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There are many causes as to why a mattress may sag prematurely but the main thing to keep in mind is that a sagging mattress can be avoided entirely, as long as you take note of a few key things. Barring the fact that your mattress is way past its best before date, the leading cause of premature mattress sagging is that your mattress may have been made from inferior materials.
There are a few things in life you should never skimp on and where you lay your head is one of them. As you’ve probably already heard, humans spend a third of their lives in bed. You wouldn’t want to sleep on a dinky bed every night now, would you? I know I don’t.
You would want your bed to be as comfortable as possible. People nowadays even go so far as to invest in weighted blankets, zero gravity beds and whatever hot, new thing that comes along that promises to improve sleep quality. But mattresses – more importantly, the right mattress – is where it’s at (and where your head should be on).
The telltale signs of a saggy mattress are quite easy to spot. What’s more is that you can definitely feel them. Sagging mattresses have a dip in the center or they can have sagging areas on the side where a person sleeps the most. Some mattresses sag stealthily and slowly, always check for an uneven sleep surface.
Top 4 causes of a sagging mattress
- Substandard materials – A mattress that’s shoddily made or even a nice looking mattress made with cheap materials will most definitely break down before you could even say 10 year mattress warranty. Foams, springs, wood and metal: these are the most common components of a mattress. For instance, low gauge steel springs will not hold up as well as high gauge coils. While many manufacturers today are pretty transparent about where they source their materials (with a good number of them providing world class certifications), if there’s something you want to know before buying, do not be afraid to ask. Ask them where it’s made. Ask them where their manufacturing sites are. Ask them anything. Do not be swayed by all the flowery marketing terms. Research and ask. It is, after all, your back, your spinal alignment and your dollars.
- Cheap or incompatible foundation – Take a thousand dollar innerspring mattress and lay it on top of $100 dollar box springs and I can assure you that your mattress still won’t feel like a thousand bucks. Not only that, an incompatible foundation or bed frame will render your mattress (no matter what type) ineligible for any mattress warranties. Most mattress companies explicitly state this on the FAQ sections of their websites if you are buying a mattress online. This shall also be mentioned on the warranty once you receive your mattress. Always make it a point to read the fine print. I mean, come on, you’ve already sprung for a pricey mattress, why not get a foundation to go with it? Most brands today offer bundles and even discounts on bundles (if you really need to save a few pennies). This will not only be for your mattress’ longevity, but your spine will thank you in the long run. (Note: if you already have an existing bed frame or foundation, make sure the mattress you plan to purchase is compatible with it.)
- You are using the wrong mattress for your sleeping position and/or body type – New mattress or not, excessive sagging can be caused by sleeping on a mattress that cannot provide proper support for your weight and sleeping position. It’s easy to think of a mattress as just layers of foam and springs but that’s not all there is to it. Heavier sleepers need a sturdier mattress (we recommend hybrid mattresses for those who are over 250 lbs.). There are 4 sleeping positions – back, stomach, side and combination. Back and stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress while side and combination sleepers need something softer. If you’re a heavyset side sleeper sleeping on a soft mattress, the length of time it takes for normal wear and tear of your mattress doubles. Body impressions will run deep. Think about it.
- Improper mattress care – We all know that a mattress isn’t just used for sleeping, that’s a fact of life. While I am not telling you to stop whatever it is you are doing and treat your mattress like it’s a breakable, delicate thing, you certainly should show it a little bit of love – especially if you’ve invested in a premium mattress. Always use a mattress protector. Clean the mattress as soon as accidents happen. Stop eating in bed. Liquids can seep deep into the mattress and wreak havoc on your mattress’ foam materials. Excessive sweating can actually do the same thing, if not worse. If you tend to sleep hot, invest in bedding products that could help you sleep cool, do not sleep on a mattress directly. And please tell the kids to stop treating the bed like a trampoline.
The effects of a saggy mattress
- Back pain
- Body pain, especially in the main pressure points
- Poor mattress support
- Sleep disorders
How to prevent a mattress from premature sagging
So, you’ve just gotten a new mattress. Mazel tov. We’ve already mentioned quite a few tips above but to drive our point home, here’s a few strategies to keep your shiny, new mattress in tip top shape.
- Buy a mattress protector. Use it.
- Use a compatible foundation/bed frame/box spring.
- Clean or spot clean as soon as accidents happen. Some mattress covers are removable and washable, always check the label.
- Keep liquids as far away from the bed as possible.
- A bed is not a trampoline.
- If you’ve confirmed that it’s a factory defect, make use of the company’s warranty.
What to do if your existing mattress is sagging
If your existing mattress is already showing signs of the dreaded sag, first thing to do is check if you are still within the mattress warranty due date. If you are, arrange for an exchange or refund immediately. If not but you still believe your mattress has a few good years left in it then here’s a few tips on how you can fix a sagging mattress.
- If you’re using a box spring, check to make sure that your box springs are still intact. They could be the culprit. Remember, a good foundation is key. Same goes for bed frames.
- In a pinch, a mattress topper can do wonders but only for a little while and can only provide a more even sleep surface for a small dip. Mattress toppers are essentially just foam inserts and can only do so much. Remember, they are not replacements for your mattress’ comfort layers; they are meant to make your mattress firmer or softer. Body impressions can still happen on mattress toppers. Thicker toppers may work a bit longer but would still fall prey to sagging in the long run.
- Think it’s your coil system that’s the culprit? Over time your mattress’ coils can lose tension and contribute to mattress sag. If you are still not willing to let your mattress go and are handy with tools, you can replace you mattress’ entire coil system, provided that they didn’t use a very high tech one. You can easily purchase pocketed coils, high density foams and other mattress materials online or at any major hardware store. But be prepared to put in some serious work into it as you have to ensure that you do not damage the layers that are still intact or mess up the cover. How do we know, you ask? Well, we’ve DIY-ed a mattress, thank you very much.
- Again, this is only for very small dips and barely noticeable sagging: use thicker bedding. Using a thin sheet can make you feel every little dip and bump.
- Let’s face it, if you’ve exhausted all possibilities and your mattress is on its last legs then the best thing to do is to buy a new mattress.
Before you go mattress shopping
There is no such thing as the perfect mattress. Most mattresses have a lifespan of 7-10 years and mattress warranties average at 10-15. But here’s the catch, most warranties are limited and the stipulations can vary wildly depending on the mattress brand. I know I’ve already mentioned this before but always read the fine print, especially before dropping a couple of grand on something like a Tempur-Pedic.
Speaking of higher end brands, they really do tend to last longer than the average mattress. Modern mattresses, such as mattress in a box brands, are also most likely to be up to date on their certifications and generally have good shape retention. Some of these brands even offer something they call a forever warranty which again, is subject to stipulations. But it certainly is food for thought. In the end, the decision is all up to you. After all, perfection is near impossible to achieve but the ideal mattress for you is out there.
Michelline loves nothing more than a cozy bed, with a stack of books at her side. She loves getting lost when she travels, can bake an entire British afternoon tea from scratch, is obsessed with all things analogue and does calligraphy on the side. She currently suffers from mild insomnia and is more than happy to be your guinea pig, so you won’t have to go through all the trouble of finding out what works best for you.
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