How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress It Depends
Find out when to replace each type of mattress. Plus, how to tell when it’s wearing out and how to make it last longer.
KJ Callihan
KJ Callihan is a freelance writer with a background in mental health and education. Her writing often covers product reviews and lists, animals and pet care, food and hospitality, health, wellness, and culture. When she isn’t crafting the perfect sentence, you may find her bingeing true crime documentaries, browsing mid-Michigan farmer’s markets, and tasting her son’s latest homemade cuisine
The average mattress lasts somewhere between six to 10 years — but many folks can and do keep them longer due to their cost. Truth is, there’s no single way to tell for how long every mattress will actually last. Plenty of factors play into that fluctuating number of years, including the type of mattress, the quality of its materials and how well you take care of it. Below, we explain how often to replace your own mattress and how to shop for longevity, plus a few ways to extend the life of the bed you already have.
Signs It’s Time To Change Your Mattress
ââIt may be time to change your mattress if it shows certain signs or affects your health. âThere are several clues itâs time for a change.
Wear and tear. Mattresses can show stains, tears, lumps, and sags. This is a hint that the inner materials are breaking down from regular use or damage.
Squeaky springs. The springs inside a mattress are part of a coil support system. These springs can break down and stop supporting your body.
Bed bugs.Bed bugs are unhealthy pests that affect your health and the health of your mattress. These pests can live in your mattress and come out to bite you while you sleep.
Waking up to pain and stiffness. Feeling muscle pain and joint stiffness each morning shows that your mattress doesnât fit your body. Without the right cushioning, you feel uncomfortable after so many hours lying in one position.
More serious allergies. If you have allergies or feel them getting worse, your mattress may be to blame. The same applies if your asthma gets worse. Sometimes the cause is allergens like dust mites, pet dander, mold, and dust trapped in your mattress.
Feeling bed movements. If you sleep with a partner, you shouldnât feel the bed move every time they shift during sleep. This movement is called motion transfer.
Having trouble getting to sleep. Humans take about 20 to 30 minutes to fall asleep in a normal setting. Stress, body aches, and temperature can affect your normal nightly wind-down process, and so can a worn-out mattress.
You Dont Sleep Comfortably
Mattresses serve one specific purpose for you to sleep. If you cant seem to do this comfortably and only end up with neck aches and back pains, then its not really fulfilling its purpose. No matter how old your mattress is or how nice it still looks, if you cant remember the last time you slept well, you should get a new one.
Also Check: Where To Buy A California Queen Mattress
Other Things That Affect Mattress Life
Sleep position. Consider your sleep position and whether you are a back, side, or stomach sleeper. Back sleepers do best with medium-firm hybrid foam and coil mattresses. Side sleepers do better with softer memory foam or latex mattresses. Stomach sleepers will want firm innerspring or pocket spring mattresses. If you already have back or neck pain, youâll want a mattress thatâs not too soft, but also not too firm.â
Pets and children. If you let pets and children play or sleep on your bed, your mattress might wear out sooner. Stains, pet dander, and extra weight can all break down the material.
Taking Care Of Your Queen Size Mattress
Once youve chosen your perfect queen mattress, make sure you take the time to care for it. Just a little bit of time spent caring for your bed can extend its lifespan.
You should try to wash your sheets weekly to prevent dust mites and debris from settling into your mattress. If you use a comforter encased in a cover, you should clean the cover weekly while limiting your comforter to a wash once or twice a year.
We strongly recommend a cover for queen size comforters, as most comforters are too big to fit in the average homes washer and require professional cleaning. Its easier and less expensive to bring it in every six months than once a week.
To further keep your mattress clean, give it a quick vacuum in between sheet changes to suck up any dirt or allergens that your body might otherwise grind into your bed.
Your mattress should be rotated every three to six months. With a queen size mattress, you might need an extra set of hands to help you lift and turn the bed.
Youll want to wash your pillows at least every three to six monthspillows can collect all sorts of stuff such as sweat, hair, and dead skin. Just double-check that your queen size pillow is machine washable since some types can be damaged by agitators, such as solid memory foam pillows.
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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.
