There is a lot of advice out there about when and why to replace your mattress. How long does a mattress last? For some folks, a new mattress every handful of years is typical, while others will keep the same mattress long past its prime. There are certainly some guidelines that are good to know, but ultimately every mattress is different and will wear out differently depending on a variety of factors. On average, the lifespan of a mattress is between 7 to 10 years.
Know Your Bed’s Warranty
The first thing that you’ll want to keep in mind is your mattress’ warranty. This is the length of time that the company will provide you with certain services related to the care and upkeep of your bed. Essentially, the warranty speaks to how long the mattress company expects their product to last.
When it comes to warranties, we have seen a bunch of different lengths but the most typical warranty length is about ten years. This lines up pretty well with the average recommended mattress lifespan that a lot of third party sleep experts will espouse (9-12 years).
Interestingly, though, in our own research, we have found that a good chunk of our readers, just under 30%, sleep on a mattress that is over ten years old. Whether they are still satisfied with their mattress after the ten year mark varies from person to person, but a warranty is more of a suggestion than a rule. So if your mattress is still feeling comfortable and supportive, even after your warranty has run its course, more power to you.
Ways To Tell That Your Mattress Is Wearing Down
Aside from the length of time that you’ve had the bed which, don’t get us wrong, can certainly help determine when it it time for your bed to retire, the way the bed feels–and the way that you feel when you wake up in the morning–are pretty spot on predictors that it might be time for a new mattress.
If your bed is starting to sag in the middle or droop on the edges, it is probably time for a new one. It is really important that you have proper spinal support from your mattress, especially if you are a stomach sleeper or back sleeper, and sleeping on a mattress without enough support can actually cause some pretty painful back problems.
Ultimately, sleep is so crucial and anything that is impacting your sleep in a negative way should be seriously scrutinized. Your body can tell you if your mattress is no longer up to par. Whether it has lost its pressure relief or the support is long gone, if you aren’t sleeping comfortably anymore, your mattress isn’t doing it’s job and it’s got to go.
Your Health And Your Mattress
Even if your mattress is still in decent shape, it might not be serving you the way that you need it to anymore.
If there are any changes in your sleep that have developed recently, like snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia or night sweats, your mattress could be a part of the problem. Sometimes these sleep issues will develop on their own with age, and unfortunately, your body doesn’t come with a warranty, so it is always a good idea to make sure that your mattress is not exacerbating any problems that you are having at night.
For example, if you are sleeping on a traditional memory foam mattress that you’ve had for a handful of years, but recently you’ve been waking up drenched in sweat, even if it isn’t directly your mattress’s fault, you might want to look into a cooling mattress, which will actually be a part of the solution for you rather than being a queen sized sponge.
Additionally, weight plays a factor in your sleep and can impact your mattress. If you’ve lost or gained weight recently, your mattress might not be quite right for your body type any longer. A rule of thumb that we try to stick to is that the heavier you are, typically a mattress will feel softer, while the lighter you are, the firmer your mattress will likely feel.
Additionally, especially for heavier people, it is important to sleep on a mattress with the proper support. We generally recommend that larger folks go for a mattress with innersprings, as they provide really resilient support, and will also help to prolong the life of your mattress.
Because, as it is also worth noting, the amount of pressure that you put on your mattress on a nightly basis can determine its lifespan. Heavier folks will typically find that their mattress wears down more quickly. Likewise, for most couples, they might need to replace their mattress more frequently than single people. More weight on the bed night after night naturally means more wear and tear.
Keeping Your Mattress In Good Shape
Ultimately, a mattress is a pretty major investment, so you likely want it to last as long as possible. There are a few things that you can do to make sure your mattress stays tidy and comfortable for a long time.
First off, keep it clean. This means keeping fresh sheets on your bed and trying to avoid causing any stains or debris from settling into the bed. Yes, I’m looking at you, cup of coffee in bed in the morning. Though an early morning dose of caffeine is a great way to start the morning, doing so in bed could be a bit dangerous for your mattress. Because coffee stains are no fun to clean, and pricey mattresses are no fun to replace, why not drink that cup of coffee on the couch, instead? It is (almost) as comfy.
If your mattress gets stained though, don’t worry — most mattresses are pretty easy to spot clean with a mild detergent and a little bit of warm water. Or, for an occasional deeper clean, look into steam cleaning your mattress. Make sure not to saturate the mattress with water though, as it is tricky for mattresses to fully dry out and can even lead to the growth of mold and mildew inside of your bed.
Another way to prolong the lifespan of your mattress is to keep it supported. A solid and flat surface is the best base for your mattress, and a simple bed frame can add a good chunk of time to your bed’s life. Whether you go for an adjustable bed frame, a wooden foundation, a box spring, or something else, having your bed up off the ground will help keep it clean, while a supportive base underneath will help it keep its shape.
Ultimately, keeping your mattress clean, dry, elevated and supported will help keep you comfortable longer. You can expect most quality mattresses to last around seven years, and we would definitely recommend replacing your mattress around that mark, but only you will be able to tell when it is time.