How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress? Signs to Look for

If you’re waking up with back pain or sinking into the middle of your mattress, these could be signs that your mattress has overstayed its welcome. While it may come as a surprise, a mattress probably won’t last you forever. Instead, you can expect an average lifespan of seven-to-10 years, especially if you clean your mattress and take care of it well.

Still, back pain and a sagging mattress are just two signs of many that your mattress should be replaced. Here’s how to determine if it’s time to toss your old mattress and purchase a new one.

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Mattress Video Guide

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Mattress 

These signs may point to a mattress that’s no longer working effectively.

• The mattress noticeably sags – If you sink into your mattress while sleeping, this could be a sign that your mattress has started to sag. You might gradually notice this change over time, especially if your mattress previously felt firmer and more supportive.

• You wake up with pain or existing pain is worse – You may be constantly waking up with a sore back or achy hips, or your body may feel stiff after a night of sleep. These are all signs that your mattress is no longer supportive or giving good pressure relief.

• Visible signs of wear and tear – Sometimes, a mattress picks up wear and tear over the years. These may be stains, rips, or other types of visible damage to the mattress. If these signs go beyond cosmetic, you may want to consider getting a new mattress.

• More allergy or asthma flare-ups – if you can’t figure out why your allergies have suddenly flared up, an old mattress may be the culprit. Over time, mattresses can collect mold or mildew buildup from sweat, spills, accidents, or dust mites, causing allergies.

• It smells bad – An old mattress may develop a noticeable odor. This can signal that it’s time to replace your mattress.

• You never feel well-rested – Constantly tossing and turning and a lack of overall comfort for a good night’s rest can leave you feeling groggy or sleep-deprived. If you never feel well-rested, it’s possible your mattress is to blame.

• It’s more than 10 years old – While a good quality latex mattress may last you up to 15 years, most mattresses last seven to 10 years. A mattress that’s more than 10 years old should probably be replaced.

What Impacts a Mattress’s Lifespan?

Your mattress might have a shorter or longer lifespan depending on these factors. 

Maintenance & Care 

How well you care for your mattress can help extend its lifespan. Keeping your mattress clean can help prevent mold and mildew from growing while rotating your mattress regularly can also keep it from sagging in certain places. It’s also a great idea to avoid jumping on the bed (yes, even for those with kids), as this can cause a mattress to wear down much more quickly.

Mattress Type 

Sometimes, despite your best efforts to keep your mattress well-cared for, a mattress type and materials can also impact its lifespan. For example, most good-quality memory foam beds can last between seven and 10 years, while lower-quality beds may only last up to five years.

Here’s the average lifespan that you can expect for each type of mattress.

Mattress Type	Average Lifespan
Hybrid	7-10 years
Innerspring	5-10 years
Latex	10-15 years
Memory Foam	7-10 years

Who’s Sleeping on the Mattress? 

A mattress shared by a couple may wear down more quickly. Since two people sleeping on the bed means more weight, your mattress may start sagging earlier than if you were to sleep solo.

How To Extend Your Mattress’s Lifespan

• Clean it – Most experts recommend cleaning your mattress twice a year, or every six months. However, be sure to clean immediately after any accidents or spills, as these can quickly soak into your mattress. Follow your mattress manufacturer’s guidelines for instructions on how to clean your specific mattress.

• Use a mattress protector – A good mattress protector can help safeguard your mattress from accidents, spills, dust mites, and bed bugs. If you have small children or pets, consider investing in a waterproof mattress protector.

• Regularly clean your bedding – Washing your bedding every one to two weeks helps get rid of sweat, allergens, and other particles that may have nestled into your sheets. Keeping your bedding clean can also help keep your mattress clean.

• Air it out – Airing out your mattress four times a year (or every three months) can help reduce moisture buildup that leads to mildew. It can also help break down smells that have made their way into the fabric or materials.

• Rotate it – Most mattresses should be rotated 180 degrees every six to 12 months. This helps prevent sagging and wear and tear, especially if you tend to sleep on one side of the mattress.

• Don’t jump on it – While jumping on a mattress can be tempting, especially for children, be firm about this rule since jumping on a mattress can make the mattress materials break down more quickly.

• Use the right foundation –This tip may come as a surprise, but using the right foundation with your mattress can go a long way in helping to extend its lifespan. We advise using the type of bed frame or base recommended by the mattress manufacturer.

Looking for a new mattress? We can help! Visit our list of the best mattresses for some great selections from the Sleep Advisor team. 

Final Word of Advice

A mattress may not last forever, but there are many steps you can take to help your mattress last an extra year or two. If your mattress has started to sag, you always wake up achy, or if there’s a noticeable smell, it may be time to replace your mattress — and finally get better sleep.