How Often Do Hotels Replace Their Mattress? Detail Overview

Last Updated on July 25, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas

Hotels typically replace their mattresses every 3 to 5 years or in some cases 7 to 10 years. However, the specific timetable varies between establishments based on volume, usage, budget, type of mattress, and mattress brand. Regular mattress replacement ensures guest comfort and maintains hygiene standards.

What Is The Lifespan Of A Hotel Mattress?

The average lifespan of a mattress is between 7 and 10 years. But, this depends on factors such as the type of mattress, its original build, weight, and the sleeper’s sleeping patterns. Since mattresses do not have clear expiry dates, hotels need to do due diligence to know when it is time for changing it.

Why is it Important to Change Mattresses in Hotels?

1. Enhanced Guest Comfort:
   The comfort of guests should be the top priority for hotels. A quality mattress contributes substantially to how well-rested guests may feel during their stay. As mattresses wear out over time, their comfort levels decrease, which can potentially affect the hotel’s reputation.
2. Improved Quality of Sleep:
   A good night’s sleep is a fundamental expectation of any hotel guest. Old or low-quality mattresses can lead to poor sleep, including issues such as backaches, insomnia, and fatigue. Regular change of mattresses ensures that the guests’ sleep quality isn’t compromised.
3. Promoting Hygiene and Cleanliness:
   Despite routine cleaning, mattresses can accumulate dust mites, bed bugs, and other allergens over time. This build-up can lead to allergic reactions among guests. Changing mattresses can help maintain high levels of cleanliness and hygiene in hotel rooms, providing a safer and healthier environment for guests.
4. Modern Luxury Expectations:
   With travelers becoming more discerning, meeting their expectations for a comfortable, luxurious stay is crucial. By investing in high-quality mattresses and regularly upgrading them, hotels can satisfy the modern guest’s demand for luxury.
5. Durable and High-Quality Furniture:
   Regular maintenance and replacement keep hotel furniture, including mattresses, in pristine condition. This can reflect positively on a hotel’s overall image and reputation for quality service.
6. Positive Online Reviews:
   Nowadays, online reviews greatly influence a traveler’s choice of hotel. Comfortable, clean, and new mattresses can contribute to more positive reviews, driving customer satisfaction and loyalty.
7. Keeping Up with Technology:
   New mattresses often come with the latest technology for support and comfort. Memory foam and sleep monitoring technology improves sleep and general health. Regularly upgrading mattresses allows hotels to provide guests with these advancements.
8. Regulatory Compliance:
   Last but not least, hotels need to comply with various health and safety regulations. Changing mattresses at regular intervals can help hotels meet these requirements, ensuring the safety and welfare of their guests.

Factors That Influence A Mattress’s Lifespan

Although a mattress needs to last between 7 and 10 years, some of them may not hold up for so long. Some of the factors that affect the lifespan include:

Type Of Mattress 

The type of mattresses that hotels invest in will determine how long they are going to last. These types include latex, all-foam, innerspring, and hybrid. Latex mattresses lead in terms of being durable, followed by polyfoams or high-density memory foam mattresses. Both hybrid and lower-density foam mattresses have a shorter lifespan in comparison to the others. 

Standard innerspring mattresses last between five and six years, which is the shortest lifespan. 

Types Of The Mattress And Their Expected Lifespan

Mattress type	Expected lifespan (in years)
Latex	10-12
Innerspring	5-8
Foam	8-10
Hybrid	8-10

Original Build

The initial quality of a mattress at the time of purchase also impacts much on its durability. A bed that has a high cost is not necessarily more long-lasting than the cheaper one. However, as a general rule, an expensive mattress tends to be more durable and of better quality. For example, an inexpensive mattress will wear out faster than a high-end hybrid mattress. 

Care Routine

A mattress needs proper care like other items in a hotel or home for it to last longer. Some of the care routines include regular cleaning, the use of protective covers, and following the care guidelines from the manufacturer. Rotating and flipping over the mattress frequently may also help enhance its longevity, although this depends on the manufacturer’s recommendations. 

