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How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress?
By FoamOrder | October 22, 2021 | 10 Minute Read
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Many people forget about replacing their mattresses until it is too late. A mattress should be replaced every 5-10 years, but many people think they can make it last longer than that. Many people use a hand-me-down mattress and so they can’t be sure how old their mattress is.
One thing is for sure, though — people often underestimate the role that quality sleep plays in their overall health. While few people enjoy the time or expense of getting a new mattress, doing so on the correct schedule is worth the investment to be comfortable. By knowing how often to replace your mattress, as well as signs it may be time to get a new mattress, you can enjoy a more restful sleep each night.
This depends on the type of mattress you have. Let’s examine the three most common types of mattresses — innerspring, organic latex foam and memory foam — to see when you should replace them.
A regular innerspring mattress should be replaced every 5-7 years. The coils can sag or bend, creating an uncomfortable sleeping surface and a lack of support. Many manufacturers also use lower-density polyurethane foam that is not as durable and breaks down sooner. Memory foam and organic latex mattresses last much longer because they are denser and less likely to compress over time.
Organic latex foam is the longest-lasting type of mattress with a typical lifespan of 10-20 years. It resists compression, has a good bounce back and doesn’t break down as quickly as memory foam mattresses do. On average, a high-quality natural latex foam mattress will last 15-plus years before needing replacement due to sagging or other faults or noticeable changes in firmness occurring. We’ve seen them last as long as 30 years with proper care.
Memory foam mattresses should be replaced every 10-15 years. Over time, the material can settle and lose its shape (especially if exposed to heat), making for an uncomfortable sleeping surface. The odor can also be overwhelming after time. Other problems include excessive softening and decompression of the memory foam that causes high spots or uneven surfaces depending on how you lie on the bed, especially in high-traffic areas where people tend to lie more often.
While each mattress has a general lifespan, other factors can influence how often to change the mattress. Here are eight signs that yours may no longer be suitable.
If your mattress is over eight years old, it’s probably due for replacement. At about this age, it could have visible body impressions, worn-out elasticity of the ticking or staining that won’t come out of the ticking with commercial cleaners — you’ll need a new one. When a mattress is this old, it can no longer provide adequate support and comfort.
The question of how often to replace your mattress is difficult to answer because everyone sleeps differently. Some people may find a comfortable mattress and sleep well on it for 10 years while others who sleep lightly or toss and turn may feel uncomfortable in the same bed after only 2-3 years.
Regardless of age, if you notice visible wear and tear — such as permanent depressions in the mattress where there were once comfort layers or even an overall sagging of the mattress — then it is time to replace it. The materials inside may also be deteriorating and decomposing.
It is essential to inspect a mattress from top to bottom. Check for any visible sagging, body impressions larger than 1–2 inches, curling the edges, holes or tears in the ticking or foam layers and strong odors that cannot be removed by airing out the mattress outside.
If you wake up feeling sore and stiff, it could be because of your mattress. When a mattress is sagging or has lost its shape, it can create an indent that forms around the heavier parts of the body such as the hips and shoulders. It’s also possible for unevenness in the surface where one part of the body may sink deeper than another while sleeping on it. It is essential to replace your mattress if you suffer from regular aches and pains. FoamOrder.com’s customer service team can help you troubleshoot existing mattress problems and can also recommend a new mattress type and firmness based on your specific body aches, whether they be neck, shoulder, hip or lower back.
A mattress can accumulate dust, mites and mold. These allergens can trigger asthma and other allergy symptoms such as sneezing, sore throat, watery eyes, runny nose or skin irritation such as hives and rashes. Allergens can also cause mild allergy symptoms but still contribute to restless sleep.
It’s best to replace your mattress if you suffer from any allergy or asthma issues because a new mattress can help improve your condition immediately. A new mattress has anti-allergen features that can reduce problems for allergy sufferers. For example, organic latex mattresses are free of chemical flame retardants, and some layers use cotton instead of synthetic or blended materials, which attract dust mites or mold more easily. FoamOrder.com offers a full range of organic natural materials, including latex foam, organic wool and cotton batting and even organic cotton mattress covers.
