The mattress industry recommends replacing your mattress every 7 to 10 years, but the true answer is more difficult and relies on a variety of factors. Continue reading to see which elements have the most influence on the longevity of your mattress.
The mattress business frequently cites the 8-year rule of thumb, but it is far from the last word on how often you should replace your mattress. Mattresses do not have set expiration dates, and a variety of factors influence their longevity, including the materials used, the quality of the initial construction, the number and weight of sleepers using the mattress, their typical sleeping positions, and how well the mattress has been cleaned and maintained.
Average life span of a mattress
Although mattresses and bedding surfaces come with longer warranties, the life of the mattress’s support, structure, and comfort as it pertains to sleep quality may be far shorter than widely imagined.”
One of the most important aspects influencing lifetime is the sort of mattress you possess and the original manufacturing quality. Mattresses constructed of low-quality materials tend to wear out faster than mattresses constructed of high-quality materials. Furthermore, different types of mattresses have varying predicted lifespans: Innerspring mattresses typically last 5 to 8 years; memory foam, regular foam, and hybrid mattresses often last 6 to 8 years; air mattresses typically last 6 to 8 years; and latex mattresses typically last 8 to 12 years.
The average lifespan is, however, average. You pick when to replace your mattress, not the calendar. If you wake up exhausted or hurting every morning, or if you don’t feel rested, it’s time to change your mattress. In general, as your mattress ages, watch for the following deteriorating signs to indicate that it’s time to go mattress shopping.
Change your mattress when you observe the signs of deterioration
You should replace your mattress if there are obvious symptoms of wear and tear. Broken springs protruding out of the top or side of the mattress; rips, tears, or holes in the mattress covering; crumbling or cracking foam; and holes or leaks in an air mattress are all examples of this.
Switch your mattress if you start getting allergies or related breathing problems
A rise in allergy or asthma problems is another indication that you should change your mattress. Regardless of how frequently you vacuum and clean your mattress, it will collect dead skin, body oils, and moisture, attracting dust mites that feed on dead skin cells. According to an Ohio State University research, an average used mattress contains 100,000 to 10 million dust mites, which can cause allergic responses in many people and aggravate asthma symptoms. Similarly, when a mattress absorbs oil and moisture from your skin, mold and mildew can bloom. A mattress with black patches or moldy or musty odors should be replaced immediately.
Replace the mattress when the springs gets noisy
Innersprings are supposed to cushion and cradle the sleeper without creating noise, therefore squeaking springs in your mattress are an indication of deterioration. Squeaks and creaks indicate that the coils are degrading and may begin to droop, break, or shatter. It is time to replace your mattress if you see or feel springs protruding through the mattress cover. Noise and squeaks may also be produced by the box spring when its coils deteriorate. If you begin to hear or feel your partner’s movements more than usual, this is another sign that the coils are ageing and your mattress is reaching the end of its usable life.
If you routinely wake up stiff and aching, it’s time to replace your mattress
A good mattress improves your sleep and adds to your overall health by supporting your body and keeping your spine balanced. If you wake up stiff and painful, with unexplainable aches and pains in your back, sides, neck, knees, or shoulders, it is a solid indicator that you need to change your mattress. A nice approach to test this is to spend a night in a different bed. If you sleep better in a hotel or at someone else’s residence, it’s time to shop for a new mattress.
Exchange the mattress when you don’t feel refreshed after awakening
If you toss and turn all night and wake up exhausted and sluggish, it might be due to an old mattress. Saggy mattresses are infamous for getting in the way of a good night’s sleep. If your mattress has significant troughs or dips, it is time to replace it. Similarly, if lumps or bumps in the mattress prohibit you from reaching a comfortable sleeping position, the foam and other cushioning in the mattress may have migrated or deteriorated, and the mattress should be replaced.
Replace your mattress if you have noticed a significant change in the weight
The bodyweight of those sleeping on a mattress has a significant influence on average longevity: Heavier folks wear down mattresses faster. Putting 250 pounds or more on your mattress each night, according to Dr. Jonathan S. Kirschner, MD, RMSK of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, may cause it to wear out quicker than the average 7 to 10 years. A major weight increase or decrease might also alter how your mattress reacts to your sleeping position, affecting the longevity of your mattress. If you discover that you are no longer comfortable in bed or are having difficulty obtaining a good night’s sleep after increasing or decreasing weight, you should seek professional help.
Replace your mattress when it begins to droop significantly
Sagging is a disturbing experience. Your mattress will naturally adjust to your body weight and sleeping position over time, but major valleys, dips, grooves, or sagging regions that prevent you from obtaining good spinal alignment should be replaced. Heavier sleepers may feel drooping, also known as the “hammock effect,” earlier; persons who sleep on their sides may detect sagging around the hips and shoulders. One technique to minimize sagging is to rotate your mattress on a regular basis, roughly every 6 months. It is important to note that most mattresses today are not built to be turned from top to bottom.
