How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress? Detailed Guide

Why Replacing Your Mattress Matters

Wondering if it’s time to replace that old mattress of yours? One of the most crucial parts of human health is sleep. Our bodies are unable to repair and revitalize themselves without adequate sleep, and our brains struggle to absorb emotions and remember memories. The comfort of your mattress is one of the most important components of having a good night’s sleep. Few other goods can have such a profound impact on our health and happiness. As a result, it’s critical to invest in the greatest mattress available and change it according to professional recommendations. But when is it time to update your mattress?

One of the most critical parts affecting mattress lifespan is the type of mattress you have and the original manufacturing quality. Mattresses constructed of low-quality materials tend to wear out faster than mattresses constructed of high-quality materials. Here at Sleep City, we care about the quality of sleep you get and have a large selection of excellent quality mattresses that match every need. We created this article to help you identify if it’s time to invest in your sleep health.

Generally Speaking: Mattresses should be changed every 6 to 8 years under typical conditions.

The average lifetime, however, is just that: an average. Here at Sleep City, we believe you pick when to replace your mattress, not the calendar. To extend the life of your mattress, couple it with the proper base, invest in a good-quality mattress protector, clean and maintain it according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and examine it every 6 months for indications of wear and tear. The truth is that there is no single technique to predict how long each mattress will endure. A variety of factors contribute to that varying number of years, including the type of mattress, the quality of its components, and how well you care for it. We’ll go through how frequently you should replace your mattress, how to buy for longevity, and how to extend the life of your current bed.

Research published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine in 2009 may provide validity to the 8-year number. The researchers discovered that “participants’ sleep quality significantly improved with the replacement of the old sleeping surface…. [T]he participants’ beds averaged more than 9 years old, suggesting that they had spent an average 3 years in their beds. It is highly plausible that although mattresses and bedding surfaces are accompanied by extended warranties, the life of the support, structure, and comfort of the mattress as it relates to sleep quality may be considerably less than commonly assumed.”

Classic Signs It’s Time To Change Your Mattress

No matter how long you’ve owned your mattress, several symptoms can help determine whether it’s time to replace it. These are some examples:

Mattress is 6-8 + years Old.
It hinders or negatively affects your sleep.
If you see any sagging or damage on the mattress ( especially in the middle or corners).
Its shape has changed, this is typically accompanied by having lumps/bumps or uncomfortable “spots”.
If you have started regularly waking with soreness, stiffness, or pain in joints or muscles for no other reason.
Your mattress has gotten noticeably harder or softer than when it was purchased.
You find better sleep at different locations( such as friends’ houses, hotels, etc. ).
Is there a symphony when using the mattress? (Squeaky Springs, creaks, or slight straining fabric sounds)
You have started noticing your partner’s movements in bed more than usual
Your Sleep Situation has changed

Mattress is 6-8 + years Old.

As we previously discussed this is a general rule and may not be correct for all situations. However, if your mattress is getting older it may be a good idea to look at the rest of this list and see if any of these situations are applicable.

It Hinders or Negatively Effects Your Sleep.

Another indicator that you need a new mattress is having difficulty getting or staying comfortable while sleeping. Tossing and turning may indicate that your mattress has lost its comfort and support. If you find yourself waking up frequently during the night, your old mattress is probably to fault. If you toss and turn all night and wake up exhausted or sluggish try changing your mattress.

If you see any sagging or damage on the mattress
( especially in the middle or corners).

When the coils in a mattress begin to loosen or the memory foam begins to lose its shape, sagging occurs. You should replace your mattress if there are obvious symptoms of wear and tear. Broken springs protrude 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 perfect examples.

Its shape has changed - having lumps/bumps or uncomfortable "spots".

Misshapen or bumpy mattresses are notorious for getting in the way of a good night’s sleep. If your mattress has significant troughs/dips or has that one spot you prefer not to sleep on, it is time to replace it.

If you have started regularly waking with soreness, stiffness or pain in joints or muscles for no other reason.

A great mattress improves your sleep and contributes 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 sign 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.

You find better sleep at different locations( such as friends houses, hotels, etc. ).

If you notice that when you are away you wake up much more relaxed and rested, this may be a good indictor that your mattress at home isn’t suiting your needs. Many people get use to their current mattress and don’t even realize how much better their sleep health could be until spending a few nights on a better mattress.

Mattress has gotten noticeably harder or softer then when it was purchased.

It is normal for a mattress to have a break-in period of 50-60 days where its firmness will have a slight decline(This is normal). However, if you have noticed that your mattress has gotten too soft or that it stayed way too firm over an extended period of time you might want to look into replacing it. Comfort and your sleep health are the biggest factors to consider when thinking about when it’s time to replace a mattress.

