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Why does a mattress sink and how to fix it?

10 kwietnia 2025
Have you noticed that your mattress is sagging, forming uncomfortable hills and valleys? Has it started to lose its bounce, making it feel less dynamic and supportive? These symptoms negatively affect not only your sleep comfort but also your spinal health. That’s why it’s worth understanding why mattresses lose their original structure — and how to effectively prevent it.

Many people see their mattress start sagging just a few months after purchase. The most common reason is the poor quality of materials used. Often, it’s due to foam with inadequate parameters, crumbling latex, or worn-out springs. While early signs are easy to ignore, over time they can lead to serious health issues like back pain or numbness in the limbs.

The Polish brand ONSEN® addresses sleep-related problems by designing mattresses that are fully functional. We create them based on the philosophy of design thinking and the unique "jobs to be done" concept. Thanks to that, products like the Osaka Air mattress meet real customer needs by offering maximum durability, breathability, and proper body support, reducing the risk of mattress deformation.

T foam – cheap and short-lived

One of the most common reasons why mattresses sag is the use of low-quality polyurethane foam, known as T-foam, which is a closed-cell foam. This type of material is cheap and easy to process, which is why it’s often used by manufacturers looking to cut production costs. However, T-foam naturally has very low durability and deforms quickly, which means your mattress may wear out in no time.

Physics also tells us that foam density significantly affects durability. Foams with low density tend to deform much faster, so the density should be relatively high. T-foam, due to its low density and poor resilience, quickly loses its supportive function.

To avoid the problem of sagging mattresses, it’s best to choose models made from high-quality HR foams (high-resilience), complemented in the second layer with premium-quality V-foam (viscoelastic). A great multi-layer solution is offered by our Osaka Air mattress, whose functionality has won the hearts of people all over the world. Our perfect sleeping mattress will maintain its original structure for years to come.

HR and V foams – density is the key to success

Open-cell foams are considered functional materials with great practical advantages, but their specific properties depend heavily on technical parameters. Low-density foams, although they may feel comfortable at first, lose their properties much faster. As a result, they cause mattress deformation due to compression.

It’s important to note that memory foams with a density below 40 kg/m³ tend to lose their elasticity much faster than foams with higher density. To avoid mattress sagging, you should always choose models made from foams with a sufficiently high density. However, when the foam density is too high, it loses functionality. For V-foam, the optimal density is around 50 kg/m³.

The Polish brand ONSEN®, when designing the Osaka Air mattress, used four different types of HR foams with optimal density and firmness, as well as high-quality V-foam in the second layer. As a result, these mattresses maintain their resilience along with ergonomic properties and durability for many years, delivering long-term value to the user.

Crumbling latex – nature vs. synthetic

Interestingly, it’s actually natural latex that has poorer properties compared to synthetic latex. It's often chosen as an eco-friendly solution, even though its sourcing and production are not truly sustainable. Even natural materials can cause problems. While latex in a mattress may feel comfortable and bouncy at first, over time it begins to crumble and deform, leading to issues.

The crumbling of latex is caused by the oxidation of natural substances, especially when the mattress has poor ventilation. This is also linked to exposure to moisture and even to temperature. By definition, the structure of latex does not allow air to pass through, which leads to poor airflow.

ONSEN® has integrated a special Aero 3D technology into its Osaka Air mattress to improve ventilation. Additionally, it minimizes problems related to the use of natural materials, ensuring users enjoy a healthy sleep and extending the overall durability of the product.
Another common cause of mattress deformation is the use of pocket or bonnell springs, which by design work in a vertical direction, causing them to lose their supportive properties quickly. Springs often undergo permanent deformation under body weight, creating dips in the surface of the mattress due to their steel construction, which lacks genuine elasticity.

Since springs operate along a single axis, they naturally wear out faster in the most heavily loaded areas — typically where the body protrudes the most. This problem often affects people who sleep in the same position all night or on the same section of the mattress.

To prevent this kind of mattress deformation, it’s worth choosing spring-free mattresses like the Osaka Air mattress from ONSEN®. Thanks to its multilayer foam technology, it offers even body support in every sleeping position. Additionally, it effectively eliminates the risk of deformation typical of spring-based mattresses.

Natural fibres – pros and cons

Natural materials like wool and horsehair are often used in so-called premium mattresses. While they do offer some benefits, such as natural thermoregulation, they are also prone to flattening and deformation. These fibers tend to clump together over time, leading to a loss of the mattress’s original structure. Their porous nature also makes them susceptible to allergens, as moisture tends to accumulate within.

To avoid issues related to the compression of natural fibers, the key is proper mattress construction – especially ensuring adequate ventilation so that air can circulate freely. That’s why ONSEN®, in its Osaka Air mattresses, avoids using materials that are prone to permanent deformation, instead focusing on innovative foam technologies that minimize the risk of structural changes.

Choosing the best mattress

To avoid mattress sagging, it's important to consciously choose products made from high-quality materials that offer durability and comfort for years to come. At ONSEN®, we follow the philosophy of the infinite game and the design thinking approach in everything we do — that’s why the Osaka Air mattress effectively eliminates the most common mattress problems, such as deformation.

We also encourage you to explore other articles on the best sleep and health blog, as well as the Encyclopedia of Healthy Sleep prepared by the ONSEN® team of specialists. For those who care about spine health, we recommend a set of spine exercises prepared by our physiotherapist.

FAQ: Mattress sagging

Why does a mattress lose its shape?

A mattress can begin to deform and lose its properties just a few months after purchase. This is usually due to the use of low-quality materials ? most commonly cheap polyurethane foam (known as T-foam), which has a low density and deforms quickly. Other reasons include the wrong choice or arrangement of foam layers, use of fragile materials like latex (which can crumble over time due to oxidation), or natural fibers that tend to clump. Mattresses with pocket or bonnell springs are also more prone to deformation, as these springs work only in a vertical direction and lose their resilience faster.

How long can a mattress stay rolled up?

In general, rolled-up mattresses aren't the best idea. It?s better to invest in a mattress that hasn't been compressed. However, if you do purchase a rolled mattress, allow it up to 48 hours to expand and regain its shape. Keep in mind that it may never fully return to the state it was in before being rolled and compressed.

What should I do if my mattress has sagged?

If your mattress has visible indentations and no longer supports you properly, it?s unlikely to be salvageable. In that case, consider replacing it with a higher-quality model. If the sagging was caused by poor materials, look for a mattress that uses modern technologies designed to prevent deformation.

Why do I feel like I?m sinking into my mattress?

That sensation often comes from having memory foam in the top layer ? which is considered a design flaw. If memory foam isn?t used, the cause may be uneven elasticity. T-foam, for instance, lacks proper support. Springs may also deform permanently under pressure, especially in the most heavily loaded zones. Poor ventilation and the use of natural fibers that tend to compress can also affect sleeping comfort.

Is a mattress supposed to sag?

No, a properly made mattress should provide even support without forming deep impressions or visible distortions. If your mattress is sagging, it?s a clear sign that the materials or construction aren?t durable enough. That?s why it?s so important to choose products made from high-quality components and modern technologies, such as those used in the Osaka Air mattress.

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