Have you been having trouble sleeping lately? Do you think your mattress might be the cause? Perhaps it's time to consider finding a new, more comfortable one. But, how do you know when it's the right time to replace your old mattress?

 

Key Points of Consideration

• Sleep and mattress experts advise replacing your mattress every 7 to 10 years. 
• If you notice lumps, bumps, dipping, or sagging, it is likely time to replace it.
• Inadequate sleep quality, causing physical or mental fatigue, increased allergy symptoms, and awakening with stiff or sore muscles, is also a telltale sign that it's time for a new mattress.
• Sleepers' body type and the quality of mattress materials may have a positive or negative impact on a mattress's lifespan.
• You can extend the lifespan of a mattress by rotating it regularly and keeping it clean with a mattress cover, also known as a mattress protector.

Similar to a couch or other piece of furniture designed to provide comfort and support to your body, once a mattress is no longer comfortable or has broken down, these are the more apparent signs that it has seen better days and needs to be replaced.

 

So, how often should I replace my mattress? Attempting to set an accurate timeframe for mattress replacement is a common inquiry that many people find themselves wondering about. Figuring out it's time to invest in a new sleeping surface is often followed by a dread of shopping for one and often by procrastination to begin the process.

 

Unlike perishable foods at a grocery store, mattresses don't come with an expiration date. Many are aware that mattresses can last a long time—10 to 15 years, to be exact—but surprisingly often, they actually do not. The Better Sleep Council notes that most mattresses have a general lifespan of only 7 years, in contrast to the more commonly known fact that mattresses typically last a decade or more.

 

These days, due to the tremendous difference in quality among mattresses, many people are left to question whether their mattress is on its last leg or still has years of comfortable support left to offer—especially if there are no visibly obvious signs that the mattress is broken down or worn out.

 

Continue reading to gain insights from Bed Tech Sleep Experts on when it is wise and ideal to choose a replacement mattress voluntarily.

 

Mattress Replacement: Obvious Factors to Consider

More frequently than you expect, less obvious signs exist that a mattress replacement is necessary. Unfortunately, many people don't recognize these signs, and some fail to correlate them with their mattress quality or integrity. That is, perhaps much later down the road, when those aches and pains affect sleep quality, causing tossing and turning, and waking up severely sore and stiff from sleeping on an unsupportive, worn-down, or too firm mattress.

 

It's time for a replacement if you find yourself noticing these more obvious aesthetic factors regarding your mattress:

• Severe body impression—anything more than a quarter to a half inch impression.
• Severe dipping, sagging, or bunching on top.
• Worn or broken down edge support where you tend to sit on the side of the bed.
• Lumpy or bumpy feeling in the top layers.
• Stained or soiled mattress.

Indirect Considerations: When It's Time to Say So Long to Your Old Mattress

Several factors positively or negatively influence the lifetime of any given mattress. Still, there are some significant, yet relatively indirect indicators that it’s time for a new one.

 

People aim to spend nearly a third of their life asleep—or trying to be. Therefore, it's no surprise that your mattress plays an influential role in getting a good night’s sleep. It  plays an important part in your health and overall sleep quality, encompassing both physical and mental well-being.

 

Today, an increasing number of people are recognizing the significant impact that sleep has on their daily quality of life. Sleep helps the body heal, releasing hormones to aid in recovery and pain management, tension release, and alleviation of muscle soreness. Deep sleep supplies more than just a physical boost, but also mental clarity and stability.

 

So, how often should you consider replacing your mattress to ensure a good night's sleep? Therefore, healthy sleep contributes to a wholesome quality of life. Typically, a moderate to top-quality mattress, such as the Bed Tech Copper Lux Hybrid mattress, lasts 7 to 10 years. Still, a mattress's lifespan is definitely influenced by several direct and indirect factors. More obvious signs—like dipping and sagging are more apparent; there are still several indirect factors to consider.

 

The quality and composition of the mattress itself, the sleeper(s) body type, and how often routine maintenance is achieved will each play a part in how long a mattress will last.

