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How Often Should You Change Your Mattress?

How Often Should You Change Your Mattress?

Elisa King |

How long do mattresses last? When’s the best time to replace your mattress? How can you tell when your mattress needs changing? These are all questions we receive on a regular basis here at Divan Base Direct. And, don’t worry. We have some definitive answers for you. So, if you want to know how often you should be changing your mattress, keep reading.

Why your mattress is important

Before we delve into the ins and outs of mattress lifespans, we first want to take a moment to emphasise how important your mattress is.

Sleep is one area in which we all have the same basic needs. If you can’t get a good night’s sleep, then every other part of your life will be affected.

Sleep is the great equaliser.

Your mattress is perhaps the key factor in ensuring that you sleep well.

Here’s why:

  • Your mattress will impact your health - if you don’t buy a mattress that properly supports your body, you can develop back and joint pains. What’s more, a poor mattress can affect your mental health, allergies and other health related issues.

  • Your mattress will impact your relationship - if your mattress doesn’t support both you and your partner, and minimise partner disturbance, it could negatively affect your relationship.

  • Your mattress will impact your career - if your mattress is so uncomfortable you can’t sleep properly, you’ll perform poorly at work, affecting your career.

Perhaps the most important point is that you’ll spend approximately 33 years of your life in bed. If you’re going to be spending that long lying on a mattress, you want it to be comfortable and high quality.

When should you change your mattress

So, now for the answer you’ve been waiting for…. How often should you change your mattress?

Under normal conditions, mattresses should be changed every 6 to 8 years.

But (and there always is a ‘but’), this is a general rule and not a one-size-fits-all recommendation.

Multiple factors affect when your mattress will need changing. These include:

  • The quality of the mattress’ materials and construction.
  • How often the mattress is used.
  • How heavy the user of the mattress is.
  • What type of mattress it is.
  • How well the mattress is cared for
  • And more…

As you can see, there’s a lot that influences how long a mattress will last.

At this point you may be wondering how you can tell when a mattress needs changing. Well, worry not, we’re about to tell you how to spot the signs that your mattress is due for retirement.

How to tell when you need a new mattress

There are a number of signs that’ll tell you when it’s time to buy a new mattress. Some are more obvious than others, but look out for the things detailed below and you should be able to easily decide whether or not it’s ‘new mattress time’.

You can’t get a good night’s sleep

The first, and perhaps most obvious sign, is that you’re no longer able to have a restful night’s sleep. If you wake up feeling tired or even a little sore, then this is a sign that your mattress is no longer providing you with sufficient support.

You may need to consciously think about this. Why? Because, over time you will adjust to discomfort and forget what your mattress felt like when it was new.

If you find that you’ve recently been to a friend’s house or hotel and had a brilliant night’s sleep, only to find on your return that your own mattress is uncomfortable, it’s probably time to start shopping for a new one.

Your mattress is over 7 years old

We realise this seems like a blindingly obvious point given that we’ve already said this above, but go and check when you bought your current mattress. The National Bed Federation recommends replacing your mattress about every 7 years.

After 7 years a mattress has been subjected to over 20,000 hours of wear and tear! No mattress is designed to last forever. Inferior products don’t last as long, but even a premium quality mattress will eventually need replacing.

Your mattress is saggy or lumpy

If you get out of bed in the morning and find that you’ve left behind a depression in your mattress, then that’s a clear sign you need a new one.

Once your mattress begins to ‘collapse’ into itself and becomes lumpy or saggy, then that means the internal support structure of the mattress is past its best. This is particularly common in coil sprung mattresses, as the coils will lose their integrity over time.

Note however, that all mattresses can experience this issue. After all, materials, springs and fabrics all have finite life spans - just like any other type of material.

You’ve lost (or gained) weight

When you first buy a mattress it’ll be attuned to your body. However if, over time, you gain or lose weight, you may find that your mattress is no longer as comfortable as it once was.

This can be particularly noticeable if you’ve put on weight and your mattress is several years old. Not only will you be putting more pressure upon the mattress, but the mattress will be fatigued and less able to provide support than when it was new.

