Does your mattress expire? How long does a mattress last? How long should you keep your mattress? When should you replace your mattress?
Let's get it straight. Your mattress doesn't last a lifetime. Like a pair of shoes or a shirt that is too small, there will come a time when your once-perfect mattress won't fit your needs for a good night's sleep anymore.
Mattresses have varying lifespans depending on the material, structure, and use. An average mattress can last up to 8 years, but it may maintain its integrity for up to 10 years when properly taken care of. But how do you know when your mattress needs an upgrade? Check the following signs to determine if it's time to say goodbye to your mattress:
Factors Influencing the Mattress Lifespan
Mattress Materials
Is your sleeping solution an innerspring or a natural latex mattress? Is it a high-end mattress or a budget mattress? Budget mattresses have the shortest lifespan and can greatly influence your sleep quality. Lower-density polyfoam mattresses lose their support earlier than those with higher-quality foam. Hybrid and innerspring mattresses are also prone to sagging due to the space between the coils. When buying a spring mattress, choose a variety with thicker springs. If looking for an all-foam mattress, go for the most durable latex, followed by high-density memory foam.
Body Mass Index and Number of Mattress Sharers
The weight and pressure can also significantly affect the mattress' lifespan. Do you often toss and turn? How many people share the mattress? Ultimately, heavier sleepers will have more impact than lighter sleepers. Their mattresses, along with shared beds, wear out faster than those of light sleepers or those with lighter weights. Also, consider the height and mattress size when assessing the mattress. Tall people will require a longer mattress, while mattress sharers need a few extra inches to move comfortably.
Children and Pets
Children and pets can contribute to the early wear and tear of your mattress. This is because of the extra weight, frequent running and jumping around the bed, spills, and dirt. To prevent this, consider investing in a pillow protector and bedding accessories.
Mattress Care
The way you treat and care for your mattress also determines how long it will give you improved sleep. Regular cleaning, vacuuming, and proper use of mattress bedding are some things you can do to preserve the lifespan of your bed. Some mattresses can be flipped regularly to ensure proper weight distribution. An innerspring or hybrid mattress, on the other hand, can't be turned over, so they wear out faster than foam mattresses.
When to Replace Your Mattress: Signs that It's Time
1. Clear Signs of Mattress Wear and Tear
A supportive mattress is bound to undergo wear and tear since we spend almost 1/3 of our days on our beds for many years. Aside from the looks of the mattress cover, signs of wear and tear include sagging, lumping on one side, asymmetry, and obvious imprints of your body after you lie down.
2. Your Mattress Has Noisy Springs
Mattress coils lose their resiliency to bounce as they age. If you hear some disturbing creaking and popping every time you toss and turn, it's time to rethink your mattress.
3. You Find It Difficult to Fall Asleep and Wake Up Too Often
There are many reasons you can't fall asleep at night; an old and inefficient mattress might be one of them. This is not limited to the age of the mattress or the lumps and noisy springs. Some mattresses can be too soft or firm to give you comfort. Some aren't breathable enough to support you when you sleep hot. An inadequate mattress brings allergies, back pain, perceived stress, sleep deprivation, and overall discomfort. If you are going through these signs, assess your mattress choice and sleep cycle.
4. You Wake Up with Muscle Stiffness and Back Pain
Like sleep deprivation, there are many factors that cause you to experience back pain when you wake up. This includes mattress quality or firmness that does not support your posture properly. Generally, a softer mattress is good for side sleepers to contour their hips, shoulders, and neck, while a firmer mattress is recommended for stomach sleepers.
5. You Experience Allergic Reactions
Older mattresses are more susceptible to accumulating sweat, oils, dead skin cells, dust mites, and other allergens. If you're going through asthma and allergies, it's time to check your mattress. Furthermore, we highly recommend regular mattress cleaning and the use of a mattress protector and other bedding accessories that can help preserve the sanitation of your bed.
6. Your Mattress Does Not Fit Your Sleeping Needs
Are you experiencing some changes in your mattress needs? Perhaps you need different mattress dimensions to share with your partner or child. You were using a single mattress size before, for example, and want to upgrade to a queen or king size mattress. Maybe you've had a significant change in your body weight, or maybe you're getting older and require a different sleep schedule. These changes are enough for you to re-evaluate your mattress choice for quality sleep.
How Do You Prolong the Lifespan of Your Existing Mattress?
Give your mattress some extra care to preserve its quality for as long as possible. Here are some simple things you can do:
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While investing in a new mattress, invest in a mattress protector.
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Use proper mattress support. For many mattress shops, box spring can be purchased at the same time as new mattresses to ensure the fit.
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Flip or rotate your mattress quarterly or every six months.
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Wash and replace your bedding accessories like pillowcases, bed sheets, and quits or comforters regularly.
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Give pets a separate bed.
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Vacuum your mattress regularly to prevent bed bugs and dust mites.
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Provide your mattress with ample ventilation.
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Follow proper cleaning directions.
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Choose the right mattress sizes. Mattresses in Singapore range from single mattress, super single mattress size, queen size mattress and king size mattress.
FAQs
Should You Replace Your Mattress Every 8 Years?
Although mattresses don't expire, the level of comfort your bed provides is a clear sign to keep or replace your mattress. Your mattress's quality can be greatly influenced by its original construction, namely the materials used and how it is manufactured. The lifespan of your mattress can be lengthened or shortened due to the above factors. If you experience the above signs, it's high time you re-evaluate your mattress and look for a new one to invest in.
Should You Buy a New Bed Base When Replacing Your Mattress?
Buying a new mattress base when purchasing a new mattress is not detrimental as long as the current base supports the new mattress. You can buy a new mattress base if you want to change the look of your room or if the one you have now doesn't support your mattress well enough.
Is an Online Mattress Store Credible for Your New Mattress?
It is completely understandable to have doubts when you don't get to feel the mattress before purchasing it. Many online mattress stores offer 100-day mattress trials and accessible return policies to help you enjoy your best mattress purchase.
Looking for a new mattress solution? Check out Megafurniture's extensive collection of mattresses in Singapore, best for your local needs!