Why does my king size mattress have a hump in the middle?

It's common for queen and king size mattresses to develop a hump in the middle. This phenomenon is called a king’s ridge. While you may think it’s because of a manufacturing defect or wear and tear, the actual reason is related to its size and the way you sleep on it. The hump in your mattress does not mean it is of poor quality. Read on to find out more about how this occurs and what can you do to prevent it in the first place.

Why does my king-size mattress have a hump in the middle?

The king’s ridge develops mainly due to the uneven weight distribution. As we tend to sleep on the exact same spot every night and leave out the middle part, it compresses the mattress on the sides creating a valley in the middle. This makes it look like a hump. Although it’s a common occurrence for all kinds of mattresses, the ridges are more likely to develop in softer mattresses with multiple comfort layers.

How to fix the hump in the mattress?

Although it’s hard to fix the ridge with immediate effect, there are some ways to reduce it using the following tips:

• Cover the mattress: Use a mattress topper made of latex or a thick quilt-pad over the mattress. This will reduce the effect of the ridge to some extent.
• Flip the mattress: Check with the manufacturer if you can flip the mattress. Flipping would hide the ridge and you can make sure it does not develop again on the other side. Many of the mattresses nowadays are not flappable as they come with separate support and comfort layers.
• Change your sleeping spot: Whenever you want to relax, lie down in the middle of the bed and make it a habit. This might help even out the mattress.

How to prevent the hump in the mattress?

If you have decided to replace your old mattress with a new one and don’t want the ridge to develop in the first place, follow these tips:

• Rest the mattress on a solid base: When your mattress rests on a solid base, like a platform bed, the weight is distributed across the lower side of the mattress. In case it’s a slatted platform, the slats should be at least 4 inches apart to evenly distribute the weight of both the mattress and the person sleeping on it. Furthermore, the queen, king, and California king mattresses need central support so make sure your platform has a leg in the middle or there should be a vertical beam running across the center.
  
  
• Rotate the mattress: Experts recommend that you should rotate your mattress on a regular basis to distribute the wear and tear throughout. Mattresses should be flipped and rotated every 6 months. While all mattresses can be rotated, only the double-sided ones can be flipped. Whether it’s memory foam, innerspring, hybrid, or latex; flipping a one-sided mattress can put excessive pressure on the comfort layer which will ultimately cause irreversible damage to its surface.
  
  
• Lie down closer to the center: Try lying down near the center of the mattress to keep it flat all over. Even when you are resting on a Sunday afternoon, make it a habit to lie close to the center. Keep changing your sleeping position occasionally to avoid the development of ridge in the mattress.

Overall, when you use any mattress over a long time, it tends to develop a king’s ridge with wear and tear. Even if you have a good quality mattress, it needs to be replaced in 7-10 years. Moreover, when you get the new one, make sure you keep changing your sleeping position to prevent the mattress from being compressed in the same spot.