You have added a sleeping partner

Did you buy your mattress when you were single? If you suddenly start sleeping with a partner, then you may find that your mattress is no longer as comfortable as it once was.

This is a similar point to the one we’ve made above. You may find that the mattress which was comfortable when you were sleeping alone, isn’t as supportive, comfortable or stable once there’s another person sleeping on it with you.

Your allergies or asthma seem to be getting worse

This is a less obvious sign that you need a new mattress - but it’s a sign nonetheless.

Like any other fabric based piece of furniture, a mattress can build up dust, dead skin and other allergens over time.

If that sounds a little far fetched, bear in mind that we shed around a pound of dead skin cells on average each year. Given the amount of time the average person spends in bed, it’s no surprise to find that the bulk of those dead skin cells end up on your mattress.

So, if you find that your allergies or asthma have recently gotten worse, especially when you first wake up in the morning, then it could be a sign you need a new mattress.

Your mattress is making more noise than usual

Do you hear a crescendo of pinging, springing and squeaking every time you get in or out of bed?

Then it could be time to say goodbye to your current mattress.

Noisy springs and creaking edges are a common sign that a mattress is past its use by date and in need of replacement.

Further information and advice is available to view on The National Bed Federation website.

How to extend the life of your mattress

Once you’ve bought a new mattress, it’s only natural that you’ll want it to last as long as possible.

Below you’ll find some of our top tips for extending the life of your mattress.

Hoover your mattress regularly

A mattress is one of those things that’s easy to put in place and then completely forget about.

Sure, you change your sheets and bedding on a regular basis, but are you cleaning your mattress? If you’re not, then you should be.Be sure to give your mattress a quick hoover everytime you change your sheets.

Rotate your mattress

You should rotate your mattress every three to six months. And, if it’s flippable, do this once every six to 12 months.

Carry and move your mattress properly

One of the things that can reduce the lifespan of a mattress is incorrect handling. Every time your mattress is dropped, placed down on the floor incorrectly and generally crushed or squished, you’ll be damaging it - and reducing its usable lifespan.

To avoid this, always use the attached straps (or if your mattress doesn’t have straps, lift it from the bottom). Never bend your mattress, and keep it straight when you move it i.e. don’t try and bend it around corners.

Oh, and don’t ever tie your mattress to the roof of your car, it’ll not only damage your mattress, it’s dangerous. If you have to move it between places, hire a van…

Use a mattress protector

One of the easiest and most convenient ways you can prolong the life of your mattress is to use a mattress protector.

Most mattress protectors are affordable and will protect your mattress from dirt, damage, spills and other accidents. It’s also possible to buy ‘enhanced’ mattress protectors that feature additional things such as fleece lining or padded quilting to add extra comfort.

Limit playtime and pets

It can certainly be fun to let the kids jump around on the bed or to let the cat or dog snuggle up close to you, but too much of this activity and your mattress will start to age.

Pet claws in particular can cause damage to the surface of your mattress. So, try and keep playtime to a minimum to preserve your mattress for longer!

Make sure your mattress is properly supported

Your mattress will last longer if it’s used in conjunction with an appropriate bed base.

Most importantly, you want to ensure that the mattress is a size that matches the bed base. If your mattress is too large and overhangs the bed base, it’s internals will quickly wear out and it’ll lose its shape.

Not only that, but a bed base that offers proper support will also help your mattress last longer.

Air your mattress occasionally

When you’re changing your sheets and bedding it can be useful to take your mattress off the bed base and let it air. This is particularly worth doing during the spring or summer when you can leave the windows open.

Doing this will prevent moisture or damp build up within the mattress.

Wash bedding regularly

When you sleep, your body gives off moisture, oil, hair, skin cells and more. All of which will be soaked up by your bedding. If you don’t change that bedding, then all of that detritus will find its way through to the mattress. Yuck.

