A good night’s rest is essential to a healthy body, mind, and spirit. When we don’t get enough sleep, our bodies and minds suffer, making it difficult for them to repair and revitalize themselves.
The quality of your mattress is a major impact in whether or not you get a restful night’s sleep. Few other products have the potential to have such a profound impact on our well-being and contentment. Therefore, it is essential to choose the greatest mattress available and change it according to expert recommendations. However, when is the right time to buy a new mattress?
You are reading: How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress? Ultimate Guide
Mattresses should be replaced every six to eight years under typical circumstances.
Of course, this is just a general rule of thumb and not a panacea. A variety of criteria go into determining when it’s time to buy a new mattress.
If one or more of the following is true, you should replace your mattress:
- It’s at least six to eight years old.
- It’s disrupting your sleep cycle.
- Certain parts of it are visibly droopy or damaged.
- There’s a noticeable increase in noise level (noisy springs are common in old innerspring mattresses)
- At hotels, friends’ residences, etc., you find that you sleep more soundly than you do at home.
- For example, you observe an increase in allergic reactions and/or asthma symptoms
- Muscle or joint stiffness is a common occurrence in your morning routine.
Essentially, if your bed isn’t allowing you to get a good night’s sleep anymore, it’s time to change it. In general, if you’re considering purchasing a new bed, it’s best to do so as soon as possible rather than wait until you’re in need of a replacement.
Factors Influencing Mattress Lifespan
A mattress’s lifespan is influenced by a number of things. Consider the difference between a $250 budget bed and a $5,000 premium mattress: the latter will decay far more quickly. Mattress replacement guidelines are influenced by a number of 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. Because they’re typically advertised as higher-priced options and built of higher-quality materials, hybrid mattresses tend to be more durable. Latex mattresses can last up to eight years, making them the most durable.
Depending on the material, there are a few good methods for predicting the product’s lifespan. Look for a lower coil gauge in innerspring and hybrid mattresses (which means thicker coils). Look for higher densities (1.7+ PCF polyfoam and 5+ PCF memory foam) in foam mattresses. 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).
When purchasing a mattress, it’s important to take into account your own body weight as well as the weight of anyone else who sleeps with you. Mattresses may sag more quickly for heavier sleepers, whereas lighter sleepers have less of an influence. When it comes to mattresses, it is likely that a mattress for two people will wear out more quickly than a mattress 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. With the added weight, pets and children are more prone to leave stains and other damage on the mattress.
Is a New Mattress Worth the Cost?
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Is it really worth it to spend so much money on a new mattress?
As a rule, the answer is always the same in almost all circumstances. 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 possible advantages of a new mattress:
Peer-reviewed clinical trials indicated that new mattresses improved sleep quality and reduced both back pain and perceived stress in the study participants. After acquiring a new mattress, most people claim that their sleep quality has improved.
It is probable that your mattress is contributing to your back, shoulder, hip, and/or neck pain or stiffness when you wake up in the morning. Older mattresses often sag, making it more difficult for your spine to be correctly oriented.
Decreased motion transfer from one side of the bed to the other is a common problem with older mattresses. Your sleep can be disrupted by your companion shifting positions during the night. It’s easier for couples to enjoy a good night’s sleep on a new mattress, especially an all-foam or hybrid model.
Dust mites, mold, germs, and other allergens proliferate in old mattresses at alarming rates. This can lead to allergic reactions and even asthma attacks in some people. Among household items, mattresses were found to have the highest concentration of dust mites and other allergens according to a short study conducted by the National University of Singapore. If you’ve seen an increase in the severity of your allergy or asthma symptoms, it’s possible that your mattress is to blame.
Even though it may be tempting to continue with your current mattress in order to save money, for the vast majority of people, an upgrade is in their best interests. Be mindful that you’ll spend around a third of your life in bed, and there’s no better way to invest in your personal well-being than to guarantee that you get a good night’s sleep.
When to replace your mattress?
Replace when you notice signs of wear and tear.
Mattresses that show obvious symptoms of wear and tear should be replaced as soon as possible. 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; disintegrating foam; and air mattress leaks or holes.
Another indication that it’s time to get a new mattress is an increase in allergy or asthma problems. No matter how often you clean your mattress, dead skin, body oils, and moisture will accumulate, attracting dutt mtes that feed on the dead skin cells they collect. There are between 100,000 and 10 million dust mites in an average used mattress that can cause allergic reactions in many people and exacerbate asthma symptoms, according to a study published by Ohio State University. Mold and mildew can form on a mattress that absorbs oil and moisture from your skin. It’s always a good idea to get a new mattress if your current one has black patches or a musty smell.
Replace when the springs become noisy.
