How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress
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Updated
December 26, 2022
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On average, a mattress lasts somewhere between 7-10 years. With time, you’ll feel uncomfortable and might get body pains from sleeping on the same mattress. Waking up with nothing but the pain isn’t a pretty picture. But, do you know, how often should you replace your mattress?
Even if a mattress lasts for 10 years, should you wait for the last breath of the mattress? The truth is, there is no way to fix when to dispose of your mattress. It all depends on your usage and habits.
If you don’t know when to replace your mattress, read on to know when you should replace your mattress. What’s more, you’ll get to know how long do mattresses last and why replace your mattress after a few years.
How Often Should You Replace a Mattress?
As mentioned before, the average lifespan of a mattress is 8-10 years. Ideally, you should replace it after 7-8 years. Now that majorly depends on how comfortable you feel sleeping on the mattress. If you’ve started to feel body pains or do not feel fresh after waking up, then it’s time to replace your mattress.
There are many reasons why these numbers fluctuate. But the main reason why some mattresses last longer than others is because of the quality. Do keep in mind that no mattress will last forever. Someday, you will have to get a new one. Therefore, it is advised to keep a close watch on your mattress. Your mattress might not be that old in books, but it might have lost its touch for sure.
What Factors Affect the Mattress Lifespan?
As we’ve said, many reasons affect the mattress, and you as a user should be able to understand them. Let’s dive into some of the factors that affect the longevity of a mattress.
1. Material
The longevity of a mattress majorly depends on the materials used to create it. Materials like high-density poly-foam and latex last longer than other mattresses and rarely cause body pains. Before you decide which mattress to go home with, make sure you know in detail about the material.
2. Caring routine
How you care for your mattresses says a lot about their condition. If you are the handle with care types, then you will find your mattress lasting longer than others. And why not? There is nothing wrong with caring for your mattress. Hence, you should keep it protected and clean whenever possible.
3. Quality
The quality of a mattress can be the reason you will or won’t look for a mattress soon enough. An unoriginal mattress will not last long and will wear out sooner than you’ve imagined. Keep in mind that high price mattresses do not really mean that they are made from high-quality materials. You should look out for features that strengthen your mattress.
4. Mattress type
Which mattress do you use, hybrid, latex, memory foam? The type of mattress you use also determines the lifespan of your mattress. It is known that latex mattresses last longer than others, and for this reason, people who wish to stick with their mattresses for long should choose this mattress. Low-density foam mattresses wear out earlier than others, and therefore, if you invest in cheap quality mattresses, then it is likely that you will have to change your mattress early.
When Should You Replace Your Mattress?
There are a few factors that can help you understand the mattress lifespan and the need to replace your mattress. Let’s explore the possible reasons that can become the cause of replacing mattresses.
Signs of wear and tear
As your mattresses age, you will feel it is not the same as new. Some popular signs are the hardening of the mattress, feeling lumps, and the softness of the fabric wearing out. Not just this, you might also feel the mattress is not supporting your body as it did earlier. Once you feel the difference in your mattress, you should replace it as soon as possible.
- Your mattress sags
Sooner or later, the freshness or firmness of your mattress will let you down. This can lead to uncomfortable sleep. A primary way to know your mattress is old enough to replace it is when you see your mattress sagging. All mattresses break down at some point, so if you see a dent in the mattress that is there for good, then you know it is time to replace it.
- Increased allergies
Did you know, mattresses are the perfect place for dust, mites, and allergens to grow. Suppose you notice that lately your skin allergies or infections are increasing and you can’t seem to find the answer why – then here is your answer. Your mattress needs to be replaced.
- You do not feel fresh
As the mattress becomes old, you will no longer enjoy sleeping on it. Even after sleeping for a good 8 hours, you might feel tired. This could be a major reason why you should replace your mattress as soon as possible.
- Noisy spring
If you have an innerspring or hybrid mattress, then sooner or later, you will complain that the mattress is making more noise than ever. Spring mattresses, with time, squeak a lot. These springs do not support the body as they should, and they will only cause discomfort with time.
- Muscle sores
As the mattresses lose their touch, you will feel that your muscle sores are increasing every night. As the mattress loses its firmness, it doesn’t align your bones with your body. According to a study, it is confirmed that a new mattress reduces back pain and improves sleep quality.
