How Often Do You Need To Buy A New Mattress

When Should I Replace My Bed

An Auckland woman recently got in touch with Sleepyhead over what to do with her elderly parents bed.

The couple were on the move to a retirement village and as their daughter dismantled the bedroom, she noticed the Sleepyhead Royale and wondered how long her parents had slept on it.

Turns out, the couple had bought the bed the year they married and moved into the family home the year was 1951.

They were still sleeping on a bed that predated Sir Edmund Hillary conquering Everest, the Beatles& the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

They did 69 years on that Royale mattress and base. The ensemble has since come back to Sleepyhead out of curiosity over its immaculate condition, despite its age. But it begs the question: How often should you replace your mattress? A lifetime, 20 years, 10 years?

We recommend replacing your bed every 8-10 years and its not just because weve got a vested interest to sell you another. There are real reasons and they center around your health & wellbeing. So what really happens to your mattress over time? You could also choose to recycle them when you think of buying a new mattress.

You Arent The Only One Using Your Mattress

Brace yourself for this next one because its really disgusting to think about. The average used mattress has anywhere from 100,000 to 1 million dust mites in it. Although dust mites are harmless to humans, this doesnt make them any less disgusting. The last thing you want to be sharing your bed with is bugs.

Bed bugs, dust mites and other creatures that like to make their homes in mattresses tend to congregate around the mattress edges or in the folds of any tucking or embroidery on the mattress top. If you see bugs of any kind on your mattress, this should be all you need to see to be sure that its time for a new bed.

Signs You Should Replace Your Mattress

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When To Toss It: 10 Years

Let’s start with the bed. Do you even remember how long you’ve had your mattress? If it’s more than 10 years, according to Consumer Reports, it probably time to go shopping. Depending on the type of bed, says all-things-sleep review site Sleep Like the Dead, it could be even less time their research shows latex mattresses last around eight years, memory foam around seven, and inner spring even less.

Consumer Reports has more bad news. If you’re over 40 you can expect even less time out of a bed, since your body tolerates less pressure as it ages, they say.

How do you know when it’s time for out with the old and in with the new? Just listen to your body. If it’s generally uncomfortable, or youve been waking up with back pain, it may be time for a new one, says the National Sleep Foundation.

When To Toss Them: 15 To 25 Years

Luckily, we can expect comforters to last longer. Because it doesn’t have to support weight the way pillows and mattresses do, according to Stewart, your comforter should last 15 to 25 years if you keep it covered and air it regularly. No way you’ll remember how long you’ve had it? Replace it when it begins to look limp and flat or starts leaking bits of filling, she says.

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Signs That It’s Time To Change Your Mattress

There are certain situations and scenarios where you would benefit from changing your mattress to something new. These include the following:

Your body has changed If you weight has increased since you first bought your mattress and you now find it too soft, pick a firmer option for better support. If it has decreased and your mattress now feels too hard, pick a softer model that cushions your main pressure points .

Youre waking up with a sore back Sagging mattresses cause sore backs and necks, plus joint pain. Look for one with zoned support from top to toe, but if your back pain is severe, ask a physiotherapist for recommendations first.

Youre hot and bothered Not only does sweat cause mattress staining, but sleeping hot is a breeding ground for dust mites . Thankfully, many mattresses now use cooling technologies and antimicrobial materials like copper to combat hot sleeping and pesky mites.

Youre sneezing and coughing more If youre waking up or unable to sleep because of coughing, itching and sneezing, your ageing mattress could be to blame.

With years of build-up to feast upon, dust mites can trigger allergies. They love snacking on dead skin cells, then leaving droppings that aggravate your allergies.

My Back Feels Misaligned In Bed

Its important to consider how you sleep are you out for the count on your back, splayed out on your stomach or curled on your side? Whichever angle best lulls you off to sleep, its vital that your mattress is supportive to your body.

When sleeping on your back or front, the natural s curve of your back should be evident, if its flattened out this will put pressure on your back and shows that your mattress isnt receptive enough to your body.

