Have you wondered when you should change your mattress?
When it comes to mattresses, a lot of us spend a lot of time thinking about which one to buy and which one would best fit our needs when we buy them.
However, a lot of the time, we do not spend a lot of time thinking about when we should replace them! In the end, mattresses are not an item you can keep forever, and since it has been revealed through research that we spend about a third of our lives in bed, sleeping It is of utmost importance to make sure we are comfortable.
Yet, it is not really common knowledge how long mattresses last on average, and since there are so many types and materials, we cannot say for sure that one time period is the best one for each and every mattress.
Sure, a lot of us are trying our best to keep to the manufacturing instructions, including with the upkeep of the mattress, and a lot of us think that the warranty period is at least the lifespan of the mattress, but this can be misleading. Depending on a lot of factors, including the material and your sleeping habits, the time period may fluctuate!
To help you know when you should change your mattress or if another type may be better for you depending on what you like, we have brought you some of the most interesting mattress facts, along with the time period they are known to last. What’s more, you can also use these facts if you need to change your mattress asap!
When was the last time you changed your mattress? Do you plan to replace the mattresses in your home soon? Let us know in the comments down below!
Average lifetime
Before we dive into the peculiarities of the most popular mattresses on the market, we have to look at the overall average life span. Generally speaking, your mattress should last anywhere between 7 and 10 years. And while it is entirely possible for them to live way past this date, the same can be said when it comes to biting the dust on these items.
No matter the type of mattress you have, it can be possible for it to end up needing to be replaced earlier due to the fact that it was not made from the best quality components, your sleeping habits, or even the environment you live in.
There are a lot of reasons why mattresses may need to be changed earlier than expected, but the general rule is that if you start feeling like you no longer get good quality sleep or it becomes uncomfortable, you are in due time for a mattress change!
Let’s see what types of mattresses exist on the market and which one would be the best one for your needs!
Latex Mattresses
If you are looking for the most mass-marketed type of mattress since the 1960s, look no further than latex mattresses. They are not only some of the most common mattresses on the market, but they are also some of the most expensive ones as well.
It makes sense in the grand scheme of things: latex is harder to produce, and the cost of the materials, which is pretty high, contributes to the high price of the mattresses. Despite this, a lot of people gravitate towards this type of mattress, both due to the fact that it provides full back support and because, over the years, the prices have calmed down due to the improvement in technology.
They are at their most affordable now, but they are still considered a luxury product when it comes to the mattress world. They may be easier to get, but they are still expensive for the average Joe, and since they have luxury prices and are considered a luxury item, they also benefit from having an appropriate lifespan due to their high price and quality materials.
If latex mattresses interest you, you can usually find them made from petroleum-based latex or even sturdy plant-based ones, and they are known to last around a decade on average! If you invest time to take care of the materials, you can easily end up with a mattress that lasts you up to 15 or more years!
Innerspring Mattresses
Also known as inner coil mattresses, this type of mattress relies on springs that are woven together with fabric and end up providing the support of those who lie on them. Some types are 100% relying on the coil system, while others have walked away and started blending the innerspring with parts of memory foam and even plush pillow tops!
The particularity of this type of mattress lies in the type of innerspring it has: it can either be connected or unconnected. The connected type makes sure the coils inside are held together as a single unit, which responds all together at any sort of pressure; this may not be an idea for a couple as it will not supply all the needs of two different sleep needs.
Innerspring mattresses are the best choice for single sleepers, as they are affordable.
If you choose an unconnected spring mattress, then the inner coils will move independently and mold to the sleeper’s needs, and they are also covered in more padding or foam in order to make them more comfortable. This may be the best choice if you are looking for the best comfort at an affordable price.
Generally, if you choose an innerspring mattress and you sleep with your partner or spouse, they can last anywhere between 5.5 and 6.5 years, while single sleepers can get at least 7 years out of one, if not more, depending on the quality.
Foam Mattresses
Foam mattresses are probably some of the most versatile types, as they come in a lot of different types, depending on the material they are made from. As a result, they have both price and life expectancy discrepancies that match the type they are.
When it comes to the most affordable one, we are looking at foam mattresses made from polyurethane. Since they are the most affordable, they are also the ones that last the least, but they come with the perks of being a great budget option for short periods or for a guest room that is not used that often.
The bad side of them is that when used daily, they can end up flattening, no longer being able to spring back from the pressure, thus no longer being able to provide the back needed and collect body impressions. These types of mattresses need to be changed if used daily, almost once every year! Despite this, they are great in case of an emergency.
What you probably didn’t know is that NASA invented the foam mattress back in the 1970s! Initially designed to be used in airplanes and protective gear, the memory foam mattress soon came on the market for sleep as it proved to be amazing. The material is made to provide spectacular back support, as they curve to everyone’s body, managing to distribute the pressure in an even way while still supporting the body as the person sleeps!
Memory foam mattresses used to be some of the most expensive mattresses (not quite like latex), but in the last few years, they have started to become more and more affordable since the manufacturing process improved. On average, they can last anywhere from eight to ten years, and even more, if you take good care of them.
No matter what type of mattress you choose, you should also invest in a good mattress protector to make sure you give it a long life. This one from Amazon is our recommendation!
Which one lasts the longest and which one is the best?
There are other types of mattresses out there, but the most common ones and the most easy to access are the three types we have talked about before. However, the ones that last the least are simple foam mattresses, which most people have strayed away from. If we look at the more durable ones, the ones that last the least are the innerspring mattresses, which have also fallen from graces when it comes to the connected coil ones, as they are simply too uncomfortable.
The ones that last longer are the latex ones, but they can be quite expensive, and depending on the person, you may not find them comfortable at all.
While the lifespan of your mattress is important, this should not be the end-all-be-all reason why you invest in one. You should choose between mattresses that you find comfortable and that are within your budget, while also making sure you take good care of them.
A great way to make sure your mattress lives a long life is to periodically clean it, use a mattress protector, and if you can, change sides every three months so you do not end up wearing one down too fast!
At some point, you will need to replace your mattress or at least clean it, but that is not the first thing you think about! Likewise, there are other items in your home that you should clean more often than you think. Ensure you read here about all the items in your living room you should clean more often!