How Often Should You Replace a Mattress? Signs It's Time for a New One

One-third of your lifetime is spent in sleep. When you sleep for eight hours each night, that equals to almost 3,000 hours annually. During the ten years, you will put approximately 30,000 hours of physical stress and strain on your bed, as well as constant weight of your body. Regardless of such intensive use, the bed seems to be the most undervalued home item.

First of all, your bed supports your body and maintains its posture by keeping your spine neutral, reducing the weight of the hips and shoulders, and relaxing muscles. When a bed gets worn out, it fails to perform its basic functions. Regrettably, the process of damage occurs gradually, and thus, people hardly realize the problem and slowly get used to the lack of proper support. They tend to blame their back pains, sore necks, and lack of energy in the morning on other factors such as age and stress.

Buying a new bed at the appropriate time may be regarded as one of the most significant decisions people can make concerning their health. This article discusses how one should know when it is time to change their bed, how one knows that it is time to get rid of their bed, and how to extend the life of their bed.

General Rule: How Long Will Your Mattress Last?

If you were to consult with an expert on sleep and posture, their advice would be to change your mattress every seven to ten years.

But that figure is merely a benchmark within the mattress industry. The lifespan of a mattress could end within four years if it is of poor quality, but if it is a luxury mattress, its lifespan could stretch well beyond ten years. In order to determine the lifespan of a particular mattress, one needs to consider the main components used in making it.

The Expected Lifespan by Mattress Material

1. Conventional Innerspring Mattresses (5 to 8 Years)

At seven years of age, most mattresses lose some of their original flexibility. Simply put, the mattress materials fail to return to their former state. Of course, this figure represents a general rule but not a requirement; low-quality mattresses can last no more than four years, while high-end models can last much longer than a decade.

In order to determine how long your mattress is expected to last, it is important to consider the quality of materials that go into making it.

2. Memory Foam Mattresses (8 to 10 Years)

The biggest selling point of memory foam is that it conforms precisely to the contours of your body. Dense memory foams have exceptional longevity. These mattresses do not feature springs but are made by alternating hard layers of support foam and soft layers on top of them. 

With use, the cells of the soft foam begin to crush down due to their weight. After some years of use, the foam no longer springs back into its initial shape after you get up but leaves an indelible depression in your mattress that retains heat and prevents movement.

3. Hybrid Mattresses (7 to 10 Years)

A hybrid combines the key characteristics of both types of beds. This bed includes pocket springs at its base for rebounding effects and breathable construction and layers of luxurious memory foam and latex to relieve pressure. The foam layers tend to hold out excellently, while the springs will wear out in several years. Given the fact that they operate mechanically, they need replacement after eight years of use.

4. Natural Latex Mattresses (10 - 15 Years)

Latex is a type of liquid obtained from rubber trees. According to various studies, latex is recognized as one of the toughest and most durable materials for bed manufacturing. In addition, it is very responsive to changes in pressure and provides an adequate flow of air. 

Thus, it maintains proper heat regulation throughout sleep. This natural foam is able to retain its shape much longer compared to artificial foams or steel coils. Unprocessed natural latex can last up to 15 years without losing its original appearance.

8 Definite Signs That Tell When You Should Get a New Mattress

You do not have to check the date on your receipt to know that you need a new bed. Just listen to what your body says. Here are eight definite signs that will help you decide.

1. Morning Muscle Pains

This is the simplest indication of an older mattress. You might go to bed with no muscular pains, but by the next morning, you could find yourself experiencing pain in your back or shoulder muscles. In this case, you should consider replacing the mattress since its support layer has been broken, or the top layers are worn out. 

2. Obvious Sagging

One of the simplest ways to determine the health of your mattress is by removing the sheet and checking the exposed side. Should your mattress appear sagged like a hammock or bear clear body prints from where you rested, then it is high time you changed your mattress.

3. Rolling Together 

In this case, you would only notice the indication if you share your bed with someone else. The bed would make the two of you end up sleeping near each other due to wear and tear in the mattress' support core or compression of the top foam layers.

4. Asthma or Allergies in the Morning

The human body is non-stop getting rid of skin. This process makes your bed weigh heavily. With over a decade of use, your bed will weigh double its weight because of the dust, sweat, and skin that have been deposited on it. In all certainty, it is your bed that causes sneezing, itching, and stuffiness in the mornings.

5. Creaking Sounds 

Your bed is expected to be noiseless. Should it start creaking as you change sides when sleeping, then it is evident that there is something wrong with your bed. This is because it shows that the springs in your bed are worn out.

6. Sleep disturbances

This happens when one is unable to have a comfortable sleep due to having to move constantly in order to ease themselves from the pain; therefore, it is evident that the mattress lacks the ability to absorb pressure effectively.

7. You Get Better Rest Out of Town

Remember the last time that you took a vacation or attended an out-of-town business meeting? If you wake up feeling rested,refreshed, and free of any kind of discomfort, it means that your bed at home is the problem.

8. Your Bed’s Edge Collapses

Try sitting on the edge of your bed while putting your shoes on. The edge will completely collapse, and you’ll feel like you are falling right off your bed and onto the floor.

What Happens to Your Body on a Worn-Out Bed?

If one ignores the signs above and uses such a bed, it may influence his/her regular life.

The first impact that comes when people sleep in an improper position is related to their posture. With time, the spine gets bent into the depression of the mattress; therefore, it stays under the pressure and does not manage to relax at all. Thus, one feels pain even after the night because of the tightened muscles.

