Research revealed that throughout our lives, we spend an average of 26 years sleeping and 7 years trying to get sleep. That equates to 33 years or 12,045 days spent in bed! These numbers suggest how vital sleep is to us human beings in order to survive, and it is fair enough to say that we should invest in things that will help us get quality sleep – our mattress, specifically. In this article, we will share when is the right time to upgrade your bed and what signs you should look out for.
What Is The Average Lifespan of a Mattress?
Now you might be wondering, of those 33 years spent in bed, how often should we replace our mattress? Most mattresses are expected to last between 7 to 10 years although it could vary depending on the technology, quality and combination of materials used.
What Shortens The Lifespan of a Mattress?
Aside from the quality of materials used for a mattress, how you care for it can also influence its lifespan. Below are some ways you might be shortening the lifespan of your mattress:
- You don’t rotate it
- You skip cleaning it
- You don’t use a mattress protector
- You are using an incompatible bed base/bedframe
- You or other people jump on it
- You don’t clean spills immediately & properly
8 Signs You Need A New Mattress
While there are many possible factors why you are not feeling restful after getting some sleep, one of the most overlooked reasons is your mattress succumbing to wear and tear after long years of using it. Aside from thinking about how long you’ve owned it, here are other most common signs that it’s about time to replace your mattress:
1. Your Mattress Is Sagging
All types of mattresses can begin to sag in certain areas over time, especially when one tends to sleep on the same spot every night. Sagging occurs when the springs in a mattress start to break down, the memory foam loses its shape or the fibres in other materials start to compress.
Sagging is the most obvious and visible sign of wear and tear in a mattress as you will see a noticeable body impression or crater forming on your bed. This is especially common for heavier people whose bodies may leave a deep impression on the mattress. To check whether your mattress is sagging, observe if its surface does not return to its normal, flat appearance after you’ve gotten up from your bed.
2. You Don’t Feel Well-Rested In The Morning
Do you religiously follow a bedtime routine to try to feel relaxed before going to bed or sleep in during the weekends but still wake up feeling tired and cranky? Your old mattress might be the culprit.
Sleep should make us feel recharged in the morning. But if you’re feeling otherwise, it might be a sign that your mattress isn’t performing at its best anymore to help you achieve the quality sleep that your body needs.
3. Your Mattress Makes Noises
Another telltale sign of an old mattress is when you start hearing squeaks and creaks when you or your partner moves or rolls over on the bed. This mostly applies to spring mattresses. This type of noise suggests that the coils are starting to age and probably are not as supportive as before. Just make sure that the noise is really coming from the mattress and not the box spring as the latter is also susceptible to deterioration!
4. You Wake Up With Body Pain & Soreness
As we age, we tend to feel more body aches and pains. However, if you know that you are in good condition health-wise but still wake up with pain and soreness in the morning, it could be an indication that your mattress is not as supportive and comfortable as it used to be.
You might feel lower back pain when your mattress stops providing you full support when you sleep, or if it does not relieve pressure on the body’s pressure points such as the neck, shoulders, or hips, you will most likely also feel pain and soreness in those areas. This sign is not something that you should brush off as it can lead to further issues in the future.
5. Your Mattress Has an Unpleasant Odour
Mildew, mould, and fungi can build up in your mattress as it ages – and even more quickly if you live in a humid climate. If you are starting to notice an unpleasant or weird smell coming from your bed, it might be time to find a replacement.
6. Your Mattress Triggers Your Allergies
In line with the previous sign, an old mattress that has harboured lots of dust, pet dander, mould or mildew, can be the main cause of your allergy flare-ups. If you wake up with symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, and headache, it could be a sign that there are allergens in your bed causing it.
Materials like natural latex and wool can help prevent the build-up of allergens in your mattress. So if you are prone to allergy flare-ups, you may want to consider looking for a new mattress made with those two materials.
7. You Toss And Turn
Are you experiencing trouble sleeping at night because you can’t seem to find a comfortable position to sleep in? Do you or perhaps your partner toss and turn all night long? If you didn’t have any trouble sleeping before and now find yourself being unable to get comfortable in your bed, it may be an indication that your mattress is not as comfortable and supportive as it used to be.
8. You Sleep Better On a Different Bed
Since we sleep on the same bed most of the time, it can be difficult to notice the changes that happen to our mattress or worse, we might have gotten used to the discomfort that we feel caused by our mattress.
Sleeping on a different mattress is a good way to compare and check if it’s time to upgrade your current one. For example, if you usually can’t fall asleep quickly and wake up feeling tired with body pain most of the time, and then you sleep in a hotel or a friend’s house without experiencing those problems, this could be an easy sign that your mattress is the root cause of your sleep issues.
Before deciding to buy a new mattress, remember to take note of these 8 signs. If you think it is time to upgrade yours, check out Sealy’s mattress range or try taking our mattress selector quiz.