New mattresses also tend to be made with better materials such as wool that resist dust mites so there is less chance of the particles getting through the ticking and into your body. When you sleep on a new mattress, it can help reduce symptoms over time.
If you don’t feel as rested and rejuvenated when waking up in the morning, it may be time to replace your mattress. Over time, mattresses can lose their elasticity and resilience. The support layers can even deteriorate such that the bed becomes uncomfortable and unusable. Sleeping on such a mattress means you will not get a good night’s rest because there is no longer adequate support for your body weight. You can adjust your sleeping position or sleep on other parts of the bed, but that doesn’t solve the problem either since parts of the body are still sagging and troubled by lumps and bumps.
If there is a visible sag in your mattress, it’s time to replace it. A sagging mattress can mean different things: either the bed itself has dipped and you are now sleeping on a hole or depression in the surface where you are constantly rolling towards the middle, or the zippered cover has lost its resiliency and can no longer support you properly. Sometimes, mattresses also lose their shape due to excess weight, such as when two people sleep on them over time.
If you have gained weight drastically to the point that your mattress starts to sag or have depressions, it’s about time to get a new one. Even if you can’t feel the difference when you lie on it, a sudden increase in weight will make an old mattress dip and sag more easily.
This point is especially important for kids because a sagging or unstable mattress can pose a safety hazard. When you get in and out of your bed, it should feel firm under your weight. If your bed starts to collapse when you move around on it, there’s no question that it needs to be replaced as soon as possible.
When customers ask us how often to replace a mattress, the follow-up question we often get is, how do I make my mattress last longer? Here are nine tips to increase the lifespan of your mattress.
One of the best ways to help a mattress last is by using a mattress cover. Most mattresses today come with a thin cover that has zippers so you can easily unzip and wash it when needed. But if your bed doesn’t have one, you can get one separately from any local or online furniture retailer.
Putting a barrier between your mattress and you body protects it from body oils and sweat, which break down mattress material over time. It also protects against dust mites and other allergens that can cause asthma symptoms. Padded mattress covers with 1-2 inches of batting or fabric can provide an increased layer of comfort on top of the mattress (see information below).
Clean bedding is the key to having a clean mattress. Most people don’t realize how dirty their mattresses are until they turn them over and look inside at all the dust, dirt and other contaminants that accumulate over time. It may be surprising, but you should regularly wash your sheets and comforters because these can hold up to 10 times more dust mites than your mattress surface!
For allergy sufferers who need to reduce exposure to allergens as much as possible, getting rid of dirty bedding is an important step. Wash them regularly in hot water (at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit) with gentle liquid laundry soap or powder detergent for allergy sufferers to keep them free from irritants such as pollen spores.
You may think that a good mattress pad is only necessary when you have an old or worn-out mattress, but it can extend the life of your mattress, too. You should get one for your bed if you are suffering from allergies or sweat during sleep. A mattress pad will protect the surface of your mattress from spills, stains, humidity and moisture, which are among the major causes of damage.
A pad will also provide extra cushioning and comfort which will make you feel like you are sleeping on top of a brand-new mattress. You can get one either from your local furniture store or online. The best kinds are made with hypoallergenic materials that won’t trigger asthma symptoms for those who suffer from dust mite allergies.
Just as you should rotate your bedding regularly, rotating your mattress is just as important, too. You ensure even wear by turning it over or around every few weeks because all parts of the mattress will now be exposed to your weight equally. When sleepers lie in the same position for weeks without rotating their mattresses, parts of the mattress will become more compressed than others, which shortens its lifespan. So give your mattress a gentle turn or flip around every week to two weeks if you want it to last longer.