- You can feel your partners movement
Mattresses are made to give your body comfort, and most importantly they can offer motion isolation. When you notice that you can feel your partner’s every movement, it is a clear sign that your mattress isn’t supporting you as it should. So, you will feel when your partner turns or gets up in the night.
These are the signs you need a new mattress. If you ever notice these, then don’t avoid them as sooner or later they can become major reasons for an uncomfortable sleep.
How Can You Increase the Life of a Mattress?
Although you might not be able to hold on to a mattress forever, you might be able to prolong the lifespan of a mattress. Let’s see how. Listed below are some of the ways through which you can increase your mattress’s lifespan.
- Use a mattress protector
Using a mattress protector can actually increase the lifespan of your mattress. Anything that spills doesn’t get absorbed into the mattress. A mattress protector also keeps dust away thereby, improving mattress hygiene.
- Use the right box spring
If your mattress needs a box spring, then make sure you pick up the right one. It can increase your mattress life for good. Supporting the mattress with a suitable supporting box spring will cause the mattress to last longer. Do a bit of research and find the proper box spring before buying one.
- A little sunlight is good for the mattress
Occasionally, show your mattress some sunlight. This will eliminate the moisture trapped in the mattress and keep it fresh. Showing your mattress sunlight also keeps the fabric clean and bright. Once or twice a month, you should strip the mattress and keep it out in the sun for a few hours.
- Give your mattress extra care
You might want to increase the care routine for your mattress. Make sure you have a hygienic routine for your mattress and follow it regularly. You could also hire help to deep clean your mattress once in 2-3 months.
- Flip the mattress
Many times, flipping the mattress can save it from getting damaged. By doing so, you avoid sinkage and sagging issues. It is a good habit to flip the mattress once every 2 months. This way, the firmness of the mattress is well maintained, and it will continue to give you the comfort you so look forward to.
- Set ground rules
When it comes to protecting the mattress, setting ground rules will help you maintain your mattress for good. You can avoid eating on the mattress, keep children and pets away, and restrict jumping or playing on the mattress. This keeps the firmness intact, and the mattress doesn’t wear off easily.
- Vacuum the mattress often
Another way to maintain mattress hygiene is to vacuum it regularly. You can sprinkle baking soda, keep it for a while and then vacuum it. This will soak all the moisture and keep the mattress hygienic too. Following this routine will reduce the allergens and keep dust & mites away from the mattress.
Is Buying a New Mattress Worth?
Sometimes, mattress replacement might be the only solution left. Knowing when to replace a mattress will help you maintain your sleep comfort just as you like it. Even after trying to fix your mattress or caring for it, you might get into a situation where you have to buy a new one. So, let’s see what you can expect when you get a new mattress.
- Better sleep
- Less stress
- Less body pain
- Enhanced mood
- Fewer allergies
- Proper body support
- Boosts mental health
- It matches your sleeping needs
It is true. A new mattress can make a lot of difference to your sleep. The plus point is that you get to choose the mattress according to your sleeping habits. If you are a side sleeper or switch between a side and stomach sleeper, then you should choose a hybrid mattress. Each type of mattress will support you differently.
A new mattress eliminates the problems of the previous mattress for sure. What’s more is, it directly reflects your mood during the day. So, if you are tired of sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress, then you shouldn’t hold on to it anymore.
The Final Word
Now that you know the mattress life expectancy, you know when you should replace the mattress very well. We hope these tips have helped you to understand why to replace your mattresses.
If you are suffering from health issues, then replacing a mattress will be beneficial for your health.
Do remember, no mattress is the same, and each mattress has a different lifespan. Whichever mattress you choose, ya time will come when you’ll have to let your mattress go. Keep in mind that you spend ⅓ rd of your life sleeping, so you shouldn’t compromise when it’s about comfort.
FAQs
You should rotate your mattress once every 3 months. This will help you maintain the mattress’s firmness and prevent the mattress from sagging from the side.
Pillows should be replaced every 1-2 years as they too need to be replaced regularly. No matter how much you take care of your pillow, they too, like the mattress, will not last forever.
Memory foam mattresses can last up to 15 years. So, depending on the condition of your mattress, you should replace them regularly.
Well, it depends on the type of mattress. Memory foam or latex mattresses can last up to 15 years, given that they are rotated every 3-6 months. Other factors determine the lifespan of a mattress, such as – quality, maintenance, and type.
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