When Should You Replace Your Mattress? Helpful Information Update 04/2024

Human health relies heavily on the quality and quantity of our sleep. Quality sleep is essential for healing and rejuvenation of the body, as well as for processing emotions and storing memories.

Mattress comfort is one of the most important aspects of a good night’s sleep. This product has a far greater impact on our health and well-being than any other product on the market today. This means that the best mattress possible should be purchased and replaced according to expert recommendations. However, when is the right time to buy a new mattress?

Mattresses should be replaced every six to eight years under typical circumstances.

Of course, this is only a general rule of thumb and not a panacea. When it’s time to get a new mattress, a number of things come into play.

If one or more of the following is true, you should replace your mattress:

  • Six to eight years of age.
  • It’s interfering with your ability to get a good night’s sleep.
  • In some places, it’s visibly droopy or damaged.
  • Noise levels are higher than usual (noisy springs are common in old innerspring mattresses).
  • At hotels, friends’ residences, etc., you find that you sleep better.
  • You begin to notice an increase in allergies and/or asthma symptoms.
  • Your muscles and joints are stiff when you first wake up in the morning.

If you’re no longer getting a good night’s sleep, it’s time to acquire a new bed. To be honest, there’s no definitive method to tell whether it’s time for a new bed, but if you’re considering one, you should probably make the purchase sooner rather than later.

Factors Influencing Mattress Lifespan

Several elements determine a mattress’s lifespan. For example, a cheap $250 mattress will disintegrate far more quickly than a luxury mattress. Guidelines for mattress replacement are influenced by several factors, including:

Choosing the right mattress material can have a significant impact on how long it lasts. Innerspring and all-foam mattresses with drooping and body impressions tend to have the shortest lifespans. Although hybrid mattresses are susceptible to these difficulties, they tend to be more lasting because they are generally advertised as higher-end options and are manufactured with better materials. The most long-lasting mattresses are those made of latex, which can last up to eight years.
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It is possible to forecast a product’s lifespan based on the type of material used. Choose a mattress with a smaller coil gauge for your innerspring or hybrid (which means thicker coils). Mattresses made of polyfoam and memory foam should have densities of at least 1.7 PCF for polyfoam and 5 PCF for memory foam. Natural latex should always be preferred over synthetic.

A well-maintained mattress will last longer than one that hasn’t been properly cared for. In order to keep your mattress fresh, you should rotate it every three months or so (unless the manufacturer recommends otherwise).

Body Type & Weight of the Sleeper — The weight of the person sleeping on the mattress, as well as anyone else’s, affects the rate at which it breaks down.

Mattresses may sag more quickly for heavier sleepers, whilst lighter sleepers will have less of an effect. An extra-large mattress that can accommodate two people will last longer than one that is designed for one person.

When it comes to children and pets, there is a fine line to be walked. With children or pets in the house, you may need to change your mattress more regularly than if you sleep alone. Additionally, pets and children are more prone to create stains and/or damage to the mattress because of their weight.

Is a New Mattress Worth the Cost?

Is it worth it to spend a lot of money on a new mattress?

The answer is usually always a resounding “yes.” A good night’s sleep may affect everything from your energy levels to your mood to your overall health, so it’s important to invest in a new mattress. The following are some of the potential advantages of purchasing a new mattress:

A 2009 peer-reviewed clinical investigation indicated that new mattresses considerably enhanced sleep quality and reduced both back pain and subjective stress in the trial population. After acquiring a new mattress, most new mattress owners report an improvement in their sleep quality.

You may be waking up with aches and pains because of a mattress that isn’t properly supporting your back, shoulders, hips, or neck. Beds that were made decades ago are more prone to droop in some areas, reducing the amount of support they can provide and making it less likely that your spine is properly positioned.

It’s less likely that you’ll be able to feel the movement from one side of the bed to the other on a mattress that is older. Your sleep can be disrupted by your companion shifting positions during the night. You and your partner will receive a better night’s rest with a new mattress, especially an all-foam or hybrid bed.

Dust mites, mildew, germs, and other allergens proliferate in old mattresses at an astounding rate. This can lead to allergic reactions and asthma attacks in susceptible individuals. Mattresses had the highest concentration of dust mites and other allergens of any household item, according to a short study by the National University of Singapore. It is possible that your mattress is to fault if your allergies or asthma symptoms have worsened.

While it’s tempting to save money by sticking with your current mattress, for the majority of individuals, it’s worth it to switch. As a human being, you’re going to spend about a third of your life in bed, therefore it’s critical that you take care of your sleep.

