When Should You Replace Your Mattress?

by Sofzsleep

You knew this day would arrive. All the long hours spent sleeping (or not) together –have to come to an end eventually. But how can you tell when it’s time to breakup with your mattress?

Where has the bounce gone? Is there more sag than support? Or is the love still there, but it’s just not enough to make the relationship last? Breaking up is hard to do – more so with a trusty companion who’s accompanied you through endless hours of slumber (or not)… but even with the best mattress, a time will come when you’ll need to part ways.  

While conventional wisdom says you should replace your mattress every 10 years or so due to wear and tear, a study at Oklahoma State University found that most people who switched to new bedding after five years have significantly better sleep and less back pain.

How long your mattress SHOULD last, and how long it ACTUALLY lasts are not the same. How you sleep on it, care for and maintain it, as well how soundly it’s constructed and what it’s made of – all these will determine the shelf life of your mattress. Innerspring mattresses, for example, have the shortest lifespan, of around 7–8 years. Memory foam and pillow tops last longer (10 years), and latex mattresses are comfortable the longest (15 years).

As a general rule of thumb, we recommend that you replace yours when it doesn’t provide the support you feel you need. So, what are the warning signs that it’s time to let go?

1. Waking up is a pain. Literally.

If you’re waking up stiff and sore in your neck, shoulders, back or lower back, your mattress may not be supporting you right. It’s one of the most-used items in your home, and hence will naturally lose its ability to support your body properly over time and use. This could also be a sign that your mattress is either too firm or not firm enough for your body.

2. You feel everything, lumps and all.

If you can feel signs of wear and tear, including deep body impressions (over 1.5 inches), sagging, lumps, and coils through the fabric, you may want to start shopping for a replacement. After all, if your mattress can no longer support itself, it won’t support you either!

3. You start hearing springs.

Noisy, creaky springs are almost a movie cliché, but it’s a sign that they’re losing their springiness. While it may be annoying when you’re trying to sleep, here’s the bigger issue: your spine isn’t getting the support it needs for a good night’s rest.

4. You get more sneezes. 

Your asthma or allergies worsen despite vacuuming and cleaning your mattress regularly. You may not know this, but your mattress is actually a magnet for mould, bacteria and allergens – in fact, a recent NUS-Dyson study found that’s where most dust mites in your home live. Unless, of course, they’re pure natural latex like the Sofzsleep Trilogy and Starlight, which are innately inhospitable to dust creatures, fungi and bacteria.

5. You sleep better away from home. 

If you’re waking up more rested in someone else’s bed – a hotel’s, for example – it might be time to consider why.

6. You’re putting more (or less) weight on your mattress. 

Losing or gaining a lot of weight can also affect how your mattress supports you. Other health problems such as arthritis can change what you need from a mattress too.

7. You’ve added a sleeping partner.

If your partner has different support needs, it may be time to consider a customised mattress so both of you can have a good night’s rest without having to compromise each other’s comfort.

8. You’re disturbed by your partner. 

If you co-sleep, when the person you sleep with gets up or turns over, do you wake up immediately? That might be a sign that your bed is losing its ability to support you.

9. You’re getting older. 

The age of your mattress is important. So is yours. The older you are, the firmer it may need to be to combat back pain and support you comfortably. Over time, we collect more aches and pains, but also sleep lighter and are more sensitive to less-than-ideal sleeping arrangements.

So… you’ve made the decision to spring for a new mattress. How should you keep it looking (and feeling) good longer?

  • Use pillow and mattress protectors to protect against spills, dust, and debris. Our natural bamboo covers also help to regulate heat and are allergy-resistant.
  • Use a mattress topper.
  • Make sure your mattress is properly supported with the right base.
  • Clean your mattress as directed by the manufacturer.
  • Keep pets off the bed to reduce the risk of damage from claws and teeth.
  • Don’t let your children jump on the bed if you’ve a spring mattress, as this can damage the coils.
  • Air your mattress out occasionally, and vacuum/clean it regularly, especially if you’ve asthma or allergies. Here’re some tips on how to clean your mattress out.

Browse Sofzsleep’s mattress and mattress accessories product collections online today:

Do feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like to visit our showrooms.