How Often Should You Change A Memory Foam Mattress
A premium memory foam mattress can last for around eight to 10 years, as this type of foam is more durable than basic foam. Also, if the mattress is all-foam then theres less chance of certain layers or different components deteriorating quicker and compromising the overall quality of the mattress.
To keep your memory foam mattress in good condition, rotate it regularly and use a proper bed frame as recommended by the manufacturer.
If you are no longer getting proper pressure relief from yours, and you wake up with aches and pains, then its time to upgrade. The foam may also become softer and start to yellow over time, which are other signs that you need to change your mattress.
One of our top-rated memory foam models is made by Nectar. That’s because it suits a range of body types and sleeping positions. Its also fantastic value for money, and you can see the latest savings in our guide to the best Nectar Black Friday sales and early discounts.
Sleep On The Mattress Every Night
If youre not sleeping as well as you expected to after the first few nights on your new mattress, your first instinct might be to migrate to the couch. Resist the urge. The more consistently you sleep on your mattress, especially within the break-in period, the better your body will start adjusting to your mattress and vice versa.
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Your Mattress Makes A Lot Of Noise
Squeaking sounds and screeching metal sounds might be a sign that your mattress should be replaced. This mostly applies to mattresses that feature coils, and it is possible to fix this issue by tightening any bolts in the mattress or box spring.
However, a noisy mattress could also mean that the coils are starting to age and may not be quite as supportive as before this could mean the mattress is sagging and the you arent getting the support you need.
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Why Should You Rotate Your Mattress
Overuse of certain areas sags your mattress. Sleeping on a sagging mattress disturbs the neutral alignment of your spine. Spinal misalignment triggers back pain, neck aches, and muscle stiffness. Rotating your mattress allows one area to recover from regular use, as another area gets used. It prevents mattress wear, extending durability.
What Is A Mattress In A Box
Mattress or bed in a box, which is how many call it, is a convenient way to ship a mattress without damaging it or having it take too much space. When a company is large, they will see to ship the mattress as soon as possible. To make the shipping process easier, faster, and more convenient, many memory foam mattresses are compressed and rolled.
After being compressed and rolled, the memory foam mattress is put in a box that it ships inside. Many companies refer to this shipping option because it allows customers to unite with their new mattress in no time. Unlike them, hybrid and innerspring mattresses cant be compressed and rolled and they take more space, and with that, more time to ship out.
Mattresses in a box are a great way to preserve the shipping space, while also preventing the mattress to take damage. With that in mind, the manufacturers fold and roll it and pack it in the box.
After the mattress arrives, you need to unfold and unroll it and leave it for 24-72 hours until it fully expands. There are, however, certain gases used to keep the mattress compressed. The off-gassing process can also take up to 72 hours, so you may encounter some sort of unpleasant smell that dissipates over time.
Do note that, the expanding of the mattress that was previously in a box can take even longer than 72 hours if you live in a humid climate and environment.
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What Type Of Mattress You Have
The ASA says the type of mattress matters when it comes to how long a bed will last.
- Mattresses made with latex, as well as those made with polyfoam or memory foam, are more likely to last for 10 years.
- Innerspring beds tend to break down before the 10-year mark because the springs may lose their elasticity sooner. Innerspring mattresses typically last 4-6 years.
- Waterbeds and air mattresses are prone to popping, especially if you’re applying 200 pounds or more to them each night. These mattress types generally last the least amount of time, just a few years.
Do I Need To Inflate My Air Mattress Every Day
Its highly unlikely that youll need to inflate your air mattress daily.
Its likely that youll pump it up properly again after six months of daily use. But this depends on the quality of the product and how you use it. Cheaper air mattresses may require more frequent inflation.
Most air mattresses have a lifespan of about eight years of frequent use. After this point, youll probably want to replace it.
Remember, they are not designed to replace a standard mattress. However, many customers use them in this capacity for the reasons weve already discussed.
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Even Out Wear And Tear
If you lie on the same spot on your mattress every night, youll eventually create a dent in your mattress. To prevent indentations in your mattress, you should rotate it every three to six months. Your mattresss manufacturer may specify exactly how often you should rotate it.
Whether or not you should flip your mattress depends on its type. You can flip an innerspring mattress, but memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses should not be flipped you would end up lying on the support layer and compressing the comfort layer.
If you can, avoid setting items on your bed, aside from what you need to sleep. Your laptop may not weigh that much, but leaving it on your bed will still exert pressure on your mattress.
