6 Signs You Seriously Need to Replace Your Mattress

In the last article, we have listed some warning signs that you should seriously consider replacing your current mattress. Let’s dissect them one by one.

• It’s 6-8+ years old
• There are signs of wear and tear
• It’s noticeably saggy or damaged in certain areas
• It’s making more noise than usual
• You find that you wake up sore
• There is an increase in allergies and/or asthma
• You start to have trouble sleeping
• Or you just want to buy a new mattress

1. Is it true of the 8 years law?

The 8-year rule of thumb is generally cited by the mattress industry. This is not an equation but more of an experienced judgment.

Many factors impact the longevity of a mattress, including the materials used, the quality of the initial construction, the number and weight of the sleepers using the mattress, their typical sleeping positions, and how well the mattress has been cleaned and maintained.

One of the biggest factors impacting longevity is the type of mattress you own and the quality of the original construction. Different types of mattresses have different expected lifespans: A typical innerspring mattress lasts 5 to 8 years; memory foam, conventional foam, and hybrid mattresses generally last 6 to 8 years; air mattresses usually last 6 to 8 years; and latex mattresses last 8 to 12 years.

To maximize its lifespan, you should pair your mattress with the correct foundation; invest in a good-quality mattress protector; regularly clean and maintain your mattress according to the manufacturer’s recommendations; and inspect it every 6 months for signs of wear and tear, all these measures that we have covered in the above section.

2. Replace when you notice signs of wear and tear.

Obvious signs of wear and tear are a good indication that you should replace your mattress. This includes mattress sagging, visible tears, ripping, holes, stains, lumpy or deep indentations, foams failing or shifting around, or springs poking you.

You can partly tell that a mattress is sagging if there is a noticeable body impression in the mattress – this is especially common for heavier people, whose bodies may leave a deep indentation in the mattress. If you get up and your mattress does not quickly return to its normal, flat appearance, it might be time to consider a new mattress.

Over time, your mattress will naturally begin to conform to your body weight and sleeping position, but large valleys, dips, grooves, or sagging areas that prevent you from achieving proper spinal alignment are a sign that you should replace your mattress.

Heavier sleepers may notice sagging, also known as the “hammock effect,” sooner; also, people who typically sleep on their sides may find sagging spots developing around the hips and shoulders. One way to prevent sagging is to rotate your mattress regularly, switching it head to foot about every 6 months. Note that most mattresses today are not designed to be flipped top to bottom, but our Hesperis Mattress is.

3. Your mattress is noisy

Does your mattress creak, groan or pop? That's a sign you need a mattress replacement. It shouldn't, even when you're tossing and turning. Mattresses with springs and coils tend to get noisy after years of use, as the springs lose their springiness and the inner workings of the mattress get wacky. If you use a wooden or metal bed frame, rule that out first, and then consider investing in a new mattress.

Properly functioning innerspring are designed to cushion and cradle the sleeper without making noise, so it is a sign of wear if your mattress’s springs start to squeak. Squeaks and creaks are a sign that the coils are starting to degrade and may begin to sag, break, or snap. If you see or feel springs poking through the mattress cover, it is past time to replace your mattress. Noise and squeaks may also come from the box spring as its coils begin to age. If you start to hear or feel your partner’s movements more than before, that, too, is an indication that the coils are aging and your mattress is nearing the end of its useful life.

4. Waking up sore

When you wake up each day feeling new aches and pains, this is a strong sign of replacing your mattress. An old mattress can no longer support your neck, shoulder, and lower back as they first were.

When your mattress loses its shape, it no longer supports your spine’s natural curvature. This then adds stress to other parts of your body while you sleep. ‌

Your mattress breakdown will be gradual. This means you might feel tightness or soreness in certain areas of your body. It might not be enough for you to immediately blame your mattress. But it could be the first sign that you need to start looking for a new mattress.

Unless you can definitively attribute muscle soreness to exercise or pain to injury, your mattress might be causing you to wake up achy. Keep an eye out for signs that your mattress is to blame: A stiff neck, sore lower back, and a "pinching" pain in your joints, especially your neck and shoulders.

Saggy mattresses are particularly notorious for getting between you and a good night’s sleep. If there are noticeable valleys or dips in your mattress, or if lumps or bumps in the mattress prevent you from finding a comfortable sleeping position, then the foam and another padding in the mattress may have shifted or degraded, and it’s time for the mattress to go. 

5. Your allergies or asthma Is worse

Dust mite feces can cause respiratory problems which trigger allergies and asthma. An older mattress can have more dust mite issues than you’d think.

Though older mattresses typically have the highest amount of dust mites present than any other item in your house, your old mattress may contain more than just dust mites. It might also be harboring the following:

• Dust mite feces
• Mold
• Bacteria
• Other allergens

When mold, mildew, and dust mites invade a mattress, they might exacerbate issues with allergies. If you wake up with watery eyes, a runny nose, and a headache frequently, the allergens in your mattress might be the cause.

There are some materials (such as natural latex and wool) that can help prevent the buildup of allergens, also the materials used in our mattress and topper contains 25% coconut fiber and skin-friendly fabric certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100 will also leave your night dry cool and mites free for long enough.

No matter how often you vacuum and clean your mattress, it will absorb dead skin, body oils, and moisture, which in turn attract duѕt mіtеs that feed on dead skin cells.

According to a study published by Ohio State University, an average used mattress hosts from 100,000 to 10 million dust mites, which can produce allergic reactions in many people and exacerbate asthma symptoms. Similarly, when a mattress absorbs oil and moisture from your skin, it can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. Black spots or moldy or musty smells are a sure sign that you should replace your mattress.

6. Trouble sleeping

Trouble sleeping is the final sign that indicates you probably need to replace your mattress. Even if you don’t notice pain — or have just accepted it — difficulty sleeping could be caused by your mattress.

One way to easily see is to test your sleeping experience on another bed, such as hotels or friends’ places. If you sleep rather differently, then it’s a good idea to look for a new mattress.

Having trouble getting comfortable or staying comfortable while you sleep can be another sign that you need a new mattress.

If you’re tossing and turning, that may mean your mattress has lost its comfort and support. If you find yourself waking up often throughout the night, it is possible your old mattress is to blame.

It should only take 10 to 20 minutes to fall asleep. If you find yourself lying awake at night, it may be time for a new mattress. Of course, you should first rule out conditions such as insomnia and anxiety, and you aren't just battling your internal clock.

Overall

Before replacing a mattress and after purchasing a new one, make sure to take steps to get as many years out of the mattress as possible.

If you find yourself wondering why you can't fall asleep or why your back hurts so much when you wake up, it's probably time for a new bed. Look no further than here for your new mattress.