Why mattress sags in the Middle: All You Need To Know

Did you wish to know why your mattress sags in the middle? When your mattress sags, it can no longer provide us with sufficient quality sleep. Worse, it can even cause back pain.

Sleeping on a deforming mattress can negatively affect the quality of your sleep.

I can’t forget how much my sides hurt when I woke up two years ago when my mattress collapsed. While I was looking for a solution, I discovered this remedy.

What to do if a mattress is sinking? How do you solve the problem, and how do you choose the right thickness? Here are some tips to help you.

Also read: What is a refurbished mattress?

Let’s go.

Why Does Mattress Sag?

We spend around a third of our lives sleeping, so it’s natural that mattresses should be tested. Latex and memory foam mattresses are less prone to sagging than others, but their lifespan is not infinite (10 years and more).

Over time, the mattress will bear your weight as you sleep. If you don’t change position very often and have your habits (for example, if a couple always sleeps on the same side), there will automatically be a risk of creating a more or less deep hollow, depending on the quality of your bedding.

Generally, a mattress sags in the middle at two or three other pressure points.

The foam in your mattress settles due to the weight of the sleeper(s) and their habits: some couples tend to sleep on opposite sides of the bed and in the same position, so the pressure points involved are always the same.

Though romantic, the famous “spoon” position is also a culprit. Perspiration is also an essential factor, as mattress fillings absorb much liquid. It’s, therefore, normal for your mattress to sink after several years of use.

Of course, this also depends on the quality of your box spring and original bedding. Notably, spring or latex mattresses are particularly resistant to hollows that reduce comfort.

They are, therefore, particularly recommended for people with back problems. It’s also essential to choose a mattress according to its foam density. Foam density must correspond to your morphology.

How To Diagnose Mattress Sagging?

If the mattress is less than ten years old

1. DISTINGUISH BETWEEN COMFORT AND SUPPORT

Comfort is the first sensation. It is linked to the mattress filling:

  • Wool
  • wadding
  • silk.

The richer the filling, the more comfortable and plusher the mattress. Support, on the other hand, is linked to the core of the bed. It is related to the technologies of which it is composed:

  • pocket springs
  • latex
  • foam.

2. CHECK ITS ADAPTABILITY?

While the comfort of a mattress is important, support is the most crucial consideration when choosing bedding.

Always choose a mattress that is adapted to your morphology. The weight/size index helps determine the ideal density, which guarantees the comfort and longevity of the bedding.

You shouldn’t sleep on a substantial mattress if you’re thin, and vice versa. We invite you to follow this advice. Did you know? The causes of poor-quality bedding can have repercussions on your physical and mental health.

Last but not least, we advise you to respect the rotation cycles of the summer and winter sides of your mattress to ensure its longevity.

3. ANALYZE THE SAGGING OF YOUR MATTRESS

As the mattress adapts to the shape of your body, the materials used to fill it may settle slightly. It is normal and in no way affects the comfort or strength of your mattress. If all these points are respected, and the bed has lost at least 20% of its initial height, this is a sag or hollow, in which case you can apply the manufacturer’s warranty.

How Can I Reduce The Sagging Of My Mattress?

Once the hollow appears, it can be difficult to dislodge, as it means that the foam has been compressed. There are some ways you can reduce sagging.

First, turn the mattress over so the indentation faces the box spring. It should improve your comfort, but it will only be a temporary “camouflage”, as your bed will remain deformed.

You can also position the mattress vertically and tap it on all sides to distribute the foam. A badminton or tennis racket will do the trick.

Finally, some people recommend placing a small blanket under the hollow to compensate for the relief, but this method tends to deform the mattress even more.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BASE

Some people decide to sleep directly on the mattress (usually on the floor) and not use a box spring for reasons of economy or taste.

In such cases, the mattress is subjected to the weight of the sleepers on its surface, whereas it cannot diffuse the pressure of a sprung or slatted base.

The mattress is then compressed, which can lead to the formation of hollows.

Choose a base that can absorb the pressure of the mattress. To do this, avoid rigid slats spaced too far apart, and favour good-quality bases. Your bed will be all the better for it.

Is It Bad To Have A Sagging Mattress?

When a mattress is sagging, your sleeping comfort is no longer guaranteed. Sleeping on a sagging mattress can also cause back pain: the quality of your bedding is essential for a good night’s sleep.

Can A Sagging Mattress Cause Back Pain?

When you suffer from back pain, the first step is to identify where the pain is coming from. Many factors, including ageing, injury, lifestyle, lack of exercise, poor movement, etc, can cause it.

However, one factor is often overlooked: the quality of your mattress. Most people ignore the quality of bedding when suffering from back and lumbar pain, such as lumbago.

We spend a third of our lives sleeping, and mattresses are unfortunately not eternal. They wear out over time and can cause back pain.

Depending on your morphology and age, you don’t necessarily have the same mattress requirements. So if you regularly suffer from back pain, we recommend an orthopaedic mattress.

The good news is that if your mattress is the cause of your pain, you need to change your bedding by replacing your worn-out mattress with a new one.

The price of a new mattress varies according to its quality, components and brand, but it could be the key to helping you get a good night’s sleep without back pain.

How Long Does It Take For A Mattress To Start Sagging?

A good quality memory foam bed typically lasts 8-10 years. However, an average-grade mattress begins to droop after many years of use.

To correct drooping in a memory foam mattress, rotate it 180 degrees or flip it. It guarantees that the heavier sections of your body apply pressure in various regions, evenly dispersing the memory foam and keeping the bed even.

A memory foam mattress topper is another option; it helps to smooth out the saggy regions of your mattress, making it more pleasant to sleep.

Conclusion

Now you know why the mattress sags in the middle, remember that Reliability is also determined by the condition of your box spring and original bedding.

It’s worth mentioning that spring and latex mattresses are particularly resistant to hollows, which impair comfort.

See our collection of best mattresses here

I have an extended article stating Should i buy a returned mattress?