How To Know If You Need A New Mattress
Here are some telltale signs that your mattress may be past its prime:
- You wake up feeling older than your age One of the biggest signs that its time to replace your mattress is when you consistently get a poor nights sleep. Pay attention to how often you feel worse upon waking than you do when going to bed.
Overall, if youre consistently waking up feeling unrested, its probably time to start shopping. Youll likely be able to save some money instead of in mattress stores.
What is the average life of a memory foam mattress?8-10 years
It Feels Much Different Than When You Purchased
If you’ve had your mattress for several years, you may not be able to tell if you need a new mattress on feel alone — a changing mattress is one of those things that sneaks up on you over time. But you can still try to evaluate your mattress this way.
Think about how you felt getting into bed for the first year you had your mattress. Were you excited, happy, comfortable? Now think about the last few nights. Feel kind of “bleh,” not particularly excited? That’s a good sign you might benefit from a new mattress.
If your mattress is less than a couple years old and you already notice that it feels different, look into the manufacturer’s or retailer’s warranty. You might be able to get a partial refund or points toward purchasing a new mattress.
Should You Rotate A Tempurpedic Mattress
Rotating means turning your mattress at an angle of 180 degrees so that the head part becomes the foot part of your bed. However, not all mattresses require rotation because they are made differently with unique features. The overall advantage of rotating mattresses is keeping the spine aligned during sleep.
With various materials used in manufacturing mattresses, the need to flip or rotate them may or may not be necessary. For instance, mattresses, like the Tempurpedic mattress, doesnt require flipping or rotation. You can refer to your care manual to check and verify this. For sure, you will find an instruction where it indicates the Tempurpedic mattress doesnt need rotation.
On the other hand, if your mattress requires rotating, its essential to know the proper ways of turning or flipping it. Here are some helpful tips you can follow:
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How Do You Know Your Mattress Needs Replacing
The age of your mattress is a good reason to take a closer look at it and see if its still fit to sleep on. But what are some of the clues that your mattress is ready to be tossed? Some are hard to deny, such as a sagging mattress, but others are a little more subtle, like worsening allergy symptoms.
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How Do You Know When Its Time
If you notice any of the following, then it may be time to replace your mattress:
- Signs of wear and tear. Signs of wear include sagging, lumps, and coils that can be felt through the fabric.
- Noisy springs. Springs that squeak when you move is a sign that the coils are worn and no longer providing the support they should.
- Muscle stiffness. When your mattress isnt comfortable and no longer supporting your body the way it did, you could wake up feeling sore and stiff. A
You may be able to prolong the life of your mattress with some extra care. The following are things that you can do:
- Use a mattress protector to protect against spills, dust, and debris.
- Make sure your mattress is properly supported with the right box spring or foundation.
- Rotate the mattress every 3 to 6 months to promote even wear.
- Clean your mattress as directed by the manufacturer.
- Open your windows regularly for better ventilation, which can reduce dust and moisture buildup.
- Keep your mattress upright when moving it to prevent creasing or damage to the springs.
- Keep pets off the bed to reduce the risk of damage from claws and chewing.
- Dont let your children jump on the bed as this can damage coils and other mattress components.
- Remove sheets and mattress covers occasionally to air out your mattress.
Regular vacuuming can help keep allergens and dust mites to a minimum. You can also sprinkle your mattress with baking soda and vacuum it 24 hours later to help remove trapped moisture and odors.
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How To Make Your Mattress Last
Mattresses arent necessarily cheap, which means you may be holding onto your current mattress for as long as you can to avoid buying a new one.
To keep your health in check while still maintaining a good-as-new mattress, consider these tips:
- Rotate your mattress: If you have a memory foam or hybrid mattress, rotate your bed every few months to prevent pressure from concentrating in one spot.
- Flip your mattress: If you have an innerspring mattress, flip your bed every few months to take the pressure off of the coils and springs.
- Use a mattress pad and protector: A mattress pad and mattress protector can help prolong your mattresss life. A mattress pad will add another supportive layer that can absorb weight, while a mattress protector creates a liquid barrier, protects your health, and increases mattress longevity.
