How to Fix a Sagging Mattress

If you've been experiencing a sinking feeling in your mattress, don't worry, you're not alone. Many people find that their mattresses start to sag over time. 

Keep reading to learn not only how to address mattress sagging, but also what causes mattresses to sag. That way, you can prevent it from happening even before you notice any signs.

Looking for a new mattress? Purple offers a variety of mattresses for all sleeping positions and body types. Purple’s Gelflex® Grid is firm enough to support you while providing the comfort you need.

looking for a new mattress? Purple offers a variety of mattresses for all sleeping positions and body types. Purples Gelflex Grid is firm enough to support you. While providing the comfort you need. 

How To Fix A Sagging Mattress

You can’t exactly undo the damage that’s already been done. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to improve the problem and prevent a mattress from sagging prematurely, including flipping and rotating your mattress regularly, using a mattress topper, and pairing your mattress with the right foundation.

Here are a few strategies you can try:

1. Flip And Rotate Your Mattress Regularly

Flipping a mattress means turning it over to one side while rotating a mattress means turning it 180 degrees, changing where you place your head and feet on the bed. Doing these regularly can help prevent it from sagging prematurely. 

We recommend rotating your mattress every three to six months. This can help distribute your weight more evenly across the mattress’ surface. Rotating also helps slow down the process of sagging if it has already begun. By switching the head and foot of your bed regularly, you alternate which parts of the bed bear the most weight for a given time. 

However, not all mattresses should be flipped or rotated. For some types of mattresses, flipping and rotating can cause damage to the bed. Check out our guide to learn more about if you should flip or rotate your mattress, or contact your manufacturer for advice on whether your mattress is flippable.

2. Purchase A Mattress Topper

A mattress topper is an extra layer of foam that you place on top of your mattress for added comfort. Mattress toppers can provide additional cushioning to sagging mattresses and keep you from experiencing back pain, sore shoulders, stiff neck, and other sleep-induced aches of the sort.

If you’ve already bought a new mattress and are wondering whether you can put it on top of your old one we've developed a  guide that will answer all of your questions. . In short, adding a mattress on top of another may negatively impacts the overall support, longevity, breathability and warranty of both.  A mattress topper is a specific design that cannot be substituted with a mattress. 

3. Change Your Foundation

Mattresses that lack  support at the center – a common issue with memory foam mattresses – tend to sag faster than mattresses with springs – such as innerspring or hybrid mattresses. Though latex beds don’t have the kind of internal mattress support that innerspring and hybrid mattresses do, their material is inherently more durable than polyfoam.

This is why it’s important to pair your mattress with the right foundation. An inadequate bed foundation can speed up the sagging process. This is especially true for beds that make use of slats, as the unsupported areas can be ground zero for sagging. 

Learn what kind of bed foundation is best for you.

4. Fill The Space With Pillows

For a really quick fix, grab some pillows for additional support in areas where your mattress has started to sag. This will help reduce any pain you might feel from sleeping on an uneven and unsupportive surface. 

5. Add a Bunkie Board Underneath The Mattress

A bunkie board is a thin piece of plywood covered in plastic that is placed between the bed frame and the mattress. Bunkie boards function similarly to box springs, potentially providing additional support, stability, firmness, and more equal weight distribution.

That said, laying on a piece of plywood isn’t the most comfortable experience, even with a mattress on top. Another common issue with bunkie boards is temperature regulation. By placing a flat, solid piece of plywood underneath your mattress, you make it harder for air to flow out from underneath. If you like sleeping all bundled up under your blankets, using a bunkie board might not be the best method for preventing sagging and lumps, as it will likely contribute to heat retention.

Learn more about bunkie boards in our guide.

6. Consider Your Mattress Warranty Coverage

Many mattress warranties cover sagging. However, most manufacturers have specific criteria (such as depth or severity of sagging) before they can actually cover the issue. 

Before purchasing a new mattress, make sure to check the warranty to see how much damage a manufacturer is willing to cover. 

