How Often to Replace a Mattress

Of course, every mattress will have to be replaced at some point. But how often you replace your mattress can vary widely. Different mattress types experience wear and tear at different rates. Furthermore, how dedicated you are to maintaining your mattress also impacts how long it will last.

Below, we’ll talk about how long you can expect each kind of mattress to last and some of the things you can do to keep your current mattress in good shape for longer.

SEE ALSO: Best Full Size Mattress to Buy

Mattress Type

The type of mattress you own has the most impact on how often you should replace your mattress. So if you’re shopping for a new mattress that will last, you should be aware of its construction. Construction is so important it practically dictates mattress lifespan.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Heavy People

Innerspring

An innerspring mattress features an open coil support core combined with a thin layer of foam, cotton, or other material that offers pressure relief. Innerspring mattresses have the lowest life expectancy because their networked coils begin to sag and lose tension faster than pocketed coils or foam support cores.

Traditional innerspring mattresses have other problems, such as motion transfer and noise, that can become worse over time. The sagging and noise can reduce your sleep quality and cause back pain no matter your sleep position. For all these reasons, you can expect to replace your innerspring mattress every five to 10 years.

SEE ALSO: Pillow Top vs. Innerspring Mattress: What’s The Difference?

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses feature at least two inches of foam in their comfort layers and pocketed coil support cores. Individually wrapped coils all move independently of each other. That means hybrid mattresses are better at contouring and motion isolation than open coil systems. So you can do all the tossing and turning you like without worrying about your partner.

Pocketed coils also boast increased durability over open coils. That means the hybrid mattress lifespan is much higher than the lifespan of your average innerspring bed. You won’t have to replace your hybrid mattress for at least a decade, though some high-quality hybrid mattresses can last upwards of two decades.

SEE ALSO: Hybrid Mattress Buying Guide

Memory Foam

Memory foam is made of flexible polyurethane foam (which comes from petroleum). This synthetic foam is affordable and durable. That’s why it’s one of the most popular bedding materials on today’s market. Higher-quality memory foam mattresses can last a long time. Some only have to be replaced every 20 years or so.

Lower-quality memory foam mattresses can still be expected to endure for at least 10 years. Combine that with the fact that the average price of a memory foam mattress is barely higher than an average innerspring, and a memory foam mattress often winds up being the best mattress for the money over time.

SEE ALSO: Best Memory Foam Mattresses for Side Sleepers

Latex Foam

Natural latex foam mattresses tend to last the longest of all mattress types (note, natural latex excludes synthetic latex or styrene-butadiene rubber). Natural latex foam comes from the sap of the rubber tree. This sap can be whipped into a highly durable foam that can stand up to wear and tear, time, and rough treatment alike. A pure latex mattress has at least two or three such layers for comfort and support.

That means you won’t have to worry about replacing latex foam mattresses for a long time. Your average latex mattress lasts at least 20 years. Some well-maintained organic latex mattresses have been known to last twice that long.

SEE ALSO: Talalay vs. Dunlop Latex Foam

Mattress Firmness

Body impressions are the indentations that can form in a mattress over time as a result of consistent pressure from the body. A mattress that’s too soft or lacks sufficient support may be more prone to developing body impressions, as it can’t adequately distribute weight and pressure.

A firmer mattress, on the other hand, can be more supportive and better able to distribute weight and pressure, reducing the likelihood of body impressions forming. An extra-firm mattress can also be more durable and withstand wear and tear better over time, as it’s better able to maintain its shape and support.

That being said, the durability of a mattress depends on various factors, including the quality of materials used, construction, and overall maintenance. It’s important to choose a comfortable mattress that will support your body type and sleeping position:

• A mattress for side sleeping should offer a soft to medium feel for pressure relief.
• A mattress for back sleeping often has a medium-firm surface, but a medium to firm feel can also work.
• A mattress for stomach sleeping should have a firm feel for maximum spine support.
• A mattress for combination sleeping should provide a medium to medium-firm feel.

And it’s also important to choose one that’s made from high-quality materials and is well-constructed. Proper care and maintenance, such as regularly rotating and cleaning the mattress, can also help extend its lifespan and prevent body impressions from forming.