Your body weight also affects how much pressure you put on your mattress, with more weight wearing it out quicker. Staying in shape will help your mattress keep its shape.
Youve Gained Weight Or Gained A Partner
If youve gained weight, gained a sleeping partner, or now own large pets that sleep in the bed, youre speeding up the timeline for replacing your mattress. The more pressure that your mattress has to support, the more wear and tear will occur. This is why its recommended that you dont let kids jump on the bed and that you dont stand on your mattress. Standing puts a lot of pressure in one small spot, whereas sitting or crawling on a mattress spreads the pressure out.
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Your Mattress Has Worn Or Frayed Edges
Worn or frayed edges arent the end of the world they dont necessarily affect the area of the mattress you sleep on. But, mattresses are built to last, and worn edges are a clear sign that your mattress is well past the average lifespan of 10 years. So even if you dont notice any sagging or asymmetry, take a look at the edges to check whether it might be time for a new mattress.
Tips To Prolong Your Mattresss Life
Mattresses age with time. Some signs of wear are bound to show up eventually. Following these tips can extend mattress durability by a few more years.
- Use a mattress protector, reducing the chances of spills, sweat, body oil, and allergens permeating to your mattress. Wash it once every two weeks.
- Vacuum your mattress with the upholstery attachment, once every three months.
- Baking soda neutralizes odors, keeping your mattress fresh. Once every six months, sprinkle baking soda on your mattress. Let it sit for 10 to 24 hours. Vacuum it clean to remove the baking soda.
- Rotate your mattress every three to six months, preventing excessive wear on certain parts.
- Support your mattress with the correct foundation. For innersprings, thats a box spring. For all other mattress types, use a metal frame, adjustable base, or platform. Slats on the platform bed should be no more than 2.75 inches apart for even support.
- Keep your mattress upright when cleaning or moving it, to prevent bending and damaging it.
- Never let children jump on your mattress. Standing and jumping causes excessive pressure and eventual sagging.
- Use mattress pads and toppers to minimize direct pressure on the mattress. A high-quality mattress topper can also help you adjust the firmness of your mattress.
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Carry And Move Your Mattress Properly
One of the things that can reduce the lifespan of a mattress is incorrect handling. Every time your mattress is dropped, placed down on the floor incorrectly and generally crushed or squished, youll be damaging it â and reducing its usable lifespan.
To avoid this, always use the attached straps . Never bend your mattress, and keep it straight when you move it i.e. dont try and bend it around corners.
Oh, and dont ever tie your mattress to the roof of your car, itll not only damage your mattress, its dangerous. If you have to move it between places, hire a van
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Keep A Regular Sleep Schedule
Don’t use an extra hour of sleep as an excuse to stay up later on Saturday. Go to sleep around your usual time to maintain your regular sleep-wake cycle.
After the time change, continue to maintain the same bedtime each day to help reset your body’s circadian rhythm. Once you get into a consistent pattern, your body will align with your schedule and naturally recognize when it’s time to wake up or go to sleep.
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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.
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Your Mattress Is Causing Allergy Or Asthma Flare
Every night, you sweat and deposit millions of skin cells onto your bed, which is a feast for bacteria and dust mites. So, over time, mattresses can easily become a breeding ground for these little pests. And for people who struggle with asthma, dust mites can be a major trigger for asthma attacks.
You can keep these uninvited guests under control if you wash your sheets regularly and use a mattress cover. In fact, for one study, published in 2002 in the European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and conducted in Northern Norway, researchers found mite feces in 40.5% of foam mattresses that didnt have covers.
But if you find your asthma flaring up every time you go to sleep, thats a sign that its time to either wash your sheets or replace your mattress.
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How Much Weight Your Mattress Supports
If youre placing 250 pounds or more on your mattress each night, it may wear out faster than the standard 7 to 10 years, says Jonathan S. Kirschner, MD, RMSK, a physiatrist at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
If possible, people in these scenarios should look for beds with higher foam densities or those made with latex.
The Mattress Moves Or Shakes
Does your mattress sink or shuffle with even the slightest movement? Its definitely time for a mattress upgrade. The reason older mattresses shake and slide is that they cannot isolate motion.
When sleeping with a partner, an old mattress will cause the opposite side of the bed to bounce when your partner moves or gets out of bed. This can be highly disturbing throughout the night. If you upgrade to the best mattress, you can expect it to isolate motion with ease and remain entirely still even if there is movement around you.
