How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress?

Nothing lasts forever, not even your favorite mattress. Even well-made mattresses wear down eventually and need to be replaced. But how often should you change a mattress? How long should a mattress last? We’ll explore these questions and help you figure out if it is time to swap out your mattress for a new one. 

Signs You Might Need to Replace Your Mattress

Every mattress is different, so one of the best ways to know when it's time to change it out for something new, is to just watch for some of the key signs of a worn out mattress. If you’re seeing these signs, your mattress may be at the end of its life. 

1. Your Mattress Sags

If your mattress is sagging in the middle or the corners, it’s time for a new one. If your body imprints on the mattress, or you feel a bit like the Princess and the Pea while lying on it, those lumps are another physical sign your mattress is at the end of its lifespan. 

2. Your Mattress Is Noisy

Even if you’re tossing and turning, your mattress shouldn’t be creaking and squeaking all night. Noisy springs are a sign that they’re losing their springiness after years of use. Make sure that the noise is coming from your mattress and not a metal bed frame. But if your mattress is the source of the squeaking, it’s time to look into a new one. 

3. Your Mattress Affects Your Sleep

If you wake up sore or can’t get comfortable on your mattress, your mattress may be worn out. An uncomfortable, worn-out mattress might take longer to fall asleep on or could be waking you up during the night. Maybe your mattress is keeping you up but instead giving you a pinching pain in your shoulders and neck. Those types of pains are often from old mattresses and can be an indication it’s time to upgrade. 

If you’re instead waking up with allergy-like symptoms regularly, that could also be an indication your mattress is old. Old mattresses build up dust mites and more that could be the source of morning sneezes. So however your mattress might be affecting your sleep, it’s probably a good sign it’s time to get a new one. 

4. Your Mattress Has Changed How It Feels

If your mattress is harder or softer than when you first bought it, that could be a sign it’s worn out. Even if it’s only a few years old, if your mattress is feeling harder than when you bought it, it could be wearing out. This sign can be hard to notice over time, but if it’s combined with other signs or it’s old, your mattress is probably in need of an upgrade. 

General Guidelines for Replacing a Mattress

In general, the lifespan of a mattress is about 5–15 years. Higher quality mattresses can last a little longer, and low quality mattresses might last less time. The material your mattress is made of can also affect when you should think about replacing it. Here are some general guidelines for popular mattress types: 

• Innerspring: These mattresses may last up to 10 years. 
• Memory foam: With the right care (including proper rotating), this mattress can last 10–15 years. 
• Hybrid: These mattresses are newer so there isn't a lot of data out about these but they should last up to about 10 years. 
• Waterbed: These mattresses sometimes last as short as 5 years but with proper care (and quality of production) could last 8. 

Overall, if you’ve had your mattress for over 10 years, it might be time to start looking into getting a new mattress. Once you know it's time to replace your mattress, make sure you shop around and check out the mattresses we have to offer, after-all your quality of sleep is on the line.