What Does Sagging Feel Like And Where Does It Usually Occur? 

Mattress sagging feels like there is an uneven spot or a dip in the center, particularly at points where your hips and shoulders come into contact with the mattress the most. Over time, these common pressure points leave a mattress indentation that’s not hard to see and feel. 

Before we answer the question “how do you fix a dip in a mattress?” Let’s take a closer look at what makes mattresses sag in the first place. 

What Causes Mattresses To Sag?

There are several reasons why a mattress may sag. The three main reasons are:

Sleeping Position

You and your partner’s sleeping preference – for example, side sleepers or stomach sleepers – may not have a direct contribution to your mattress sagging. However, if you like sleeping on a particular side or spot day in and day out, this could make a difference in how quickly your mattress sags.

Poor Support

Using an old or flimsy box spring or bed frame could lead to a mattress sagging, especially if the box spring or bed frame can no longer support the weight of the mattress. Wear and tear can compromise the effectiveness of a box spring or mattress foundation, making it less capable of distributing your weight evenly across the bed.

If you’ve just purchased a new bed and are wondering if you can use a new mattress with an old box spring, check out our guide for more information. 

Wear And Tear

Sagging is a normal part of a mattress’ life cycle. It happens slowly over time as pressure is applied to the foam layers every night. This pressure causes the foam to soften and gradually lose the buoyancy and support it used to provide. 

For innerspring and hybrid mattresses, sagging can also happen when the metal coils lose their tension after years of use.

Do Purple Mattresses Sag Over Time?

Purple mattresses are specially engineered to reduce sagging. All Purple mattresses come with an instantly adaptive GelFlex Grid, a soft and supportive comfort layer made of hyper-elastic polymer that reconfigures itself to support your body weight and move as you move. Its shape retention properties are similar to memory foam, but its 1,400 individual air channels help dissipate body heat – something that memory foam mattresses have a tough time doing. 

All Purple mattresses are backed by a 10 year warranty which covers visible indentations and impressions (in other words, sags) of up to one inch so if you do start to experience sagging, you can rest easy with Purple.  

The Bottom Line

Mattress sagging is a common issue with  older mattresses. If you notice signs of premature sagging, such as indentations that don’t go away, there are some things you can do to prevent further sagging. 

Once you notice the signs of a deteriorating mattress, you may want to consider getting a new one. To learn more about the signs of a bad mattress, how long mattresses last, and how often you should replace your mattress, visit our blog for more information.

Ready to find the mattress that was made for you, your habits and your hurdles?  Purple offers a wide range of mattresses for all sleeping positions and body types. Purple’s proprietary GelFlex Grid – a hyperelastic comfort layer found in every Purple mattress – is firm enough to support you while providing the comfort you need to get a restful night’s sleep. 

FAQs About Sagging Mattresses

Why is my mattress sinking in the middle?

Mattresses sink due to natural wear and tear. Mattresses typically last between 7 to 10 years. Over this time, the foam and coils that are designed to support your body weight wear down. 

Once you start noticing sinkage, lumps, and creaking noises, or if you start to feel uncomfortable or have more difficulty sleeping, then it may be time to replace your mattress. 

Can you fix a sagging mattress?

There are no foolproof solves  to fix a sagging mattress. Once a mattress begins softening, there isn’t much you can do to return it to its original shape. 

However, there are many ways you can prevent further sagging, including flipping and rotating a mattress regularly, using a mattress topper, and using a more supporting foundation to improve the longevity of its comfort layers.

How can I fix the indentations on my mattress?

Aside from rotating and flipping your mattress, you can try fixing the indents on your bed by filling the gaps with pillows and using a bunkie board to prevent further sagging.

Can you refurbish a mattress?

You can refurbish a mattress but in most scenarios this will require a professional, third-party company. . Typically, most people will only go so far as to deep clean an old mattress. Refurbishing an old mattress can be costly and time-consuming.