6 Ways to Fix Mattress Indentation & Prolong its Life

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Arabella Ruiz
By 
Arabella Ruiz is a senior researcher at The Roundup, specializing in data and statistics. She lives in San Antonio, Texas and has been interested in the environment from an early age. Arabella loves to campaign for environmental causes and fundraise for charities that aim to preserve wildlife habitat, protect endangered species or help people with climate change problems.
Arabella Ruiz
Updated: March 15, 2024

Your mattress is one of the most important pieces of furniture in your home. Not only does it provide a place to sleep, but it can also affect your health and wellbeing.

That's why it's so important to take care of your mattress and fix any indentations as soon as you notice them.

But there is no need to throw a sagging mattress away. This issue can often be fixed fairly easily.

This reduces waste, keeps mattresses out of landfills, and saves you money!

In this article, we will look at the best ways to fix mattress indentation, why it happens, how to stop any sagging from happening in the first place.

If you have a memory foam mattress then don't worry, we have you covered as well.

How to Fix a Sagging Mattress

There are many ways to fix a mattress indentation. You can try one or all of these methods to see which works best for you.

Rotate Mattress

Rotate Your Mattress

This is the first and most obvious thing you can do to prevent sagging and indentations.

Rotate your mattress every few months so that it wears evenly. Don't wait until you notice your mattress sagging. This will help to prolong its life and keep it looking newer for longer.

Rotating a mattress is not the same as flipping it. Many modern mattresses are not double-sided, so they can't be flipped. If you do this you could damage it.

Rotating the mattress means just turning it through 180 degrees. So the end where your head was is now at the bottom of the bed, and vice versa.

This means the mattress indentations caused by your body (which is heavier) will now not be felt as much and will have the chance to work themselves out naturally.

Vacuum Your Mattress

If you have a lumpy mattress then this little-known trick could really help, especially if it has a pillow top filling.

Vacuuming your mattress will not only remove any dust or dirt from the surface, it will also help to even out any ridges in the filling that could be causing the indentation.

Be sure to vacuum both sides of the mattress and move it around so that you reach all areas.

Get a Mattress Topper

If your mattress is starting to sag, you can try using a mattress topper or a mattress pad.

This will help to add some extra cushioning and support, which could help to fix the mattress indentation.

It's also a good way to help prevent your mattress from sagging in the first place.

Look for a well-made, sustainable mattress topper and it can really enhance your sleep quality.

Our guide to the best organic mattress toppers will help you choose the right product at the right price.

Strengthen Your Bed Base

If your bed base is weak or sagging, this could be causing the mattress to indent. Strengthening your bed base can help to fix this issue and prevent the mattress from sinking further.

You can do this by adding some extra support underneath the frame, buying a box spring, or using a metal bed frame instead of a wooden one.

You could also try a mattress helper. This is simply a block pad that you put on top of your bed frame, underneath the mattress. It provides extra support and helps stop mattress sagging.

The mattress helper is available on Amazon.

Prop it up with Pillows

If you have a sagging mattress, you can try propping it up with pillows.

This will help to raise the mattress up and make it leveler. You can also use this method to add extra support to the bed if needed.

Simply place a flat pillow or body pillow under the part of the mattress which has the most significant indentation.

This isn't a long-term solution, but it can certainly help to extend the life of your mattress by months or even a couple of years.

Return if Under Warranty

If your mattress is still under warranty, you can try to return it and get a new one.

Warranties from most mattress companies usually last for a few years, so be sure to check the expiration date before trying this method.

Reputable mattress manufacturers will happily send you a new mattress to replace a defective one if it is still under warranty.

How to Fix Sagging in a Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam mattresses are known for their comfort and support. But they can also sag over time, just like any other type of mattress.

In fact, a memory foam mattress can often begin to show signs of sagging within the first 3 years, much quicker than a latex mattress.

So here's how to fix mattress indentation in a memory foam mattress.

Use a Mattress Topper

If you don't want to remove the cover or add more foam, you can try using a memory foam topper.

This will help to fill in the gaps and support the areas that are sagging. You can find organic mattress toppers here.