If the springs in your mattress are beginning to creak, this is an indication of wear and should be addressed as soon as possible. It is a warning that the coils are beginning to decay and may break, sag, or snap if you hear squeaks and creaks. To tell if your mattress needs to be replaced, look for springs peeking out of the cover. As the coils in the box spring begin to deteriorate, they may make noises and squeaks. 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. Your mattress should be replaced if you wake up stiff and painful, with unexplained aches or pains in your back, sides; neck; knees; and shoulders. This is a sure symptom. To see if this is the case, try sleeping in a new bed for a night. Sleeping better in a hotel or someone else’s home may mean it’s time to shop for a new mattress.
Replace when you don’t feel rested after waking up.
If you wake up exhausted and foggy after a night of tossing and turning, you may have an aging mattress. Saggy mattresses are renowned for preventing a good night’s rest. The time has come to replace your mattress if there are any apparent troughs or dips in the surface of it. 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.
In general, a mattress’s lifespan is affected by the weight of the individuals who sleep on it: heavier people tend to wear out mattresses more quickly. 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. A major weight gain or reduction might also alter the way your mattress conforms to your sleeping position, which will have an impact on its lifespan. 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.
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Weakness is not good. Large valleys, dips, grooves, or sagging regions in your mattress that prohibit you from obtaining good spinal alignment are an indication 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. Rotating your mattress head to foot every six months is a good strategy to keep it from sagging. Most modern mattresses are not designed to be flipped from top to bottom, so keep that in mind.
How to Make Your Mattress Last Longer?
You can extend the useful life of your mattress with proper care and maintenance. When it comes to TLC, it all starts with the purchase and setup: Begin with a high-quality mattress and a suitable foundation to support it. Memory foam and latex-foam mattresses, on the other hand, are denser and heavier than standard innerspring mattresses, necessitating the use of a sturdy platform or foundation.
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. In addition, it will help keep body oils, perspiration, dead skin cells, dust mites and mold and mildew from getting into your mattress. Regularly changing your bed linens and airing out your mattress, in addition to cleaning and vacuuming on a regular basis, can all help extend the life of your mattress. Consuming food and beverages in bed can lead to stains and spills. Keeping pets away from the mattress and preventing youngsters from jumping on the mattress is a surefire way to extend the life of your mattress.
Use a mattress protector.
Mattress coverings made of crackly vinyl are a thing of the past. In today’s mattress protectors, foam padding or fiberfill batting can be added to the mattress to improve comfort and extend the life of the mattress. Moisture-resistant materials are commonly used in their construction, which helps repel spills, stains, and liquids while also keeping oils, sweat, and dead skin cells out of the mattress. There are a lot of mattress covers on the market these days that are made to cover the entire mattress. Zippers are commonly used in these encasement covers so they may be taken out and cleaned as needed.
Place it on the right box spring or foundation.
It is critical that you get the proper base to support your new mattress because 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.
Make sure you get the right foundation for your mattress by following the instructions provided by the manufacturer. When buying a foundation and mattress together, keep in mind that the foundation may last longer. Inspecting the foundation for visible symptoms of wear and tear, such as warping, should be done on a regular basis 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. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning and inspecting your mattress periodically, but you should do so at least once every six months. Keep an eye out for any drooping or bumps that can indicate wear and tear. Make sure to rotate the mattress from head to toe to avoid generating dips and valleys caused by your weight.
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Keep pets off the bed to prevent chewing or tearing.
While many individuals enjoy the company of their pets while they sleep, it is not recommended that they be allowed on the mattress. As pets get older, they are more likely to have accidents that are practically impossible to clean, while bored or agitated pets may try to rip or scratch at the mattress. Instead, invest on a high-quality pet bed and put off the cuddling until another time and place.
DO NOT jump on the mattress!
It’s no secret that jumping on the bed as a kid was a lot of fun, but it can decrease the life of your mattress and put your children at risk of falling! The mattress and base aren’t built to sustain the weight and force of jumping on the bed, which is why it’s best to avoid it. Over time, jumping on the mattress will wear down the coils and cause the base to break or distort, causing the mattress to wear out unevenly. The trampoline is the place to do your leaping!
FAQs
What is the best way to tell if my mattress is ready to be replaced?
When you sleep on a mattress, the materials it’s made of will wear down over time. However, there are several variables to consider, like the weight of the mattress, the number of times it is used, and more. Consider the quality of sleep, the condition of the mattress, and how other people who sleep in the bed feel before making a final decision.
What does it mean when I sleep better everywhere else but at home?
Definitely, this is a sign that you need to get a new mattress. If you find that you sleep better in other places, such as hotels or the houses of family members, this could be an indicator that your current mattress isn’t providing adequate support.
Should I flip my mattress?
A lot of the newer models can’t be flipped because they’re designed with materials that must be on top and don’t want your pillow top on the bottom. This is a problem with older, traditional mattresses. Make sure to verify the terms of your warranty to determine whether you can get a refund. You may also extend the life of your mattress by rotating it 180 degrees every six to eight months.
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Category: Sleep Advisors