 

The following are indirect factors to consider when it's time to replace a mattress:

• Lower back or hip strain causing pain or soreness while lying down on the mattress.
• Waking up sore or stiff (more so than when you went to bed)— this is a support issue.
• It takes longer than 30 minutes to 1 hour to get comfortable and fall asleep—this is a comfort issue.
• You're waking up too hot or too cold frequently throughout the night—this may be a problem with your mattress or bedding.
• Tossing, turning, or waking up several times per night due to discomfort or pain—this is a comfort and/or support issue.
• Headaches and/or allergy symptoms are more noticeable after being in close proximity to your mattress, indicating a potential issue with your mattress and sleep hygiene.

The Average Lifespan of a Mattress

Generally, mattresses may last anywhere from a couple of years to a decade or more. The lifetime of any given mattress hinges on various factors already mentioned above in this sleep expert article. In summary, the average lifespan of a "middle-of-the-road" to good quality mattress, such as the Copper Lux mattress, is approximately 7-8 years.

 

Still, material grade, mattress composition, sleeper(s) body type, and how well the mattress is cared for will all play a part in how long a mattress will withstand the weight of the sleepers on top, as well as potential movements of an adjustable bed frame.

 

Now that we know the average lifetime of a mattress is heavily influenced by its material quality, level of usage, the sleeper's body type, and sleep position, we can dive a little deeper. Each of these elements will directly affect how long a mattress lasts inside your home or bedroom. Still, the mattress's quality level will directly influence its durability and your personal satisfaction with the mattress itself, as well as your sleep quality.

 

One noteworthy aspect of preserving mattress integrity is the type—for instance, a hybrid mattress— its quality level, and composition of the materials used to make the mattress. Mattresses that receive regular care and maintenance—such as using a mattress protector— especially those made of high-quality materials like viscoelastic memory foam and latex, can last a bit longer than the average mattress design, sometimes withstanding up to 10 to 15 years.

 

Next, the sleep experts at Bed Tech will highlight the key factors that influence a mattress's lifespan.

 

Key Factors That Influence The Lifetime of a Mattress

Various factors have the potential to influence the lifetime of your mattress, including:

• Type and quality of mattress materials.
• Manufacturing process and mattress composition.
• Sleeper(s) body type and weight.
• Frequency of usage—the guestroom mattress should last longer if it isn't slept on every night.
• Regularity of maintenance—head to foot mattress rotations.
• Protector cover—breathable protection shields the mattress materials from unwanted moisture, dust, and dust mites from accumulating inside.
• Pets sleeping on the bed.

The Ideal Timeline to Replace Your Mattress

Like the sleep experts at Bed Tech have noted above, there isn't an expiration date on a mattress like perishable goods from the grocery store, leaving it up to you to keep track of how long you've had it, while maintaining a consistent awareness of mattress comfort, support, and most importantly, how well you sleep.

 

To stay on top of sleeping on a comfy and cozy mattress—such as a Bed Tech mattress— meant to support and comfort you, sleep experts suggest remaining familiar with your mattress by reanalyzing it each time you change your sheets. A more in-depth personal evaluation of your mattress is recommended every 2-3 years. This avoids the 'out of sight, out of mind' phenomenon and helps you maintain awareness—keeping attention on your mattress's stage of life and, most importantly, your current quality of sleep.

 

Evaluating your mattress regularly and being mindful of your current sleep quality will help you make better decisions about your mattress, hopefully avoiding the dreaded yet common shopping procrastination that can lead to 'sleep debt' and negatively impact your sleep quality. Don't be one of the many who wait too long to replace their mattresses, according to The Better Sleep Council—that's three years too long, or more!

 

Experienced sleep expert advice: replace your current mattress with a Bed Tech Lux Hybrid, sooner rather than later, to maintain or improve sleep satisfaction, happiness, and your overall quality of life when it comes to your health and mattress comfort.