Is a mattress still good after 20 years?
Typically, manufacturers recommend replacing your mattress every eight years. But according to Consumer Reports, a mattress that's well cared for could easily last a decade. (Unless you're over 40. By that age, your body tolerates less pressure, which means you might need a new mattress after five to seven years.)
Mattresess that are too old may well cause back pain and even neck pain as well as other health problems. Take our test to see if your mattress is too old. It is quite common for back pain sufferers to experience disturbed sleep.
Most mattresses should last between 7 and 10 years. However, there are many variables that can influence mattress lifespan. The original build quality of the mattress, the materials used, and even the weight and sleeping styles of the sleepers can all influence a bed's longevity.
1) Your mattress is over 8 years old
If you are not good at keeping files, you should write the date of purchase on the mattress label. Consumer Reports magazine recommends replacement every 7 to 10 years. This may be a shock to many people who have purchased a mattress with a 20-year warranty.
According to the Sleep Council, older mattresses—typically 10 years or older—provide a breeding ground for a variety of bacteria, including staphylococcus, enterococcus, norovirus, and, in rare cases, MRSA. Mold can also be an issue if your room gets humid.
- Your Mattress Is Sagging. ...
- Your Mattress Makes A Lot Of Noise. ...
- Your Mattress Has A Bad Smell. ...
- Your Mattress Aggravates Your Allergies. ...
- You Wake Up In Pain. ...
- You Can't Get Comfortable. ...
- You Sleep Better On A Different Mattress.
When sleeping on an old bed, it may cause asthma to worsen. Mattresses accumulate allergens over time that can trigger asthma attacks. This also disrupts natural circadian rhythms which make it impossible to get a good night's sleep. Bedbugs are a difficult side effect to control.
If you go to bed feeling great and wake up miserable, it's a good sign your mattress is causing back pain. A mattress that's too soft will cause your spine to fall out of alignment all night long, and a mattress that's too firm will cause joint pressure in your hips that leads to pain in your lower back.
A mattress that's too soft will cause your back or hips to sag and your spine to fall out of alignment, which can lead to significant pain. A mattress that's too firm will put too much pressure on your joints, especially if you sleep on your side or your back.
How Often Do Hotels Replace Mattresses? Most hotels replace their mattresses every three to five years, though the specific timetable varies between establishments based on volume, usage, and budget, type of mattress, and mattress brand.
What type of mattress lasts the longest?
Latex mattresses are the most durable type of mattress, lasting between 12 to 15 years. When it comes to finding a long-lasting latex mattress, make sure to go with natural latex over synthetic or blended.
If you can't find recommendations directly from the manufacturer, here are some general guidelines: Memory foam and latex mattresses should be rotated 1-2 times per year. Newer innerspring mattresses should be rotated 1-2 times per year. Older innerspring mattress should be rotated 2-5 times per year.
![Is a 20 year old mattress too old? (2024)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3tD2Nv7Hspw/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEcCNAFEJQDSFXyq4qpAw4IARUAAIhCGAFwAcABBg==&rs=AOn4CLAwy-Bp212KzHfw0cymAAAPqdbWYA)
- Waking Up Sore. When you wake up each day feeling new aches and pains, you probably need a new mattress. ...
- Visible Signs of Wear. ...
- Your Allergies or Asthma Is Worse. ...
- It's Over 8 Years Old. ...
- You're Getting Hot. ...
- Trouble Sleeping.
Under normal conditions, mattresses should be replaced every 6 to 8 years. Of course, this is a general guideline and not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are various factors that influence when you should replace your mattress.
Firm mattresses are made to be strong and to prevent people from sinking into the mattress. This, in turn, ensures that your mattress will be long-lasting for years to come!
Polyurethane foam mattresses, whether they contain a modicum of soy or not, continue to negatively affect human health and the environment, and soy foam is not even readily biodegradable, so will end up in landfill with the rest of those toxic foam mattresses.
Be cautious of second-hand items — Previously used clothing, mattresses, luggage, and furniture can host bed bugs and cause an infestation in your home.
Sagging: Almost all mattresses start to sag over time as a result of supporting the weight of your body night after night. A sagging mattress can lead to uneven spinal support, which may cause pressure to build up in your back and neck as you sleep.
Sprinkle the mattress top with a layer of baking soda and let it sit for several hours. If you're able, add some sunlight and let it sit for a full 24 hours. Baking soda deodorizes, removes moisture and breaks up dirt and grime.