So, to prolong the life of your mattress and prevent it from building up unpleasant ‘extras’, ensure you wash your bedding regularly. According to most cleaning experts, bedding should be washed either weekly or fortnightly (although you may wish to wash it more regularly when the weather is very hot or humid).

Don’t eat in bed

Whilst it might be nice to have breakfast in bed, it’s less nice to find that crumbs of toast and other bits of food have found their way under the covers. If you want to make sure that your mattress stays at its best and doesn’t accumulate dirt and other mess, leave the food for the kitchen.

With those tips, we hope you’ll be able to keep your mattress as good as new, for as long as possible.

Shop the UK’s best mattresses

If, having read all of this, you feel like it’s time for a new mattress, then you’re in the right place. Here at Divan Base Direct we stock a huge range of mattresses of varying different types, styles and sizes.

Below we’ve highlighted a selection of our most popular mattresses right now.

Apollo Jubilee 1000 Pocket Sprung Mattress

Shop Now - Apollo Jubilee 1000 Pocket Sprung Mattress

The Apollo Jubilee is a 26cm deep mattress that contains 1000 individual pocket springs which work independently from one another, providing support for your pressure points and which encourage correct spinal alignment whilst you sleep.

These 1000 pocket springs are surrounded by luxurious layers of soft padding to offer a medium level of comfort support.

Finally, the Apollo Jubilee is finished in a luxurious Belgian Damask fabric cover, with a hand tufted finish and 3-row hand stitched border for added support and durability.

Westminster Chelsea 1500 Pocket Sprung Memory Foam Mattress

Shop Now - Westminster Chelsea 1500 Pocket Sprung Memory Foam Mattress

With over 1,500 individual pocket springs and a 25mm layer of body moulding memory foam on both the top and bottom for the ultimate in support, the Westminster Chelsea is one comfortable mattress…

Beneath the memory foam layers, the individual pocket springs move with you to support every inch of your body.

What’s more, natural fillings of both cotton and wool are combined to create a fresh, breathable and temperature regulating sleeping surface. The Westminster Chelsea is also finished in the finest Belgian knitted stretch fabric which has a hand tufted finish for extra support and durability.

Vogue Royale 1000 Pocket Sprung Cushioned Top Mattress

Shop Now - Vogue Royale 1000 Pocket Sprung Cushioned Top Mattress

Combining 1,000 individual pocket springs with an attached cushioned top on both sides of the mattress, the Vogue Royale will certainly provide you with a comfortable night’s sleep.

The individual pocket springs work independently to mould to your body and balance weight distribution, whilst also minimising pressure points to improve blood circulation.

The Vogue Royale is also filled with layers of Airstream hypoallergenic polyester fibres, which help to regulate your body temperature and maintain a consistent airflow, providing you with a comfortable and refreshing night’s sleep.

Lastly, the Vogue Royale is finished in a luxurious soft knitted ‘Active Plus’ fabric which features a hand tufted finish for extra support, flag stitched handles for easy movability and a side stitched border for durability.

Shire Solaris Hydra 1500 Pocket Sprung Mattress

Shop Now - Shire Solaris Hydra 1500 Pocket Sprung Mattress

Made by The Shire Bed Company, a UK Yorkshire-based manufacturer and renowned member of the National Bed Federation and British Manufacturers Association, the Shire Solaris Hydra is 28cm thick and features a highly supportive 1,500 pocket spring unit, with butterfly springs around the edge for all-over support.

The mattress’ pocket springs are designed to conform to your body and provide support for your pressure points, encouraging correct spinal alignment whilst you sleep.

But, that’s not all. Deep layers of high-density polyester fillings create a fresh and breathable sleeping surface, which is double sided with a medium firm comfort support.

The Solaris Hydra is finished in a premium bamboo stretch knitted fabric with a luxury quilted finish for extra softness and heat regulation. The mattress also benefits from a breathable, 3D mesh border with air vents, to allow for extra circulation preventing the build up of moisture as well as flag stitched handles for easy rotating.

Shop mattresses at Divan Base Direct now

For more mattress, bed base and headboard buying advice, explore the rest of the Divan Base Direct blog

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