace them to support your mattress in time. The damaged frame and slats may lead to a slight depression at the center and the uneven surface. You can replace them with new metal slats that supply the smooth surface. Just make sure that new slats have the same size as old ones.
Use A Mattress And Box Spring
More bed frames across the United States are beginning to come with slats that can be used instead of box springs. From an efficiency, space, and cost standpoint, this might seem too good to pass up! Plus, who wants to spend extra money and time getting a box spring after youve invested good money on a new mattress?
Unfortunately, slats do not provide the same level of support for your mattress as does the right box spring. That lack of support allows the bottom of the mattress to sag more with pressure. Even though the difference may be barely visible to the naked eye, prolonged excess sagging can add up.
You might be wondering if this means that all mattresses require a box spring. The answer is no, but most will do better with one. You can use the slat option for newer foam and latex mattresses however, they will not provide the same level of support as a full box spring, so sagging will be greater following years of use.
As for other types of mattresses, it is particularly important to use a box spring if you have an innerspring, two-sided mattress. Why? The comfort and performance of your bed will suffer if you do not. When you arent sleeping on one side, laying it to rest against a box spring can protect it.
Additionally, some mattress warranties will cover excessive sagging, but that guarantee becomes void if you do not use a box spring with your mattress.
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How To Fix A Sagging Mattress With Plywood
If your mattress has a slight sag, or you notice it might need more support in a certain area, in some cases you can fix it with plywood. Plywood offers an affordable option to reinforce your bed frame, and its easy to DIY. Just place the plywood between your mattress and your box spring, in the area where you need the fix. Adding plywood offers more support, and it can also help stop your bed from squeaking if theres too much pressure on your box spring.
If you dont have a box spring and rest your bed on your bed frame, you might need to double up on the plywood to make sure it remains straight and sturdy. Plywood wont completely fix the issue but it should at least help.
If you just want a little more under mattress support, cut your plywood so that its the same dimensions of your mattress, and then place the plywood under the entirety of your bed.
How To Prevent Your Mattress From Sagging
Youve experienced the discomfort of a saggy mattress, and you want to fix your old one or protect your new one. We will show you how to prevent your mattress from sagging.
Helpful Resources
At Mattress Advisor, youll find comprehensive, unbiased reviews on the best mattresses and bedding products and thoroughly researched tips for getting your best sleep.
There is nothing less comfortable than a mattress that caves in. Rather than offering support, that gaping hole in the middle can suck you in, leaving you feeling trapped, uncomfortable, and overly warm. Not only can this make sleep less enjoyable, but it can lead to trouble sleeping and aches and pains. One of the telltale signs that your mattress cavern has gotten out-of-hand is lower back pain.
Dealing with mattress sagging is particularly challenging when sharing a mattress with a partner. When one person is bigger than the other, that bed indent can cause a Leaning-Tower-of-Pisa effect. The result is the smaller partner often being sucked into the adjoining crevasse.
Fortunately, there are things that you can do to fix a sagging mattress. However, there are also times to throw in the towel and go shopping for a new mattress that you can protect from day one. We will help you understand why a mattress starts sagging, what you can do to avoid it, what you can do to fix it, and the best types of mattresses to buy in the future to prevent this uncomfortable black hole.
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In Hot Weather Keep Your Mattress Cool
Keep your latex mattresses at an ideal temperature by adding a cooling gel pad underneath them when they’re warmer than 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooler the better! This way you can avoid over-heating which can contribute to premature aging and wear & tear.
Warm latex is more prone to sagging, so make sure the latex mattress is cool before you sleep on it or put sheets and bedding over it.
How To Fix Sagging Mattress
Its possible that your mattress has to be replaced if its sagging. The solutions outlined in this article are intended to provide temporary relief from a sinking mattress, but they will not address the underlying issue.
Mattresses should be replaced every 6 to 10 years on average. If your mattress begins to sag too much, it should be replaced right away.
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Get A Mattress Helper
Lastly, another alternative would be to invest in a mattress helper to help fix any potential sag from the bottom. With a mattress helper, you get to place one under your mattress to increase the base layer and consequently increase the foams lifespan.
However, mattress helpers are not the most affordable choice, but they get the job done in making the bed feel normal. If you can, try to consider them if you wish to get more out of your memory foam mattress in the long run.
How To Fix A Sagging Memory Foam Mattress Know The Tips And Tricks
After a few years of sleeping on a memory foam mattress, you may notice that it loses its form, support, and responsiveness, leading you to sink too deeply into it and feel engulfed. If you examine the mattress more closely, you may detect indentations that not only make sleeping more comfortable, but also endanger your health by causing back and hip discomfort, stiffness in the spine, and other issues.
Little indentations are common after you get out of bed, even with high-quality mattresses, as memory foam has a delayed response to pressure and takes time to return to its original shape. Indentations that have been present for a long time, on the other hand, may indicate drooping.
So, what should you do if your mattress begins to sag in certain areas? Should you try to fix it or replace it? Well, that depends on the gravity of the situation. A temporary fix can serve until you can afford a new bed if the drooping isnt extreme or youre simply not ready to buy a new bed yet.
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Downsides Of Using Plywood For Bed Support
The wood under the mattress will isolate the mattress from below and will prevent airflow. This can lead to increased sweating and can cause a bad odor from bacteria accumulating.
Also, in a long-term perspective, this may lead to mildew growth. Mildew will not only be unpleasant, but it can also damage the mattress and lead to further sagging.
To prevent mildew and increase air circulation, you should make a set of holes in the plywood using a drill and turn the mattress regularly.
What Is Mattress Sagging
When a mattress develops a noticeable dip or dips, it’s called mattress sagging. Typically, mattresses begin to sag where the heaviest parts of the bodylike the hips and shouldersrest on the bed. Many mattress companies define substantial sagging at a certain depth for warranty purposes, typically around 1 to 1.5 inches.
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Why Do Mattresses Sag And Is It Really A Problem
Sagging is generally the result of normal wear and tear, as when the materials in a mattress are exposed to pressure each night, sagging occurs at the points where our body places the most weight.
The original quality of the materials within your material make a big difference to lifespan, but foam will gradually soften and not bounce back after use. Springs also loose tension over time, leading to less rigid support and more sagging.
Why is this a big deal? Because a sagging mattress can play havoc with your body, causing back and neck pain and preventing you from sleeping properly. Numerous studies show that new mattresses increase sleep quality and reduce pain, so keeping your bed in tip-top condition is vital to your health.
What Causes Mattress Indentations And Sagging
Even the strongest mattresses eventually sag, but with the right materialslike super-durable latexa mattress may maintain its firmness and support for up to 20 years. But as the chart below shows, some mattress types and materials sag faster than others.
In most cases, mattress indentation and sagging result from:
- Prolonged use
- Using an improper or low-quality foundation
- Inadequate care
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