How Long Should A Mattress Last?

When buying a mattress, there is a lot of emphasis on how long it will last. You want something that you can use for years on end without having to make a trip to the store. Getting a mattress is an investment like any other, and you should thus get something that gives you value for its money.

Now, with mattresses, the issue of how long they will last is quite complicated. Thus, it is best to look at it in terms of how long you can derive comfort and support from it. In this way, you can estimate when it will be necessary to get another one and whether the subsequent purchase will give you your money’s worth.

Estimating a mattress’s life span is not only about money spent on the initial purchase. But instead, it also concerns your comfort levels. As the mattress comes to the end of its lifespan, you will notice that it will be quite uncomfortable and you will thus not get much rest at night. Additionally, this discomfort could earn you many trips to the doctor. And all this would lead to added medical bills, which you can avoid by taking the longevity of the mattress into account.

Back pains can result from a lot of things, including injuries from sports. However, did you know that mattresses can also be a cause of the same? A recent study shows that worn-out mattresses are to blame for some of the aches that people bear. If you have trouble falling asleep or wake up tired, consider changing your mattress and see whether there will be a change in your sleep patterns.

Now that you have seen the importance of having a sound mattress, let us get into the different types available in the market and how long they will serve your needs:

Lifespan

Mattresses should serve you for many years before you get a replacement. Some are good for five years, others ten and others for three. The lifetime depends on the material in place. The better the quality of the material, the more the mattress can last.

Most products on the market will serve you for about seven to ten years. After this, you get a replacement. But if you get the best in the market, you can have the mattress for ten years or more. It is important to note that though a material affects the lifespan of the mattress, the care given to the same will affect its durability.

It is recommendable that you should change your mattress every decade or so unless it is in good condition and can do with a few more years of use.

Types

• Waterbeds

These mattresses do not feature springs, and they thus have more durability when compared to the conventional types. They can last for about seven to nine years. However, you can increase this lifespan by ensuring that proper maintenance practices are in play.

•  Hybrids

These mattresses go by this name as they borrow something small from the different types. For one, they have pocketed coils which offer support in the form of an innerspring system. Additionally, they have a soft layer such as what you would find in a latex or memory foam mattress. They are quite comfortable. The downside to them is that they wear out at a fast rate as compared to other products on the market.

They can last for as many as six years before it is time to make a replacement. However, some may last longer as it depends on what material is in the support core.

•  Air Mattress

This mattress is suitable for anyone looking for a firm feel. When you fill the mattress up, it becomes rigid and quite comfortable. What’s more, these mattresses are portable, and you can use them on trips. The downside to them is that the air starts leaking after continued use of the mattress, and this makes them flop. What’s more, the built-in air pumps also get damaged over time, and this makes their use impossible. On average, you should expect five years of service from these products.

• Futons

Now, this is the mattress you should get if you do not plan on using it often. It has low durability and can last for about five years with care practices in play. In most cases, you will find that a replacement is necessary within three to four years.

• Use

The more you use the mattress, the more wear and tear it will experience. Thus, where you rarely use a mattress, you can approximate that it will last longer than indicated in the guide.

• Weight

Where you are heavy, you will exert a lot of pressure on the mattress. As a result, wear and tear will occur at a much faster rate as compared to if a lightweight person lay on it. Thus, for heavy people, the lifespan will be short, and the vice versa also holds.

• Activity

You should watch out for what you place on the mattress. Suppose you use heavy and sharp objects around or on it, you will expose it to damage. The same goes for people who love eating and drinking on their mattresses. Doing so can lead to spillages, which would weaken the support core.

• Cleaning

How often do you clean your mattress? Well, the presence of dust mites, bacteria, and other organisms will weaken the structure of your mattress. Thus, a mattress that gets cleaned often will last longer as compared to one that is not.

Is a replacement necessary?

There are many pointers as to whether you need a new mattress. Take an example of where you feel uncomfortable on the bed while lying on it. Or where you wake up with aches and stiffness. Sometimes, the need is more apparent. An excellent example, in this case, would be where you saw the effects of the wear and tear. It could be tears, holes, sagging, bumps, lumps, and other physical changes.

It could also be that when you sleep elsewhere, you feel more rested than you do in your bed. If that is the case, consider getting a new mattress. If the need is not that apparent, you could improve the state of your mattress by using the following tips:

• Sagging

Suppose the mattress sags on one side or in the middle; there is a quick fix to this. Flip it over as this will allow even wear and tear.

• Smells

Suppose the mattress smells of chemicals and fresh materials, you can air it out or wait it out. The odor is as a result of the chemicals used in the factory, and the smell should fade away in a few days. There is the alternative of using baking soda on it and vacuuming it out later.

• Infestation

If you notice dust mites and bed bugs on your mattress, you need to clean it. Also, take note that this is an indicator of poor hygiene. Thus, be sure to take measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. Vacuuming is a great way to get rid of these organisms. Alternatively, you can seal them in using a mattress cover. In this way, they will be unable to increase in numbers and will not crawl to the surface.

You can further increase the lifespan of your mattress through the use of a mattress protector and mattress topper. Additionally, ensure that you clean and flip it often. Using a warranty is not a guarantee of longevity. It is always best to go with materials. All the best!