Do you hear a symphony when using the mattress? (Squeaky Springs, creaks or slight straining fabric sounds)

Squeaking and screaming metal sounds could indicate that your mattress needs to be changed. This primarily applies to coil-spring mattresses, and it is feasible to resolve this issue by tightening any bolts in the mattress or box spring. Innersprings are supposed to cushion and cradle the sleeper without creating noise, therefore squeaking springs in your mattress are an indication of wear. Squeaks and creaks indicate that the coils are degrading and may begin to sag, break, or bend.

You have started noticing your partners movements in bed more then usual

Motion isolation is whether or not movement on one part of the mattress is felt everywhere else on the mattress. If you have started feeling your partner’s movements more than normal this could be an indication that the mattress is losing its motion isolation properties. This is typical of older mattresses that are beginning to degrade and a good indicator that there should be a new mattress in your future.

Sleep Situation has changed

Your mattress may still be in good shape but might not match a change in your lifestyle. Examples of this may be things such as pregnancy, a change in weight, health problems or even a new partner taking up a little more room then you are use to. All of these things affect your sleep and could call for a new mattress.

How to Increase The Average Lifespan of A Mattress

We’ve discussed the indicators that you should replace your mattress, but there are also certain precautions you can do to ensure your mattress lasts as long as possible in the first place. If you want to get the most out of your mattress purchase, keep these ideas in mind. Proper care and maintenance will extend the usable life of your mattress. TLC should begin with the first purchase and installation: Begin with a high-quality mattress and ensure that you have the appropriate base or foundation. Traditional innerspring mattresses require a box spring, but memory foam or latex-foam mattresses are denser and heavier and require a firm base or platform.

Use a Mattress Protector

Protect your mattress from spills, dust, and filth by using a good mattress protector. Many of them will help to extend the life of your mattress while also making it cushiony soft and comfy. If you’d benefit from them, look for exciting features like cooling qualities in your mattress protector. Many mattress coverings are now designed to completely encircle the mattress. These encasement covers are usually built with a zipper so that they may be removed for cleaning on a regular basis. If you do not utilize a mattress protector, many mattress brands may invalidate your warranty. In any case, utilizing a mattress cover is a simple approach to extending the life of your mattress.

Use The Correct Support Or Base

Support your mattress by using the appropriate foundation, base, or box spring. Do some research to see what works best with your mattress, and consider foundations from the same manufacturer. Even though they are more expensive, these are sometimes the greatest choices since they are designed to work together. If your mattress is not properly supported beneath it, it may begin to droop. If you have a heavier mattress, you may need a more supportive base.

Rotating Your Mattress regularly

One technique to minimize sagging is to rotate your mattress on a regular basis, roughly every 6 months. It is important to note that some mattresses today are not built to be flipped from top to bottom. This applies to mattresses with zoned or layered hybrid structures. If you have an ordinary spring mattress, on the other hand, it should be turned or rotated to avoid your body from leaving a deep impression in one location.

Flipping Your mattress regularly

A lot of new mattresses are one-sided with a sturdy foundation layer and a softer top, so check before you flip. If you can flip your mattress, flip and rotate it so that each side and end get the same amount of time at the top of the bed. This might keep your body from making a significant impact in one location.

Air Out and Vacuum(Clean) Your Mattress

If you make a mess, clean it up right away. Most bed messes can be kept clean with a vacuum cleaner and having a small handheld close to the bed makes it easy! You may also sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on top to absorb moisture and odors, then vacuum it up after a few hours. Air and sunshine may be an effective combination for refreshing your mattress, enhancing airflow, lightening dull-white fabric, and removing any moisture that has begun to accumulate. On occasion, remove your bed’s sheets and covers, then open the windows to let the light and fresh air in. Allow it to sit in this position for as long as possible during the day.

Limit Animals Time On Your Mattress

It’s lovely to spend the morning in bed with your favorite pet, but Fido sometimes brings some uncooperative pals with him. Bugs, filth, and pollen can all accompany your pet and shorten the longevity of the mattress. Their claws, gnawing, and filthy paws aren’t ideal for preserving a mattress in good condition. Consider purchasing or creating their own beds that can be close to yours!

No More Jumping On The Bed!

No more monkeys jumping on the Bed! Aside from one falling off and bumping their head, this is certainly a negative impact on your mattress’s lifespan. If you have little children, offer them a trampoline (or alternative source) and make it clear that this is where they will jump, not on the beds. While letting the kids jump on the bed is entertaining, it can harm a mattress and shorten its lifespan. Jumping on the bed focuses a lot of weight and energy on a tiny area, and the mattress and base aren’t built to withstand that kind of pressure. Excessive force can cause the foam to break down faster, causing coils to weaken.