What Are The Signs Of A Bad Mattress
Any mattress is a bad mattress if you cant get a good nights sleep on it. The first thing to check for is visible signs of wear and tear, such as sagging, rips, or torn fabric. Also, any loss of shape very early in the life of a mattress is a sign of poor materials and construction. Consult your warranty immediately if this is the case.
Do You Wake Up Tired Or Sore
We all know how important it is to get a good night’s sleep. If you regularly wake up tired and sore, it’s likely your mattress has stopped supporting your body properly while you sleep. This can cause you to toss and turn through the night, which will prevent you from getting the rest you need. If this is something you struggle with, it’s probably time to look for a replacement.
A Flimsy Or Improper Foundation
Almost all companies will communicate the best foundation for their mattresses on their website because the foundation is key to maintaining the warranty.
Foam mattresses shouldnt be used with a box spring because they can change the feel of the mattress and damage it. Always use foam beds on a mattress foundation or platform bed frame with slats no more than 3 inches apart or with a single piece of plywood under the mattress. You can even use your foam bed directly on the floor, but this can decrease airflow through the mattress.
If youre planning on using your mattress with an adjustable bed foundation, foam, latex, and some hybrids are the best mattress types for adjustable frames. Innerspring mattresses arent pliable or compressible like some other types, and using them on an adjustable frame can damage them.
While a comfortable mattress can help alleviate pressure points, they offer only a fraction of the benefits best adjustable bed frames can provide. Read our guide to learn more.
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How Long Do Cold Germs Live On Bedding
Well, it depends upon the type of virus. The cold virus can be alive outside the body for around 7 days, while the flu virus will be alive for just around 24 hours. The virus can stay in an inactive condition on metal or other hard surfaces for a prolonged time until they get a host. However, they have found to remain active on the hard surfaces than on the fabric.
Ideally speaking, you would find the virus disappearing on the bedding in just under 24 hours. Even then, given the fresh amount of germs that get deposited on the bedding, it would be practical to change the bedsheets and other fabric on a daily basis if you are sick.
Wait A Second Should You Flip It First
Maybe youve heard that you should try flipping your mattress over before buying a new one. This very simple tip could save you some money and buy you some time but does it actually work?
With a two-sided mattress, flipping it every 6 to 12 months just might do the trick. It can distribute the wear so that it stays comfortable for longer. But most new mattresses today, especially memory foam and pillow top options, are one-sided, so flipping really isnt going to do anything.
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Here Are 9 Signs To Determine If You Need A New Mattress:
1) Your mattress is over 8 years oldThe age of the mattress is one of the first things to consider. Most people dont remember when they bought their last mattress. If you are not good at keeping files, you should write the date of purchase on the mattress label. Consumer Reports magazine recommends replacement every 7 to 10 years. This may be a shock to many people who have purchased a mattress with a 20-year warranty. You should know that the warranty is meant to cover certain parts and workmanship and not a mattresss overall comfort.
2) You dont feel rested when you wakeIf you get a good nights sleep you should wake up feeling refreshed and rested. If you find that you are waking up tired and feeling drowsy during the day it may be due to too much tossing and turning throughout the night. Your body is working overtime to find a comfortable sleeping position that does not exist.
3) You wake up with aches and pains and holding your back
Are you waking up stiff and tired every morning? If you are then chances are you need a new mattress. Old mattresses tend to gradually lose the ability to provide proper support and once the comfort zone has matted down you will get pressure points by sleeping directly on the springs. As the comfort layers lose their compression , your mid-section, which represents the heavier part of your body, will sag into the mattress.
Youve Added/lost A Co
If you slept alone when you first got your mattress and now sleep with a partner, or the other way around, it might be time to evaluate whether your bed is still the right fit.
Obviously, adding a second person to a mattress will increase the amount of wear and tear it suffers, and it will likely start showing signs sooner.
If your bed was purchased with only your preferences in mind, or as a balance between the preferences of you and a partner, you may need to re-evaluate the mattress if your circumstances have changed. A change in relationship status can be a perfect time also to change mattresses.
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Your Spine Isnt Aligned When You Sleep
No matter how old your mattress, if it doesnt offer proper support and alignment, you wont get optimal sleep. For back or stomach sleepers, your spines natural S curve should be evident when youre lying on your mattress. If its flattened or exaggerated, the mattress isnt aligning your spine properly.
