The Signs It's Time to Replace Your Mattress

Did you know that a human being on an average sleeps approximately one-third of his or her life? Considering how many hours you spend asleep — such a sizable chunk of time — the condition of your mattress is integral to how restorative your sleep might be. A good mattress is not just a comfortable place to lay your head; it affects how well you sleep, and your health and well-being depends on it. Sleeping on a supportive, comfortable mattress makes it much more likely that you’ll wake up feeling refreshed and ache free.

Over time, though, mattresses degrade, and your comfort will decrease, ultimately impacting the quality of your sleep, and affecting how you go about your daily life. So, it is essential to know when your mattress needs to be changed as you should not compromise your sleep. This blog post will guide you through the indicators that your mattress might be due for a replacement. From telltale signs like sagging and lumpiness to problems like allergies and aches, we’ll walk you through the top signs that it’s time to invest in a new mattress to promote better sleep.

The Impact of Old Mattresses On Respiratory Health

Old mattresses can accumulate dust mites and allergens over time, which can significantly impact your health and comfort. As you use your mattress night after night, it inevitably gathers dead skin cells, sweat, and other organic materials. These substances create a perfect breeding ground for dust mites, microscopic creatures that feed on the accumulated debris. Additionally, your mattress can trap allergens such as pet dander, pollen, and mould spores, which can permeate the fabric and padding.

Dust mites and these allergens can easily infiltrate the inner layers of your mattress, becoming difficult to remove with regular cleaning. Every time you lie down, you disturb these particles, releasing them into the air you breathe throughout the night. This continuous exposure can aggravate your respiratory system, leading to increased allergy or asthma symptoms.

One of the most telling signs that your mattress may be contributing to allergy or asthma issues is the noticeable increase in allergy symptoms during the night. If you find yourself experiencing frequent sneezing, a runny or congested nose, itchy or watery eyes, and coughing more often when you are laid in bed, your mattress could be the culprit. 

Moreover, if you notice that your symptoms improve when you sleep elsewhere, such as in a hotel or a different room, this is a strong indication that your mattress is harbouring allergens. Waking up with a sore throat or experiencing difficulty breathing can also signal that your mattress environment is not as clean as it should be. Replacing your old mattress with a new, hypoallergenic one can significantly reduce exposure to dust mites and allergens, leading to better respiratory health and a more restful night's sleep.

A woman in a bathrobe relaxing on a bed

How a Worn-Out Mattress Can Affect Your Comfort and Health

A worn-out mattress can significantly contribute to waking up with stiffness and soreness, particularly in the back or neck. Over time, mattresses lose their structural integrity and ability to provide adequate support. The materials inside, such as springs, foam, or other cushioning elements, begin to degrade and lose their resilience. This degradation leads to uneven weight distribution, causing certain parts of your body to sink deeper into the mattress while other areas are inadequately supported.

When your mattress no longer maintains its shape or offers proper support, your spine can fall out of alignment during the night. Proper spinal alignment is crucial for preventing muscle strain and joint pain. If your spine is not aligned correctly, pressure points can develop, particularly in the areas where your body exerts the most weight, such as your shoulders, hips, and lower back. This misalignment and uneven pressure distribution can lead to muscles and joints being overworked or stretched, resulting in stiffness and soreness upon waking.

Regularly waking up with stiffness or aches, especially in the back or neck, is a clear indicator that your mattress might be worn out and no longer provide the support you need. If you notice that your discomfort subsides or disappears after you've been up and moving around for a while, this is a strong sign that your mattress is the issue. Additionally, if you find yourself frequently needing to stretch or apply heat or ice to alleviate morning pain, your mattress could be contributing to these problems.

The comfort of your mattress plays a crucial role in determining the quality of your sleep, affecting both your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. A comfortable mattress provides the necessary support and cushioning to promote relaxation and help you drift off to sleep more easily. On the other hand, an uncomfortable or worn-out mattress can disrupt your sleep patterns, making it difficult to achieve the restful sleep your body needs.

