Does a Latex Mattress Sag?

November 04, 2024

If you wake up with body aches and the discomfort and fatigue of not getting proper sleep at night, you might be dealing with a sagging mattress.

A sagging mattress would have unusual dents or indentations in spots where you usually sleep. The mattress sinks in places leading to an irregular sleeping surface, and causing you to sleep in uncomfortable positions.

How can a Sagging Mattress Affect Sleep Quality?

Sleeping on a mattress that has sagging can disrupt your sleep routine, causing discomfort and fatigue, and affecting your sleep in the following ways:

Increases Pain Issues

Sagging mattresses can increase pressure points in the body that can cause body pain, typically in the:

• Neck
• Shoulders
• Lower back
• Hips

Sleeping on an uneven surface can disrupt the normal alignment of your neck, shoulders, and hips, causing you to sleep uncomfortably.

Restricts Circulation

Sleeping on a sagging bed can limit your body's circulation, causing sleep disorders. Lack of circulation while sleeping can cause a numbing and tingling sensation in your extremities.

Increases Noise

As you change your sleep position, a sagged mattress can cause annoying creaking noises, which you may hear on a traditional innerspring mattress.  The creaks and groans of a sagging mattress can wake you up at night, disrupting your sleep.

Cause Hot Sleeping

A sagged bed can make you sleep hot as the compressed mattress material traps body heat, reducing airflow, and increasing your body temperature as you sleep.

Cause Sleep Disorders

You can develop insomnia and other sleep disorders from the constant sleep disruption from a sagged mattress. Lack of proper sleep can cause daytime sleepiness, increased fatigue, and high stress levels during the day.

The Sag Factor

Most mattresses come with a sag factor rating between one and five, which determines the possibility of a mattress sagging in the near future.

Mattresses with a higher sag factor are more likely to retain their shape, maintaining a uniform surface, without buckling under your weight as you use it for the long term. A mattress's sag factor determines how soon it returns to its original shape after its pressure is released.

Getting a latex mattress can be your best bet, if you want to invest in a bed that will retain its shape for the longest time. Unlike a memory foam mattress with a sag factor of 2 to 3, a natural latex mattress has a sag factor of 5 that can make the bed less likely to sag in the long run.

Why does a Mattress Sag?

It is normal to have a mattress sag because of the general wear and tear of sleeping on it over the long term. With time the component foam layers wear out, the support gives away, and the mattress sinks, resulting in sagging issues.

Mattress sagging can depend on:

• The age of the mattress
• The type of materials used in building the bed
• Mattress care

Your mattress can sag because of the following reasons:

General Wear and Tear

The most common reason for a sagging mattress is its normal wear and tear over a long time.

The wear and tear will depend on the mattress materials as follows:

• Loss of coil resilience - Both innerspring mattresses and hybrid beds have supportive coil cores. With time, the coils may lose strength, causing your mattress to sag.

• Aging of foam layers - With time, foam mattresses made from latex foam or memory foam tend to soften from pressure and body heat. The mattress sinks in several spots, causing it to sag.

• Lack of maintenance - While all mattresses sag eventually, taking adequate care of your bed can prevent it from sagging before its time.

Sleep Positions

Your sleep position can alter the shape of your mattress, causing it to sag with time. Mattress sagging typically occurs when:

• You sleep on one side of the bed every day, whether it is on the left or right side.
• Where you sleep spooning your partner in the same position every night, causing one point of the mattress to sag.
• If you sleep with your pet, the bed sinks in the spots where they sleep regularly.

Lack of Support

Where your mattress does not get adequate support from a bed foundation or a box spring, it can sag in some areas with regular use, resulting in an uneven sleeping surface. This is especially true for large King-sized or Queen-sized mattresses.

The Durability of Different Mattress Types

In the mattress industry, typically, long-lasting mattresses have lower sagging issues. While a natural latex mattress is considered sag resistant, and can easily last 25 years or more, the durability of a typical mattress depends on factors like its construction materials and manufacturing process.

Generally, the durability of mattresses is as follows:

• Latex mattresses - 15 to 25 years
• Memory foam mattresses - seven to ten years
• Hybrid mattresses - seven to fifteen years
• Innerspring mattresses - seven to ten years
• Gel-infused memory foam mattresses - eight to twelve years

Latex Mattress and Sagging

If you are looking for a new mattress that does not sag anytime soon, you need to invest in a latex mattress, and avoid mattresses that are low quality. Unlike other mattresses, latex mattresses can last for up to 25 years, without losing shape, or having sagging issues.

While all mattresses sag with time, a new latex mattress sags less than traditional mattresses due to their natural construction.

Latex Types

Based on their natural component, latex mattresses can be of several types.

Natural Latex Mattress

Natural latex mattresses are made with eco-friendly materials and processes. The liquid latex extracted from rubber trees is further processed to make 100% natural latex mattresses. Based on its processing method, natural latex can be:

Dunlop Latex

When the liquid latex is poured into the mold in one complete pour, and the mold is passed through a vulcanization process, Dunlop latex is made.

The Dunlop construction process is less energy-intensive, causing the latex mattress to be more dense, and appropriate to construct the mattress core layers. Because of its resilience and dense structure, Dunlop latex is less likely to sag.

