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 it’s time to replace your mattress is when you consistently get a poor night’s sleep. Pay attention to how often you feel worse upon waking than you do when going to bed.
Overall, if you’re consistently waking up feeling unrested, it’s probably time to start shopping. You’ll 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
Mattresses: How Old Is Too Old
Bethaney Wallace on 31st Jul 2013
Anyone who saw the movie Animal House knew what horrors could come from a college mattress. There were parties thrown, motorcycles ridden in the house, and guitars smashed up on a regular basis. Sheets counted as clothing, and hygiene wasnt exactly top priority. And then these animals went and slept in their beds that is if they hadnt already used them to surf the stairs or launch at the neighboring rival frat house.
While its true that this National Lampoon movie is an extreme, its also true that many stick with the same mattress far longer than they should. Through multiple location moves, making the way into adult-hood, and even home ownership, many are still sleeping on their old college mattress. Animal house versions or otherwise.
If youre still using the model you toted from dorm room to college apartment, it may just be time for a replacement.
What To Do With An Old Mattress In Connecticut
Here are your options for your old mattress in the State of Connecticut:
Mattress retailers, hotels, universities, hospitals, military facilities and other businesses that want to dispose of mattresses can also do so at no cost with the help of our Commercial Volume Program.
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Here Are The Signs Your Mattress Is Too Old
Many people make the mistake of treating mattresses like fine china or family heirlooms. Here’s the thing: this is perfectly normal. The bed is a happy place that most people visit every day, and it’s easy to mix up feelings of comfort with familiarity. Plus, the average person is unlikely to fix something that isn’t broken. There are a number of negative side effects that come with sleeping on a passed-its-shelf life mattress, including health issues.
But how old is too old, you might wonder. Well, the Sleep Foundation Organization states that most mattresses might need to be changed when they hit the 7 to 10-year mark, but lower-quality options could wear out even sooner. If your mattress is more familiar than comfortable, you might just need a new one. Do you think you fall into this category? Here are some signs that indicate that your mattress is too old.
When A Mattress Topper Can Help
If your mattress is showing signs of wear but youre not ready or able to replace it just yet, there are some cases when adding a mattress topper can extend the life of your mattress a bit longer, however there are many other cases when this is not a good investment.
In particular, you should consider a topper if your mattress problems are rooted primarily in the loss of pressure relief. Once the upper comfort layers of a mattress have compressed over time, they will no longer provide as much cushioning or pressure relief, which you might experience as pain or tingling in your hips or shoulders. If the underlying support core is still holding up well, then adding a topper can be an effective solution to this problem. Just be mindful that the rest of the mattress will eventually give way too, and factor that into your calculation of whether to invest in extending the life of this mattress or put that money toward a new mattress.
Likewise, loss of comfort due to body impressions is another problem that can not be remedied by a new mattress topper. Though it may seem to have a smoothing effect at first, a topper will soon conform to the shape of the mattress underneath it, leaving you with the same body impressions that you had before.
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How To Determine If Your Mattress Is Too Old
When you spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a new mattress, its reasonable to expect that it will last for many years. However, even the most expensive, high-quality mattresses dont last forever, and will eventually need to be replaced.
The question is, how do you determine when a mattress is too old? The answer can depend on the type of mattress you have. For instance, traditional innerspring mattresses typically need to be replaced every eight to 10 years, while latex mattresses can potentially last closer to two decades. Sometimes, its obvious that its time for a new sleeping surface, such as when a spring pops through the fabric.
You dont need to wait until your mattress causes you bodily harm to head to the mattress store, though. There are usually other clear signs that your mattress is too old if you ignore them, you could be putting your sleep and your health at risk.
Myth 5 A Mattress Should Be Flipped Every Few Months To Keep It In Good Condition
Most mattresses today are one-sided, which means they should never be flipped. So, how can you ensure maximum enjoyment of your mattress and reduce body impressions?
- Rotate every two weeks for the first two months.
- Rotate your mattress monthly for the first 6 months and quarterly after that.
- Sleep in a variety of positions and places on the mattress so the entire surface compresses evenly.
And remember that body impressions are normal up to 1 ½ inches and not a structural defect. The upholstery materials are conforming to the weight and shape of your body, which is a good thing.
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Your Mattress Is Dirty
Even if you wash your linens, use a mattress protector, and clean the mattress and pillows regularly, you wont be able to get everything. And by everything, we mean a buildup of dead skin cells, body oils and fluids, dust mites, mildew, fungal spores, pollen, and a list of other allergens.
Mattresses have been shown to carry one of the highest concentrations of dust mites. If you or anyone in your house is experiencing allergic reactions, or you just want to be sure youre resting on a sanitary surface, consider getting a new mattress.
How Old Is Your Mattress In Human Years
How old is your dog in human years?
Dogs mature a lot faster than humans do early on, so the first few months or so of your furry friend’s life is the equivalent of several human years. In order to determine the age of your dog in human years,” just multiply its actual age by seven.
It’s the age-old seven years theory,” and although it may not be entirely true the most accurate formula asks owners to subtract two from their dog’s age, multiply that number by four and then add 21 the idea has merit.
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Effects Of A Mattress That Is Too Old
Almost everyone has slept on a mattress thats old or uncomfortable. But when your mattress keeps you awake at night, disturbs your sleep, or causes you to wake up in pain, you are actually doing more harm to your overall health than you might think.
Sleeping on an old mattress can contribute to a long list of ailments, not the least of which is a sore back and stiff joints upon waking. Some of the health concerns that can stem from a subpar mattress include:
- Sleep disorders like snoring or apnea, which are worsened by an unsupportive mattress.
