Your mattress is very important to your quality of sleep and your overall well-being. If you haven’t been feeling like yourself lately it could be time to replace it. Here’s how to tell if you’re ready for something new.
Your Guide to Better Sleep: When to Replace a Mattress
How old is your mattress? It might seem like you just got it only a couple of years ago, but did you? Time flies and that mattress that was once a comfy haven of restful sleep might now be causing some trouble.
Are you waking up feeling groggy, sore, and stiff? Are you experiencing some allergy symptoms? Does your mattress look a little saggy and worn out? If so, these may be signs that it's time for a new bed. Read on for help deciding if mattress shopping is in your near future.
Do you Have to Replace Your Mattress Every 8 Years?
The Better Sleep Council provides us with a general guideline that says we should start thinking about getting a new mattress about every 7 years, but you may have also read that it should be replaced every 8 years. These are just basic rules of thumb because there is no real set time limit on how long your mattress will last. Your mattress's lifespan depends on a number of factors.
Factors that Influence Your Mattress Lifespan
There are many things that come into play when it comes to how long your mattress will last. It all depends on the type and quality of the materials your mattress is made of plus how it's used and cared for.
Mattress Materials
What your mattress is made of will have a huge impact on its longevity. There are many different kinds of mattresses available at many different price points. Here's a rundown of the main types of mattresses and the materials they're made of.
Innerspring
The most traditional mattress is an innerspring mattress. It has metal coils inside that support cushioning. Sometimes there's an extra layer of padding called a pillow top. These tend to last around six or seven years.
Memory Foam
Memory foam mattresses consist of several layers. There's a foundation or base layer, a middle layer of memory foam, and a top layer that provides support and airflow. The lifespan of this mattress depends on the quality of the foam. Low-density foam lasts between five and six years whereas high-density foam will last about ten.
Hybrid
A hybrid mattress combines the best of both traditional innerspring mattresses and memory foam. A hybrid has an innerspring core surrounded by high-density foam and is topped with many layers of high-support memory and polyurethane foams. These have an average lifespan of six to seven years.
Care and Maintenance
How you care for your mattress also has an impact. If you use a mattress protector, for example, your mattress will last longer since it has a layer protecting it from spills, stains, pet accidents, and the general dust and debris that's a normal part of life. If the manufacturer requires that you rotate your mattress regularly and you don't get around to it, that can also impact its lifespan. Not having the proper box spring or foundation to support it will have a definite impact as well.
Kids and Pets
If you have little monkeys jumping on your bed (both human and furry) it definitely takes a toll on it. The extra weight plus the increased likelihood of damage from accidents and stains, jumping up and down, chewing and tearing (hopefully not from your kids) will probably mean that your mattress will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. It's a small price to pay for those snuggles though.
Your Size and Body Weight
The size and weight of both you and any sleeping partners will influence the life of your mattress. Sagging can occur faster with heavier-weight sleepers, where lighter-weight sleepers will have less of an effect. Solo sleepers will have to replace their mattress less frequently than those with a sleeping partner.
How Can I Tell When to Replace a Mattress?
If you're reading this, you may already suspect that you need a new mattress. Maybe it just looks less than inviting or you've noticed lumps or sagging. Perhaps you slept like a baby at a friend's house or a hotel only to come home to toss and turn once again. There are many ways to tell when it's finally time.
Decreased sleep quality
Quality sleep is so important and when you don't get it, it can take a toll on your overall health. You feel sluggish and maybe even a little crabby during the day. If you continually wake up not feeling refreshed and struggle through your day, your old mattress could be to blame.
Allergy and Asthma Symptoms
If you're waking up stuffy and sniffly or start to experience more frequent asthma symptoms it could be due to all the mold, bacteria, dust mites, dead skin cells, and other allergens that have built up over the years and are now lurking in your mattress. Time to say goodbye to that old mattress.
