How to fix a sagging mattress -- on the cheap
Our sagging mattress is terrible; how about yours? This mattress has been terrible since shortly after we got it, the place we bought it from is out of business, and this is the third terrible mattress we've gone through in our marriage so far. You know how these expensive mattresses are just not lasting like they used to? Or maybe we're just very poor at picking them... and ours developed horrible indentations on each side where we sleep. So both MashupDad and I often woke up with back pain and slept poorly because we were sleeping in a hole -- not to mention that it's really depressing to spend all that money on a mattress, and then find that it feels nothing like it did in the store within just a few weeks.
A new mattress isn't in the cards quite yet because of the long list of other things that need replacing (we have a refrigerator and car that are on their last legs, oy!). So I thought I'd update this original post from almost three years ago with a list of what we have tried to help fix our sagging mattress on the cheap (without having to buy a new one), ordered from best to worst.
The products I've tried do bop around in price fairly often, and I of course picked up each when on sale at their lowest point or with a coupon code... 😉
How to fix your sagging mattress -- or at least make it much more sleep-able!
Best: Pick up a gel memory foam mattress topper to help fix your sagging mattress
So here's what I've found to work the best, after a few years of dealing with our sagging mattress. I recently picked up this memory foam mattress topper from Kohl's -- which has great and well-deserved reviews! It's a little pricey when not on sale, but this is Kohl's, guys, so if it's not on sale today it probably will be soon. I bought mine at around $25 after a sale + coupon code, and will watch for new deals to pop up for you guys.
It's kind of neat how this unrolled to fit a king-sized mattress, but when I first opened the mattress topper I was afraid it would be too thin to work. Luckily, I was wrong. It helps quite a bit, and the mattress pad and sheets still fit nicely over everything. In all honesty, you can still definitely tell that the indentations are there, but it does a nice job of evening them out more and getting rid of some of the lumpiness -- and the bed is much more comfortable. We're sleeping better, so it's definitely worth more than my $25-ish sale price, and highly recommended!
Other things we've tried to fix our sagging mattress:
The Mattress Helper does help fix the sagging mattress issue -- somewhat
After reading a bunch of reviews online, we also tried the Mattress Helper a while back. It was at the time on sale at Kohl's, plus a coupon code, plus Kohl's Cash back -- so again, watch for deals on the Mattress Helper there if you are interested in trying it out. The Mattress Helper did actually help lift the mattress back up along where it was sagging, but didn't bring it all the way back up. Our sagging mattress problem got better after placing the Mattress Helper under the places where the mattress is sagging, but it didn't entirely resolve the issue or our poor sleep issues. It's possible our mattress was just sagging too much for this to work, but the Mattress Helper is likely a nice option if your sagging issue is a bit less or your mattress is just too soft.
We also still have the Mattress Helper under our mattress and use it in conjunction with the memory foam mattress topper, so they play really nicely together.
This mattress pad helps, but doesn’t fix the sagging mattress problem
A while ago I was poking around on Amazon and started reading the reviews of this Pinzon Basics Overfilled Plush Mattress Pad. We needed a new mattress pad anyway because our old one was tearing at the corners, so I bought it. I will say that it's a really nice mattress pad -- it helps smooth out the smaller lumps, but doesn't honestly do a lot for the sagging problem. I'd recommend it for a lumpy mattress, a dorm room mattress, or if you're just looking for a nice new mattress pad.
Most temporary fix for a sagging mattress
Lastly, here's the most temporary fix for a sagging mattress: Take two cheap bed pillows. Lift up your mattress. Shove one under each side of the mattress, right under each indentation. Put the mattress back down over the pillows, lie down, and see if it feels like the pillow is in the right place. If not, lift the mattress back up and adjust as needed. Here, I used two old bed pillows I already had in the house, so it cost us nothing. We did sleep more comfortably for a few nights, but then the pillows got smushed down to a pancake so we were back to square one -- not a long-term solution.
- Note: If you use the firmer gel pillows, this fix will work better and last longer!
