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.
How To Select The Right Mattress For You Summary
- Do you need a new mattress? If your current bed is more than 7 years old or youre experiencing back or neck pain, its time to start looking.
- What is your current budget? Dont go with the cheapest option you find. Aim for the 1,000-dollar range for a standard queen-size bed. The price will vary depending on the size of the mattress. If you want a King or California King, youll have to pay more, and a smaller size will cost less.
- Whats your ideal type and material? Memory foam contours well but sleeps hot if cooling measures arent implemented. Traditional coil ones provide good bounce and cooling but may not be as comfortable. Latex is more sustainable and has good cooling and bounce, but this material doesnt provide the same cradle that memory foam does. Hybrids are helpful if youre having difficulty deciding between materials and types. Adjustable and pillow-top beds are also worth considering.
- Whats your preferred sleeping position? This determines your ideal firmness level. On a scale of 1-10 , back sleepers will want to opt for a medium-firm , side sleepers should get a softer option , and stomach sleepers will need more support to avoid sinking .
- Whats your body type and weight? Lighter sleepers will want a softer mattress, while average-size sleepers do best on medium-firm beds. If you are a heavier person you will need more support and a thicker mattress to keep the spine well-aligned and avoid too much sinkage.
What Type Of Mattress Lasts The Longest
Certain types of latex mattresses have shown to have a longer life because of their materials. Innerspring mattresses can often wear down quickly if theres a low coil count. Because each type of mattress can be made with different quality materials, each type can break down quickly or last for a long time. An innerspring with a high number of coils or a memory foam bed with higher quality materials will last the longest.
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You Wake Up Exhausted
Your bed is supposed to be where you rest and relaxbut those with mattresses that need replacing might just find themselves waking up more exhausted than if they hadn’t slept at all.
“If you sleep for seven to nine hours per nightwhich is the norm for most peopleand still wake up feeling tired, the reason may be your old mattress,” says John Breese, founder and CEO of sleep and mattress review company Happy Sleepy Head. “The thing is, if it’s uncomfortable and unsupportive, you probably have a hard time falling and staying asleep on it. Tossing, turning, and waking up multiple times at night prevent you from reaching the deep stage of sleep, which is important for restoring energy. No wonder you wake up not feeling rested then.”
Choose Your Ideal Type And Material
Choosing the mattress type and materials is when personal preference becomes more significant. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each variation and whether it would suit your needs.
Want to know more? Head over to our complete mattress types guide.
Here are the most common options on the market:
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How Often To Replace A Spring Mattress
Spring mattresses contain coil support systems. The coils help distribute your weight evenly across your mattress. Excellent quality spring mattresses will last up to 10 years. Double-sided spring mattresses can go up to half a decade longer than regular coil mattresses. Other elements like maintenance and sleep habits will influence how often you need a new spring mattress.
Things To Look For When Mattress Shopping
When looking for a new mattress, you will need to consider a lot of factors to ensure you are getting the best deal for you.
- Body weight – if you are heavier, you may need to consider having a bigger mattress, or a mattress that is supportive and firm. This means it will not sink as easily.
- Sleeping position – if you are a side sleeper, you may need a different mattress to someone who sleeps on their stomach.
- Cohabiting – if you are cohabiting, you also need to consider the needs of your partner, and how they sleep. You will need a mattress that is good for both of you.
- Temperature – if you get really warm in the night, you will need to steer clear of innerspring mattresses or memory foam mattresses. These retain heat, so you will get hotter in the night.
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It Feels Harder Or Softer Than When You Bought It
If you’ve had your mattress for several years, you may not be able to tell if you need a new mattress on feel alone — a changing mattress is one of those things that sneaks up on you over time. But you can still try to evaluate your mattress this way.
Think about how you felt getting into bed for the first year you had your mattress. Were you excited, happy, comfortable? Now think about the last few nights. Feel kind of “bleh,” not particularly excited? That’s a good sign you might benefit from a new mattress.