The second issue is connected with a serious lack of sleep. In case the bed is used for a long period of time, there appear so-called "micro-awakenings." The fact is that people remain unconscious about their wake-up; however, the brain forces them to be awake because of the improper sleeping position.

Factors That Determine How Fast Your Bed Wears Out

Picture the situation whereby you have two equal beds that find themselves in two houses, and their fate will certainly be different. There are differing factors contributing to the aging process of your bed.

• Weight

Your bed resists the attractive force and pressures. The more weight on your bed, the higher the amount of pressure exerted on the springs and foam beds. The doubling of pressure occurs when there are two people in the same bed. For instance, couples who have heavier body masses wear out their bed foams faster than a single individual occupying his/her bed for rest.

• Frequency of Use

When you leave your mattress untouched upstairs in your house, it will last forever because you do not touch it. It is certain that the more you use your bed, the more you damage your bed. Furthermore, you continue putting pressure on your bed foam when you rest your movies or fold your clothing on it.

• Children and Pets

Kids enjoy jumping on the bed. Since they jump, all their body weight falls on the bed's internal springs which are made of steel. As a result, the springs become damaged and distorted, making your bed useless. 

Your pets could also scratch and tear your bed apart due to their claws. They can also soil your bed through urine. Foam beds get damaged easily due to exposure to water.

Do You Need to Replace Your Bed Base Too?

Whenever you buy a new mattress, you end up buying an old bed frame that has lasted for 15 years to avoid spending money.

The mattress is wholly dependent on the foundation below it. A mattress that is placed on a sagging old box spring would sink into the depressions formed by the sagging. Additionally, putting a new bed on an already broken foundation may damage the new mattress within months of usage.

If you have a bed frame with slats, pay attention to the spacing between the wood planks. It should not exceed 7 cm – 8 cm. Otherwise, the thick foam of your bed will start squeezing into those gaps, and it will ruin the lower side of your mattress.

Things That Help Extend the Life of Your Mattress

There are some things which need to be done to make your mattress last longer.

• Utilize a Waterproof Mattress Protector: Sleeping directly on a mattress is prohibited. You need to place a mattress protector that is both breathable and waterproof. It will keep the foams safe from sweat, shedding skin cells, coffee stains, and other bodily fluids. The mattress protector needs to be washed at least once a week.
• Reposition the Mattress: No one changes their sleeping position each day. Hence, you have to turn it over in an upside-down manner after every three to six months. This way, the inner foams will wear evenly.
• Vacuum Clean the Mattress: Strip off all bedding and pillows from your bed monthly and vacuum-clean the mattress’s surface and sides using the upholstery brush attached to the vacuum cleaner.

How to Get Rid of Your Old Bed

Once you get your new bed delivered, do not just dump your old mattress in an alleyway or regular trash can. They are extremely bulky items and can take many years before decomposing in a landfill.

Start by looking up your local council on their websites. There are many councils in Australia that provide free hard-rubbish collection services and will collect your mattress at your doorstep. You can also look out for companies that recycle mattresses. They break down the mattress completely. The springs can be melted down, foam cleaned and turned into carpet underlayment, and the fabric is reused.

Upgrade Your Sleep with Wowbeds

Deciding when to replace your mattress is one of the most important decisions you will ever have to make, as it will affect your health and vitality in a number of ways. Paying attention to your needs and knowing how long your current mattress will last will ensure you a long life of great sleep.

If you currently have a sagging mattress, one that squeaks, or even one that causes discomfort, don't stress out. We, at Wowbeds, have over 21 years of experience in providing premium “bed-in-a-box” mattresses for Aussie families that give excellent value for money.

From the popular Wowbeds Duo Mattress to the Wowbeds Dreamer Mattress , you can be assured of amazing comfort, excellent support, and pressure relief, as well as an amazing 120 Night Risk-Free Sleep Trial period.

Right now, our Autumn Mattress Sale is LIVE! Enjoy up to 50% OFF in mattresses, Upgrade your sleep today and have your new bed delivered straight to your door anywhere in Australia!

FAQs

1. Is there such a thing as a 20-year-old mattress?

It will be practically impossible to find a bed which is used every night to survive for 20 years. Only a luxurious and 100 percent pure latex bed might have such a long lifespan. It is detrimental for your spine health and hygiene to sleep every night for 20 years on any other type of bed because of dust build-up.

2. What is the right way to wash mattress stains?

Do not flood your mattress with water. Prepare a thin mixture of baking soda and very little water, apply it on the spot and allow it to dry up fully. The dried paste must become crusty and then be thoroughly vacuumed up. In case of severe stains, you might need a wetter cloth with a dash of dish soap.

3. Does flipping the mattress really work?

Modern beds are assembled taking into account their internal layers and the proper sequence in which they should be positioned. This implies that you should use only one side of the bed as another is meant to serve as a base foam layer. A mattress can be flipped only if the manufacturer states that it is double-sided.

4. Why is my memory foam mattress suddenly so warm?

The breakdown of cheap memory foam results in the loss of its cell structure and the lack of airflow within it. Moreover, due to the losing quality of the mattress, one’s body starts sinking deeper into the mattress and surrounds itself with the fabric, holding in the body heat.

5. How long does the average box spring mattress last?

The life expectancy of the average box spring mattress is said to be about ten years. But if your bed produces squeaking sounds when you try to move around on it or you have any soft spots when you are sleeping on the bed, then it is time to replace the bed.