How to Restore and Fix a Sagging Memory Foam Mattress (in 3 Easy Steps!)

It has only been a few months, and that new mattress you spent a bunch of money on is already sagging.

Already?

First, let’s clarify something. There are body impressions and then there is significant sagging. It doesn’t take long for memory foam mattresses to form body impressions. This is a normal trait associated with memory foam. Sagging, however, is more extreme, and while most companies offer a ten-year warranty, they won’t cover minor sagging.

If you want to know how to fix a sagging memory foam mattress, you’ve come to the right place. By the end of this article, you’ll be ready to forget about this issue and get back to a good night’s sleep.

1. Use a Mattress Pad or Mattress Topper

The simplest and most effective way to solve a sagging memory foam mattress issue is with a mattress topper. While this might not be a permanent fix, it can sometimes improve the quality of your sleep.

Many folks turn to memory foam to solve lower back pain, backaches, neck pain, and for extra support. Your new bed won’t do you any good if you’re sleeping on an uneven surface full of mattress sag. Adding a mattress topper can help improve your saggy mattress.

Most mattress toppers have foam or latex mattress material, so they share a lot of the contouring capabilities of a memory foam mattress. You won’t be sacrificing any of your pressure points by going out and purchasing a good quality mattress pad.

Keep in mind that this tip will work best if you’re dealing with a mild sag in the mattress. We’re talking a sagging area of around one or two inches but anything more, and you’ll still notice a dip even with the memory foam mattress topper. If you’re experiencing any sagging more than that and you still have a warranty on your mattress, use it.

There is a bit of a difference between a mattress pad and a mattress topper. The topper is usually thicker and contains more material to create a barrier between you and the mattress.

The pad does not provide as much support, and they typically have different materials such as polyester, wool, or cotton. You’ll want to keep all these factors in mind when choosing how you plan on tackling the saggy memory foam mattress.

2. Add More Mattress Support

Sometimes you need more support to keep the mattress from sagging. From the surface, the issue might look like a mattress problem when really, it’s a frame problem. You can find all kinds of mattress support items online and in stores. These will help secure the base of the frame to provide more support to the mattress.

When you add more support, you are essentially lifting the mattress from the slats a little to create a bit of space in between. With that space, you won’t experience the mattress dipping down in between the slats. Some mattress supports will fill in the spots in between the slats completely. When you do this, you’ll usually have the best results.

Ideally, you want to fill all the gaps where the memory foam mattress may sneak through and create dips in the bed. As you lay on those dips every night and put pressure on the mattress, you’re only making the problem worse and causing more damage.

If you read the fine print on your mattress warranty, many will provide specific information about how you need to support the mattress. If you don’t follow those instructions, it will void your warranty, so they understand the importance of providing a proper base for your memory foam mattress.

3. Rotate the Mattress

If all else fails, you can always rotate or flip the mattress. Turning it will help prevent sagging in the same place. If you’ve tackled the two previous issues and you’re still experiencing sagging, it could be due to lack of rotation.

When we sleep in the same spot every day, we’re going to create a dip; there’s no way to prevent that. Whether your mattress is new or old and you sleep the same way each day, that sag is likely your own doing.

Rotating the mattress doesn’t always take care of the problem. You may find that the mattress sagging is on the other side, as well. If that’s the case, then you might want to try flipping it.

Now, there are only a few situations that would merit flipping the mattress. First, it has to be dual-sided. Many mattress companies will recommend against flipping it because the other side doesn’t offer the same benefits as the top.

For example, if you have a memory foam mattress, you likely have a comfort layer on top with support layers on the bottom. The bottom portion of the mattress will be much firmer because it’s supporting you and preventing you from sinking all the way into the mattress. If you prefer a highly firm mattress, then you might like this even better.

Keep in mind that mattresses you can flip aren’t always better. In many cases, these types of mattresses are lower quality and don’t contain the necessary components you need for support, comfort, and balance.