- Use a bed frame or box spring: Giving your mattress proper support with a supportive mattress base can help your mattress last longer. Most bed frames and box springs last a long time, which means you can use them for multiple mattresses.
- Keep your pets off of the bed: While sleeping with your dog sounds like a dream come true, their paws and teeth can damage your mattress.
While these tips can help make your mattress last, there comes a time when you need to part ways. When you get rid of your mattress for a new one, make sure to discard it properly by bringing it to a mattress recycling center or donating it, if possible.
Your Allergies Or Asthma Is Worse
âIf your allergies have gotten worse and itâs not allergy season, it could be your mattress. Dust mite feces can cause respiratory problems which trigger allergies and asthma. An older mattress can have more dust mite issues than youâd think.
âThough older mattresses typically have the highest amount of dust mites present than any other item in your house, your old mattress may contain more than just dust mites. It might also be harboring the following:
- Dust mite feces
- Other allergens
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When Mattress Feels Saggy
The most obvious sign that your beloved mattress requires replacement is sagging and deep grooves and indentations. This is especially true if you tend to favor a specific bedside when you sleep.
Ideally, your mattress should be flat and firm, with no apparent dips and craters. You need your mattress to offer proper support for your back and spine when you sleep. You could get a foam topper to help with some of the sagging.
You can even turn your mattress around to even out the sagging. This is especially true with the innerspring mattresses. However, this is a temporary solution, and eventually, you will need to purchase a new mattress.
How Often Should A Mattress Be Replaced
Again, there are many factors that must be considered. Aside from the quality of materials that comprise your mattress, you also must consider things such as your weight, specific stress your mattress undergoes , and how it was cared for. While theres no way to provide you with a direct answer as there is no set formula to do so, I can give you an idea if the time has come for you to think about replacing yours. Just a few signs that its time include:
- You have noticed feeling noticeably achy and irritated when you wake up
- Its more comfortable when you sleep somewhere else such as a hotel room or a friends house
- You notice your mattress is developing sags and indentations
- Youre over age 40 and have had the same product for six to eight years since, as we age, we are less able to tolerate the pressure increase that typically occurs around this time.
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Body Ache While Waking Up
If you are waking up with aches and pains, then the chances are your mattress is lumpy and bumpy. Your bedroom should be a place of comfort and relaxation, especially your bed. Studies show a quality mattress is essential to having a good nights sleep. If you wake up with discomfort, your mattress might be the culprit.
Now, a mattress is not supposed to be lumpy. Run your hands along with your mattress and feel for lumps and rolls, especially on the areas you tend to favor. This happens to all mattresses over time.
But a lumpy mattress will not give your back proper support. For a good nights sleep and maximum comfort, dont endure sleeping on a lumpy mattress longer than you have to. Try to invest in a high-quality mattress with high-density foam, so it has a longer lifespan.
Your Mattress Is Saggy
Mattresses are usually made from cotton, foam, wool fiber, or other similar materials, which will naturally soften. Through the years, however, softening leads to sagging, and sagging leads to loss of shape. Now, this may not be very noticeable, especially if its the only bed youve been sleeping on for most of the time.
But sleeping on a mattress full of lumps and indentations will definitely take its toll. Youll likely toss and turn, only to wake up feeling sore, stiff, and still tired.
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Read This If You Have Memory Foam
If your mattress is made with memory foam, it can sometimes be a little more difficult to tell if theres a problem .
Memory foam is, after all, meant to conform to your body, so its not unusual for you to see indents or feel yourself sinking.
The thing with memory foam, though, is it tends to get softer over time.
If you notice yourself sinking deeper than two inches into the foam, or if you notice the impression left by your body lasting long after youve gotten up, then you should know its time to move on to a better mattress.
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Can You Donate A Mattress
If your mattress is still in good condition, consider donating it to charity or giving it away free. That way you can help someone in need, as well as ensuring that it doesnt end up in landfill.
Organisations such as British Heart Foundation, British Red Cross and Emmaus will resell your mattress and put the proceeds towards a good cause. Several other charities also accept mattress donations, so if theres a cause you particularly want to support, its worth contacting the charity directly.
As a general rule, these organisations will collect your mattress free of charge, but they might request that you send images first to prove that its of acceptable quality. Any organisation accepting a mattress donation will expect it to be fit for use, clean and have a fire label intact.