- Respiratory illnesses brought on by allergens, including dust mite feces, dead skin cells, and more. Its common for mattresses to contain mold and mildew spores, for instance, from the sweat absorbed by the mattress over the years.
- Heart disease, obesity, memory problems, and more can all be exacerbated by inadequate sleep. For example, not getting enough sleep has been proven to increase your risk of heart disease and can make you crave fatty foods, which contributes to weight gain.
Thats not even considering the effect that inadequate sleep can have on your mood and emotional well-being. Therefore, if you are constantly tired and cranky, it might be time to think about buying a new mattress.
Counting Up The Age Of Your Mattress
So, what about your mattress? It’s no secret that a mattress is a long-term financial decision representative of a long-term, committed relationship not unlike the union formed between you and your pet. And although your relationship with your mattress is among your most cherished, the reality is you won’t be together forever.
We all know the golden rule: Replace Every 8 if the tag is dated eight years back, it’s time to replace your mattress. But the tag on your mattress is just a time stamp. Like dogs, no two mattresses are the same, and no two owners are the same, either.
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The Actual Age Of Your Mattress
The standard mattress will start showing telltale signs of age anywhere between seven to 10 years. So once your mattress starts hitting these numbers, its best to start observing any changes to how it looks and feels. Are there spots which arent as firm as they used to be? Are you unable to sleep as well as you used to? While your mattress may still have a few solid years left, being able to catch the trouble spots before they get worse can save you a lot of backaches and sleepless nights.
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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How To Buy A New Mattress
Buying a new mattress can be challenging. Its almost impossible to tell what it will really feel like simply by lying on it in the store for a few minutes, and making sense of all of your options can be overwhelming. Understanding a few key points about mattresses and how they are made can make the decision easier, though.
These days, traditional innerspring mattresses remain the most popular option, but memory foam mattresses, especially the bed in a box type compressed and shipped directly to your door, are gaining in popularity. Some mattresses are hybrids, combining springs topped with memory foam. Regardless of the type of mattress, though, manufacturers use a standard scale for determining the firmness: soft, medium-firm, and firm. Most use a score to describe the firmness: The lower the number, the softer the mattress.
The majority of mattresses fall into the medium or medium-firm category, with a firmness rating of five to seven. However, that is only part of the equation. You also need to consider other factors, such as your sleeping position, whether you sleep hot , and whether the mattress transfers motion if you sleep with a partner. Ideally, you should test a mattress in a store for at least 20 minutes .
Can A Mattress Cause Back Pain 11 Warning Signs
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.
Can a mattress cause back pain? If you constantly wake up with a stiff, sore back, you may wonder if your mattress is the culprit.
If your mattress is old, isnt a good match for your body, or is otherwise not ideal for supporting your favorite sleep position, it could be contributing to back pain. Lets take a look at some signs that your mattress may be a factor.
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Do Mattresses Really Double In Weight In 10 Years
The claim is often made that a mattress doubles in weight after 10 years due to the accumulation of dust mites , dead skin cells, dust, sweat and other unpleasant things. Is it an urban myth invented by marketers, or based on fact? The truth is not so black and white.
A lack of research documentation on the topic leads to much speculation about the veracity of the claim.
Where Do Trash Mattresses Come From
Trash mattresses are coming at us from all sides. All of those try it free for 30 days 90 days 365 days offers have people using and returning mattresses like hotcakes, if hotcakes were something you rented, slept on, and sent back dirty. And just like hotcakes, mattresses cant be simply passed on to the next buyer when theyre returned. As we continue to develop more convenient ways to test and buy mattresses, were building up vast stores of used and discarded beds.
Trash mattresses also come from owners who are ready to upgrade. Because mattresses today are so much cheaper and more shippable than they were in the past, they also break down more quickly. Instead of swapping out mattresses every eight years as our parents did, were ordering a new one online every two or three years. Whether you handle the old one yourself or let the seller take care of it, its not going to disappear, and youre not going to like what happens to it.
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How To Know When Why And How To Buy A New Mattress
Buying a new mattress can be as confusing as buying car insurance. Comparing features and price from brand to brand is challenging because there are so many variables. Inner spring or latex, organic or natural, euro-top, pillow-top or luxury-plush the combinations are endless. And because buying a new bed isnt a frequent purchase , the learning curve will always be painful.
Being able to sort through the clutter of information in the mattress industry and hone in on what matters to you a GREAT nights sleep will help you make an informed purchase. Before you visit a mattress retailer, arm yourself with a healthy dose of common sense and learn the difference between myth and truth.
Ways To Customize Your Mattress
Like so many things these days, mattresses can be adjusted to suit just you.
- Split the difference: If you and your partner can’t agree, pay a little more and order a mattress that’s half firm and half less so.
- Pump it up: One maker, Select Comfort, uses side-by-side air pockets and an electric pump to allow separate adjustments in firmness in its Sleep Number beds. Its new smartphone app will monitor your sleep, helpful if you want to tweak the setting.
- Fill out a form: New online company Helix will customize a foam-and-microcoil mattress based on your age, height, weight, and favored sleeping position. Over time the company’s Netflixesque questionnaire and algorithm should become ever keener. Till then, there’s a comfort guarantee.
- Chemical-Free, Fire Resistant Options: Used to be that mattresses met fire-safety standards by blending scary chemicals into the flammable foam. But starting in 2007, manufacturers shifted to thin barriers made from fire-resistant natural or synthetic fibers, so if you’re buying a new mattress, you can rest easier.
- Natural remedies: Some fibers, such as wool , sisal, and thistle, keep you cool while also providing fire resistance.
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