Is your pet allowed on the bed? It may be cute and cuddly, but even if it doesn’t weigh a lot, its paws can track all sorts of allergens like pollen and mold spores into the bed that you will be lying down in when you sleep. Worse, pets tend to shed their fur regularly, which means more dust mites in the air. Keep your fluffy buddy off your mattress to keep yourself from having allergy reactions or breathing problems.
Furthermore, you need to take precautions with pets if you have a toddler in the house. Toddlers love to crawl into bed with their mommy and daddy at night, but parents don’t realize how dangerous it is for them to lie down on an unprotected mattress. A pet that sleeps on your bed can be a source of bacteria, allergens and other contaminants that could cause sickness or cross-contamination from one family member.
You should clean your mattress regularly, especially if you have an old or used one that accumulates dust and dirt over time. Vacuuming the surface every few weeks will remove a lot of these particles and refresh the look and feel of your bed. Make sure you use a brush attachment or vacuum hose to avoid damaging its fabric or having debris fall into it during vacuuming. But take care not to damage the fabric when using cleaning solutions as it can make stains more permanent and affect durability down the road.
Also, cleaning your mattress is a good way to kill dust mites and other bacteria. Just make sure that the cleaner you use doesn’t contain any bleach or other harsh chemicals as they can damage fabric, foam and other parts of your bed.
Furthermore, you should also store an unused mattress properly. Storing a mattress properly will ensure it gets longevity from its years of service after you have bought it. You should not leave an old mattress lying around if you want to avoid having it give off foul odors during long periods of storage.
Always cover your old or unused mattress with a plastic sheet so stains don’t happen before moving them to temporary storage places like basements, garages, sheds or even closets depending on the size. Be sure to keep these areas dry and well-ventilated to prevent damage from moisture, humidity and other elements. Store them upright or on their side for better support to avoid sagging that can cause breaks or cracks over time.
The key to sleeping peacefully is having a clean bedroom environment, especially when it comes to dust mites and other allergens. Remember that the biggest culprits for allergen accumulation are dirt, clutter, pet dander, mold spores, pollen spores, insects, hair and dead human skin cells, which are common in most bedrooms today without proper housekeeping. You should also take note that, if you have pets or children who sleep with you on your bed at night, they contribute greatly to the buildup.
Proper inspection of your mattress is important to find out if it is still in good condition or not. Look at your bed on all sides to search for any signs of deterioration, tears, sagging and other issues that may be causing a loss in support. It’s a good idea to check up on your bed every six months as a precautionary step so you can catch problems early before they get worse.
Don’t forget to examine the mattress base as well, because this can also affect the lifespan of your mattress. If the frame is unstable, you should have it replaced immediately as handling your mattress risks injury from falls.
Many of us recall the joy of jumping on our beds as children. But letting kids jump on the bed is not a good idea when you have an adult mattress. A lot of damage can be done to your bed by jumping, so if you or your children need some exercise equipment, get something more suitable like a rebounder trampoline or cross-trainer instead.
Jumping on a bed can damage its base if it is not built to handle the extra weight and pressure. You should avoid jumping on any beds whether for fun or otherwise because the effect of repeated shocks will break down its structure, which is made from materials like steel rods and coils.
Bed bugs have been prevalent throughout the U.S. and other countries around the world for many years. These pests seek a warm place to hide during cold weather, which means your bed is a prime target. They only need warmth and blood as food. Since you are sleeping in your bed constantly, they will come out from their hiding places at night, so you should not take the presence of these insects on or around your mattress lightly.
Check regularly for signs of infestation such as black spots with rusty colors on bed sheets, mattress tags and edges of mattresses where they tend to gather more frequently. If any evidence is found, immediately call an expert pest controller because getting rid of bed bugs can be difficult and costly. If not found and treated quickly, these insects can reproduce rapidly and spread throughout your house to other rooms and furniture.
In a nutshell, how often to replace a mattress depends on how well you take care of your mattress. The better you take care of your mattress, the longer it will last. Consult FoamOrder.com’s customer service team for expert advice on mattress care or a new high-quality replacement mattress.
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