For side sleepers, your spine should be straight from neck to bottom if youve got proper support. A yardstick or level can confirm adequate alignment. A good pillow may correct minor issues, but if you can slide a hand in the gap between body and mattress, its a red flag that you might need a different mattress.
Why Replace Your Mattress
There are a few reasons to replace your mattress, with the main one being comfort. Over time, a mattress can lose its shape and begin to sag, creating dips and lumps. An uncomfortable mattress can interfere with your ability to get a good nights sleep.
has been linked to a number of diseases, including:
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- diabetes
Dust mites and other allergens also accumulate in mattresses, which can cause or worsen symptoms in people with allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. A 2015 study found that mattresses contain the highest concentration of dust mites in a household.
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Does It Feel Uncomfortable
When you run your hand over the top of your mattress, can you feel any springs or lumps that might prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep? Mattresses can grow less and less comfortable over time, which means you might not notice these problems straight away. As a result, you should inspect yours on a regular basis, and look to replace your mattress if it’s old and much less comfortable than it used to be.
Mattress 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. In general, mattresses fall into three categories.
- Soft mattresses tend to conform to your shape but fail to deliver uniform support across the entire body.
- Medium-firm mattresses tend to deliver equally on conformability and support and alleviate pressure point pain in most people.
- Very firm mattresses offer good support but little conformability, which can lead to pressure point pain.
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How Do You Know When Your Mattress Needs Replacing
Once you see or feel sagging you should look for a new mattress. If youre suddenly experiencing back pain, it might be your bed, not your body. Its possible your memory foam or innerspring mattress can no longer support your body. If you see exposed layers, rips, and tears then its a sure sign the bed needs to be replaced. This is especially critical if you have health concerns since ripped mattresses can be susceptible to bed bugs.
You Wake Stiff And Sore
Poor sleep can contribute to chronic back pain. If you wake up stiff and sore every day, your mattress could be part of the problem. If your back pain is worse when you wake but subsides when you stretch and move around, thats a sign that the mattress is causing or contributing to your pain.
A firm mattress may not be the answer. A study from the Kovacs Foundation in Mallorca found that medium-firm mattresses provided better comfort for chronic low-back pain. Experts recommend sleep testing different types of mattresses before buying if you suffer pain while sleeping or when waking.
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How Often To Replace Your Mattress
The type of mattress you sleep on every night might differ from the type of mattress your neighbors, best friend, or family members sleep on. This means the lifespan of their mattress type may differ from yours.
How often should you replace a mattress based on the type? Take a look at the lifespan of different types of mattresses below:
As with all mattresses, the higher the quality, the longer the lifespan. While high-quality mattresses often come with a higher price tag, investing in a top-tier mattress made from durable materials can extend your mattresss lifespan, which means youll have to buy less over the course of your life.
Keep Your Mattress And Bedding Clean
Always follow the manufacturers care and cleaning guidelines. These will tell you how to care for your mattress and the fabrics and materials involved. Some mattresses have machine-washable, removable covers, while others are spot clean only. Take care to follow these instructions to avoid unnecessary damage and to preserve your warranty.
Keep your mattress and bedding clean to prevent dead skin cells, allergens, and bacteria build-up. Make it a habit to wash your bedding once a week and replace any items that are no longer in good condition as it will improve your health and sleep quality.
If debris sits on the mattress surface for too long, the foreign particles will grind into the mattress material and change the feel of your mattress, causing poor support. To prevent your mattress from disintegrating prematurely, start spot cleaning and vacuuming it at least once a month.
Using a mattress protector will prevent mold, mildew, dust mites, and bed bugs. These protective covers are easy to place or zip onto your mattress and make it easier to keep your it clean and fresh. They can also protect against spills and stains.
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Tips For Better Mattress Health
Here are some tips that will help you conduct effective care more easily:
- Make sure your bedroom is well ventilated. Keep the windows open in the morning, so the room airs out.
- When washing sheets and bedding materials, use a hot wash with a temperature of 60 C or more. This is the temperature ideal for killing germs and bacteria.
- Use a cover or protector to reduce the amount of material that seeps out of the sheets and into the mattress. You can wash and change it regularly for better hygiene.
- After any warm nights where excessive sweating may have occurred, in the morning, do not make your bed straight away. Leave the duvet uncovered with the sheets exposed. This is a quick way for everything to air and dry, reducing the breeding ground for bacteria and also reducing odors.