In addition to physical discomfort, an unsupportive mattress can impact your mental state as you prepare for sleep. If you associate your bed with discomfort and restlessness, you may develop anxiety around bedtime, which can further impede your ability to relax and fall asleep. This negative association can create a vicious cycle, where the more difficulty you have sleeping, the more stressed you become about sleep, exacerbating the problem.

Signs Your Mattress May Be Affecting Your Sleep

One of the primary indicators that your mattress may be affecting your sleep quality is experiencing consistent trouble falling asleep or staying asleep through the night. If you find yourself lying awake for long periods, unable to get comfortable, or if you wake up frequently and struggle to return to sleep, your mattress might be to blame. Additionally, waking up feeling unrefreshed or experiencing daytime fatigue despite spending enough time in bed can signal that your mattress is not providing the necessary support for a good night's sleep.

If you notice that you sleep better in other environments, such as on a different mattress at a hotel or a friend's house, it could be a strong indication that your current mattress is hindering your sleep. Furthermore, if you find yourself dreading bedtime or feeling anxious about the prospect of another restless night, it’s likely time to consider replacing your mattress with one that offers better comfort and support.

Cozy bed with fluffy pillows and a warm blanket, inviting you to relax and unwind.

How Ageing Mattresses Can Disrupt Your Sleep

Many mattress internal components don’t age well over time, which can lead to increased squeaking or noise when you lie down on the mattress — not ideal if you value a quiet place for sleep! Over time, mattresses wear down as inner components like springs, coils, and other key materials begin to disintegrate. Springs lose their strength, coils can loosen, and the mattress will lose its structure. This disintegration can produce noises of all kinds, scratchy squeaks and creaks, which are heard every time you adjust your position or turn at night.

Such noises are most often the result of metal parts (e.g coils) scraping against each other, or against other materials inside the mattress. In innerspring mattresses, for instance, the coils are typically the primary source of noise. Over time, those connections between these coils can wear down, causing friction and noise. Not only are these sounds disruptive, but they can be a sign that the mattress is no longer giving the support that it needs.

Mattress Lifespan: How Long Will Yours Last?

The age of your mattress is a critical factor in determining its effectiveness and overall comfort, as different types of mattresses have varying lifespans. On average, mattresses are designed to last between 7 to 10 years, but this can vary significantly depending on the material and construction of the mattress. Understanding the typical lifespan of your specific mattress type can help you gauge when it might be time to consider a replacement.

Pocket spring mattresses, one of the most common types, generally have a lifespan of around 7 to 8 years. These mattresses rely on metal coils for support, which can lose their tension and resilience over time. Memory foam mattresses, known for their contouring properties and pressure relief, tend to last a bit longer, typically around 10 years. The high-density foam used in these mattresses provides durability, but it can still break down with prolonged use.

Latex mattresses, made from natural or synthetic rubber, are among the most durable options, often lasting 10 to 12 years or more. Natural latex, in particular, is known for its resilience and resistance to sagging. Hybrid mattresses, which combine innerspring coils with layers of foam or latex, usually have a lifespan of about 8 to 10 years, depending on the quality of the materials used.

Regardless of the type, regular use and the amount of care and maintenance your mattress receives can also influence its longevity. Factors such as body weight, the frequency of use, and whether a mattress is rotated or flipped can all impact how long it remains supportive and comfortable.

Recognising When To Replace Your Mattress

As we’ve covered in this blog, waking up to the signs that you need a new mattress can play an integral role in getting the most restful sleep possible. We also pointed out that the age of your mattress is vital, and that all mattress types do not last the same amount of time. Being tuned in to these indicators, in turn, can help you determine whether your mattress continues to offer the support and comfort you need or if it’s time to switch to a new mattress.

If you’ve recognised any of these signals, it’s important to assess your mattress and see if it’s due for replacement. A good mattress is essential for getting restorative sleep and staying healthy, so taking action now can make a big difference in how well you sleep each night. Visit Next Divan for your new mattress today!

A man and woman hugging closely under the covers.