How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress?

How often should you replace your mattress? Only you can answer that: it's when your current mattress ceases to provide the comfortable and refreshing night’s sleep it once did. Read on for some signs that it's time for a new one.

When Should You Replace Your Mattress

Having a good bed for your lifestyle is important, considering the vital role that sleeping soundly on a quality mattress plays in living a healthy, happy and non-drowsy life. However, there’s no easy or firm answer to knowing exactly when to replace that bed.

There are averages out there that many will quote, with seven to 10 years being a common one. Other estimates range from as low as six to eight years to as high as 10 to 20 years. Well-made mattresses like those from Aireloom, from Beautyrest and from other Abt brands can last a long time if you take care of them well.

With all these different ranges, it's still no easier to know the answer: "How often should you replace your mattress?" But you've got a good time frame to work within. If your current model ceases to provide you and perhaps your sleeping partner the comfortable and refreshing night’s sleep it once did, and it's on the older end of the spectrum, that's an indicator. Even if it isn't very old, your bed might just not be the right pick for you or your sleeping partner. If you find yourself tossing and turning, or feel achy when you wake up, you may consider picking out a new one. Or you may find yourself thinking about or inspecting your current sleeping space for dips, lumps and other culprits of your discomfort. Maybe you feel too warm in the night, and need some of the newer technology that helps sleepers stay cool as they dream.

There are a few indicators that point to when it's time to buy.

It's time to consider replacement when:

It shows signs of wear and tear. Over time, a bed can lose its shape and begin to sag. Do you feel dips, lumps or coils underneath the fabric? Is there a valley in the section of the mattress where you sleep? Are its edges growing soft and less supportive? Does it make creaking noises?
It’s taking on more weight. Added weight can speed up wear and tear, and it'll provide less support in return. Have you or your partner put on significant weight, or do you frequently have children or pets in bed with you?
You sleep better somewhere else. You look forward to a more restful sleep at a hotel or friend’s house.
You start having allergies or problems with asthma. Worsening signs of allergies or asthma can be due to dust mites and allergens in your mattress, which increase with time and poor maintenance.
You wake up tired and achy. If you have recurring muscle or joint stiffness or back pain, your bed may no longer support your body like it once did. A more supportive bed can help curb that pain.
You can feel your partner move, turn over or get in and out of bed. An older model loses its ability to absorb motion, which is why your partner is waking you up more easily.

This brings us back to the original question of how often should you replace your mattress. The best answer may be this: if you’re wondering whether it’s time to invest in a new, quality mattress, chances are it’s time—and sooner rather than later.

Not replacing an older mattress that you know is causing you problems can mean you'll continue to lose sleep, experience low quality rest and can even put your spine's health at risk.

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Which Type Of Mattress Is Best?

Finding the right one for you requires a bit of research into knowing your own preferences and needs. You'll want to consider your preferred sleeping position and mattress firmness—and those of your sleeping partner—and any potential health concerns you may have. Keep in mind that there are likely more types of beds on the market than there were the last time you were buying, so keep an open mind. New materials may provide just the right kind of support for you.

When it comes to making that choice, quality construction matters. A well-built mattress is designed to support, align and comfort your entire body so that you feel well-rested and as pain-free as possible.

Now that you've answered the question of "When should you replace your mattress," know that Abt offers top brands made with different materials, including Tempur-Pedic, Beautyrest, Aireloom and Sleep6. Our team of bedding specialists can help match your needs and preferences to the perfect bed so that you take home the right pick for your needs. Our in house or over-the-phone team can help you find the perfect mattress as well as the right adjustable base or foundation for it.

How To Find The Right Mattress For You

You might not think about it, but doctors recommend 8 hours of sleep—that's a third of your life spent searching for quality rest. Getting a comfortable bed is incredibly important, and a key component in waking up energized for the day ahead. Explore the different types of mattresses below:

Innerspring Mattresses:

Are still the most popular type of mattresses, even though new materials are becoming mainstream, too.
Ensure cooling rest by allowing air to flow through the coils.
Provide proper support while you sleep. A system of connected coils or metal springs supports your body weight.
Consist of both a spring zone and a comfort layer. Foams and fibers provide varying levels of softness and comfort.
Feature a top layer of fabric-encased padding, which cushions and contours to your body.
Offer breathability and good edge support.
Are designed in different firmness levels to accommodate your preferences.

