How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress?
Yurii Brown
on
We're sure you've heard that you should replace your mattress once in a while, but at what intervals? Don’t worry: we will tell you everything you need to know. This article will discuss when you should replace a mattress and why you should do it. We'll go over the most popular types of mattresses and the durability of each one.
Why You Should Replace Your Mattress Regularly
Before going into the specifics of different mattress types, let’s first examine the need for mattress replacement. It has to do with two things: the mattress's shape and its cleanliness.
When a mattress comes out of the factory, its shape is uniform and provides the best possible support for your body while you sleep. However, your body’s weight is not distributed evenly. When you lie down, your midsection usually presses down on the mattress the most. Fast forward a couple of years, and you’ll find that your mattress is no longer as perfectly shaped as it used to be, leaving you with back pain.
Cleanliness is the other main reason to change your mattress. Even though we all use bedsheets, sweat and dirt are bound to pierce through and into the mattress itself. While you can clean a mattress, it becomes a difficult task after a decade of buildup.
With the reasons for replacement made clear, let’s answer the burning question: How often should you replace your mattress?
How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress?
The answer to this question depends on which type of mattress we’re talking about. Let’s review the durability of some of the most popular types: spring, memory foam, and latex mattresses.
1. Spring-Loaded Mattresses
A spring-loaded mattress uses steel springs to provide a cushioning effect. Steel, especially when tempered, is a very durable material. However, after six to seven years of use, you can often notice a weakening of the springs in some parts of your mattress.
Another way to tell your mattress has seen betters days is when you notice the springs starting to poke out from underneath. That's a definite sign that you should change your mattress; you don’t want to get hurt while sleeping.
2. Memory Foam Mattresses
A memory foam mattress provides support by molding to the shape of your body. That might make you think that even the best memory foam mattresses won’t last long. However, this is not the case; quality memory foam will reset itself to its original shape during the day. You could say that, luckily, its long-term memory is not that great!
Joking aside, when you flip and rotate it regularly, a high-density memory foam mattress can easily outlast the average spring-loaded mattress. Its lifespan is around ten years.
3. Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses are without doubt the most durable kind of mattress out there. This natural material is exceptionally resilient, and it holds its shape very well. That’s one of the reasons many of the best mattresses in a box are made of latex.
Another added benefit of latex mattresses is that they don’t need frequent flipping or rotating—once a year is perfectly fine.
FAQs
What if I don’t replace a mattress on time?
If you’re using an old mattress, chances are it will be distorted and dirty. The mattress’s middle section—the one supporting your hips—will sag, leaving you in an anatomically incorrect position during the night. As a result, this can often lead to back pain. If this has happened to you, consider changing your mattress. If you frequently suffer from back pain, check out the best mattresses for back pain in Canada.
On top of that, an old mattress will likely be full of dust mites. Not only is the idea of sleeping with dust mites disgusting, but they can also be a severe health hazard. Old mattresses often lead to the development or worsening of existing allergies. You need to replace a mattress before this happens.
How do I ensure a long life for my mattress?
No matter your mattress type, make sure to flip and rotate it regularly. This will reduce the chance of the mattress losing shape and sagging since you won’t be pressing down on the same spot all the time. Just be careful: some mattresses have a firmer and a softer side, or a summer and winter one. Check with the manufacturer beforehand.
Conclusion
So, how often should you replace your mattress? Nothing lasts forever, and neither do mattresses. How often you need to replace your mattress depends on a few different factors. Different types of mattresses will last longer than others. For example, latex mattresses are the most durable and will likely outlive memory foam mattresses. In addition, you may need to replace your mattress if it becomes damaged, dirty, or starts causing you pain. Hopefully, our article sheds some light on the topic. Do you have any questions related to mattress durability? Please drop us a comment below with your thoughts and inquiries.
Yurii Brown
Yurii Brown is the Founder and Sleep Content Writer at SleepingNorth. Within his first year running the website, he has published over 50 articles that educate readers on sleep and help them find the most suitable sleep products. He pays more attention to analyzing each mattress construction, the different materials used within it, the feel each material contributes, and the best sleeping position they would work for. Having properly examined each product, he provides in-depth reviews that cut to the chase and provide readers with the value they need for more restorative sleep hygiene.