Materials 

The materials used in constructing a mattress also determine how long it will last. For instance, high-density polyfoam and latex mattresses may last longer than low-density polyfoam. 

Bodyweight And Sleeping Patterns

Different people have different sleeping styles example, some sleep on the side, back, while others do it on their stomachs. Each person sleeping on the mattress has unique support needs and will use specific areas of the bed. The more one sleeps in a particular spot, the more the mattress wears out fast. 

What Hotels Do With Their Old Mattresses

Different hotels have their ways of dealing with old mattresses which, include;

Donating

Some hotels donate their changed mattresses to other downscale hotels or inns. They may also give out the beds to charitable organizations such as senior-care homes and orphanages. 

Recycling

Some hotels take their old mattresses to recycling facilities for repurposing and reusing. This eco-friendly way helps prevent the mattresses from ending up in a landfill and to reduces waste output. Some of the old items are converted into mats, upholstery stuffing, carpet padding, pillows, pressed wood products, and construction materials. 

Box springs and metals from the mattresses can be used to make tools, building materials, and car parts. 

Selling

Hotels may decide to sell their not-so-old mattresses to other hotels. Small or developing hotels that may not afford to invest in new beds can purchase from bigger establishments. 

Sending To Landfills

Although it is not advisable, some hotels will send their old mattresses to landfills. Mattresses that are not resalable or good for donation can be buried in excavated pits. This method helps to reclaim some wasteland. 

Signs That A Hotel Mattress Needs Replacement

There are several signs that show your hotel mattress needs a replacement including;

• Guests complain of discomfort or waking up tired and achy. You can check their reviews to know whether they are satisfied or not. 
• Visible signs of wear and tear on the mattress. You may notice lumps or sagging on the bed or the spring makes some noise when one lies down.
• When the mattress is still uncomfortable after flipping and rotating 
• If the mattress has reached its double-digit age from the time of purchase.

How Often Should Hotels Replace Their Pillows

A recent survey by NSF (National Sleep Foundation) revealed that 91% of people associated a good night’s sleep with a pillow. This item comes second after a mattress which contributes 93% of comfortable sleep. A pillow needs a replacement when it gets flat, stained, or lumpy.

According to many sleep experts, a hotel should replace its pillows every 2 years. Besides changing their pillows, hotels need to also;

Use Pillow Protectors

Pillow protectors are used for covering these items and protect them from staining. But, the protectors do not prevent dust from building up, and they also give a false sense of security. Besides using a pillowcase, you can also zip a shielding cover over your pillow. Doing this will help to shield your piece from bedbugs, allergens, and dust mites. The cover can be washed once every month to help remove dust and keep the pillow in good condition for a long. 

Clean The Pillows

Pillows need regular cleaning to remove dust and hair & skin particles. Clean them using the washing machine but be sure to follow specific instructions. For synthetic or foam-filled pillows, wash on a gentle cycle, but you can hand-wash feather-filled or down pillows. You can remove the excess water using the washing machine’s slowest spin cycle. 

 Dry them using moderate heat for about one hour. 

Choose The Right Pillow.

Different pillows have specific advantages and disadvantages, and it is good to know what to pick. The table below shows the different types of pillows and their feature;

Type of pillow	Pros	Cons
Synthetic	Inexpensive, easy to care for, great for people with allergy	Super soft, long-lasting, and lightweight
Cotton	Soft, natural, and hypoallergenic	It clumps over time
Down	Supper soft, long-lasting, and lightweight	They are high-priced
Feather	Soft and easy to shape	Not  supportive enough for people with allergy
Memory foam	Offers great back and neck support	It is not cheap

Wrapping Up

Hotels need to replace their mattresses every three to five years. But, this depends on various factors such as the type of mattress, the materials making the mattress, and the care routine. But, some maintenance policies can help prolong the lifespan of this mattress and comfort as mentioned in this article.

References:

https://www.hotelfandb.com/how-often-do-hotels-replace-mattresses/
https://journeyjunket.com/how-often-do-hotels-change-their-mattresses/