Mattresses are tough old things and they can last a decade or more. Some warranties extend well beyond the first decade, into the second—although you should change your mattress more frequently than this.
But how often should you change your mattress?
To keep your mattress fresh and firm, you should be changing your mattress every 6–8 years. Some extend this time to every 10 years, but really, the more often you change it the better.
We’re going to examine that frequency and the reasons behind it, too.
How Often You Should Change Your Mattress: Recommended Frequency
Your mattress is well-protected. There’s a sheet between you and it, and pyjamas between you and the sheet. Your pillowcase takes the brunt of any stray hairs. All of that bedding gets changed fairly regularly—so, clearly, your mattress can’t get dirty, right?
Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Your mattress can pick up stains, along with some general wear and tear.
The 6–8 year figure is quoted by almost every sleep and bedding authority website on the internet. However, many of them don’t go into depth on this—we’ll give you further insight.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam mattresses are pure foam. They’re dense, they’re thick and you sink into them as you sleep. In the morning, they rise back to their former position.
There are no springs to break, no padding to move around, yet still, they’re the weaker of the mattress types.
One day, memory foam will become forgetful and leave you with a sagging mattress. It’s commonly available, inexpensive, and quite basic despite its interesting properties and responses—luxurious, but far from premium.
As well as that, memory foam can hold onto sweat quite easily. It’s not breathable so all heat and sweat will soak down into it, and it may start to smell. Memory foam mattresses are fantastic for repelling dust and mites, though.
If you go memory foam, change your mattress every six years.
Hybrid and Innerspring Mattresses
Hybrid and innerspring mattresses, on the other hand, are tougher. The springs in both are thick, hard coils that can withstand some decent wear and tear. They’re not those flimsy things you see pop out of mattresses in cartoons when someone jumps on the bed.
The robust nature of the coils in these mattresses keeps your mattresses in shape for longer. The coils also allow air to filter through the mattress, so they don’t hold heat and make you sweat—therefore reducing sweat buildup.
With hybrid and innerspring mattresses, you can change them less frequently at every eight years.
Should You Replace Your Mattress Sooner Than Recommended?
Sometimes life doesn’t go your way and the signs creep in, indicating that you need to change your mattress sooner than expected. Here’s what you should look out for:
1. Odour and Discoloration
As mentioned earlier, sweat can soak through sheets and into the mattress. The bacteria in perspiration creatures a foul odour, and it can leave unpleasant stains. Though covered, it’s unpleasant to know that you’re sleeping on something that appears dirty.
2. Sleep Issues
Sleep issues come in two forms: insomnia and pain. If you suddenly find yourself unable to sleep, or you wake up with a backache, first get checked out by a doctor. If you get the all-clear, then it’s time to change your mattress.
Although, consider spending the night in another bed first to ensure it is your mattress and not some deeper medical issue.
3. Creaks and Groans
Some lower-quality mattresses are loud by nature and will creak, groan and make a range of odd noises when you move on them. However, if your mattress was silent but has started vocalizing, it’s time to look for a new one. Consider the noise to be your mattress crying out in pain.
4. You’re Sneezing
If you start sneezing in bed, first change your sheets and wash them with a new product. Once you’ve ruled out an allergy there, you can gauge that sneezing is most likely a response to dust accumulated on your mattress.
The dust is often invisible, having settled into your mattress over time. Innerspring mattress owners typically have this issue.
5. It’s Misshapen
When your mattress is lumpy or sagging, it’s time to invest in a new one. A misshapen mattress may lead to discomfort and spinal misalignment down the line.
Why Changing Your Mattress Matters?
Comfort is one obvious reason that changing your mattress matters. You need high-quality sleep to keep you alert, but there are two larger reasons to keep on top of mattress changes.
Health Issues from Discomfort
When you don’t get enough high-quality sleep, experts and studies show that you may suffer from the following ailments, and more:
- Weight gain
- Acne
- Lowered libido
With weight gain in mind, the quality of your sleep may lower further. Obesity can lead to sleep deprivation, according to one study. It’s a vicious cycle.
The less you sleep the more weight you gain, and so the less you sleep again—not to mention how chronic pain can creep in with weight gain, further impacting your sleep quality.
Health Effects from Bed Bugs and Dust
Dust can gather and settle into a mattress, and we all know about bed bugs. Neither of these is desirable in a bed. Dust can cause severe respiratory health issues after prolonged exposure.
Bed bugs don’t pose any major threats but their bites can cause discomfort.
You should clean your mattress regularly to prevent dust and bed bug buildup, but if you’ve gone too long without cleaning it, it may be time to replace your mattress completely.
How to Effectively Clean Your Mattress?
You can wipe down a memory foam mattress with no issues. The dust doesn’t settle into them so stays as a surface issue. The same occurs with hybrid mattresses, topped with memory foam.
Innerspring mattresses are another story. The dust can penetrate deeper into the mattress and can be tougher to remove. However, due to their bulk, it can be a pain to clean these mattresses. See the video below for tips on how to keep on top of mattress cleaning.
Final Thoughts
You should change your mattress every 6–8 years, depending on the type of mattress.
- Memory foam mattresses need changing every six years.
- Change hybrid and innerspring mattresses every eight years.
- Keep your mattress clean in between changes.
- Ensure you change your mattress sooner if required.
Please comment below if you have any questions or tips regarding how often you should change your mattress, and how you keep it clean.
