When night falls, there’s nothing we crave more than a good night’s sleep on a comfortable mattress. Whether you like your sleeping area soft or firm, you want good support for your neck and back so you don’t wake up the next morning feeling tired or in pain. Sometimes, though, the mattresses we own don’t want to go along with the plan. In time, some models will start to sag in places, and you will definitely feel it when you’re trying to sleep. Your position will seem strange to you, and you can’t get comfortable again. What can you do to keep your mattress from sinking?
As a mattress begins to sag in the middle, it will make sleeping difficult, particularly for single sleepers who try to remedy the problem by staying close to one side. Ultimately, your body may move toward the middle and roll into the “trench,” causing problems for the neck and back later on. It is important to first identify where the sinking occurs before moving on with a plan to fix.
If you have a two-sided mattress that allows it to be flipped, you will want to try this first. Find somebody to help you, and turn over the mattress so that you can sleep on the other side. By flipping your mattress, you can help restore its original shape by putting pressure on different places.
You should also take a look at how your mattress is supported. Firm, even support of a mattress generally helps with keeping everything from sinking. If your bed doesn’t have that all-around support, consider a different base or using something to prop up the mattress better, like large blocks.
Have you exhausted these and other methods and still have problems with sags. It may be time to consider that your mattress is beyond help. If your model is ten years older or more, it may not be worth saving. Those who own a one-sided mattress that cannot be flipped will realize, too, that it’s time to invest in a new, firmer model. When you get to this point, though, you may wish to consider a different type of bedding that isn’t likely to sag.
One reason memory foam and latex mattresses are popular in recent years is because homeowners have found the chance of sagging is minimal compared to spring mattresses. The materials that go into these models are designed to hold up longer and provide more support, leaving the bed owner feeling comfortable at night. If the sag cannot be mended, consider the investment of newer, sturdier mattress. Your back and neck will thank you.
Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on latex mattresses and organic mattress.
Conventional mattresses are breeding grounds for mold, mildew and 