Different mattresses have different levels of durability

Memory foam

Your memory foam mattress can last a long time if you take proper care of it and rotate it as needed. Ten to fifteen years is the maximum lifespan for a high-quality memory foam mattress constructed of high-density components.

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Innerspring

Mattresses with innersprings typically last between five and a half and ten years. It is possible, however, to extend their lifespan even further by properly caring for and cleaning them, as well as routinely turning over flippable ones.

Hybrid

This type of mattress is made up of a combination of foam and innerspring coils, resulting in a mattress that is both comfortable and durable. Their typical lifespan is six to seven and a half years, but they can live even longer if properly cared for.

Latex

Because latex beds survive for so long, their higher initial costs are often tolerated by clients. The natural or organic latex version can be much more resistant. A 25-year warranty is not uncommon, despite the fact that some products have a life expectancy of as few as eight years.

Airbeds

Individually adjustable air chambers are included in these beds, which can be used either as a whole or separately on each side. For this purpose, some even include convenient remote controllers. For the price, they’re also noted for their quality materials and durability, which on average last a minimum of eight years on average. These have a major drawback in that they are susceptible to equipment failure, which can be costly to fix.

When to replace your mattress

Mattresses, no matter how old they are, have a set of telltale signals that can help you determine when it’s time to replace your current one. Among them are:

  • You’ve noticed that you can’t sleep on a frequent basis for no apparent cause.
  • Sagging or damage to the centre or corners of your mattress is becoming apparent.
  • With probable lumps and bumps throughout, it has become asymmetrical in shape.
  • When you get out of bed in the morning, your joints or muscles are in discomfort, sore, or stiff.
  • The memory foam retains your body’s imprint indefinitely.
  • An allergy or asthma flare-up occurs more frequently in your life.
  • The firmness or softness of your mattress has changed over time.
  • Sleeping in a stranger’s house or a motel is more comfortable than sleeping in your own bed.
  • Sleeping on your mattress is becoming increasingly difficult or taking much longer than usual.
  • Things are becoming noisier on the mattress front (for example, you can hear springs squeaking when you turn over on it).
  • The edges are visibly ragged.
  • As your bed’s ability to prevent motion transmission diminishes, you begin to notice your partner’s movements more and more.

How Often You Should Replace Your Mattress?

Replace when you notice signs of wear and tear.

If your mattress shows obvious symptoms of wear and tear, it’s time to get a new one. You should be aware of things like exposed springs poking through the top or side of your mattress; rips and cracks in the mattress cover; crumbled or cracked foam; and air mattress holes and leaks.

Replace if you start having allergies or problems related to asthma.

Another indication that your mattress needs to be replaced is an increase in symptoms related to allergies or asthma. There is no way to avoid the accumulation of dead skin, body oils, and moisture in your mattress, which attracts dust mites that feed on the dead skin cells you vacuum and clean. The average worn mattress contains between 100,000 and 10 million dust mites, which can trigger allergic reactions in some people and worsen asthma symptoms for others. This is according to an Ohio State University study. Mold and mildew can form on a mattress that absorbs oil and moisture from your skin. If your mattress has black patches or moldy or musty odors, it’s time to get a new one.

Replace when the springs become noisy.

If your mattress’s springs begin to creak, this is a symptom that the innersprings are worn out and need to be replaced. It is a warning that the coils are beginning to decay and may break, sag, or snap if you hear squeaks and creaks. It’s time to get a new mattress if you can see or feel the springs protruding through the cover. As the box spring’s coils wear down, you may hear squeaks and creaks. As the coils in your mattress wear down, you may begin to hear or feel the movements of your companion more frequently than before.

Replace if you consistently wake up stiff and sore.

The support and alignment of your spine that a good mattress provides will help you sleep better and be healthier in the long run. Shoulder, back, side, neck, or knee pain that doesn’t go away when you wake up is a solid sign that your mattress needs to be replaced. To see if this is the case, try spending a night in a different bed. The next time you find yourself preferring to sleep in a hotel or at a friend’s house, it might be time to look into new mattresses.

Replace when you don’t feel rested after waking up.

If you wake up exhausted and foggy after tossing and turning all night, it’s possible that your tiredness is related to an old mattress. Many people find saggy mattresses to be the biggest obstacle to receiving the rest they need for the night. If your mattress has significant troughs or dips, it’s time to get a new one. It’s time to replace your mattress if you can’t find a comfortable sleeping position because of the mattress’ lumps and bumps. This indicates that the mattress’ foam and padding have changed or degraded.