Mattress Maintenance

How well you maintain your new mattress also impacts its life expectancy. Properly flipping and protecting your mattress can mean you get a good night’s sleep on it for up to several additional years! So too can cleaning your mattress at regular intervals!

Flipping

Not all mattresses can be flipped. Many mattresses have a bottom layer and top layer that are not interchangeable. In fact, it’s common for all mattress types other than innerspring beds to be unflippable. So make sure your mattress can be flipped before you do it.

However, if your mattress can be flipped, you should do flip your mattress every 6 months. This ensures that gravity is exerting equal force on both sides of the bed. It can help prevent sagging and keep your bed in shape for a long time.

Rotating

Mattresses that cannot be flipped should be rotated instead. All you have to do to rotate your mattress is turn it so that the side that was at the head of the bed is at the foot. You should do this every 6 months to make sure all the mattress’s coils or base foam layers are experiencing equal pressure under your body weight. This will ensure one side of the bed doesn’t sag or develop soft spots.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattresses That Won’t Sag

Protecting

Many people think about sagging when they think about mattress aging. But things like odors, dust mites, and moisture can impact your night’s sleep and necessitate a new mattress as well.

The best way to fight dust mites and other icky things is to use a mattress protector. Mattress protectors keep your mattress moisture, stain, and odor-free. They also make it tough for pests like bed bugs and dust mites to get to your actual mattress. If you have allergies or asthma, protectors are especially vital to helping you sleep better.

If you don’t have a mattress without fiberglass, you may also want a protector as an extra barrier against fiberglass leakage. Fiberglass can irritate the body if it comes in direct contact with a sleeper, and there are reports of fiberglass escaping cheaper mattresses as the cover fabric wears out.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattresses for Allergies

Mattress Base

Putting your mattress on a quality base can also make a huge difference in how often you have to replace your mattress. Mattresses laid on the wrong base can develop problems with sagging and body impressions faster. They may also crush the base under their weight.

Mattress Foundation/Platform Bed

All mattresses can benefit from a quality platform bed or mattress foundation. Both of these bed bases are made by stretching slats across a metal or wooden frame. The only difference between them is a foundation must pair with a bed frame, while platforms and upholstered beds can stand on their own four legs.

Both of these bases offer sturdy and rigid support to every kind of mattress. They’re compatible with innerspring beds, hybrids, and all-foam mattresses. Their rigid slats can help increase the life of any mattress by offering sag-resistant support, so you can replace your mattress less often.

SEE ALSO: Bed Slats vs. Box Spring: Which Should You Use?

Box Springs

A common question is what mattress can be paired with box springs. Box springs were designed for innerspring mattresses and cannot support the weight of other kinds of mattresses—especially not when combined with your body weight as well.

Box springs are weak and can only support lighter-weight mattresses like spring mattresses, and foam mattresses shouldn’t be on a box spring. Hybrids and all-foam beds will crush box springs, in turn causing the mattress to sag prematurely.

Box springs can also reduce the lifespan of heavier mattresses by providing saggy and unstable support. Subpar support can make your mattress sag deeper and sooner. For this reason, we recommend platforms or foundations for all mattresses, including innerspring ones.

Bunkie Board

Generally, you should not need a bunkie board if you have your foam mattress or hybrid on the right bed base. However, if you cannot afford to replace your box springs but want to increase support for your innerspring mattress, a bunkie board might be the solution. These rigid boards go between your mattress and its bed base to increase sag protection.

Traditionally, bunkie boards were made to support bunk bed mattresses, but they can work with any type of mattress. Just be aware that bunkie boards can reduce the circulation underneath your mattress. This is not typically a problem with breathable innerspring mattresses. But it might make your bed less cool, which can be a problem for hot sleepers.

Adjustable Base

Adjustable bed bases offer lots of sturdy support, so they can help your mattress maintain its integrity longer. They can also reduce pain and improve your sleep quality regardless of whether they increase your mattress’s lifespan.

However, not all mattresses are compatible with adjustable beds. The right mattress for an adjustable bed can flex with the panel’s movements.

For example, innerspring mattresses cannot be used with adjustable beds. As soon as you move the bed from the flat position, it will bend the rigid coil system out of shape. It may even break your mattress. So if you want to protect your innerspring mattress’s longevity, never lay it on an adjustable base.

