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What is the lifespan of a mattress? Find out the answer here along with signs it’s time for a replacement, and tips on how to buy a new one.
Did you know that just about everything in your bedroom has an expiration date? From your pillows (1 to 2 years) to your sheets (about 2 years) to your comforter (15 to 25 years), you shouldn’t keep anything for longer than you’re supposed to.
That’s especially true for your mattress. The lifespan of a mattress is only about 7 to 10 years in most cases, at which time you should make it a point to put a new mattress into place.
That being said, it can be difficult for people to figure out when to get a new mattress in some cases. The typical lifespan of a mattress can vary depending on everything from what type of mattress you have to how you care for your mattress.
If you’re trying to find out what the average lifespan of a mattress is going to be for you, you should consider the various factors that can impact how long a mattress lasts. Check out these factors below.
What Kind of Mattress Do You Have?
The first thing you’re going to want to think about when you’re trying to calculate the lifespan of a mattress is what kind of mattress you have.
Once upon a time, innerspring mattresses were some of the only mattresses on the market. But today, there are many different types of mattresses for people to choose from.
Some of the most popular types of mattresses at the moment are:
- Memory foam mattresses
- Latex mattresses
- Pillow top mattresses
The type of mattress that you have in your bedroom is going to play a big role in the lifespan of it. If you have something like an innerspring mattress, you might be lucky to get 7 years out of it. A latex one, on the other hand, can last for 8 years or more in most cases.
How Often Do You Use Your Mattress?
Is the mattress that you’re thinking about replacing one that you sleep on every single night? If it is, you’ve put a good amount of wear and tear on it over the years.
You might not necessarily realize it. But every time you climb into bed at night and go to sleep, you’re putting pressure on your mattress and wearing it down just a little bit more. This will eventually force you to replace it since it won’t provide the support you need anymore.
If, however, you have mattresses in guest rooms in your home that don’t get used very often, they won’t wear down on you as fast as your regular mattress. Many people put murphy beds with mattresses into guest rooms for people to sleep on, and these mattresses won’t get worn down quickly at all.
You shouldn’t keep these mattresses forever. They’re going to start to get lumpy over time and provide your guests with a terrible night’s sleep. But you should be able to get some extra life out of them simply because they’re not being used night in and night out.
Do You Flip and/or Rotate Your Mattress on a Regular Basis?
You might not have mattress maintenance very high on your to-do list. But it’s something that should become a part of your regular routine if you want to get the most life possible out of your mattress.
For years, most experts recommended that people flip their mattresses over every six months or so. This prevented mattresses from wearing down as fast as they might otherwise.
These days, it’s not good to flip most of the mattresses that are out there. They have very specific layers to them, which will make them uncomfortable if you flip them.
But you can rotate mattresses 180 degrees every six months or so to prevent them from wearing out. You should be able to extend the lifespan of a mattress by leaps and bounds when you rotate it.
What Other Steps Do You Take to Maintain Your Mattress?
Flipping and/or rotating your mattress every six months is one great way to ensure that it lasts for a long time. But that isn’t the only step you should take to maintain your mattress.
There are also many other ways in which you can maintain a mattress to make sure it lasts for up to 10 years. Some good ways to do it include:
- Putting a mattress protector on it when you first buy it
- Vacuuming and spot cleaning your mattress as necessary
- Contacting your mattress manufacturer about any warranty issues you might have
Maintaining your mattress might not seem like the most exciting job in the world. But it’ll work wonders for those who want to keep their mattresses around for many years to come.
How Old Are You?
You might not think that your age has anything to do with how long your mattress is going to last you. But the truth is that your age could have a big impact on the lifespan of a mattress.
As you start to get up there in age, your body isn’t going to be able to handle the pressure that an old mattress will put on it. You’ll wake up feeling stiff and groggy most mornings because of the pressure your mattress is putting on you.
In these instances, you’ll want to think about replacing a mattress sooner rather than later. It’ll be the only way to guarantee a great night’s sleep all the time.
The Lifespan of a Mattress Can Change Depending on These Factors
Generally speaking, the lifespan of a mattress is going to fall somewhere between 7 and 10 years. But that could change depending on all the factors that we just discussed.
You should look to see how long your specific type of mattress is supposed to last. You should also consider how much maintenance you’ve done to a mattress over time to figure out how much more life it has left in it.
Need to replace a mattress? Check out the articles on our blog for advice on choosing a new mattress for your bedroom that you’ll love.