Morning body aches can be caused by a lack of good quality sleep, which deprives your body's tissues and cells of repair time. An effective way to improve sleep is with exercise, which tires the body and reduces stress, helping to improve both the quality of your sleep, and the amount of sleep that you get each night.
Should you sink into your mattress?
If you feel the most comfortable sleeping on your stomach, you need a medium to firm mattress. The firmer surface keeps your body resting on top without sinking too deeply into your bed. Combination sleepers find the best comfort resting on a medium to medium-firm mattress.
For those not experiencing troublesome back pain, a firm mattress is will generally be more comfortable. When sleeping on a firmer surface, the bones absorb most of the pressure, meaning there is less stress on muscles, veins and arteries. Muscles are less strained, and circulation is improved.
Memory foam and latex mattresses are often considered the best options for back pain, as they conform to your body, cradling pressure points while supporting your spine and keeping it aligned.
Pressure Relief: The comfort of a pillow top is renowned for supporting sleep. They are the preferred mattress for side sleepers for hip and shoulder support and are considered great for reducing back and joint pain. They are overall exceptional for pressure point relief.
Mattress Type | Average Lifespan | Signs of Wear |
---|---|---|
Memory Foam | 7-10 years | Softening, sagging, losing support |
Latex Foam | 8-12 years | Softening, sagging, losing support |
Hybrid | 5-7 years | Sagging, coils poking through, worn or lumpy comfort layers, noisy coils |
Latex mattresses are the most durable type of mattress, lasting between 12 to 15 years. When it comes to finding a long-lasting latex mattress, make sure to go with natural latex over synthetic or blended.
If you can't find recommendations directly from the manufacturer, here are some general guidelines: Memory foam and latex mattresses should be rotated 1-2 times per year. Newer innerspring mattresses should be rotated 1-2 times per year. Older innerspring mattress should be rotated 2-5 times per year.
we highly recommend you do. If budget or other circ*mstances mean you can't change your base, make sure your current one is in excellent condition. If the existing base is in a poor condition it is best to at least purchase a low-cost, platform top, non-storage base.
How Often Do Hotels Replace Mattresses? Most hotels replace their mattresses every three to five years, though the specific timetable varies between establishments based on volume, usage, and budget, type of mattress, and mattress brand.
- Rotate Your Mattress. A quick fix, but not a permanent solution. ...
- Add a Mattress Topper. ...
- Vacuum Your Mattress to Redistribute Filling. ...
- Place Pillows Beneath the Mattress. ...
- Use Plywood to Reinforce Your Mattress Frame or Foundation.
What lasts longer spring or foam mattress?
Durability. While spring mattresses can last a while, the springs can sag after five to eight years of use. However, the thicker the coils, the longer the mattress will last. Memory foam is generally considered to be the more durable option, lasting between eight and 12 years.
- Best Overall: Helix Midnight.
- Most Comfortable: DreamCloud Mattress.
- Best Value: Nectar Mattress.
- Best Luxury: Saatva Classic.
- Best for Side Sleepers: Softer WinkBed.
- Best for Couples: Helix Dusk Luxe.
- Best for Back Pain: Luxury Firm WinkBed.
- Best Cooling: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Hybrid.
All mattresses will sag eventually, and this effect will have a significant impact on the bed's feel and comfort. Thankfully, there are a few things that mattress owners can do to help minimize the effects of sagging.
Firm mattresses are made to be strong and to prevent people from sinking into the mattress. This, in turn, ensures that your mattress will be long-lasting for years to come!
Over time, if you don't rotate your mattress, it can start to wear unevenly and it won't provide the correct support you need. The main benefits of rotating your mattress regularly are: Better support for longer. Consistent comfort.
Most pillow top mattresses should be rotated every three months at least – even more often if your mattress is new. This will increase your comfort while sleeping and prevent permanent dips and valleys in the foam.
You shouldn't flip any mattress unless it's specifically marketed as a double-sided mattress. Most memory foam, latex, hybrid, and pillow-top mattresses are one-sided. Flipping one-sided mattresses leads to excess pressure on the comfort layer, causing irreversible damage to the mattress.
It's not always necessary to replace your box spring every time you replace your mattress, but it's probably a good idea to do so. They do wear out at a similar rate as mattresses. Box springs last around 10 years, which is a slightly longer lifespan than the typical mattress.
While many new mattresses do not require or work well with box springs, some still do. Other brands recommend them, but only if a metal frame is used. Still more suggest the use of a different type of bed frame or foundation altogether with their mattresses.
So even though box springs used to be considered a practical and functional part of your bed's setup, they have become largely outdated. There are better options to choose from now!