When to Replace Your Mattress
You should replace your mattress every 5-7 years.
Even if if doesn't show much wear and tear, your body, sleep and lifestyle needs have probably changed. If your mattress is 5-7 years older, so are you! Has your weight changed, have you gotten married, developed back problems, or do you have a less active lifestyle? That old mattress may no longer be the best fit for the person you are today.
Knowing when to replace a sofa is easy. Signs of wear and tear are on the outside and fairly obvious. The cushions sag, the fabric is worn or it’s just plain out of style. But mattresses stay hidden under sheets and blankets, so it’s easy to forget that they wear out over time too.
- First, check your sleep. Do you find that you sleep better in a hotel bed than your own? Do you wake up with stiffness, numbness, aches and pains? Do you always feel tired in the morning – no matter what time you went to bed? These can all be signs that your current mattress no longer provides the support and comfort you need and should be replaced.
- Of course, you should check your mattress too. Look for visible signs of wear and tear. If your mattress looks tired – sagging, lumpy, dented or worn – it’s time to retire it.
- Also, check with your partner. If your partner is tossing and turning all night, it probably means your mattress isn’t providing the support they need. And if their tossing and turning is keeping you up at night, that means the mattress no longer dampens motion like it should.
- Finally, check the time. How long has your mattress been in use? Many mattress tags include a manufacture date. If it’s 7 years or older, a new mattress should improve your sleep. Research shows that a new mattress improves sleep quality by 60% compared to one that’s more than 7 years old.
Replacing a mattress that’s past its prime can help decrease those morning aches and pains and improve sleep quality for you and your partner.