When Should You Replace Your Mattress?
If you are on the cusp of deciding whether or not it is time to get a new mattress, then there is a high probability that it is.
Not replacing your mattress can lead to several health complications if neglected, and even though you may still be comfortable on your 10+year-old mattress, there is still a high probability that your bed is taking more from you than what it’s providing.
Here, we will help you understand why replacing an old and ineffective mattress is vital for your health. We will also look at some key indicators of when to get a new mattress, including some tips to help your bed last longer.
Why Should You Replace Your Mattress?
Most people go decades before swapping out their mattresses. Over time, your mattress will begin to lose its firmness and overall shape. Wear and tear will eventually lead to dips and lumps that will eventually start to form, ultimately resulting in a poor quality of sleep. This can cause tossing and turning, along with aches and pains due to inadequate support, which is vital for preventing back pain.
Studies show that not getting enough proper sleep can lead to both short and long-term health consequences.
Some examples of these can include:
- heightened stress response
- depression
- poor behavior responses
- weight-gain
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- diabetes
- allergies
- asthma
Even if your mattress may seem like it's comfortable after several years of using it, bacteria caused by moisture and dust will still form over time. This can attract dust mites and can form invisible fungi that can cause a person to develop allergy-like symptoms.
Mattress covers can be a great solution for slowing down moisture build-up, but even the best mattress cover out there cannot stop a decade worth of bacteria build-up. Replacing your mattress will not only help you achieve a deep sleep state so you’re energized the next day but can help you dodge unwanted health complications in the future.
When Is It Time To Replace Your Mattress?
Signs Of Wear
It's time to swap your mattress if you can feel the coils through it. Sagging, lumps, and an obvious loss of firmness in certain areas signal that your old friend is way past its prime. This could lead to muscle soreness and disrupted sleep for those who are sleeping on their mattresses too often or not long enough!
It’s always a good idea when shopping around for new furniture pieces to test out what we like before committing – especially with something as important as our bedding. If you find yourself feeling uncomfortable getting into bed at night (or worse still, waking up every morning with back pain), then this might be indicative of sagging springs beneath your body which means it may be time for a change-
Noisy Springs
Getting a good night's sleep is so important for your well-being. It can even affect how you perform at work, but the right mattress will do wonders to put you in that deep slumber every single time.
One of the most common indicators, when springs are worn down past their lifespan, is making noise as people get on or off the bed; this not only disturbs others trying to sleep near an individual changing positions, it also wakes up other family members who happen to be sleeping nearby and may go unnoticed by those with hearing impairments.
Muscle Stiffness Or Sore Back
When your mattress is no longer able to support your body properly, then you may experience back and/or muscle soreness. This is because your spine is not aligned in its proper position, therefore, causing your body to use other muscles in order to make up for the lost support.
Furthermore, If you find that you are turning over multiple times at night and are uncomfortable, then this can also be a clear sign that it is time for a swap. Also, keep in mind that your sleeping position can be a factor you should consider, so ensuring comfort is there is key to a good night's sleep.
You Can Feel Your Partner Moving At Night
Over time, older mattresses will eventually lose the ability to reduce the amount of motion transfer that both partners feel when sleeping. The springs and foam will simply wear down, causing you to wake up by the other person's movements when they turn over or get up at night. This is where choosing a memory foam mattress will work in your favor, as motion reduction is one of its greatest benefits compared to innerspring mattresses.
Worsening Of Allergies
Older mattresses that have collected moisture and bacteria can attract dust mites that may already live in your home. Cleaning, vacuuming, and protecting your mattress can help. However, dust will always find a way inside the materials of your mattress throughout the day.
If your allergies, asthma, or similar symptoms worsen overtime during the night or in the morning, then swapping out your old mattress for a new one is most likely the best solution.
How To Make Your Mattress Last Longer?
There may be a small opportunity for you to prolong the life of your existing mattress. However, we suggest that you implement these next tips for your new mattress so that you can get a better night's sleep.
Starting off with a clean sleight will help you avoid many unseen problems that your old mattress may be causing and will help eliminate any issues you may face in the near future.
Below are a few practical things you can do to extend the life of your mattress:
- Use a good-quality mattress protector to protect against spills, dust, and debris.
- Make sure your mattress has proper support by using a quality box-spring or foundation.
- Clean your mattress thoroughly, at least once a year.
- Open windows when possible to help air out the mattress and help prevent moisture build-up.
- Rotate your mattress for 3 to 6 months to distribute the wear.
- Keep pets off the bed to prevent damage and hair.
- Remove your sheets and mattress covers occasionally to help air out your mattress.
- Don’t let children or pets jump on the mattress to prevent the wearing of springs, foam, or damage.
Can A Mattress Last 20 Years or More?
A well-made mattress can last an average of 20 years with proper care. However, most mattresses don't live up to their lifetime expectation because people often neglect them for reasons such as allergies or the need to change bedrooms. If you're buying a new mattress and want it to be around for more than 10 years, make sure that both plant-based memory foam or latex is used in its construction.
Furthermore, if your bed has springs remember not only do they have coils but those coils are pocketed which will help when pressure is applied by either you rolling over on one side while sleeping too hard against the other from sitting down all day at work - preventing sags from developing!
The bottom line is that if your mattress is 20 years old or more, then in our opinion, it is time for a new mattress!
Can You Use An Old Foundation With A New Mattress?
Whether you need a new box spring depends on the type of mattress you are buying. If it is a 1-sided coil or foam bed, then your foundation has to be firm and non-yielding in order for it not to sag under its weight. However, if you buy a flippable mattress that can lie flat like most beds today do have springs built into them which means they should be just fine with no additional support needed from any other kind of frame such as one made out of wood.
Prior to buying a new mattress, make sure to inspect the foundation and look out for any broken slats, cracks, or damage. If you find anything suspicious, it may be a good idea to replace your box-spring so that you don't compromise the shape and reliability of your new bed. Remember to always look at your foundation prior to considering a new mattress, as sometimes, that can be the cause of any issues you may be having regarding sleep.
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For more mattress tips and sleep advice, you can visit thenaptimereviewer.com.