(I originally saw this pillow idea fix for sagging mattresses over at Frugal Freebies and Deals, and it's what was featured in the original post here from 2013 -- but now updated with everything else we've tried!)
What ideas do you have for fixing a sagging mattress?
Let me know how any of this works to fix your sagging mattress, if you give them a try yourself -- I'd also love to hear any other ideas, or tips for buying a new good mattress that will last, and check out some other ideas in the comments from the original post, below.
I've been thinking that we should buy 2 twins instead of one king size - and cover it with a mattress pad. My husband likes a softer mattress, whereas I'm more comfortable with a firmer one. Our backs are stiff and hurting in the morning, but buying a new mattress is not a real option right now. Too many other projects around the house...?
Is that why people buy the sleep number beds? Jen above, if you are reading this, can you comment?
And seriously -- it's always something, isn't it? A new mattress has been on our list for a while, but then the washing machine broke and the AC broke and the...
Yep, that's a major reason we like sleep number! My back hurts if the mattress is soft but my husband prefers it ridiculously soft. Sleep number is a great solution to that problem. But, they're really expensive. They do offer great financing plans, and we've found the mattresses last much longer than conventional mattresses, but that upfront cost is big.
Thanks ladies! I have heard about the sleep number beds, but like Jen said, it comes with lots of $$ numbers as well... 🙂
I like reading about other people's solutions and recommendations though. Keep them coming! There must be more than one solution to the problem! LOL
I’ve had sleep number bed for years and LOVE it!!!! We even used an old one to Murphy Bed.... think it’s all about personal preference!
I wanna know how come I can fall asleep on the couch, yet go to bed in my $1000 mattress and still toss and turn!? We upgraded after almost 25 years living with the indents and buying a THICK topper from Sam's to get us by, and I am still not a "happy camper". We bought locally again and they told us if we were not happy, they would exchange it for any other mattress. Well after sleeping on it for over a month when we called them they decided not to honor that deal. So much for supporting the local family business! I wish I would have just got one at Sam's now. We had to put the old topper back on it to be able to sleep in it since it was like sleeping on the concrete sidewalk. We do have that 2 inch guarantee for 10 years, but I really doubt the indents would ever get that big. It will probably measure 1 7/8 inches! This was Christmas before last and we are just living with this now. Get this; they told us to jump on it and walk around on it to break it in! I really would like to know the secret to getting a mattress you love!
I would like to lnow that secret to .i had a Sealy Posturpedic for 35 years. It was the bezt bed. My kids wanted it. I ginally went and spent about 12 hundred on another Posturepedic Hybrid.. I did not get the stand that raises your head or legs..
At first I loved it. It is very high, no good. Dented already after a year. I arporosiscant afford another bed . I am now sleeping on a couch bed that is sagging terriblebut more comfty then my bed. I have memory foam, fluffy covers, you name it. Now have osteoporosis so they day be careful getting in and out of bed.
This world isnt fair. Mattresses are a joke. The box on the bottom is just that a hollow box. Really?? I was going yo put it on the floor and found that out.nothing lasts, nothing works long you gotta laugh or you cry.
I was told to walk and jump on it . Stupid thing to have to do. The high ridge in centre of king is terrible with a sag on both sides. We have bought 5 different mattress in last 5 years . Different brands Beautyrest serta, Kingstown , sterns and they all sag and we are not heavy people.
C2 Sleep Number. Worth every penny.
I was given the c2 from a family friend and loved it at first but am not experiencing a trench problem, I wake up in the center of the bed, basically between the mattresses with one side deflated from 100 to 30.. grrrr, idk what to do because I loved this mattress but the interwebs not offering many solutions
I bought the Pinzon overfilled stuffed mattress pad for my daughter at college. She thought it worked great on the hard as a rock mattress she had a school. However ,when she came home I had to send it to the dry cleaners!! You could not wash it in the washing machine which was a bummer.
