You can tell that it is time to replace your mattress by watching out for usual signs of wear and tear. Even better, your body may start sending you signals that you need to change your mattress
While the lifespan of a mattress may vary from one individual mattress to another, knowing what to expect can help you know when it is time to buy a new mattress.
How often should you replace your mattress?
Typically, you should replace your mattress every 6 to 8 years. This is the approximate time that a mattress takes to show signs of wear and tear.
Nevertheless, the lifespan of a mattress can be affected by its type and how well you care for it.
The frequency of use is also key. For example, a mattress in the spare bedroom may hold up for longer compared to the one in the main bedroom.
Also, according to Consumer reports, if you are above 40 years and have had your mattress for 5-7 years, it may be time to replace it since your body is likely to withstand less pressure as you age.
What is the Lifespan of your Mattress?
The materials used to make the mattress greatly determine its durability. Different types of mattresses hold up differently.
Latex Mattresses
Latex is durable and resilient. Depending on whether the latex is synthetic, natural, or a blend of both, latex foam mattresses should give you 12-20 years.
More content of natural latex in a mattress gives it a longer life. 100% latex mattresses are known to last for up to 25 years.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam also balances resilience and durability well. A memory foam mattress can give you about 8-10 years with the best quality holding up for up to 15 years.
Innerspring Mattresses
Innerspring mattresses contain springs at their core and softer layers for insulation and cushioning. The quality of the mattress materials and the spring construction determine how long the innerspring mattresses will last.
With a high-quality material combination, an innerspring mattress can last for 7-10 years. A two-sided design mattress can be flipped to allow uniform wear and may last for more than 10 years.
Hybrid Mattresses
A hybrid mattress balances the plush comfort of foam with the support of a coil core.
A typical hybrid mattress may have a foam layer at the base, a coil support core, and a comfort layer of memory foam or latex at the top.
When made of high-quality foam and coils, hybrid mattresses can last for up to 6 years.
Waterbed Mattresses
Waterbed Mattresses are filled with water and encased in a vinyl exterior and may sit in a wooden frame to make a hard-sided waterbed or foam support to make a soft-sided waterbed.
Unlike other mattress types, a waterbed mattress carries the risk of popping, bursting, or leaking but with proper maintenance, you can get about 10 years or more.
Pillow Top Mattresses
These are mattresses that come with an extra pillowy layer that is stitched on top. The pillow top can be made from latex, memory foam, fiberfill, down, or cotton while the support section may be innerspring, foam, or hybrid.
The longevity of a pillowtop depends on its constituent materials and since it cannot be flipped for even wear, it may need to be replaced after 4-7 years.
Why does it matter?
The nature of your mattress greatly affects your sleep. An old and worn-out mattress is linked to discomfort, back pain, and build-up of allergens like dust mites which can worsen respiratory conditions.
This combination leads to decreased quality of sleep!
These scary statistics about lack of sleep highlight how detrimental the lack of a goodnight’s sleep can be to your health and your quality of life in general.
Apparently, ‘50 to 70 million adults in the USA suffer from a chronic sleep or wakefulness disorder’.
Also, poor night’s sleep has been linked to health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and depression.
On the other hand, did you know that there’s a link between success and sleep? Having at least 7 hours of sleep every night will not only keep you rested and energized but is also a great recipe for success.
How to look after your mattress?
Like everything else, your mattress can last longer and give you better service if well taken care of. Here’s how to go about it.
- Keep your kids from jumping up and down on your mattress to avoid weakening its components
- To facilitate even wear, rotate your mattress regularly from bottom to top and flip it when possible.
- Ensure that your foundation or box spring offers adequate support for your mattress.
- Protect your mattress from dirt and allergens using a mattress protector. When needed, vacuum or clean it using the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Don’t allow pets on your bed as they can tear it with their teeth and claws
- Let your bed air by regularly removing the bedding and opening the windows for ventilation.
- Ensure you regularly wash your bedding to discourage the multiplication of dust mites.
- If you spot bed bugs, seek professional help to get rid of them
- To keep your mattress in a good condition for longer, use a mattress topper
How do I know if my mattress is worn out?
Check this list to know when to change your mattress
- You get out of bed with back pain
- You feel too tired and grumpy in the mornings
- When you are away from your bed, you sleep better
- There’s a permanent dip on your mattress, where your body lies.
- Sitting or lying on your bed leads to creaking or sagging of your mattress
- You are over 40 and have used the same mattress for 5-7 years
- If you have allergies they get worse when you sleep in your bed
- Your mattress is lumpy
- There’s the transfer of motion when your partner moves.
Can a mattress last 20 years?
While it is not common, it is possible that a mattress made of high-quality materials such as latex can remain in good condition for up to 20 years. This would, however, require outstanding use, care, and maintenance.
What happens to a mattress after 10 years?
Most mattresses will get worn out after 10 years of use. They will give less comfort and support and depending on their type, some may already have triggered some sleep-related problems such as back and joint pain.
With proper care though, mattresses made from materials such as high-quality latex and memory foam may still be in great condition.
What happens if you don’t change your mattress?
If you don’t get a new mattress after 6-8 years or when it is apparent that you should replace your mattress, it continues to lose the ability to give you the necessary support and comfort. This leads to discomfort, possible body pain, and poor sleep.
Consequently, you risk developing or worsening conditions linked to poor sleep such as diabetes, depression, and hypertension. Allergies can also get worse with increased dust mites.
How do you choose a mattress?
The right choice of a mattress can be informed by numerous factors including type, budget, lifestyle, medical advice, and age but it all comes down to a mattress that best serves your personal sleep needs.
Want to get into the tiniest details, check out these 51 tips to consider when buying a new bed or mattress
What can you do to get a better night’s sleep?
To get a good night’s sleep, you need to be comfortable. Your comfort may be determined by factors like a cool, dark, and quiet sleep environment and comfortable sleepwear.
In addition, you need to drop sleep-disrupting habits before bedtime and adopt habits that help you sleep better.
Check out these 18 tips on how to sleep better.
Conclusion
Getting quality sleep is paramount and your mattress has a lot of say in this. A worn-out mattress will start to show eventually and your body will feel it. Now that you know what to expect and what to look out for, you can always ensure that you have a mattress that helps you sleep better and if not, get a new one before it is too late.