Replace if you’ve experienced a significant change in weight.

It is important to note that the weight of the people who sleep on a mattress has a significant impact on the mattress’s lifespan. If you sleep on a mattress weighing 250 pounds or more every night, it may wear out faster than the average 7 to 10 years, according to Dr. Jonathan S. Kirschner, MD, RMSK, of New York City’s Hospital for Special Surgery. Changing your weight can also effect how long your mattress lasts because it will alter how it conforms to your sleeping position. If you’ve recently gained or lost weight and are having difficulties sleeping because of it, you may need a new mattress.

Replace when your mattress noticeably sags.

Sagging is a terrible thing. Large valleys, dips, grooves, or sagging regions in your mattress that prohibit you from obtaining good spinal alignment are a clue that it’s time to replace it. Your mattress will naturally adjust to your weight and sleeping position over time. Heavy sleepers may experience the “hammock effect,” or drooping, sooner; persons who sleep on their sides may detect sagging around the hips and shoulders. To keep your mattress from sagging, try rotating it from head to foot every six months or so. Most mattresses today aren’t made to be flipped from top to bottom, as was the case decades ago.

How to Make Your Mattress Last Longer

A mattress that has been properly cared for and maintained will last far longer than one that has not. The first purchase and setup is where the TLC should begin: It’s best to start with an excellent-quality mattress and make sure you’ve got the proper foundation in place. Memory foam and latex-foam mattresses, which are denser and heavier than standard innerspring beds, necessitate a firm foundation or platform.
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Once your mattress is in place, provide it to some tender loving care. You can extend the life of your mattress by using a quality mattress protector. You’ll be able to keep your mattress free of body oils, perspiration, skin debris, dust mites, mold spores, and other nasties if you do this. Regularly changing your bed linens, allowing the mattress to breathe, and washing and vacuuming on a regular basis can all help extend the life of your mattress. To avoid stains and spills, don’t eat or drink in bed. A longer-lasting mattress can be achieved by preventing pets from sleeping on the bed and children from using it as a trampoline.

Use a mattress protector.

In the previous few decades, vinyl mattress coverings that cracked and sagged were a thing of the past. In today’s mattress covers, foam padding or fiberfill batting are incorporated into the design to provide additional padding and comfort. A common feature of these sheets is that they’re made of moisture-resistant materials, which can aid to keep them from absorbing sweat, dead skin cells, and other bodily oils and impurities. There are a growing number of mattress protectors on the market that are made to go all the way around the mattress. Periodic cleaning of these encasement shields is made possible by the zippers on most of them.

Place it on the right box spring or foundation.

It is critical that you acquire the suitable basis for your new mattress, as different types of mattresses require different bases. These days, the most popular mattress foundations may be adjusted to raise or lower the head or foot portion of the mattress, and some even have heating and massaging features built in. Foam and hybrid mattresses, on the other hand, often necessitate a more sturdy foundation or platform than classic innerspring beds.

Following manufacturer recommendations and purchasing the suitable foundation for your mattress is always recommended. Despite the fact that foundations and mattresses are typically offered together, the foundation may last longer than the mattress itself. If you notice any evidence of warping in the foundation, you should get it checked out by a professional as well.

Inspect the mattress every 6 months.

Make sure to check your mattress for symptoms of wear and tear before you find yourself with a broken spring or chronic backaches. Your mattress should be cleaned and inspected at least once every six months, however some mattress-manufacturing companies recommend quarterly cleaning and inspection. If you see any visible sagging or lumps, it’s time to replace it. As a bonus, move the mattress from head to foot while you’re at it to avoid uneven pressure points.

Keep pets off the bed to prevent chewing or tearing.

Many people enjoy snuggling with their pets while they sleep, but it’s typically not a good idea to let your pets to sleep on the bed with you. Bored or agitated animals may gnaw or claw at the mattress, resulting to rips and tears, especially in the case of younger or older pets. Instead, invest in a high-quality pet bed and reserve the snuggling for another time and location.

DO NOT jump on the mattress!

While jumping on the bed as a kid was a lot of fun, it can seriously limit the lifespan of your mattress and put your children at risk of a fall. It’s not a good idea to jump on the bed since it puts a lot of pressure on a tiny area of the mattress and foundation. For a long period of time, jumping on a mattress will wear down its coils and cause it to split or warp. The trampoline is the place to do your leaping!

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