How Often Should you Change your Mattress?

Last Updated on August 16, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas

On average, mattresses should be replaced every 7 to 10 years. Factors like quality, usage, and individual comfort preferences influence the timing. Regularly replacing your mattress ensures better sleep quality and supports spinal health.

How Often Should you Change your Mattress?

Maintaining a comfortable and hygienic sleeping environment is crucial to achieving a good night’s sleep. The state of your mattress can significantly affect the quality of your rest. This leads to the critical question, “How often should you change your mattress?” There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but considering various factors can help inform your decision.

1. General Rule of Thumb

The National Sleep Foundation suggests that every seven to ten years is the expected lifespan of a mattress for most individuals. This timeframe serves as a general guide, regardless of the type or quality of your mattress.

2. Type of Mattress

The material and construction of your mattress can also influence its longevity.

• A Memory Foam Mattress generally lasts six to seven years
• A Latex Mattress can last up to 15 years, thanks to its durable material
• An Innerspring Mattress might need replacement after five to seven years
• Hybrid Mattresses, a combo of innerspring and foam, typically last six to seven years

3. Personal Comfort Level

Comfort is paramount when it comes to sleep quality. If you’re waking up with stiffness, numbness, or body aches, it could signify that your mattress needs replacing, regardless of its age.

4. Changes in Lifestyle or Body

Significant changes in weight, either gain or loss, may affect how comfortable and supportive your mattress feels. The same applies if you’ve recently taken on a partner or no longer share your bed.

5. Visible Wear and Tear

Visible signs like sagging, lumps, or coils poking out are visible indications that it’s time for a new mattress.

6. Allergies or Asthma

If you’re regularly cleaning your mattress and still suffering from allergies or aggravated asthma symptoms, it could indicate that allergens accumulated over time are causing harm – a new mattress may be needed.

Remember, while this list serves as a guide, everyone’s experience may differ depending on various circumstances. Always prioritize personal comfort and satisfaction in quality sleep when considering changing your mattress.

Types of mattresses (You Need To Know The Type, Right?)

• Innerspring mattress

This type of mattress has coil support systems that distribute your body weight evenly across the mattress. They are popular due to their bounce and springiness and can last for approximately ten years or more, depending on how well you take care of them.

• Memory foam mattress

Memory foam mattresses are made with different layers of foam that mold to your body and provide consistent cushioning while you lie on them. A memory foam mattress is the best solution for anyone suffering from severe back pain or restlessness. These mattresses come in different densities and materials, which determine how long they can last. With regular rotation and proper care, memory foam mattresses can last for 10 to 12 years.

• Latex mattress

Latex mattresses are popular for their comfort and durability; they conform to the body better than memory foam mattresses. These mattresses are made from natural rubber, making them eco-friendly. Latex mattresses are an investment that can last for up to 20 years.

• Pillow top mattress

This type of mattress has an extra layer of soft padding stitched to the top. If you desire a cloud-like luxury feel from your mattress, then a pillow top is the way to go. Pillow-top mattresses have a shorter lifespan compared to others. They last for up to 5 years,

• Hybrid mattress

Hybrid mattresses are a blend of innerspring and foam mattresses. They are designed with a bottom layer of foam, a coil support system then a top layer of foam. Their durability depends on the quality of foams, and the type of coil system that it has, on average, hybrid mattresses should be replaced after six years.

• Air mattress

These are mattresses designed with air chambers that you can fill to your desired firmness. The air chamber is sandwiched between padding to give you a comfortable surface. Air mattresses have numerous air chambers that allow you to adjust the firmness of different sides separately by using a remote control. If you and your sleeping partner like different firmness levels, you don’t have to compromise when you have an air mattress. These mattresses last the longest, and that’s why they are expensive.

• Water bed mattress

These mattresses are no longer popular, but they are designed with a water chamber filled with water. They were initially created for medical therapy before they got their way into the bedroom. A major setback of these mattresses is that they are prone to leakage.

Tips for selecting a long-lasting mattress

1. Have a budget and avoid going for the cheaper option since it is most likely made from inferior materials.
2. If possible, shop around physically as opposed to online since you get to have a feel of different mattresses before you settle on one.
3. Consider the features that are most important to you such as density, softness back support, and heat retention, and go for one that meets all your needs
4. Use your weight as a guideline to the type of density you should choose, the heavier you are, the thicker your mattress should be.
5. Go for mattresses with a lifetime warranty since they replace comfort layers in case of wear and tear at no extra charge.

Reasons why you should replace your mattress

 An uncomfortable mattress not only interferes with your sleep but also causes health complications such as back pain and fatigue. It would be best if you always made an effort to replace your mattress after the recommended time for your comfort. If you are prone to allergies and other respiratory conditions, you should aim to change your mattress more often.

Mattresses are known to accumulate dust, dust mites, and other allergens that are harmful to your health. Your mattress will always show you signs when it’s time for a change. These signs include:

• Sagging, coils that are felt through the fabric, lumps, and any sign of wear and tear is a good reason for replacing your mattress
• Squeaking sounds when you move due to worn-out springs
• When you wake up feeling stiff and sore, you will need to replace your mattress since it no longer supports your body the way it should
• Worsened asthma or allergies due to dust in your mattress
• Reduced motion transfer and you can feel your partner turning over
• If you have added a sleep partner or gained weight, then you need a new mattress that can hold up the new weight

How to take care of your mattress to make it last longer

When you have a quality and durable mattress, your nights will be sweeter, and you will want to take care of your new investment for it to last even longer. Here are some things you can do to protect your mattress from damage and ensure it lasts longer:

1. Support your mattress with the best foundation or box spring
2. Use a mattress protector to keep your mattress away from dust and spillage
3. Rotate your mattress regularly to promote uniform wear: you can rotate after every three months
4. Keep your mattress upright when moving to prevent creasing and damaging the springs
5. Air out your mattress regularly by removing sheets and covers for awhile
6. To remove dust and allergens, you can vacuum your mattress regularly
7. You can flip your mattress from time to time if it is two-sided

Conclusion

Doctors and sleep experts recommend sleeping for 8 hours each day for maximum relation. This time is approximately a third of your life, and if you sleep that long, you need a quality mattress. A good mattress improves the quality of your sleep and keeps you from body aches and soreness. It would be best if you replaced your mattress from time to time since the older it gets, the less support you receive.

When choosing a mattress, always go for quality and density. A good mattress is not cheap, but the long-term benefits you will enjoy are worth every dime. A good tip to ensure you can get a new mattress in time is to save up for one. Since you know you will need a new mattress after every seven years, you can set aside a few bucks for that course so that when the time comes to get a new mattress, you don’t strain financially.

Keep your health and sleep in check by upgrading your mattress often. We hope you consider replacing your mattress and enjoy quality and peaceful sleep afterward.

References:

https://www.bensonsforbeds.co.uk/sleep-hub/how-often-should-you-change-your-mattress/
https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/how-often-should-you-replace-your-mattress-experts-weigh-in/