Talalay Latex

When the liquid latex is poured halfway into the mold, vacuum-sealed, and flash frozen to expand the mold, a lighter and more porous Talalay latex is made.

Because of its lighter texture, Talalay latex is popularly used to build the mattress's top layer.

Organic Latex Mattress

Organic latex mattresses are similar in constitution to natural latex mattresses. Only the organic variety is made using latex foam extracted from rubber trees grown sustainably, free from pesticides.

Organic latex mattresses are also built using processes free from chemicals, dyes, and additives, making them an excellent option for sensitive sleepers.

The Hybrid Latex Mattress from Eco Terra is an example of one such premium organic latex mattress.

The bed is made using certified organic ARPICO latex that is processed free from chemicals, polyurethane foam, and other chemicals found to be toxic. The mattress is enclosed in a certified organic cotton cover. It uses organic wool as a natural fire barrier, making it an eco-friendly mattress.

You can purchase the organic mattress directly from the Eco Terra website, or avail of attractive discounts while getting it through Amazon.com.

Synthetic Latex Mattress

While both natural and synthetic latex provides similar comfort and support, unlike natural latex beds, synthetic mattresses are often made with off-gassing chemicals in the laboratory.

Synthetic mattresses mimic the comfort and support of a natural latex bed, but lack quality and durability. Because of its synthetic components, synthetic latex mattresses break down more quickly than natural latex, and lose their shape. Also, its toxic chemicals can cause a nasty carbon footprint, damaging the environment.

Blended Latex mattress

Blended latex mattresses use a combination of synthetic and natural latex in their construction. It is cheaper than an all-natural latex mattress. It can be an attractive option for budget shoppers, who want to experience the comfort of a natural latex mattress, without burning a hole in their pocket.

Factors Impacting the Sag Factor of a Latex Mattress

While natural latex mattresses can last for a long time without losing their shape, here are some factors that can impact the sag factor of a latex bed.

Latex Mattress Construction

Typically natural latex mattresses are more durable than synthetic and blended latex beds. Because of its denser structure, Dunlop latex is more likely to resist sagging than the lighter, more porous Talalay latex.

Other materials used in latex mattress construction can also impact how soon a latex mattress can sag. For instance, a hybrid bed with a supportive coil core will have a lesser risk of sagging than a latex foam mattress with a natural latex core inside.

Sleep Position

If you have a dominant sleeping position of a back, stomach, or side sleeper, your mattress can sag on the side where you regularly sleep. The same happens when you sleep, spooning your partner, or when your pet occupies the same spot every night on the bed.

Body Weight

Your body weight can play a role in mattress sagging. A person with a heavier body weight will put more pressure on the foam materials, causing the bed to sag quicker.

Humidity and Temperature Effects

Environmental factors such as humidity and temperature can impact the longevity of a mattress, including natural latex ones. High humidity levels can lead to mold growth, which may degrade the internal structure of the mattress over time, leading to sagging. Conversely, a dry environment helps maintain the natural resilience of latex. Using a dehumidifier or ensuring proper ventilation in the bedroom can help maintain the quality of the latex and prevent premature wear.

How to Stop Latex Mattresses from Sagging?

Choose Natural Latex Instead of Synthetic Latex

Unlike natural latex extracted from rubber trees, synthetic latex is made from synthetic materials that can quickly disintegrate. Synthetic latex mattresses tend to sag more than natural latex, as they are less responsive and breathable than natural ones. If you want to know the answer to how does a latex mattress feel, make sure you opt for the superior natural latex mattress.

Choose to get Dunlop Latex Over Talalay Latex

Dunlop latex is made using a less energy-intensive process that produces a denser latex layer. Unlike Talalay latex, which uses a highly energy-intensive manufacturing process, Dunlop latex is more eco-friendly and resilient, and will not sag easily with time.

Comparing Latex Density and Its Impact on Durability

When selecting a natural latex mattress, the density of the latex used can significantly influence how resistant it is to sagging. Higher-density latex offers more support and tends to maintain its shape for longer periods. For example, latex with a density of 5 pounds per cubic foot or higher is known to provide superior durability and resilience. Consumers should check the density specifications when shopping for a latex mattress to ensure they are investing in a high-quality, long-lasting product.

Provide Your Mattress with Proper Support

One of the best ways to prevent your new mattress from sagging is by providing it with proper support. Get a hybrid mattress with a supportive coiled base that provides adequate support to the bed, preventing sagging issues.

It is best to buy a mattress with individually-wrapped zoned support coils that support your hips and shoulders, providing greater support, and even weight distribution to avoid mattress sagging.

Keep in mind the coil count to get the hybrid mattress that is perfect for you.

While a queen mattress must have around 840 coils, a king-sized bed should have about 1,100 coils to provide superior support.

If you decide on an all-latex mattress, your best bet would be a sturdy bed frame with a slatted base. A slatted base will also improve airflow, helping you to sleep cooler.