If you lay on your side, your spine should maintain a straight line all the way from neck to bottom. If you can fit your hand between your body and the mattress, again this shows that the mattress is not sufficiently supportive and that its time for a more reliable mattress.

Most of the leading mattress brands are designed to accommodate all sleeping positions. However, Helix is particularly good for side sleepers â its main range is designed specifically for people who sleep on their sides. The company also does another line designed for back and front sleepers.

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How Can You Tell When Your Mattress Needs To Be Replaced

Despite what some mattress brands might suggest, no mattress will last forever. Some models are more durable than others but ultimately, the components of your mattress will begin to deteriorate. This can affect how supportive and comfortable your mattress feels, which in turn can lead to sleep problems and leave you feeling tired the next morning.

You may want to consider buying a new mattress if one or more of the following applies to your current bed:

• You frequently experience aches, pains, or pressure points in your neck, shoulders, lower back, and/or hips. Mattress comfort layers soften over time, which can cause you to sink more deeply beneath the surface.
• Deep body impressions have formed on the surface where you and/or your partner normally sleep. This is a common type of mattress wear and tear, and if the impressions are deep enough, the mattress may qualify for a free replacement under your warranty.
• The edges of your mattress have started to sink more when you sit or lie down along the perimeter. Even mattresses with sturdy edge support will begin to sag over time.
• You wake up feeling tired and fatigued. As mattresses deteriorate, your sleep quality may also suffer as the layers become less stable.
• You experience symptoms of dust allergies. Old mattresses can attract dust mites, as well as other allergens such as mold and mildew.
• Youve owned the mattress for more than eight years.

You Dont Wake Up Feeling Rested

Night after night, youve got your sleeping routine down. You eat a filling dinner, wash your face, maybe wind down with a cup of tea or a book, then drift off to dreamland. But no matter how long you sleep, you dont feel refreshed when you wake up.

This could be a sign your mattress isnt delivering that deep sleep your body needs each night to perform its best the next day. Dont live your life sleepy. Join the many refreshed and satisfied customers at Casper.

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You Are Sleeping Better On A Different Mattress

If youve just come back from a business trip, vacation, or crashed at a friends house and youre feeling rested. The mattress you slept on while you were away from your bed could be a more permanent sleep solution. No, we dont mean to go and borrow your friends mattress. Its just another one of the signs you need a new mattress.

Mattress Myth 1 Replace Your Mattress Every 8 Years

The Better Sleep Council recommends replacing your mattress every 7-10 years, depending on comfort and support. The truth is that the life of a mattress varies wildly, which depends on how you take care of it, how you sleep on it and how often you rotate it.

Think of your mattress as performance gear for your sleep. Just like a good pair of running shoes can help you run faster and prevent injuries, a supportive mattress can deliver better, healthier sleep. Youll know when its time to shop for a new mattress based on how you feel when you wake up.

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Your Sleep Quality Has Declined

Do you struggle to fall and stay asleep at night? If your current mattress is not providing the level of support and comfort you need, it might be time for a change. If you sleep well in other beds, like in hotels or when you are staying away from home, your current mattress could be the cause of your poor sleep at home.

Signs Of Wear And Tear

In the final measure, mattress ratings or warranties don’t dictate a mattress’s lifespan nearly as effectively as your own subjective experience of sleeping on it. A mattress is an investment in your wellbeing, and there are several signs that your mattress is ready to be replaced:

• You are uncomfortable when you lie down and wake up tired and achy.
• You see visible signs of wear and tear on your mattress. There is sagging, or you notice lumps. You can hear the bed springs when you lie down.
• You’ve tried rotating it or flipping it but to no avail. It still doesn’t feel more comfortable.
• You suffer from allergies and have had the mattress for a long time. If you have not been using protective, allergy-reducing covers, dust mites could pose a problem. Even the cleanest beds can have dust mites. There are other ways of addressing the dust mite problem, but it helps to start with a clean, mite-free mattress.
• You are older than 40 and have been sleeping on the same sleep surface for around 10 years. The human body becomes more sensitive to pressure points with age. Pressure points can lead to tossing and turning and disturbed sleep, which can be bad for your overall wellbeing.