Replace the Foam

If the sag is only in a small area, you can try replacing the foam. This can be a bit tricky, but it's definitely doable.

You will need to remove the cover and cut out the section of foam that is sagging. Then, you will need to cut a new piece of foam to fit into the hole and glue it in place. Be sure to use a high-quality adhesive so that it will hold up over time.

Add More Foam

If the sag is more widespread, you can try adding more foam to the mattress. This will help to fill in the gaps and support the areas that are sagging.

You can do this by removing the cover and cutting a piece of foam to fit. Then, you will need to glue it in place and put the cover back on.

Both these methods do require some basic practical skills, but it's certainly worth the effort to avoid the expense and waste of throwing a mattress away prematurely.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Stop My Mattress From Sinking?

Now you know how to fix mattress indentation, but it's always better to stop it from happening in the first place!

Probably the best piece of advice is to make sure you buy a good quality mattress in the first place. Cheap mattresses are a false economy. They are often poor quality and will start to sag, and therefore need to be replaced, much sooner.

The best option to prevent mattress sagging is to look at buying latex mattresses. They don't cost the earth (literally, when you choose an affordable eco-friendly mattress) but they can last up to 20 years.

Add a mattress topper, and rotate your mattress regularly as I described earlier, and you will prolong the life of your mattress.

This saves you money in the long term, and also reduces waste and carbon emissions.

Why Does My Bed Have a Dip in the Middle?

There are several reasons why a mattress might start to sag over time. This can be due to the weight of the sleeper, the type of mattress, or even the bed base.

Even the most petite of us are still putting a reasonable amount of weight in the same place, night after night. So it's bound to cause an indentation sooner or later.

If the sag is severe, it can cause discomfort and make it difficult to sleep. It can also cause back and neck pain.

As I mentioned earlier, some types of mattresses are more prone to sagging than others. Latex mattresses will usually hold their shape for many more years than memory foam mattresses, for example.

Is Mattress Indentation Good for You?

Strange as it may seem, yes there are some occasions when very small mattress indentations can actually be beneficial.

If you're a side sleeper, a small indentation can provide support for your neck and shoulders when your hips and body sink slightly lower down.

But as soon as the indentation becomes too big, it can start to have a detrimental effect. So it's something you definitely want to look at fixing before long.

Can Crib Mattress Indentation Harm a Baby?

Yes - potentially. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a firm mattress surface that will not indent when the baby is lying on it. This helps reduce the risk of SIDS or other issues related to the baby's sleep.

If in doubt, I would recommend getting a new organic crib mattress.

Is a Sagging Mattress Covered Under Warranty?

Warranties for mattresses usually last for a few years.

Be sure to check the expiration date before trying this method. If your mattress is still under warranty, then it certainly should cover sagging.

Contact the store or manufacturer to find out how to return your mattress. They should send you a new one.

When do I Need to Replace My Mattress?

No matter how well you look after it, eventually, it will come a time when your old mattress reaches the end of its life and it's time to buy a new mattress.

Mattresses usually last for anywhere between 5 and 20 years, but this can vary depending on the type of mattress, how often it's used and how well it's looked after.

If you've tried all the tips in this article, and you still haven't managed to fix your mattress indentation, then it is probably time to buy a new one.

VERY IMPORTANT: Be sure to dispose of your old mattress responsibly Mattresses can be recycled, so never dump them or throw them in a landfill.

The Final Word

Sagging mattresses are a common problem that many people face. There are several ways to fix a sagging mattress, and we have outlined some of the most popular methods in this article.

If you are having trouble with your current mattress, be sure to try one of these solutions.

And if you are in the market for a new mattress, be sure to check our test results and buy one that will suit your needs.

We hope this article was helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to us. We would love to hear from you!

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Arabella Ruiz
Arabella Ruiz
Arabella Ruiz is a senior researcher at The Roundup, specializing in data and statistics. She lives in San Antonio, Texas and has been interested in the environment from an early age. Arabella loves to campaign for environmental causes and fundraise for charities that aim to preserve wildlife habitat, protect endangered species or help people with climate change problems.
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