# My mattress springs like to stab me. Help! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 4, 2012, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mattress-springs-like-to-stab-me-help/627220 "2012-07-04T15:32:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mattress-springs-like-to-stab-me-help/627220/1 "2012-07-04T15:32:49Z")
The last two mattresses I’ve had have both had their springs break and pop out of the mattress, either gouging me or the boxspring underneath. One I had for ~10 years, which I understand, but the replacement one is only 4 years old. - both are doubles - I’m ~260lbs, but since doubles are built for two people, shouldn’t it be able to take that weight? - I stick mostly to the middle of the mattress, where sagging and broken springs are occurring. Is there a different type of mattress I need to be using? Is my perception of mattresses as lasting 10 years out of touch? I’m not poor, but I can’t exactly afford a fancy $1000 luxury mattress either. Thanks guys! ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mattress-springs-like-to-stab-me-help/627220/2 "2012-07-04T15:34:00Z")
Foam ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mattress-springs-like-to-stab-me-help/627220/3 "2012-07-04T15:42:13Z")
Most quality mattresses will offer a warranty for the duration of their advertized lifetime. 260 lbs should not be too much weight for a quality spring mattress to bear, and the springs certainly should not be coming unseated. Personally, I prefer a high quality futon-style mattress on a platform frame bed (no box springs) and don’t have the bother or noise of springs. I’ve never had a more omfortable bed than that, but then, I prefer a firm sleeping surface. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mattress-springs-like-to-stab-me-help/627220/4 "2012-07-05T02:44:24Z")
> [@ratatoskK](#): > > Foam I worry about foam because I had one for a time between the two mattresses I mention in the OP, but it did a number on my back. I didn’t buy a high quality one though, which could be the trouble, but it still concerns me. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mattress-springs-like-to-stab-me-help/627220/5 "2012-07-05T02:47:49Z")
I’m way over 260 and have never had my mattress pop like that. My current mattress is 9 years old and it’s fine. Definitely check the warranty. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mattress-springs-like-to-stab-me-help/627220/6 "2012-07-05T03:29:32Z")
I like memory foam a lot better, but it is expensive. However there are a variety of budget foam mattresses for $200 or so that have about 80% satisfactory ratings (as opposed to the 85-90% of the higher end ones). You can also look into a mattress topper if this is a problem. I have never had a problem with being stabbed by springs. I don’t know the terms of your warranty, but you can look into that. But seeing how it is 10 years old, and probably has stains, who knows what options you have. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mattress-springs-like-to-stab-me-help/627220/7 "2012-07-06T00:32:23Z")
I had one that the springs were popping through back in later childhood. I took a vicegrip and pulled the offending spring up then with a bolt cutters clipped it as far down as I could letting the recoil of the spring send it below stabbing range. Perhaps a option if the warranty is up and replacement is not a option. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2012, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mattress-springs-like-to-stab-me-help/627220/8 "2012-07-06T00:52:02Z")
I tend to get annoyed by mattress springs. I just compensate by putting several layers of padding on top of them. It’s not like mattress pads are super expensive. ---
**Author:** ![colonial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@colonial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colonial)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2012, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mattress-springs-like-to-stab-me-help/627220/9 "2012-07-06T01:29:07Z")
Mattress/box springs may be the worst invention of all time. They should be banned by Federal, State and local government. They got no reason to live. I slept for years on a bed frame hand-made out of 2x4 and plywood. After a few moves I switched to matresses on the floor: no squeaking, firm support, AOK.