Now that you understand how to restore and fix a sagging memory foam mattress, let’s take a look at some more useful information you might want to know about your sagging mattress.

Read Also: Mattress Sagging vs Body Impression

What Causes a Memory Foam Mattress to Sag?

Let’s say that you’re here because your mattress hasn’t sagged yet. Maybe you’re trying to prevent it in the future. Memory foam mattresses are not cheap, so it’s important to do everything in your power to preserve them. Here are some of the things that cause the mattress to sag.

Extra Weight

The thinner the mattress, the more it will sag. Most memory foam mattresses are no less than 10 inches thick, so if you have a thicker one, congratulations.

If you sleep with a partner or you spend a lot of time in your bed, you’re putting your weight on the top of the mattress. As we do this every day, we leave an indentation.

There’s nothing you can do about this unless you try to add more support to the base of the bed or use a mattress topper to try and slow down the progression of sag. Either way, all mattresses will sag over time with your body weight resting on it every day.

Even traditional mattresses like innerspring and box spring mattresses sag quickly.

Lack of Support

Every high-quality mattress you buy will come with a few different layers. The bottom layer is the support layer. This section of the mattress exists to prevent you from sinking too far in, and it helps the mattress keep its shape.

If your memory foam mattress has poor support, you’ll experience sagging faster. In this case, you need to improvise a bit. We would suggest using some of the tips we outlined above about adding more support to the base of the mattress rather than the top.

Mattress helpers are useful devices because they create a more even base for the mattress to rest. If you have a strong support system underneath the foam, you’ll experience less sagging and more longevity from your bed.

Poor Foundation

Here is where it’s important to follow the instructions and guidelines outlined in your mattress specifications. There should be instructions telling you what type of foundation and bed frame you need and how much space you can have between the slats. Generally, we find that most mattress manufacturers will say no more than 2.75 inches in between each slat.

Gravity will push the mattress down through excess space in the slats when you lay on it. The result will be premature sagging and frustration on your part.

Make sure you consult all manuals, so you know what kind of foundation you need for your memory foam mattress. We don’t recommend attempting a DIY solution for this, either. You could end up voiding your warranty.

How to Prevent Sagging in the Future

The number one best way to prevent sagging is by rotating your mattress regularly. Memory foam mattresses morph and shape to your body, so you need to keep changing the position of the mattress, so it doesn’t have too much time to take shape.

If you want, add a gel-infused memory foam topper to the mattress as an extra barrier. You’ll love the cooling features of the gel, as well.

Another helpful tip is if you’re seriously worried about sagging, you should choose a firmer foam mattress. These high-density foams won’t sag as easily because there is less space between them, and they provide more support. The best mattress, one that comes with quality materials, a sleep trial, and a generous warranty, will rarely sag on you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many years does a memory foam mattress last?

Memory foam mattresses should last as long as ten years, depending on how you take care of them. If you’re following all the tips we’ve talked about, then you should have no problem getting ten years out of your mattress without any sag. Luckily, most mattress companies offer a ten-year warranty that will cover you against any manufacturer defects during that time.

When can you flip a memory foam mattress?

We’ve said that you should always rotate your mattress, but flipping is another issue. Unlike traditional innerspring mattresses, many memory foam beds are not the same on both sides. If you flip them, you’ll end up with a much firmer mattress on the other side. This issue may not be a problem for some, but for most, it won’t work. There should be instructions on this in the manual you received with your specific mattress.

How thick of a memory foam mattress is best?

A: The thicker, the better in terms of wear and tear. While the cost of the mattress will increase as you get up in size, so will your protection from sag. Thinner memory foam in the four to the six-inch range will sag faster because you’re putting more pressure on the mattress and base below.

Conclusion

By this point, you should know exactly how to restore and fix a sagging memory foam mattress. This type of mattress is comfortable, plush, and supportive, but you need to do all you can to preserve it for the years to come.

Following all the tips and tricks we talked about will help you turn that old mattress morning back into a good mattress night of rest.