I've been washing ours in the washing machine by itself on delicate and drying it on low/delicate. 🙂
Oh that is great! i will do that! Our washing machine died last week. We bought a Speed Queen which is what laundromats use. I hope it is the last one we ever buy! LOL! The repair man told us it's the only one he recommends any more and says it should last us 20 years!
Nice! We just bought a new washer last summer -- it's really depressing how quickly big purchases seem to wear out anymore. Anyway, hopefully that will work for you -- Mine is still in great shape with no tears or anything and I've been washing it in mine for a while both in our old front loader HE machine and our newer top loader one.
Is there a reason you went from a front loader to a top loader washing machine? They always say how much water and energy you save on a front loader. I think our top loader might be on it's last legs, so any suggestions about types of machines is appreciated.
I will NEVER buy a front loader again. The door seal molded, no matter how often I cleaned it. It smelled no matter what I did. And I don't think the clothes got as clean, especially after the first year or so. I did get an HE top loader without agitator, but never again with the front loader.
Speed Queen are the best out there now, least amount of problems.
I was reading about the sagging mattress solutions at frugal living mom. It also suggested the pillows under the mattress. I'm going to give it a try.
I don't know of many people who can just go out and buy a new mattress. Plus, from the comments I was reading at the other site, it doesn't seem to help even if someone has the kind of money it takes to buy new. I will find something around here today to put under my mattress. Thank you.
I've been looking around and I dream of clean. net also suggested the pillows 🙂
These are some good tips, we used a memory foam mattress topper. That seemed to work for a while, and then a spring popped through so we figured it was time for a new mattress lol.
Thank you from Mattress Helper!
There are some mattress brands that still offer 2 sided mattresses.
Curious question: has anyone ever tried to use more than one mattress topper at the same time on the other side to kind of create your own 2 sided? And flip like we used to do? Might not be quite as comfortable, but it might add some time to the useful life of the mattress.
I have a dented pillow top matress and have done the "flip to the non padded side and add an organic wool topper". Did the trick.
I'm thinking about cutting out numerous carpet remnants in 6 inch wide, mattress length strips and stacking these across the boxspring according to some arcing mathematical function such as a catenary (most likely), parabola etc. with the x origin being the crosswise center of the mattress of course. This approach should be easy to fine-tune. Old mattress springs will have lost a lot of their k (modulus) over years of repeated compression cycles.
Lol Phil, that was way too much algebra or physics or calculus or whatver it was for me...lbvs I think I'll just try the 2 pillow option first but for now I'll just continue to read the comments and try what others have said works best. If that doesn't work I may try to figure out your equation!
Our first set was New England and we had it about 20 yrs. Then we got a set at Darvin's. It had a 10 yr non prorated warranty. At yr. 9 a metal rod protruded out the side. I contacted the mattress company. The first thing they asked me is if I removed the "do not remove" tags because if I did the warranty was voided. Then they asked if there were any stains - even just one pinhole size dot of ink voided the warranty. I sarcastically told her that we didn't sleep on them - they were on display like in a museum. I complained and Darvins sent out a "mattress inspector". His report indicated the mattress had "excessive wear" and they refused to honor the warranty. I felt like Rip Van Winkle. I would never buy anything from them ever again. Now I buy at Macy's.- they stand behind what they sell. I'm about to have my third mattress set in 8 yrs. The first set had a spring issue. The second a metal rod thing again. And now sagging. Macy's sent out a mattress inspector each time and ruled in my favor. I can't understand why these manufacturers don't care about quality. Each time I get a new set Macy's refunds the defective set and I purchase a replacement. They've never been under $1500. They've all been Serta's and Sealy's. What's happened to pride and workmanship in products?
Yes Joanne! I totally agree, things just don't last as long as they used to! Things that were supposed to last Twin to 20 years now may only last 5 to 10 years. There is no pride in quality anymore it's all about the almighty dollar and how things can be made cheaper and faster. That being said on my search to fix my saggy mattress until I can afford a new one I may just have to face this fact. I may also, when ready to buy a new mattress have to be aware that they just will only last 3 to 5 years from what I'm reading.