Aches and Pains
Back, neck, shoulder, or hip pain and stiffness especially upon waking could be a sure sign that your mattress is no longer viable. Old mattresses don't properly support pressure points so no matter what your favorite sleeping position is, your spine isn't properly aligned while you're laying down.
Signs of Wear
Obvious signs of wear like noticeable sagging, body impressions, rips, tears, and springs poking out of the top or sides are clear signs that your mattress needs to be replaced right away.
Noisy springs
When your bed squeaks and creaks, it's a sure sign that the coils are starting to degrade. You may start to notice sagging or feel springs starting to poke through the mattress cover. It may also become more noticeable when your sleeping partner moves as the bed may shake more or make noise.
Can a New Mattress Really Help Me Feel Rested?
There are countless benefits when you replace your mattress with a new one. Chief among them is restful sleep. Once you've resolved all the sleep issues that old mattresses come with, your sleep quality improves and you wake up without aches and pains and experience an increased feeling of well-being. There is no replacement for a good night's rest and a new mattress can get you there.
How Can I Make My New Mattress Last Longer?
There are a few simple ways you can get the most out of your new bed. It starts with a great quality mattress with the appropriate base or foundation and ends with proper care and maintenance. It will still get old and need to be replaced at some point but treat it well and it will give you a good night's sleep for years to come.
Start with a Quality Mattress
It only stands to reason that the quality of your mattress materials has a lot to do with when you'll need a new bed. If you buy a bed with a lower quality innerspring for example, it's going to wear out faster. The best mattresses are made with high-quality materials that last. The investment is well worth it in the end because you won't have to replace your mattress as often.
Get the Right Base or Foundation
The right support underneath is key to the longevity of your new bed. Typically, innerspring mattresses will require a box spring. A box spring contains coils that help distribute the weight of the mattress evenly for less wear and tear. Leesa offers both foam and hybrid mattresses that both require a foundation. Foundations are hard, stable surfaces that offer the best support under the entire mattress so that it lasts as long as possible.
Use a Mattress Protector
A mattress protector is key to prolonging the life of your mattress. It provides a great layer to keep your mattress clean and fresh by helping to prevent sweat, body oils, dead skin cells, dust, and dust mites from soaking into your mattress. Changing your bed linens once a week, washing your protector, and airing out your mattress periodically are also helpful.
You deserve improved sleep. If your mattress has been showing signs of age and causing back pain, and reduced quality sleep it's time to get a new bed. You'll spend about one-third of your life in bed so there's no better investment in your overall health than an amazing bed that helps you feel rested and ready to take on your day.
For more bed care tips and tricks, check out our resource guide! It has everything you ever wanted to know about beds, bedding and sleep health.
FAQs:
How do I know my mattress is worn out?
If you're experiencing back pain, reduced sleep quality, or increased asthma and allergy symptoms, it could be your mattress that's to blame. Different mattresses last for different lengths of time, so check to make sure that the type of mattress you have isn't near the end of its expected lifespan.
Can a mattress last 20 years?
Probably not. Even the best cared for, most gently used mattresses wear out over time. There are many factors that can increase or decrease its longevity but for the most part, no mattresses last that long. Some mattresses like memory foam or latex mattresses can last up to 10-15 years, but the average innerspring does not.
How often should you replace a mattress?
The mattress industry suggests that all mattresses should be replaced somewhere between every seven to ten years. However, there are many factors that can increase or decrease that frequency.
How do you dispose of a mattress?
Disposing of a mattress depends on where you live and the condition of your old mattress. If it’s still in good condition you can donate it, which keeps it out of the landfill a little longer and can benefit someone who doesn’t have one. Old mattresses can also be recycled since 80-90% of the materials it’s made of are recyclable. Steel inside your mattress can be sold for scrap and you can repurpose the padding to make cushions, throw pillows or even a cozy bed for your pet.
If your mattress is simply unusable, it can be put out for the trash or hauled away by a junk removal company.