These tips will ensure that whether its memory foam, latex, or an air mattress, it will last longer. Usually, mattresses last for around eight years with good care, and for less without the basic tips mentioned above. The most important thing to remember is good hygiene, and basic care is undoubtedly the easiest and effective method for longevity.
Do You Really Need A Box Spring With A New Mattress
Box springs often last longer than a mattress does, with some recommending you replace a box spring every 10 years. However, many modern mattresses no longer require a box spring to feel comfortable. Using a box spring with a foam mattress can even damage the mattress. Foam mattresses need consistent support when placed on a box spring, theyre prone to sink between the coils and lose their shape.
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Tip 1 Follow Manufacturers Directions To Make Your Mattress Protector Last Longer
Mattress protectors usually have one side that is soft fabric while the other has a waterproof membrane that acts as a barrier to protect the mattress.
Make sure to check if there are special care instructions for your specific protector. Even though some brands recommend dry cleaning, you should avoid dry cleaning most mattress protectors because the harsh chemicals will destroy the waterproof lining and materials. Most mattress protectors can be safely washed and dried in your own home appliances.
We recommend that you wash the protector before placing it on your mattress. This will remove any odors or germs. It will also help with the flexibility and softness of the protector.
Are Your Allergy Or Asthma Symptoms Getting Worse
Over the years you’ve had it, your mattress will have collected a surprisingly large amount of dead skin cells, dust, and dust mites. These are known to aggravate the symptoms of allergies and asthma, which is why you might find that you suffer particularly badly when you’re in bed at night. If you’ve had your mattress for five years or more and this is something you’re experiencing, investing in a new one is likely to help.
Our memory foam mattresses are great for allergy and asthma sufferers, as they have a solid core, which leaves much less space for dust mites to gather. There are also no plastic or metal surfaces within memory foam mattresses, which makes it much more difficult for irritants to attach themselves to your bed.
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Is A New Mattress Worth The Investment
Generally speaking, yes, a new mattress is worth the cost because quality sleep can directly contribute to your overall well being. You should consider buying a mattress a long-term investment and avoid low-quality beds.
There are many high-quality online mattresses priced near $1,000 USD. If the mattress lasts 5 years it will cost a single person approximately $0.55 per day. In comparison, a lower-quality mattress may cost you less right now. However, it could ending costing you more in the long-term if you have to replace it immediately and/or your health suffers.
Buying a high-quality mattress may make a improve your life in these areas:
- More focus / energy
Our team covers as many areas of expertise as we do time zones, but none of us started here as a so-called expert on sleep. What we do share is a willingness to ask questions , seek experts, and dig deep into conventional wisdom to see if maybe there might be a better path towards healthy living. We apply what we learn not only to our company culture, but also how we deliver information to our over 12.7M readers.
Sleep research is changing all the time, and we are 100% dedicated to keeping up with breakthroughs and innovations. You live better if you sleep better. Whatever has brought you here, we wish you luck on your journey towards better rest.
- Sleep Advisor
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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Latex Mattresses 10 To 15 Years
Latex is a long-lasting and durable material, both in its natural and synthetic form , so expect to get a long life out of a mattress made from it.
Commonly, latex will be used in conjunction with other foams, so the denser these foams, the longer lasting the mattress will be, and you could reasonably expect a lifespan of up to 15 years.
Expect a lifespan of: 10 to 15 years
General Guidelines For When To Replace Your Mattress
Even if you love your mattress, you cant keep it forever. So how long does a mattress last? All mattresses have a lifespan, and while this amount of time can vary, the average mattress will last about five to 10 years . If your mattress is within that range, heres what else to consider that might mean its time to replace your mattress.
Is it negatively affecting your sleep? Your sleep can be affected by a lot of things, and an old mattress is one of them. Hopefully, youre rotating your mattress from time to time, but after a few years, even rotation wont save your mattress. If you find yourself having a hard time getting comfortable at night or waking up sore in certain areas , it might be because your mattress is too worn out and youve slept some lumps into it.
Is it more squeaky than it used to be? That also might mean its time to change your mattress. The springs, as they get older, will squeak more, which is essentially their way of letting you know its time to toss it and get a new one.
Do you feel like youre waking up congested or are experiencing allergy-like symptoms? That could be due to your mattress! As mattresses age, they collect dust and particles from the air, which can make it harder for you to breathe. You can try cleaning your mattress first, but if the problem persists, it might be time to replace it.
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