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.
Use The Proper Support For Your Mattress
Placing your mattress on a solid foundation helps to retain its shape, prevent any premature sagging, and support you as you sleep. Different mattress types may require different foundations, and its important you have the right one for your mattress. For instance, innerspring mattresses usually are best with box springs, while foam mattresses work well on solid platforms. As always, its recommended to check your mattress warranty agreement to know which base is best.
Mattresses For Every Kind Of Sleeper
We all sleep differently. Thats why we have a variety of different mattresses to choose from. Whether spring, latex or foam, every mattress type at IKEA is designed to offer comfort and support at a good price. So you just have to find the one that suits your body and your budget.
When you’ve found your perfect match, you can sleep easy for years to come with our free 25-year warranty.
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Factors Influencing Mattress Lifespan
A variety of factors influence the longevity of a mattress. A cheap $250 bed will degrade much faster than a luxury mattress, for example. Some key factors that impact mattress replacement guidelines include:
Mattress Material The materials used to manufacture your bed greatly influence its durability. Lower-quality innerspring and all-foam mattresses tend to have the shortest lifespans, as they are prone to sagging and body impressions respectively. Hybrid mattresses are also prone to these issues, but since theyre often sold as higher-end options and made with higher-quality materials, they tend to be more durable. Latex mattresses are the most durable, lasting upwards of 8 years
Depending on the material, there are a few good ways to predict durability. For innerspring and hybrid mattresses, look for a lower coil gauge . For mattresses with foam, look for higher foam densities . Finally, make sure youre getting natural latex rather than synthetic latex.
Maintenance & Care Like any other product, a mattress will last longer if you take good care of it. This means rotating your mattress every 3 months or so and utilizing a mattress protector.
Children & Pets If you share your bed with small children, or with animals, its likely that you will need to replace your mattress more frequently. In addition to the extra weight, both pets and children are more likely to cause stains and/or damage to the mattress.
You Often Wake Up Throughout The Night
Do you feel like you wake up every couple of hours, or even more frequently, throughout the night? Persistent awakenings can seriously ruin a good night’s sleep, but the remedy could be as simple as getting a new mattress.
Again, you’ll want to rule out medical conditions that cause sleeplessness before blaming your mattress. Make sure it’s not sleep apnea, anxiety, depression, insomnia, indigestion or another condition that can cause nighttime wakefulness.
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Do Mattresses Get Dust Mites
Yes, most mattresses contain dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic organisms that feed on dust and particles that naturally occur where people and pets live.
According to Mayo Clinic, dust mites thrive in environments of 70 degrees or higher and eat the shed skin of people. They are a relative of ticks and spiders.
The only evidence that you may have of dust mites is allergy symptoms or feeling like you have a cold. Only an allergist can determine if you are allergic to dust mites or if they are causing an allergy.
So mattresses may be the perfect place for dust mites to live. We spend many hours a day in bed and naturally sweat and shed skin cells.
But is it a problem that can be prevented or remedied? Does the mattress really double in weight?
According to an article by Elizabeth Landau, “Meet the critters inside your mattress,” on CNN.com, experts believe that the idea of your mattress doubling in weight every eight years is exaggerated. Experts say this it is not mathematically possible. While mattresses can and do contain dust mites and possibly gain some weight from the absorption of fluids, they are not likely to be gaining weight at that rate.
So what can you do about preventing or reducing the number of dust mites in your mattress? A simple and inexpensive solution is to use a high-quality mattress cover.
How Often Should I Turn My Mattress
Rotating and flipping is a more complex question. Traditionally, it was recommended that mattresses need to be flipped at least twice a year and rotated every three months. This evens out the pressure on the mattress, and protects the areas which are slept on most from sagging.
However, many modern mattresses are designed not to require flipping or rotating: indeed, for some brands of foam mattress you might end up damaging the mattress by flipping it. So its important that you first check the manufacturers instructions if you dont have the paper version any more you should be able to find this on their website.
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Signs You Should Replace Your Mattress
A good nights rest is crucial to your health and well-being, yet millions of Americans suffer from lack of sleep. The Sleep in America study by the National Sleep Foundation found that 75% of adults have problems sleeping well. The study showed that 60% of respondents experienced daytime sleepiness that interfered with activities, caused work absences, or mistakes on the job. While medical conditions may be responsible for some instances of bad sleep, it might be your mattress thats the issue. Review these seven signs that its time to replace your mattress to see if your bed is to blame for inadequate sleep.
Cleaner Shares Why You Should Always Vacuum Your Mattress
A professional cleaner has shared why you should always vacuum your mattress, after she uncovered the filth that can lurk beneath.
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A professional cleaner has shared why you should always vacuum your mattress, after she uncovered the filth that can lurk beneath.
Kacie Stephens, who runs Frankston and Mornington Peninsula cleaning business The Big Clean Co, posted a clip to TikTok of the dirt, dust and dead skin cell residue after she deep-cleaned a mattress using a vacuum cleaner and black cloth.
Warning. Once you see this, you cant unsee it, she captioned the footage, which has been viewed more than 420,000 times.
Im going to show you how to test how clean your mattress is. Get a black piece of material and wrap it at the end of your vacuum that is going to act as your filter for the dust and skin cells.
Ms Stephens vacuumed the two-year-old mattress before unravelling the material to reveal the disgusting aftermath.
Speaking to news.com.au, she revealed how often people should vacuum their bedding and its probably more often than youd expect.
Mattresses should be vacuumed every single time sheets are changed and sheets should be changed once per week, Ms Stephens said.
A mattress that isnt cleaned regularly contains a build-up of allergens including dust and skincells, as well as spots and stains from body fluid and sweat.