Another way to ensure your mattress stays out of landfill sites is to use a non-profit initiative such as Freecycle, or your local equivalent group, which can put you in touch with someone in the local area looking for a free second-hand mattress.
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The Difference Between Flipping And Rotating A Mattress
Both flipping and rotating evens out mattress wear. You enjoy a good nights sleep for a longer period of time. But mattresses are built differently and have different maintenance needs. Not all models need to be flipped or rotated. In fact, flipping can damage some of them. Some mattress manufacturers void warranties if you flip one-sided mattresses.
- Flipping: Flipping your mattress means turning it over so you can use the other side. Flipping allows you to sleep on both sides of the mattress.
- Rotating: Rotating your mattress means turning it 180 degrees. The part where your head rests will now support your feet and vice versa.
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Other Ways To Dispose Of A Mattress
We wouldnt recommend these ways, as not only are some of these damaging to the environment, some are antisocial and illegal.
Although a couple of Which? members said they disposed of their last mattress by burning it, we dont advise it. Not only is a mattress fire hard to control, but the fumes released by the fire could also be damaging to both you and the environment.
If you happen to be renting a skip and dont mind your mattress contributing to a worsening landfill problem, then you can get rid of your old mattress using a skip.
But you should never dispose of your mattress by putting it in someone elses skip or, worse yet, simply abandoning it at the side of the road. As well as being antisocial and environmentally harmful, fly tipping is illegal and can result in a large fine.
Now that you know how to dispose of your old mattress, find out how to buy the best n to replace it with.
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Factors That Affect Mattress Lifespan
Different factors affect how long an individual mattress will last. For example, your bed may succumb to wear and tear before it reaches its average lifespan. On the other hand, proper care can extend the life of your mattress beyond its average lifespan.
Other circumstances include the sleeping environment where your bed is kept, and the manufacturer from which you bought the bed.
Best Low Cost Mattress For Back Pain
You will find also a layer of gel foam that enables for more contouring, which is significant for trying to keep stress off the shoulders and hips. Furthermore, the Helix Midnight is a wonderful mattress for hot sleepers.
Its got a breathable protect created from Tencel, that is a tender, strong and sturdy materials, as well as pocketed coils allow for a lot of airflow. The Helix Midnight can also be readily available inside a luxe possibility, which features zoned lumbar guidance, a premium quilted pillow best that has a breathable pencil include.
And It truly is two inches taller than the regular mattress. So in essence, you could enhance the Helix Midnight If youd like a taller mattress with more assist and softness. Now, if you switch amongst sleeping with your aspect and One more sleeping position, youll probably have an interest within our select for the best mattress for mixture aspect sleepers.
The Saatva Traditional. The Saatva Traditional features a vintage interior spring design, thats why the name Vintage. This mattress has an natural cotton deal with, A 3 inch Euro pillow prime, a help layer of individually wrapped coils, in addition to a foundation layer of steel coils.
The 6 steel coils supply loads of assistance and enable it to be easy to move about on top of the mattress without sinking in, and that is critical for mix sleepers. Another little reward to the Saatva, it has excellent temperature rules, so no worries about overheating.
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Memory Foam Mattresses: Yes And No
Like innerspring mattresses, memory foam models are known for their exceptional comfort.
You can flip some models, although the majority are better suited rotated.
The majority of modern memory foam mattresses get comprised of several layers designed for support.
They have a supportive base with several layers of memory foam on top, helping alleviate joint pain.
If you were to flip the mattress, youd be sleeping directly on the hardened base rather than the plush memory foam.
Also, your weight would push the memory foam into your beds base, ruining its integrity.
That said, you can flip some memory foam mattresses.
If you find a sleeping surface made of a single, thick layer of memory foam, its best to flip it over the years.
As long as theres no layering that could take away from the ergonomic benefits of your bed, its worth a try.
Change Your Mattress For A Good Sleep
If you wake up in the morning with stiffness, or aches and pains it could be that your mattress isnt providing the level of support and comfort it needs to. Feeling tired throughout the day and sleeping better in a hotel bed than your own bed are also signs that your mattress might be on the way out.
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