Use a Mattress Topper

A mattress topper can protect your mattress, while providing additional comfort and support. Investing in a natural latex mattress topper can provide you with deep rejuvenating sleep, free from toxic chemicals. A mattress topper can be placed over almost any type of mattress, but remember an air mattress can sag pretty quickly.

Invest in a Firm Mattress

Buy a Medium-Firm or Firm mattress to protect it from sagging, while enjoying it for a long time. While a soft bed can envelop your body, providing a cozy feeling, it does not have the support and resilience of a firmer mattress.

The mattress's firmness will depend on your body weight, body shape, and sleeping position. Getting a Firm mattress benefits a heavier person with a broader body shape, and those who are back and stomach sleepers. In contrast, people with lighter body weights, and slim body shapes who prefer to sleep on the side, would find comfort in a Medium-Firm mattress.

Rotate Your Mattress Rather Than Flipping

Sagging happens if you sleep on the same surface for an extended time. Mattress rotating either from top to bottom, or from side to side, periodically can wear the bed evenly, preventing mattress-sagging issues.

If you sleep with your partner or pets, and at least one of you is a heavier weighted person, rotating the mattress would prevent sagging on one side, keeping your bed in shape for a long time.

Mattress manufacturers nowadays build mattresses with a combination of different layers of foam, making it difficult to flip the mattress. You can flip your mattress only when designed with uniform layers on both sides, making the bed flippable.

Deep Clean Your Mattress

To keep your mattress looking fresh, and retain shape for a long time, you must be on top of mattress care, according to the mattress manufacturer instructions. To keep your bed clean, consider vacuuming it thoroughly. Use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment, and vacuum both sides of the mattress to remove the trapped dirt and dust on the mattress surface.

Consider deep cleaning the mattress using enzyme cleaners at least once in six months to deep clean, and disinfect the mattress from bacterial build-up.

Spot Clean the Stains

You must act fast when your mattress develops stains from an accident or spillage. Use a mixture of baking soda, lemon juice, and a few drops of dishwashing liquid, dab the area, and later scrub it off to remove the pesky stains.

The Importance of Mattress Covers and Protectors

Using a high-quality, breathable mattress cover or protector can help prevent premature sagging by shielding the mattress from spills, body oils, and dust mites. These external factors can seep into the latex and weaken the foam structure over time. Opting for covers made from natural, breathable materials such as cotton or bamboo can also help maintain airflow, keeping the latex cool and preserving its structural integrity.

Natural Latex: Benefits Beyond Sag Resistance

While natural latex is prized for its resistance to sagging, it also offers additional benefits that indirectly contribute to its longevity. The natural bounce and responsiveness of latex ensure that the material adapts to body contours without forming permanent indentations. Unlike memory foam, which can be slow to recover its shape, latex springs back quickly, reducing the risk of sagging and maintaining comfort over time.

Frequently-Asked Questions About Latex Mattresses and Sagging

1. Do latex mattresses sag over time?

Latex mattresses are generally more resilient than other types of mattresses and are less prone to sagging. However, over time and with regular use, they may develop some indentations, particularly in areas where pressure is consistently applied.

2. How can I tell if my latex mattress is sagging?

Look for visible indentations or uneven surfaces on the sleeping surface. If you feel discomfort or notice that your body sinks more in specific areas, this may indicate sagging.

3. What causes sagging in latex mattresses?

Sagging in latex mattresses can be caused by a few factors, including the quality of the latex, the weight of the sleepers, and the lack of proper support from the bed frame or foundation.

4. Can I fix a sagging latex mattress?

While you may not fully restore a sagging latex mattress, adding a high-quality mattress topper can provide extra support and comfort. Additionally, rotating the mattress regularly can help minimize sagging.

5. How long should a good latex mattress last before showing signs of sagging?

A high-quality latex mattress can last 10 to 20 years with minimal sagging. Natural latex mattresses, in particular, are known for their durability and longevity compared to other materials.

6. Are there different types of latex that affect sagging?

Yes, there are two main types of latex used in mattresses: Dunlop and Talalay. Dunlop latex is denser and tends to be firmer, which can reduce the likelihood of sagging. Talalay latex is softer and may have a different feel but is also resilient if made from high-quality materials.

7. What should I do if my latex mattress starts to sag?

If your latex mattress shows signs of sagging, first check if it is properly supported by a suitable foundation. If the sagging persists, consider using a mattress topper or consult the warranty to determine if you are eligible for a replacement.

8. Can I prevent my latex mattress from sagging?

To help prevent sagging, use a sturdy, appropriate foundation for your mattress, rotate it regularly, and avoid excessive weight in one area. Additionally, using a mattress protector can help keep your mattress in good condition.

9. How do I choose a quality latex mattress to minimize sagging?

Look for latex mattresses made from natural latex with high ILD (Indentation Load Deflection) ratings for durability. Research the brand's reputation and warranty to ensure you’re making a wise investment.

Takeaway

Even though all mattresses, including a natural latex mattress, sag with time, you can take helpful steps to delay the process.

Take care of your mattress and other sleep essentials by cleaning them regularly, and protecting them from the outside elements. Provide your bed with a proper foundation, and you can keep it looking as good as new for many years to come.

---

Also in Eco Terra's Healthy Sleep Blog