Buying a quality mattressone that carries a good warranty from a well-known manufactureris a very good investment. Not only will it last a long time, but it also will improve the quality of your sleep and your wellbeing. Great online mattress options are available.

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Myth 2 A Firm Mattress Is The Best Mattress For Your Back

To minimize pain and discomfort and help your body relax into healing, regenerative sleep, you need a mattress that conforms to your favorite sleeping positions while supporting all areas of your body. Conformability and support are equally important.

In general, mattresses fall into three categories.

• Soft mattresses conform to your shape but fail to deliver uniform support across your entire body.
• Medium firm mattresses deliver equally on conformability and support and alleviate pressure point pain in most people.
• Very firm mattresses offer solid support but little conformability, which can lead to pressure point pain.

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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When To Toss Them: 2 Years

Sheets can be a big outlay. How long should we expect them to last? It runs the gamut very much like the price does. Most people will replace them within two years, according to a bedroom poll from the National Sleep Foundation. Co-founder of Brooklinen Vicki Fulop says that sounds about right. After regular use and wash cycles, the fibers of your bed linens can start to break down and show signs of wear and tear. But don’t tell Siri to remind you in 2020 just yet. Having said that, it doesn’t mean your sheets will all of a sudden fall apart after two years, Fulop notes, just that if they’re starting to look and feel worn out, and you want the optimal condition and comfort for your bed, two years or so is a great time for a refresh.

How do you know when it’s time for a new pillow? Fold it in half and see if it stays that way.

The Things That Bother Us: What Disturbs Your Sleep

The following mattress features may not be deal breakers for you and arent as crucial for comfort as those listed above, but tiny annoyances can keep you awake and many brands go to lengths to alleviate these concerns.

Excessive Heat or Cold

The amount of sinkage or the composition of the mattress will affect on how warm or cool it gets through the night. Youll want to look at whats in that mattress.

Ultra-dense memory foam that is more traditional often sleeps exceptionally warm, while innerspring beds allow for the most air to travel through and are typically the coolest brands. New technologies like phase-change materials and gels may revamp traditional feels.

Noise

Some bedding materials are notorious for making a lot of noise when you move around at night, which can cause disruptions to your sleeping, especially if youre exceptionally sensitive to sound. Innersprings that are not in individual pockets and are interconnected to one another can often rub together so that you hear them squeak.

Allergens

Whether the materials or themselves or the allergens and odors that they may encourage, if you suffer from allergies, you want to make sure that your bed isnt keeping you awake with sneezing and sinus pressure. Many brands offer anti-microbial features or hypo-allergenic materials to help sufferers sleep easier.

Weight or Mobility

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What Contributes To Mattress Lifespan

There is nothing worse than an old, lumpy, uncomfortable mattress. A quality mattress in good condition is imperative for a good nights sleep, and the truth is that all mattresses have an expiry date though some last longer than others. If you suspect it might be time to replace your bed, read on for the tell-tale signs that it is time for a new mattress.As a general rule, you should replace your mattress if:

Reasons To Replace Your Mattress

It may seem like mattresses should last forever, but once they lose their support, it affects how you sleep. Squeaky, uneven mattresses are noisy and uncomfortable when you try to sleep. And sleep deprivation leads to a range of health problems including heart disease, diabetes, and issues with the immune system. It can make you feel irritable, fatigued, and unable to maintain an active lifestyle.

The effects of sleep deprivation on the brain are harmful to your health and unfortunately, lost sleep cant be rectified. Sleeping five hours one night and ten hours the next isnt the way a healthy sleep schedule works. Its best to receive consistent, high-quality sleep each night versus longer hours for a single night every once in a while.

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