Reasons to Replace a Mattress

Sagging is the most common reason to replace a mattress. While you can try to restore and fix a sagging mattress with a mattress topper or a firm, supportive base, the simple fact is that a mattress that’s lost support isn’t something you can truly repair. The only real solution at that point is to replace the mattress.

As we also covered above, loose fiberglass is another reason to replace a mattress. Once you’ve cleaned fiberglass off the mattress and encased it, it’s best to dispose of the mattress quickly. Holding onto the mattress only increases the risk of fiberglass spreading throughout the home.

See also:

• Do Zinus Mattresses Have Fiberglass?
• Do Nectar Mattresses Have Fiberglass?
• Do Lucid Mattresses Have Fiberglass?
• Do Ashley Furniture Mattresses Have Fiberglass?
• Do Molblly Mattresses Have Fiberglass?
• Do Leesa Mattresses Have Fiberglass?
• Do Lull Mattresses Have Fiberglass?
• Do Linenspa Mattresses Have Fiberglass?
• Do Casper Mattresses Have Fiberglass?

FAQs

What can I do to make my mattress last longer?

If you don’t want to replace your mattress every few years, there are a few things you can do. If your mattress is flippable, you should flip it every 6 months. Make sure to rotate your mattress when you flip it, so you’re getting an even distribution of weight as well as even gravitational pull.

If your mattress is not flippable, you’ll still want to rotate it every 6 months. Even though this won’t change the way gravity affects the insides of your mattress, it will allow you to distribute weight evenly across your bed.

You’ll also need a mattress protector to protect your mattress from things like dust, pests, allergens, moisture, and more. A mattress protector can add years of life to your mattress. It can also protect the materials in your comfort layer from wear and tear.

Which mattress type is the most durable?

Generally speaking, natural latex will wear out the slowest. They’re often able to make it to 25 or 30 years old. Latex foam mattresses contain few to no synthetic ingredients. That means they’re more durable than polyurethane foams made out of petroleum products.

All-foam latex beds also don’t have any coils to break down and lose tension. An all-latex foam core will retain its shape longer than even pocketed coils. So you won’t have to replace your mattress all that often if you go with latex.

How do I know how long my mattress will last?

The materials in your mattress are the biggest factors in its durability. As a general rule, foam is more durable than coils. Natural foams are more durable than synthetic foams. And pocketed coils are more durable than open coils.

Other major factors that contribute to your mattress’s longevity are the base you put it on and whether you maintain it correctly.

Another big sign of how long your mattress could last is its warranty. The warranty is a sign of how long the manufacturer expects their properly maintained mattress to last. For instance, if your warranty is 20 years, then that is how long the manufacturer expects their mattress to endure before you need to replace it.

Will a mattress protector make my mattress last longer?

A mattress protector will absolutely make your mattress last longer by protecting it from dust mites, mold, moisture, dirt, and more! However, more than this, a mattress protector can help improve your health and your night’s sleep.

Mattress protectors can be easily pulled off and washed. That means people with health issues like allergies and asthma can wash out allergens that contribute to their symptoms as often as they like.

Mattress protectors can also improve your sleep (and your overall health) by improving the feel of your mattress. For instance, cooling protectors can pull body heat away from your body. This can be a huge help to hot sleepers. Mattress protectors can also prevent yucky odors that can interfere with a good night’s sleep. All in all, there’s no substitute for a quality protector.

What if I mess up my own mattress while it’s still under warranty?

It’s important to keep in mind that mattress warranties typically don’t cover damage caused by the user. Warranties are meant for problems caused by the manufacturer, such as errors or defects.

Warranties almost never cover damage like spills and tears. In fact, things like these can void your warranty even if it turns out there is a manufacturer error!

That’s why you need to read the fine print beforehand. Everything from using box springs instead of a foundation to laying your mattress on the floor to failing to put a protector on it can void your warranty. So it’s best to be informed.

Bottom Line

Nothing is worse than sleeping on a mattress that causes you pain or increases asthma symptoms. Failing to buy the best mattress or maintain it properly can prematurely bring about the time to replace your mattress.

So it’s vital to make sure you’re buying a mattress that can stand the test of time. You’ll also need to care for it properly to get all the years of use possible.