A mattress is one of those long-term investments we make, assuming it will last for years much like your car. But do you know how long mattresses should last? Is your mattress still comfortable after 3 years? How about 5 or 10?
The lifespan of a mattress is generally how long it can keep its original state of comfort and support. Knowing how long a mattress will last depends on a few conditions such as the amount of usage etc.
How long should a mattress last?
That’s a question most people consider when purchasing or replacing their mattress. It’s important to understand how long a mattress is expected to last, especially since they don’t come cheap.
Mattresses are generally meant to last for several years before showing signs it might be time to replace them. The lifespan also depends on the type of mattress material used to make it, so naturally some mattresses will last longer than others.
The lifespan of a mattress can be directly impacted by the materials it is made from. There are memory foam, latex and spring mattresses, which are popular choices and usually made to last for around five years or more. This is because they use less durable materials than some other mattress options. Another factor that also contributes to the life of a mattress is its level of quality. If you purchase a lower quality mattress that has been made at a lower cost, you might expect it to have a shorter life span than a high quality one.
Here are some time estimates for the different types of mattresses:
- Latex mattresses
These are way more superior to other types and they can last for up to 15 years with proper maintenance.
- Memory foam mattresses
These can last for about 10 years and are less prone to sagging.
- Innerspring mattresses
These types of mattresses have a lifespan of about seven to eight years due to the thin coil springs that lose strength over time.
- Waterbed mattresses
It might surprise you that these are capable of lasting between 7 to 9 years. They can be more durable than average because they don’t have springs which can break.
- Hybrid mattresses
These are made with comfort layers at the top of the mattress, as well as pocketed coils at the core. Their life span is short as they normally will need replacement after 6 years.
- Air mattresses
They can last for up to five years even when constantly used because air can start leaking after a while.
- Futon mattresses
These also have a very short life span of about 5 years even if properly cared for.
What Affects The Lifespan Of A Mattress?
Is your mattress feeling a little tired? We get it. Your mattress has been through the wringer—you, your partner, and all of your pets have probably been on it at some point in time. If you’re having trouble sleeping through the night or if you’re waking up with aches and pains, it might be time to invest in a new one. There are several factors that affect the lifespan of a mattress such as:
Bodyweight
It’s simple – the heavier they are, the more pressure they will put on the mattress and the shorter its lifespan will be. People with more body weight obviously put more pressure on a mattress so there’s more compression which can greatly reduce the lifespan of a mattress.
Material
The type of material used in making the mattress is important —mattresses made from foam tend to last longer than those made from springs or other types of materials because foam has more give which makes it less likely that pressure points will form over time (and therefore less likely that your mattress will become uncomfortable).
Maintenance
Yes, this means cleaning. When you don’t clean your mattress regularly, you can turn the mattress into a central hub for bacteria, insects and other things you don’t want in your bed. This can end up damaging the mattress, reducing its life span too.
Frequent use
We all know that anything you use frequently will not be in the same condition as what you rarely use. The same applies to mattresses.
Activities
Any activity that you choose to do on your mattress can greatly reduce its lifespan or damage your mattress, e.g. eating and leaving crumbs on it, placing heavy objects etc.
It’s time to replace your mattress when:
- The bed becomes very noisy when you climb into it
- You don’t get the same comfort as before
- You start to get asthma or other allergies when you lie on it.
- The mattress has saggy areas
- You find yourself waking up during the night because of discomfort from the mattress
- You feel the coils on your bed poking your body.
How to increase the lifespan of your mattress
If you want your mattress to last longer, then you need to take care of it and get the most out of it. Here are our tips on how to extend its lifespan:
- Keep it clean
Cleaning your mattress can help to remove mold, dust, bacteria as well as mildew. You can do this by regularly vacuuming with a hard-surface attachment. This will help remove any dust mites or other allergens that may be present on your mattress, which can cause allergies and asthma symptoms for those who are sensitive to them. It also keeps your mattress from getting too hot if you live in a warm climate where heat builds up underneath a mattress, and can cause excessive perspiration during sleep. This repeated cycle over time causes the breakdown of foam materials (especially memory foam). These days, mattresses can also come with covers that are washable in high heat.
- Change bedding more often than you think
Replace your sheets as well as any other bedding that comes into contact with your mattress (such as blankets).
- Mattress protectors
A mattress protector is one of the things you should buy together with a brand new mattress. It will protect your mattress from spillage accidents plus minimize surface abrasion.
- Keep away your pets
We all love our pets but you need to take extra precautions when you have some around especially when you don’t own a mattress protector. Pets urine and their scratching can damage a mattress very easily. The best way is to get them their own beds!
- Flip the mattress regularly
Regardless of the type of mattress you own, you should flip it over every few months so that both sides get equal wear over time (this applies especially for people who sleep only on one side of their body). Rotating your mattress will prevent wear and tear on one side of the bed and this helps distribute pressure points more evenly across both sides so they don’t wear out as quickly.
- Proper storage
Don’t store it in direct sunlight or freezing temperatures for long periods of time (like an attic). This can damage any foam that might be inside the mattress cover as well as cause mold growth if there is moisture present during storage periods to prevent a mildewy smell. Use a protective cover over your mattress when it’s not in use, so that dust mites cannot get inside it and cause damage over time (dust mites live off dead skin cells).
The best mattress for a daybed or your bedroom is one that will provide years of comfort and of course a well deserved beautyrest every night. After all, we spend one-third of our lives in bed.
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