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When To Buy A New Mattress
So, actually when is the right time for you to buy a brand new mattress to replace your old one?
When You Wake Up Feeling Tired
One of the most crucial signs of replacing your mattress is when you stop getting a good nights sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to heart disease, kidney failure, and diabetes. Thus, its important to make sure that your bed constantly provides you comfort.
When Your Bed is Noisy
Tired of getting disturbed by squeaky noises from your mattress? Perhaps its time to replace it. Always make sure that your bed is supporting your mattress properly.
When It Has Lumps or Saggy Areas
Depending on the type and quality, lumps and saggy areas are signs of a worn-out mattress. Another factor of how long should you keep a mattress shows on whether the coil is working or not.
When Sleeping Increases Your Allergy/Asthma
Mites and dust accumulate in your mattress through time. When its accumulated, it can aggravate your allergy, asthma, or other common sicknesses.
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.
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Make Sure Its Ventilated
Another way to avoid damp issues with your mattress is to make sure that the room is well ventilated. Mattresses need air flow to stay clean and fresh.
If youre storing your mattress at home, you can open a window or use a fan to maintain airflow. In a storage space, ensure that your unit has air conditioning to prevent the room from getting humid.
When storing your mattress for an extended period of time, you should open the seal on the bag or plastic once a week to let the mattress breathe.
How Often Should You Change A Latex Mattress
Latex is durable, resilient and naturally antimicrobial, so it makes for a great-quality and longer lasting mattress. 100% natural latex mattresses shouldn’t need to be changed for more than 15 years if they are kept in good condition.
This means that despite the initial expense, a natural latex option could be economical in the long run, especially if you want to shop eco-friendly.
If the latex in the mattress is synthetic or blended with synthetic materials, you will have to change it every 10 years or so. Synthetic latex also softens faster than natural latex, so after five years or so of regular use, it might not support your posture as well as a natural latex option would.
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You Wake Up With Back Pain
Unless you can definitively attribute muscle soreness to exercise or pain to injury, your mattress might be causing you to wake up achy. Keep an eye out for signs that your mattress is to blame: A stiff neck, sore lower back and a “pinching” pain in your joints, especially your neck and shoulders.
Also, consider whether the pain subsides as the day goes on. If you wake up with pain or soreness, but it’s gone by midmorning or afternoon, it may be time for a new mattress. You should also make sure you’re using the right kind of pillow to avoid neck and shoulder stiffness.
Boost Your Pillows Lifespan
The average pillow should last around 1 to 2 years, but there are several ways to lengthen its lifespan. Our tips focus on keeping your pillow clean to prevent premature breakdown of the inner fill material.
Keep Your Pillow Fresh
| Use a Pillow Protector | Like a mattress protector, a pillow protector acts as a barrier that prevents body oils, dirt, dust, and spills from reaching the inner fill of your pillow. |
| Spot Clean Stains | If you have an accidental spill, try to spot clean the stain as soon as possible. Lingering stains can set in and penetrate your pillow cover. |
| Wash Your Pillow Regularly | Regular washing is beneficial for your hygiene and the lifespan of your pillow. Frequent cleaning removes oils and dirt that can build up over time and break down your pillows inner material. Be sure to follow the manufacturers recommendations when cleaning your pillow. |
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Use A Mattress And Box Spring
More bed frames across the United States are beginning to come with slats that can be used instead of box springs. From an efficiency, space, and cost standpoint, this might seem too good to pass up! Plus, who wants to spend extra money and time getting a box spring after youve invested good money on a new mattress?
Unfortunately, slats do not provide the same level of support for your mattress as does the right box spring. That lack of support allows the bottom of the mattress to sag more with pressure. Even though the difference may be barely visible to the naked eye, prolonged excess sagging can add up.
You might be wondering if this means that all mattresses require a box spring. The answer is no, but most will do better with one. You can use the slat option for newer foam and latex mattresses however, they will not provide the same level of support as a full box spring, so sagging will be greater following years of use.
As for other types of mattresses, it is particularly important to use a box spring if you have an innerspring, two-sided mattress. Why? The comfort and performance of your bed will suffer if you do not. When you arent sleeping on one side, laying it to rest against a box spring can protect it.
Additionally, some mattress warranties will cover excessive sagging, but that guarantee becomes void if you do not use a box spring with your mattress.