If your mattress is less than a couple years old and you already notice that it feels different, look into the manufacturer’s or retailer’s warranty. You might be able to get a partial refund or points toward purchasing a new mattress.
When Should I Turn My New Mattress
You should turn and rotate your new mattress after the 1st month and each month after that. This ensures that over the lifespan of the mattress you are evening out wear and settlement. Remember all mattresses will initially settle and this is normal. By turning and rotating the mattress frequently you minimise the initial impact of this.
If you have a one-sided mattress, like pillowtop and memory foam versions you cant turn it. So you can only rotate it. One-sided mattresses have a considerably shorter lifespan than a two-sided mattress so bear this in mind when choosing one. The benefit of No turn is simply a marketing scam.
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An Increase In Allergies
You can also tell if you need a new mattress if you suddenly start experiencing allergic attacks when sleeping or lying on your bed. This usually occurs when the mattress is packed with allergens, like dust mites and debris. Failure to replace such a mattress or have it cleaned professionally means you risk infections.
You Wake Up With Pain Or Soreness
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.
Don’t fret if you need a new mattress. Buying one isn’t as hard as it used to be, thanks to all of the bed-in-a-box online retailers.
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How Often Are You Supposed To Change Your Mattress
Lucy Bolland, marketing manager from bed retailer Happy Beds, believes “Your mattress can have more impact on your sleep than you might think.”
She told Newsweek: “Sleeping on an old or damaged mattress can make it difficult to fall asleep and could be stopping you from getting the rest that you need.
“Usually, mattresses need replacing every 6-8 years, but this isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
“If you find that it’s making more noise than usual, is noticeably saggy or damaged in certain areas, or you sleep better in other beds, it could be time to say goodbye to your old mattress.”
James Benton, retailers “of all things slumber” Mattressman, agrees, adding: “Keeping your mattress clean is certainly needed for a hygienic sleeping environment, and it’s extremely easy to keep on top of.
“When you change your, sheets gently vacuum the mattress surface in order to eradicate dead skin cells and dust. It’s also a good idea to let the mattress ‘breathe’ for a couple of hours before you put fresh sheets back on.”
Your Bed Has A Dip In The Middle
Find yourself falling asleep on one side of your bed, but waking up in the middle, a few inches lower? If so, it’s time to replace that mattress.
“If you think your mattress is losing support and there could be a ‘dip’ in the middle, it is highly recommended to take a yard stick and place it across the mattress,” says Bill Fish, a certified sleep science coach and founder of sleep health and news site Tuck. “If you see an indentation, it is time to begin your research as you aren’t getting the support necessary to get a great night of sleep.”
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Your Mattress Is Noisy
Is your mattress starting to sound more like your dogs favorite toy? Squeaking is a sign that the springs in your mattress are starting to break down and are becoming less supportive, less comfortable, and less, well, springy.1
Before pinning the noise on your mattress, check your box spring or bed foundation first. These are susceptible to some erosion as well.
When Is The Best Time To Buy A Mattress
So when is the best time to buy a mattress? The answer, like so much in life, is that it depends. Theres nothing wrong with buying early, even if the above signs have not yet started to manifest. Likewise, though these signs are indicators that its time to start thinking about a new mattress, you can wait a few weeks or months depending on your comfort level. Whether youre moving soon or just hoping to find a good sale, there are many reasons why the best time to buy a mattress may not be solely based on when yours wears out.
So when do mattresses go on sale? The best time of year to buy a mattress has long been assumed to be Black Friday, and there are still a lot of deals to be had on that day. But thats not the only time you can find a great deal. Consider other major holidays, including Presidents Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, and even the Fourth of July. Spring is also an excellent time to shop, as new mattress models typically arrive in showrooms in March and April, making it easy to get a closeout on the previous years models.
