How to Cure a Saggy Mattress

That old mattress may be saved for a little longer if you apply some quick fixes.

Your mattress is an important part of your health. Good sleep is crucial to feeling well and building a strong immune system. The breakdown of a once-comfortable mattress can really affect how you feel, but often it is not the right time to replace it. There are many suggestions as to how to fix the problem but some may not be right for you. Everyone is different, and what feels better to one person may end up being torture for you. The best idea is to try some inexpensive fixes first to find out if you can extend the life of your mattress and save yourself a backache in the meantime.

Things You'll Need

• Mattress topper
• Sheet of 1/2 inch plywood
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Saw
• 3 two-by-fours
• Body pillow
• Memory foam

Instructions

1. Purchase a mattress topper and place it on top of the mattress. They can be inexpensive cushioned covers that fit the bed like a fitted sheet or pricey goose down cushions. The overall effect will be to even out the lumps in the bed for a while, but eventually your sleep habits will crush the mattress topper into annoying hills and dales, too.

2. Place a sheet of 1/2-inch plywood between the mattress and the box spring. You need to measure the length and width of the mattress and cut the plywood to fit, then slide it underneath. This will add support and keep the sagging areas from drooping into the box spring. It is a rigid solution and will only work if you like a firm mattress.

3. Measure the length of the bed and cut the three two-by-fours to that dimension. Remove the mattress and place them on top of the box spring. Replace the mattress. This is a slightly less stiff remedy for the sagging as it provides sporadic support and not an overall hard surface to lie on. It is useful for mattresses that are just beginning to sag.

4. Use body pillows. These can be 4- to 5-foot-long cushions and come in many blends including cotton and feather. The body pillows can be used to alleviate the sag in your body as you sleep, which causes pain and stiffness. The cushions usually are placed under your legs to help even out your posture as you slumber.

5. Buy memory foam. This product can be expensive but it lasts a long time. The foam does hold a lot of heat, but there are new cooler memory foam fabrics available. The foam will cradle your body in a natural position and hold it there. They are very comfortable and durable but will be quite an investment.

References

• "Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House"; Cheryl Mendelson; 1999
• Apartment Therapy: Fixing a Sagging Mattress with Memory Foam
• The Seattle Times: Sagging Sofa Bed is Easy to Repair with Plywood