When it comes to the setup of your sleep environment, one of the most common frustrating issues many encounter is the sinking mattress. Even the best mattresses lose their shape over time, and the dreaded sag begins. But why does this happen? What can you do to fix it? And how do you stop it from happening again?
| Mattress Type | Fibre Type | Expected Lifespan Before Potential Dips (if not maintained) | Can Settlement Be Prevented? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Coil / Traditional Bonnell Spring | Synthetic | 2-3 Years | Partly, with the addition of a topper and monthly turning |
| Memory Foam / Mattress in a Box | Synthetic | 3-4 Years | Not usually, as they are one-sided and can only be rotated |
| Hybrid Foam Mattresses | Synthetic | 5-6 Years | Not usually, unless they are two-sided |
| Latex Foam Mattresses | Synthetic/Natural | 8-10 Years | Yes, with turning and rotating |
In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore everything about mattress sinking, including its causes, effects, and solutions. Whether you’re arising with aches and pains or just noticing a sag in the center of your mattress.
Common Causes of Mattress Sinking
What is mattress sinking?
When we discuss a “sinking” mattress, we mean the slow degradation of the mattress construction that causes noticeable dips, indentations or uneven surfaces. Gradually, the materials that make up the mattress lose their properties to return to their original shape after use. That leads to sagging that can adversely impact comfort and support.
Unlike normal compression (when a mattress molds itself to your body as you sleep), sinking is more permanent. It also tends to develop a “valley” in your mattress that fails to bounce back, even without weight being applied.
Signs Your Mattress is Sinking
How to tell if your mattress is sinking? Here are a few definitive signs:
- Visible Indentations: If there are indentations in your mattress, either in the middle or where you normally sleep.
- Uneven Surface: When you run your hand over the mattress, it feels bumpy or hollow.
- Breach of Comfort: You don’t feel sufficiently supported anymore and the mattress is no longer conforming to your body.
- Back Pain/Discomfort: Chronic pains, especially in lower back, may be a sign that your mattress is not providing adequate support.
When you noticed one or more above signs, it’s time to solve the mattress sinking issue for better sleep quality.
Causes of Mattress Sinking
A sagging mattress doesn’t occur overnight—as a rule, it’s the outcome of wear and tear, neglect, or even bad-quality materials. Here’s a closer look at its primary causes.
Material Breakdown
The materials used in a mattress break down at different speeds, which directly affect its durability and sinking resistance.
Memory Foam:
Popular for their comfort and ability to contour the body, memory foam mattresses often sag as they age. The foam loses its elasticity over time, particularly if it’s not dense.
Innerspring:
Innerspring mattresses are supported by coils. Over time, coils can lose their tension or break making the mattress sag in certain places.
Latex:
High-grade latex mattresses are more durable yet can also sink if the latex breaks down with time or neglect.
Weight Distribution
Your body weight and how you sleep affect how a mattress will wear down. Additionally, those with heavier weight or couples generally find they sink too quickly in zones of concentrated weight. Additionally:
- Side Sleepers: Usually lead to sagging around the shoulders and hips.
- Back Sleepers: Sinking mostly in the lower back.
- Stomach sleepers: Tend to have sagging around the midsection because they are applying extra pressure there.
Foundation Issues
Even the best mattress will sag if it’s not properly supported. A subpar or incompatible base (old box springs or spindly slats, for example) can cause uneven weight distribution, which can wear your mattress down faster than if it had a good foundation. Make sure that your mattress has a solid and level foundation to ensure the materials are not unduly stressed.
Age of the Mattress
No mattress lasts forever. Mattresses typically last around 7–10 years, depending on their materials and quality. If your mattress is older than this, it’s probably starting to show signs of wear, like sinking. Age is therefore an important element due to frequent usage and degradation of material over time.
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Effects of a Sinking Mattress
A sagging mattress doesn’t just look or feel unpleasant — it can significantly interfere with your sleep and overall health.
Impact on Sleep Quality
A sunken mattress can affect your sleep in several ways:
- Messy: You might spend the whole night tossing and turning to search for the optimum position.
- Less Comfort: Poor cushioning can leave you unrested after a full night’s sleep.
- Disrupted Sleep Cycles: If you’re breaking sleep cycles often rather than lengthening them due to discomfort, your body is missing out on restorative rest.
Health Implications
Sleep on a sagging mattress can cause:
Back Pain:
“Without enough spinal support, the muscles in your back can have to work harder to compensate, which can lead to discomfort or chronic pain.
Bad Posture:
In the long run, sleeping on an uneven surface can cause the spine to be misaligned.
Muscle Stiffness
People using saggy mattresses repeatedly complain about waking up with sore or stiff muscles.
How to Fix a Sinking Mattress
The upside is that there are both short-term and long-term solutions to a sagging mattress. Let’s explore them in detail.
Temporary Fixes
Using Pillows for Support
Elevating the sagging areas of your mattress with pillows can give it extra support. Although it is a close quick fix, it isn’t a permanent solution, and may not address severe sagging.
Adding a Mattress Topper
If your mattress has begun to sink, a good mattress topper can hide a few of the symptoms by creating another layer of comfort. For best results, choose a memory foam or latex topper.
Long-term Solutions
Rotating or Flipping the Mattress
Some mattresses (especially double-sided ones) can be turned or rotated so that wear is more evenly distributed. This practice is especially useful for avoiding sagging in the first place.
Replacing the Foundation
If the culprit is the base your mattress is sitting on, replacing it with a good, solid platform or slatted foundation can help a lot.” Make sure the foundation is compatible with your mattress type.
Plywood Support
Placing a sheet of plywood between your mattress and support can provide support and help reduce sagging. This is only a band-aid, and will not apply for heavy cases.
Considering a New Mattress
If your mattress is more than eight years old or deeply sagging, it’s a good time to consider a replacement. To ensure longevity, opt for mattresses with high-density foam or durable coils or latex.
| Mattress Material | Average Lifespan | Durability Rating |
| Memory Foam | 7-10 years | Moderate |
| Innerspring | 5-8 years | Low |
| Latex | 10-15 years | High |
Preventing Future Sinking
Better to prevent than to cure, always. Doing the right things early on can prolong the life of your mattress and help you to never have to sink.
Choosing the Right Mattress
Things to keep in mind when shopping for a new mattress:
- Material: Latex and high-density memory foam mattresses are less certain to sag.
- Type: Hybrid mattresses with solid coils and reinforced edges will provide optimal support.
Proper Maintenance Practices
- Regularly Rotate: Rotate your mattress over every 3 to 6 months to allow for even wear.
- 01 Use a Mattress Protector: Protects against spills, dust, and allergens with protection so that these can not affect the integrity of the materials.
- Vacuum Regularly: To prevent dirt from settling in that can damage materials over time, keep your mattress clean.
Conclusion
So, for sleep health, it is great to combat the mattress sinking behavior! Whether your mattress has early signs of sagging or is simply too unbearable to sleep on, there are ways to bring it back to life and make it usable again. The answer ranges from temporary solutions such as mattress toppers to long-term investments such as a new mattress, but the solution ultimately depends on the severity of the problem.
Use the tips we offered to evaluate the mattress you have now. Getting a good night’s sleep is important to your health and well-being, don’t skimp on your comfort!
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