Note that the best time to buy a mattress also depends in part on the type of mattress you want and your budget. Mattress prices can range from $250 to more than $3,000. A basic innerspring twin mattress costs a lot less than a California king hybrid or latex mattress. If you want to upgrade your mattress, you may choose to save up money before making your new purchase.
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My New Mattress Has Developed Ridges
Settlement in a new mattress will start to happen as soon as you start to sleep on it. This is perfectly normal as the fillings settle inside. Its easy to ignore mattress care but if you do you may find a ridge, especially in the middle of the bed where no one usually sleeps forms. Care and maintenance can completely reduce this is followed diligently.
By turning and rotating your mattress each month you can even out these settlements. Bear in mind as well that in very large mattresses, such as Superking models, there may be areas of the bed that simply dont get used, usually the very middle. In this case, you need to make sure you turn and rotate the minimise it. A Zip and link model is usually a better solution as you tend to get less of this issue as the bed is made of two separate mattresses which are zipped together. It also reduces movement and transference.
Is A New Mattress Worth The Cost
Buying a new mattress can be a significant expense is it worth it?
In almost all cases, the answer is absolutely. A new mattress can improve the quality of your sleep, which influences everything from your energy levels to mood to overall health. Some potential benefits of a new mattress include:
Improved Sleep A 2009 peer-reviewed clinical trial found that new mattresses significantly improved sleep quality and reduced both back pain and perceived stress in the trial population. Most new mattress owners also report that their sleep quality improved after purchasing a new bed.
Reduced Aches & Pains If you wake up with pain or stiffness in your back, shoulders, hip or neck, its quite possible that your mattress may be part of the problem. Older beds tend to sag in places, which reduces support and makes it less likely that your spine will be properly aligned.
Reduced Motion Transfer Older mattresses tend to transfer more motion from one side of the bed to the other. This means that a partner changing positions in the night can disrupt your sleep. A new mattress and particularly an all-foam or hybrid bed will transfer less motion, helping couples get better rest together.
Logan Foley
Certified Sleep Coach
Logan has extensive experience testing sleep products and producing sleep content. She is also a Certified Sleep Science Coach.
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Getting Past The Gimmicks To The Truth About Your Mattress
Buying a new mattress is a lot like buying car insurance. Comparing features and prices from brand to brand is challenging because there are so many variables. Innerspring or latex, organic or natural, euro-top, pillow-top or luxury-plush the combinations of whats inside your mattress are endless. And because buying a new bed isnt a frequent purchase , the learning curve will always be painful.
Sorting 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 visiting a mattress retailer, arm yourself with common sense and learn the difference between myth and truth. And if youre curious about what mattress is best for your age and stage of life, these Restonic recommendations will help.
Your Mattress Has Indentations
Take all the covers off your mattress and look at where you sleep to see if it’s uneven anywhere. It’s a good idea to rotate your mattress occasionally to even out the wear and tear . If you’re like most people and you don’t rotate your mattress, you may have parts of your mattress that sag.
When you lie in bed do you notice that you seem to fall into a certain spot, or that it’s hard to get out of that spot? The problem with a sagging mattress is that your spine is out of alignment, and it keeps your muscles from relaxing, which will make you sleep poorly.
Mattress warranties usually cover having an indentation of more than 1″ in the mattress.
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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.
My New Mattress Has A New Smell Is It Normal
Its perfectly normal for a new mattress to have a new smell. Be aware though that synthetic mattresses such as foams, polyester and other man-made materials may have a stronger and longer off-gassing period than a Natural Fibre mattress. Some people are really sensitive to this initial chemical smell so again it is worthwhile finding out the exact contents of the mattress before you buy it. If in doubt, Natural fibre filled mattresses are less likely to fill your house with that new smell. Ventilation is the key to help your new bed offgass quickly.
Sometimes Natural Fibre mattresses may have an earthy smell at first, some people likening it to the outdoors. Again this will pass over time and good ventilation during the first week or so should help it dissipate and this smell is completely natural.
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