How often should you change your mattress?
In general, you should change your mattress as soon as you encounter signs of wear and tear, but here's the general rundown:
- Cheap mattresses: With budget models, you’re looking at a change every 5 to 8 years, as they tend to lose support quicker.
- High-quality mattresses: Better-quality ones can go for 8 to 10 years [1] before needing a swap.
- Maximum lifespan: Regardless of quality, you should replace your mattress after 10 to 15 years at the latest - just for hygiene’s sake.
But is it enough to just clock the years to figure out when you should change your mattress?
Even if your mattress hasn’t hit its max age, there are warning signs you shouldn’t ignore:
Dips and lumps
If your mattress has dents, sags, or uneven patches, and you feel like you’re sinking into it every night, the support’s well and truly gone.
Over time, the materials - like foam or springs - wear down, especially in the spots where you sleep most.
This can throw your spine out of whack, making it harder to get comfy and get the support you need.
Morning back pain
Are you waking up stiff, achy, or with regular back pain that wasn’t there before?
Your mattress might not be holding you up properly anymore.
A good mattress keeps your spine aligned while you snooze, but when it’s past its prime, it stops doing that job.
If you’re noticing twinges or soreness that linger into the day, it’s a big clue.
Worsening allergies
Sneezing heaps, waking with watery eyes, or feeling stuffed up every morning?
House dust mites could be the culprits - they love to settle into mattresses over the years.
The older it gets, the more these tiny pests build up, along with dead skin and dust.
While there are ways to get rid of dust mites, changing your mattress may be the better choice to clear the air and ease those symptoms.
Musty smells or stains
Catching a whiff of pongy odours, spotting mouldy patches, or seeing stubborn stains?
Time to haul it to the tip (or dispose of it in other meaningful ways).
These are dead giveaways that moisture isn’t escaping like it should.
Sweat, spills, and dampness get trapped over time, breaking down the materials and making it a breeding ground for mould or mildew.
This isn't only yucky, but mould in your home can have detrimental effects on your health [2]!
The type and quality of material a mattress is made from will largely influence how long a mattress lasts, but also take into account factors like frequeny of use and care.
Ultimately, there are a number of factors that will determine how long you can keep your mattress. [3]
Tips to extend your mattress’s lifespan
With the right care, you can stretch out how long your mattress lasts and get the most from it.
Here some tips:
- Flip and rotate: Every three months, turn or spin your mattress to even out wear.
- Use a protector: A mattress protector keeps off dirt, sweat, and stains - and you can just bung it in the wash.
- Air it out: Making your bed straight after waking? Bad move! Let it breathe by folding back the covers in the morning.
- Wash your bedding: You really ought to be washing your bedding every 7 - 10 days to keep your bed freshest.
- Clean the cover: Washable covers should get a 60°C spin every three months to cut down on mites and bacteria.
With these steps, you can keep your mattress comfy and clean for longer, delaying how often you need to change a mattress.
Final thoughts on how often you should be changing your mattress
A mattress is an investment in your health.
The better you care for it, the longer it’ll serve you well.
But even top-notch care can’t stop natural wear forever.
Aim to change your mattress every 8 to 10 years - or sooner if you spot clear signs it’s knackered.
Your body will thank you!
Frequently asked questions
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What factors affect a mattress’s lifespan?
Material, care, how much you use a mattress, and your body weight all play a big part.
Moisture and house dust mites can knock its durability too.
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When’s the right time to replace my mattress?
If you notice dips, back pain, or allergy symptoms, don’t hang about - it’s time to change your mattress asap!
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References
- 1 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/s0959652612000790?casa_token=dnib2minz4aaaaaa:wwa6ts1dspv51mljrnozoy2ivintsbp-ticvsft2velcjo7fvjacw6s7ex_bgy_lrfx3cwoqqg#bib11
- 2 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1398-9995.1998.tb03859.x
- 3 https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/documents/bed_mattresses_report.pdf
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