Does your bed dump you in the middle when you sleep? As you use your mattress, most of the weight is concentrated on your hips, resulting to a mattress sinkhole.
A sagging bed is not only unsightly, but it is also uncomfortable to sleep on. This mattress "sinkhole" causes discomfort, back pain, feelings of restlessness, and overall sleep deprivation. Sagging is unavoidable as your mattress ages, no matter how hard you try to prevent it. This is also a huge sign of mattress wear and tear and may indicate that your bed is already at the end of its lifespan. The best solution is to buy a new mattress.
However, if you’re not ready to get a new mattress yet or if you want some quick fixes while looking for a new mattress, there are a few tips that we can recommend to somehow improve your sleep comfort. Read on to learn more about mattress sagging and some easy steps to improve the condition of your mattress.
Why Does a Mattress Sink in the Middle?
Mattress sagging is typically prominent in these spots:
- The middle of the mattress (where the user usually sleeps)
- In the middle of the bigger mattress (where partners’ weight is mostly felt)
- The middle of the mattress (usually on the shoulder and hip area where most pressure is inserted)
Many mattress models are made from memory foam and latex. Other mattress types have innersprings, pocketed coils, or a combination of various materials, also called a hybrid model. When you lie on your mattress, the foam materials carry your weight and conform to your natural body shape. As time passes, these materials begin to break down and lose their ability to go back to their original shape. They also begin to lose their support, resulting in a lumpy and saggy mattress.
If you have a saggy mattress, you will notice an uncomfortable sinking feeling that may strain your muscles when you lie down. Saggy foam materials cause the inner coils to be more noticeable. If the innersprings poke your back when you sleep, chances are the foam materials in your mattress are already sagging. Inner coils may also break as your mattress ages.
Can a Saggy Mattress Affect Your Sleep?
A bad mattress can certainly affect your sleep quality. A saggy bed does not provide the proper sleep support, thus causing body aches, soreness, sleep deprivation, improper blood circulation, restlessness, memory and mood issues, and more long-term health problems. While you can locate the less saggy parts at the earlier stage of your mattress's ageing, spotting the healthy mattress components will become more challenging, and finding some fixes will become more difficult. This affects the ability of your muscles to rest and recover during snooze.
Signs that Your Mattress is Sagging
- You wake up feeling tired.
- You feel like falling whenever you lie down on your mattress.
- You experience frequent sores and backaches after sleeping.
- Your mattress is lumpy.
- You can feel your mattress coils or foundation.
- Mattress sagging is noticeable.
How to Differentiate Mattress Sagging and Body Impressions
Body impressions happen when you often sleep in a specific place and position on your mattress. While memory foam mattresses do a great job of regaining their shape after use, you might still experience some body impressions due to the weight and pressure exerted on the mattress when you lie down. These are normal. Mattress sagging, on the other hand, is the result of deep impressions that are extremely uncomfortable to lie on and can significantly affect your sleep quality. If the deepest indentation on your mattress reaches 1.5 inches, it means that your mattress quality is compromised.
Is There a Fix for a Saggy Mattress?
If your mattress sinks in the middle, you can try some simple tricks to somehow improve the comfort of your bed. Here’s how you can alleviate the effects of a saggy mattress to improve your sleep quality.
Rotate Your Mattress
If your mattress is made of rotatable materials, try flipping or rotating it to distribute pressure across the bed. This can help prevent premature sagging and prolong the lifespan of your mattress. If you cannot flip your mattress (ex., an innerspring or hybrid mattress), you may rotate it every 3 to 6 months to distribute the pressure throughout the unit.
Place a Board Under Your Mattress
If you have an extra piece of plywood or sturdy board at home, you may use it as an additional support for your mattress. This can contribute some firmness to your saggy mattress. When buying your new mattress, consider getting a bed frame with a quality bed base that can properly support your mattress to improve its support and prolong its lifespan.
Use Some Extra Pillows
A saggy mattress in the middle? You may fix your uneven mattress by filling out the saggy part with some pillows! Place the pillows underneath the bed sheet and above your mattress to fill in the gap. To maintain the shape when you sleep, choose some pillows that do not require fluffing.
Use a Mattress Topper
A mattress topper is a handy solution to sagging mattresses as it provides additional support and breathability to your sleep solution. A mattress topper is available in various sizes.
Vacuum Your Mattress
If you have a lumpy mattress, try vacuuming its surface to redistribute the fillings. This process may also smooth the surface of your mattress.
Check Your Mattress Warranty
If your mattress is still covered under warranty, connect with your mattress provider and check if there are any fixes for your sagging mattress.
Final Thoughts
Indentions in the middle of the mattress are normal since they are the general targets of weight and pressure when you sleep. However, if your mattress starts to sag, your sleep quality can be compromised. You may try some quick fixes to somehow improve your sleep quality, but if your mattress is beyond saving, the ultimate and permanent solution is to invest in a new mattress. The best mattress should provide the right amount of support, pressure relief, and breathability.
Memory foam mattress presents reliable contour comfort, while a latex model offers a breathable and bouncy feel. If you're looking for a mattress to share with your partner, a pocketed spring mattress is the best choice.
When buying a new mattress in Singapore, do some quick research to find the best mattress types and materials that can support your sleeping needs while offering longevity.