If youre game enough to get your face right up to it, the mattress will have a musty smell.
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Your Allergies Are Out Of Control
Not to be gross, but there are tons of dust mites and allergens just hanging out in your mattress, and that situation gets worse when mold, mildew, and dust start to take over as well.
If youre waking up in the morning with allergy symptoms like a headache, runny nose, and watery eyes, your old mattress could be the problem.
How Do You Know Your Mattress Needs Replacing
The age of your mattress is a good reason to take a closer look at it and see if its still fit to sleep on. But what are some of the clues that your mattress is ready to be tossed? Some are hard to deny, such as a sagging mattress, but others are a little more subtle, like worsening allergy symptoms.
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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.
Foam Densities And Coil Gauges
If you want your mattress to last as long as possible, shop for mattresses with higher, sturdier foam densities when looking at memory foam beds, and thicker coils when browsing for hybrids and innersprings. Measured as pounds per cubic foot, or PCF, a good foam density for memory foam is at least 5 PCF, while for polyfoam it would be around 1.7 PCF at a minimum. For longevity, the right coils on an innerspring or hybrid would be on the thicker range of coil gauge, being at or near a 13-gauge, as these are more durable and firm. When it comes to latex, go for the all-natural models rather than synthetic.
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The Mattress Is Saggy
If theres a dent in your mattress in the shape of your body, thats a signal that your mattress is overly worn. Sagging can occur with almost any mattress material and can be observed under your sleep area, at the edges, or both. If your mattress has springs, they can break down and sag.
Fiber, foam, and pillowtop materials all break down over time and the deeper the sag in your mattress, the more discomfort youll likely experience. Saggy mattresses can disrupt sleep and cause aches and pains. If your memory foam mattress core has softened, you may feel the sag as a hammock effect.
Dont Let Your Age Show
As your mattress ages, it accumulates dust, sweat, dead skin and dust mites. Ifits been more than 8 years since you bought your mattress, there have beenimprovements and enhancements in mattress technology, creating sleepsolutions for varying body types and sleep health issues. From memory foamwith cooling materials to adjustable base beds with massage features, the rightmattress will help you rejuvenate and sleep better through the night.
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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.
How To Negotiate For The Best Mattress Price
If youre married to buying a mattress from a store, then you can use some helpful tips on negotiating so you can be sure youre receiving the best price for your new mattress. The good news is mattress prices are negotiable at most retailers, but the main strategy is to try to play one seller off of another. For example, if you secure a quote from one store, you can take it to their competitor and see that they beat the price. You can continue this process on and on and on by taking that lower price to a different competitor, and negotiating that price down even further. Another option would be to find the mattress you want online, and then get the retailer to match the price you see online.
But if youre not keen on the idea of going back and forth between mattress stores, youll be happy to hear that online prices are typically the best. All you have to do is find the mattress that fits you best, and then find the comparable model online.
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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.
Mattress Myth 6 Buy A Mattress With The Longest Warranty Possible
Mattress warranties do not refer to the life expectancy of your purchase. The warranty covers workmanship and materials and just like many products used with extreme regularity, youll notice wear and tear before you reach the end of the warranty.
When buying a new mattress, read the warranty carefully even though theres very little difference in the terms and conditions of warranties from manufacturer to manufacturer. Its good to note that transportation costs are usually not covered in the case of repair or replacement. As well, a new warranty is normally not issued when the mattress is replaced.
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How Long Does A Mattress Last
My mattress is getting on in years. In fact, Bill Clinton was in his first term as president when I last bought a new one. Is it time for me to replace my mattress?
Youve probably logged more than 30,000 hours in your bed, and your mattress has likely become less comfortable and less supportive. But theres no set formula for determining when you need to replace a mattress. It might be time to buy one if: You regularly wake up tired or achyyou make Oscar the Grouch seem as cheerful as Mr. Rogers. You tend to sleep better away from home, than in your own bed. Are you planning unnecessary business trips or looking for any reason to go on a weekend getaway? Your mattress looks or feels saggy or lumpyit needs go on the Abs Diet. Youre over age 40 and your mattress is five to seven years old. Remember, your body tolerates less pressure as it ages. As if getting older werent tough enough . . .
Become An Informed Consumer
If you suspect you need a new mattress, do your homework, and educate yourself before you buy. Understand the lingo and gimmicks employed by mattress firms so that you get the product you need that fits your budget and gives you the best nights sleep. Theres no prescription for which mattress will best fit your unique needs.
Look for a mattress that offers adequate support for spinal alignment. Comfort is subjective its how a bed feels to you. You might find a firmer mattress superior to a softer one or vice-versa. Mattress selection is highly personal and should be your preference at the cross-section of proper alignment, support, and comfort.
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When To Toss Them: 1 To 2 Years
And how about where you lay your weary head? The National Sleep Foundation tells us to plan on replacing pillows every year or two. Why so often? Apparently they absorb body oil, dead skin cells, and hair, which can create the perfect environment for dust mites . They also recommend washing your pillows every six months and using a protective case between the pillow and pillowcase. How do you know when it’s time for a new pillow? Fold it in half and see if it stays that way, they say. If it does, its time for a new one. If you spring for a quality down pillow and take good care of it, lifestyle guru you can get 10 or 15 years out of them.
If you’re over 40 you can expect even less time out of a bed, since your body tolerates less pressure as it ages.
How Long Should A Mattress Last
Most mattress reviews will tell you that a mattress should last for at least a decade, depending on its make. For example, a latex mattress has a different lifespan than a hybrid mattress.
Now that you know the tell-tale signs of a mattress at the end of its life, here are a few things you should look for when shopping for a new one.
- Waterproof and dust-mite free
- Removable cover for easy washing
- Ergonomic support
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