Everyone knows that sleep is crucial when it comes to maintaining our health and happiness. Many of us do not get the hours of sleep we need each night. In fact, over 40 million Americans are sleep-deprived. Inadequate sleep can make it hard to focus on tasks, hurts athletic performance and memory, and can even make your immune system weak. That’s why we value our mattresses so much and hate when they sag, leave us with back pain, or wake us up in the middle of the night. However, bad mattresses don’t just cause you to toss and turn all night; they can impact your health in more ways than you may think. They can be detrimental to your health, disrupting sleep, causing pain and stiffness, affecting your posture while standing or sitting. While sleeping on a bad mattress, you may be at a greater risk of developing headaches, back pain, and other health problems.
We invest time and money into making sure we sleep well, so why not consider replacing your mattress? Wondering what are the replacement signs we should be looking for? Read on.
General Rules
Most experts recommend replacing your mattress every six to eight years. Here are some other points that you should consider in determining when it’s time to replace your mattress.
It’s causing you pain while you sleep.
The surface has noticeably sagged or is lumpy.
It’s making an unusual noise when you move on it.
You find yourself sleeping better at hotels and friends’ houses.
You’ve noticed an increase in allergies or asthma.
You’re waking up with muscle or joint stiffness on a regular basis.
What Influences Mattress Lifespan
Mattress Material
The quality of the materials used to make your bed determines how long it will last:
Innerspring mattresses: While they are inexpensive and widely available, they tend to sag within years.
Foam mattresses: As they have only a thin foam layer sandwiched between two layers of fabric, they lose their shape over time and are uncomfortable to sleep on.
Hybrid mattresses: They combine foam and spring-based components and tend to perform better than innerspring mattresses, but you may still experience sagging and body imprints.
Latex mattresses: These are the most durable type of mattress, lasting for over eight years.
Maintenance and care
To extend the lifespan of a mattress, use it periodically on both sides. Turn it once every three months (unless the manufacturer suggests otherwise), and use a mattress pad or protector.
Weight and size of the sleeper
Sleepers with a heavier weight may experience mattress degradation sooner than sleepers of lighter weight. Similarly, if you share your bed with someone, replace your mattress when the wear is noticeable for both of you.
Children and pets
Children and pets—especially toddlers who jump on your bed—can be major contributors to wear and tear. Because children and pets can cause more wear and tear on a bed, you may have to replace your mattress more often if you share it with them.