Trial Period Warranty And Return Policy
Even if a thousand people love a mattress, it doesnt mean you will too. Everyones body is different, so youre going to respond to your mattress differently. Before you buy your mattress, make sure you pay attention to the trial period you have, whats covered under your mattress warranty, and the return policy. Most of our favorite mattresses come with a very generous trial period, warranty policy and hassle-free returns.
You should also try to give your mattress at least 30 days to break it in and see if its right for you before you kick it to the curb. For reference, most online mattress companies offer a trial period of 100 nights or more.
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Twin Xl Size Bed Dimensions
38 inches by 80 inches
Minimum recommended room size: 9 feet 6 inches by 10 feet 6 inches
This size is 5 inches longer than the standard twin size, making it a preferred choice for taller individuals. The twin XL size is always a good option to accommodate extra guests on short notice. Since they dont require much space and are less expensive than a queen or a full, it wont be difficult to have one as a spare.
38 inches by 75 inches
Minimum recommended room size: 7 feet by 10 feet
The smallest of all standard sizes, this is one of the most common beds available. The twin size mattress is good for children and teens alike, accommodating children in their growing stages.
However, a twin or single size mattress may not be a good fit for a full-grown adult. It is a good size to fit into smaller rooms, and ideal for bunk beds, too.
Please note: Our Amerisleep twin size mattresses measure 38 inches by 74 inches.
What To Look For In A Mattress
If youve done any research on mattresses already, youve probably noticed that the mattress industry has its very own lingo with words like responsiveness and motion transfer. While they might seem like meaningless marketing lingo, theyre actually important factors to consider when choosing a mattress thats going to best meet your needs. Well give you a breakdown of these key mattress featuresin plain Englishto help you understand why these are so critical when finding the best mattress.
Comfort and support are two of the main factors to consider when looking at a new mattress, so its important to note that sometimes you wont be able to realize how well a mattress performs on these factors until you try it out for a few nights. So if youre not sure what mattress is best for you, make sure to invest in a mattress with a risk-free trial period. Other important factors include spine alignment, pressure relief, shipping and return policies, and the firmness level.
You can learn more about each of these features and how we score them while we are testing a mattresss performance in Our Review Process article.
Also Check: Do Mattress Toppers Really Help
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.
Life Expectancy Of A Mattress
A good mattress can last between 7 to 10 years, possibly longer if properly cared for. Other factors can determine the lifespan of a mattress, like how often its used and the amount of weight applied to it. After several years, it may be a good idea to take a long, hard look at your current mattress and decide if its time to buy a new one. If your mattress is causing you pain, or you have trouble finding a comfortable spot, its time.
Time to upgrade your entire bed set? Read our guide on finding the most comfortable mattress for your sleep needs.
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Olympic Queen Bed Size
The Olympic queen size is six inches wider than the queen size mattress. It may seem like six inches wouldn’t make a difference, but when you are sharing your bed, the extra six inches matters. With a little extra space, the Olympic mattress offers a more comfortably sleep due to the extra personal space.
Olympic Queen bed dimensions measure 66″ x 80″. The average length of an Olympic Queen bed is 80″ +/- 2 inches for innerspring mattresses and +/- 1 inch for foam mattresses. The average width of an Olympic Queen bed is 66″.
The Pros and Cons of an Olympic Queen Mattress Size
Pros:
- The Olympic Queen Mattress offers more room than a standard queen mattress.
Cons:
- This mattress size is not universally available.
What Mattress Do I Use
Even running a mattress review website, you can really only have one mattress you call your own.
I’m currently sleeping on the GhostBed Luxe and I LOVE it. This affordable, but luxurious mattress performs well above its price range. It’s a plush mattress that hugs and contours to your body to relieve pain and support healthy sleep.
If you’re in the market for a mattress, heres a few great reasons to try out the GhostBed Luxe
GhostBed is having a flash sale today, August 11, 2022. Snag your discount mattress before time runs out!
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Additional Mattress Costs: Mattress Frames & Bases
Over the last five years, mattresses have changed a lot. Whereas older mattresses may have been flippable, not all newer mattresses were made to be this way.
