How often should you replace your mattress?

Sleep is arguably the most important factor which directly impacts your health and wellbeing. If we lack quality sleep, our bodies find it difficult to recover and rejuvenate whilst our brains won’t function as effectively, struggling to process memories and emotions.

The quality and comfort of your mattress is a significant contributory factor to getting a great night’s sleep. Can you think of any other product which will impact the quality of your life more than your mattress? Therefore, it’s crucial you invest in a quality mattress and replace it in accordance with expert advice.

As a general guideline, you should be looking to replace your mattress every 6 to 8 years. This is not always the case as other factors can influence your decision to change your mattress. These include if your mattress:

• Negatively impacts your sleep
• Has noticeable damage or shape deterioration
• Springs which make unusual noises
• Is over 6 to 8 years old
• Gives you muscle or joint stiffness
• Has you sneezing more often than usual

There needs to be an element of knowing your own body when replacing your mattress as you need to replace it when you’re no longer enjoying a restful sleep. It’s usually a good idea to invest in a new mattress when changing your bed.

What affects the lifespan of a mattress?

Materials – the materials utilised in the manufacturing process will influence the durability of the mattress. Poor quality open coil sprung options and full foam alternatives tend to enjoy the shortest lifespan as they’re prone to sinking. Hybrids are the latest trend to hit the mattress market; they will be more durable than cheaper options but latex mattresses are known to have the longest lifespan lasting at least 7 to 8 years.

As a gauge of durability, thicker coil springs will last longer whilst thicker density foam is likely to enjoy higher performance for longer periods. Where possible, opt for natural materials over synthetic and artificially created alternatives.

User – the weight and size of the user will impact the rate at which degradation occurs. A mattress which has heavier people sleeping on it will wear out quicker than lighter sleepers as the springs or foam won’t experience the same impact. Equally, a mattress which usually sleeps one person is likely to last longer than a mattress which has couples sleeping on it daily.

Care & Maintenance – it goes without saying that something will enjoy longevity the better it’s cared for. Rotating and turning your mattress in accordance with manufacturer recommendations will give your mattress a longer lifespan. Making use of a mattress protector will also help with durability.

Pets & Children – living with animals and small children is likely to make the need to replace your mattress more frequent as they tend to cause staining and damage which could impact the overall integrity of the mattress.

How much should I spend on a new mattress?

It can be quite expensive to purchase a new mattress. Although the most expensive mattress isn’t always the most appropriate, we do recommend making an informed investment as a new mattress is almost always worth it.

New mattresses are known to help in the following ways:

Better sleep – improve sleep quality, having a direct impact on mood, energy and overall wellbeing whilst reducing stress and bodily pains. Older mattresses have a tendency to sag in places, which can have an impact on the spine as it will be less likely to remain in alignment.

Reduce motion transfer – The older mattresses get, the more they tend to transfer motion from one side of the bed to the other. Therefore, fidget sleepers tend to disrupt their partner’s sleep further down the line. To help couples get a better rest, a new mattress (particularly an all-foam or hybrid) will transfer less motion throughout the night, making it a peaceful sleep together.

Allergies/Asthma – If you find your allergies or asthma symptoms have increased, your mattress could be the reason for this. Old mattresses collect bacteria, mould, dust mites and other allergens in volume. Studies have found that in any household, the item that held the highest amount of dust mites were mattresses.

It’s fair to stay when choosing something to splurge on, you want it to be worthwhile. Here at Amare Living, we cannot think of a better way to invest on an item you spend one-third of your life in. Remember, the quality of your sleep is vital to your well-being. Invest in your sleep, invest in an Amare Living mattress!