Why is my IKEA Mattress hurting my back?

Hi Lewis,

Many thanks for your comment about understanding how your IKEA mattress has failed after 5 years and is now hurting you during the night. To be honest, for a mattress of this construction type I wouldn't expect it to last longer than 3-5 years.

It's a sad fact that there are a lot of one sided mattresses out there which enable retailers to sell mattresses at bargain rates but it means that you're left with only one side of the mattress to sleep on. This means that all natural settlement, that happens with any mattress is focused and inflicted on one side as it can't be turned. This often means that a entry level foam-based made one sided mattress will settle really quickly and only last a couple of years.

Any quality durable mattress should be two sided with only a handful of acceptable quality one sided mattress types, usually natural latex and pocket springs for one.

IKEA guarantees are usually really good but the issue lies with the fact that all foams and fibres are allowed to settle bu upto 2cm without deeming to have failed. With a two sided mattress this is mitigated by the fact you can turn and rotate it evening this 2cm out all over the bed without issue. A one sided mattress like the Hyllestad doesn't enable you to do this. The Guarantee only covers failures which this compression does not fall under unless over 2cm.

More often than not guarantees are only proportional as well so after the first year retailers start to reduce the refund if the mattress is deemed to have failed. Sneaky I know! You can read more on understanding the murky world of retail mattress guarantees here.

What's inside the Hyllestad IKEA Mattress?:

This IKEA mattress is a mix of reflex and memory foam on a basic pocket spring support layer. In fact, the 570 springs is actually under the usual industry minimum 600 spring count of all entry-level mattresses.

• 570 synthetic pocket springs
• Topped with 30kg Reflex foam
• 50kg memory foam for a really firm feel top comfort layer

The reason you feel like you've been punched sounds like both foam layers have compressed significantly and you're lying on the rock hard reflex foam layer, which has very little give. To give you perspective, Tempur use a 30KG reflex foam for the very base of their mattresses in lieu of springs. So you can see how at 13 stone lying directly on top of this is going to cause you some discomfort as there will be very little give in it.

The give in the middle is no doubt from the spring support unit, especially if not used with a firmer edge of pocket springs to give rigidity to the mattress. The fact this mattress is fake tufted shows why tufts are so important, as they help keep the fillings in place and the spring unit from warping. Also without adequate layering from the spring unit upwards you have no wiggle room when things start to settle or move.

Alternative to the Hyllestad Mattress:

The best advice for your price point would be our Origins Pocket 1500 hand made mattress in a 1.4 tension pocket spring. It’s progressive enough to accommodate a front or side sleeper. At your weight, it will allow more of a soft sink in the very top layer before medium support lower down the upholstery layers. It’s also two sided so can be turned and rotated each month to extend the lifespan compared to one sided models. It has significantly more upholstery than the IKEA model and will allow for a longer lifespan if turned regularly. There's nothing to say that a decently upholstered hand made mattress can't last in excess of the guarantee if well looked after.

It also has a wool top layer for better breathability during the night so you’re not face deep in synthetic memory foam.

Origins Pocket 1500 Mattress
1: 300GSM WOOL
2: 750GSM VERY SOFT POLYESTER
3: 500GSM POLYESTER PAD
4: ONE INCH FOAM INSULATOR LAYER
5: 1500 SPUN BOND POCKET SPRINGS
TOTAL: 1550GSM
DEPTH 30-33CM

What to expect from your money with a new mattress:

You've raised an interesting point about investing ina mattress. It's true you certainly do get what you pay for. It's important though that you can get the relevant details of each mattress you are looking at, such as pocket spring tension and the amount (GSM) of upholstery fillings and types. Most retailers do their best to hide this information from consumers sadly. IKEA luckily do give you part of the information which helps.

We hope that helps and gives you further mattress buying guidance Lewis. If you have any more mattress related questions please get back in touch on info@localhost or 0161 437 4419.

Sleep well
John & Ryan