This means that you may need to purchase a new bed frame or box spring to support your new mattress. In fact, some mattresses now require particular types of bed frames or box springs, so be sure to read the mattress warranty before purchasing.
Knowing that you may need to factor these components into your budget can help you prepare for this new investment in your sleep.
Twin Bed Size Orsingle Bed Size
Despite Twin being in the name, twin-sized mattresses are intended to be used by one person.
The Twin mattress dimensions are the smallest size available for adults and children, not including toddler and infant size. This makes it the perfect size mattress for a young child who has grown past the need for a toddler mattress. Twin mattresses are also great for those in adolescence or single adults. Due to its smaller size width and length, it is common in dorm rooms and spaces where more than one mattress is in place. Twin mattress dimensions are smaller and more affordable than larger mattresses.
Their small size means theyll fit well in most spaces. Its an immense size for growing kids to give them enough space to sleep and grow without taking up so much space in their room. Its also the most common bed measurements found in dorms due to their compact but comfortable size, though it’s a bit short for some college students. Because of that, a lot have switched to the Twin XL.
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California King Bed Size
The California King bed dimensions measure 72″ × 84″. The average length of the California King bed is 84″. The average width of the California King bed is 72″, 4 inches less than a King bed.
If you are looking for a mattress that can truly accommodate taller people, those who like to stretch out in their sleep or share their sleeping spaces with pets or children, nothing will beat a California King mattress. Unless, of course, your name is Marc Gasol, then you might consider something custom.
A little bit narrower and a hand longer, California Kings are the kings of comfort. Tall people won’t have their feet hanging off the bed, sleepers who move a lot won’t be bothering their partners, dogs won’t get kicked off by accident, and there’s plenty of room for a kid to slip in unnoticed when they have a nightmare.
The California Kings luxurious size means you might not have space for end tables or dressers in some bedrooms. For those with space, the sprawling space may be worth it. We suggest some drawers under the bed for convenience, there’s room!
The Pros and Cons of the California King Mattress Size
Pros:
- The California King is longer lengthwise. This makes it comfortable for those who are taller or have pets who like to sleep at their feet.
- The California King mattress dimensions allow for a closer sleeping arrangement than the King mattress size.
Cons:
Full Size Mattress Dimensions: How Big Is A Full Size Bed
By Andrew Russell, Wellness Writer
Full size mattresses, also called double beds, are a suitable option for adults and children alike. On a full bed, solo sleepers will find the extra space they need to stretch out. These beds also dont require as much space as a bulky queen or king size bed. Full mattresses fit comfortably in a 10-foot by 12-foot bedroom, which is a fairly standard room size in the U.S. Plus, these beds cost less and are easier to move than larger size beds. Read on to discover the benefits and dimensions of a full size mattress.
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How Long Does A Memory Foam Mattress Last
Memory foam is pretty durable and you can expect to get around eight to 10 years use out from it. This is mainly because there arent a lot of materials and components in these mattresses, meaning theres less to deteriorate and compromise the quality.
Memory foam mattresses generally need to be rotated regularly and must be kept clean and aired. If you start waking up with aches and pains and find that the foam is no longer supporting you and offering pressure relief, its time to upgrade.
Sink-in body cradling thats gone from the sublime to the ridiculous is also a red flag. Watch out for the memory foam discoloring too, as this is a sign of mattress old age.
Other Full Size Mattresses
As you shop for a full size bed, you may come across one slight variation. Mattresses labeled full XL measure 54 inches wide by 80 inches long. Standard full and full XL beds have the same width, but a full XL is 5 inches longer. This additional length makes them a great option for taller individuals. A full XL affords tall sleepers more legroom, so they dont have to worry about their feet dangling off the end of the bed.
Although full XL mattresses are not very common, some online retailers do offer them. However, keep in mind that bed frames and sheet sets for a full XL may be difficult to find. Since this size is not as common, manufactures may not offer accessories to accommodate the extra length. Since full XLs measure 5 inches longer than a standard full, full sheet sets cannot be used on a full XL. These mattresses require a longer fitted sheet for a proper fit.
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