Memory Foam Mattresses:

Provide cushioning, support and durability. Memory foam is designed to shape around the curve of your body and responds to your body temperature by softening under warmth.
Provide pressure relief. Memory foam provides significant pressure relief to help reduce tossing and turning, waking up and shifting positions during sleep.
Reduce movement from motion transfer. Memory foam absorbs movement without affecting other areas of the mattress.
Are resistant to many allergens, which is good news for people who have allergies and suffer from asthma.
Mold to fit the shape of your body to ensure that your spine is in proper alignment when you sleep.
Are ideal for those who suffer from back injuries and pain. However, they can retain heat more than the average model. If you tend to get hot when you sleep, look for picks with cooling features.

Hybrid Mattresses:

They're a popular choice, as they provide the best of both worlds—foam and innerspring. That means there's usually a layer of foam on top, while springs or pocketed coils support the foam layer from below.
Use pocketed metal coils to strike a balance between pressure-relieving support and bounce. Layers of foam provide cushioning and comfort without sinking.
Are great for couples, too: that layer of foam is great at keeping motion to a minimum.
Are the perfect answer to the question "How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress?" If you haven't tried one of these yet, it's likely time to step out of the dark ages and see what modern hybrids have to show off.

Latex Foam Mattresses:

Continue to grow in popularity among consumers. These feature a latex foam core as the support system. Keep in mind that if you're allergic to latex, this one isn't for you.
Are extremely resilient and breathable, which helps reduce heat buildup.
Feel a bit bouncier, with a tendency to conform a bit less than a memory foam layer.
Provide a high level of comfort and promote proper spinal alignment. Their unique construction responds to the body.
Are often derived from natural materials, making them a good choice for those who are hoping to live a greener lifestyle.

How To Make Your Mattress Last Longer

Now that you've found the material you love, there are several things you can do to help extend the longevity and durability of a mattress.

When you're searching, look for high-quality materials and construction, such as thick coils, dense foam, and the use of natural rather than synthetic materials.

Once you’ve picked your favorite, don't rest on your laurels: take the time to care for your investment. The right maintenance will help extend its life.

Caring For and Protecting Your Mattress

To maximize the lifespan of a mattress:

If you don't want to ask yourself "How often should you replace your mattress?" use a mattress protector from the start. A quality mattress protector helps keep your bedding clean and fresh for years and is a good way to ensure that it stays protected from spills, wear and household allergens.
Find the right adjustable base or foundation. Having the right foundation or base ensures that your mattress is properly supported. An adjustable base allows for choices in positions, while a foundation is a must-have for foam or hybrid models.
Regularly clean your surface as directed by the manufacturer. As a general rule, mattresses should be cleaned every six months. In our Learn Center, you can find cleaning tips for bedding essentials, with directions on how best to vacuum to remove dust, dead skin cells and anything else that may accumulate on (and within) its surface.
Inspect every few months. Pay attention to any signs of deterioration, like sagging or lumpy areas.
Rotate or flip your bed every 3 to 6 months to promote even wear—your bed will last longer and stay stronger.
Expose the surface to some natural light now and then. Direct sunlight helps remove excess moisture and UV rays can kill bacteria.
Consider keeping pets off the bed to reduce the risk of damage from claws, bouncing and chewing.
Avoid eating and drinking in bed to prevent spills and stains.
Don’t let your children jump on the bed as this can damage coils and other interior components.

Don’t Forget a Mattress Pad

Using a mattress pad or topper is an easy but sometimes overlooked way to extend the life of your pick. A mattress pad not only provides extra comfort, but its stain and waterproof layering helps protect your mattress.

Cleaning is easy: just spot-treat your mattress pad for stains and then load it into the washing machine. Granted, a mattress pad may not last as long as your bed, but it’s a lot more affordable to replace.

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Contact Abt

If you're asking "when should you replace a mattress?" our team is here to help. Reach out by calling Abt at 800-860-3577 or browse our many mattresses online. Be sure to shop our quality pillows, bed sheets and pillowcases as well. You'll be sleeping comfortably again in no time.