Getting a good night's sleep is vital for your physical and emotional wellbeing. Research has shown that sleep disruption increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and immunodeficiency disorders, and can also lead to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
So, we all must get a good night's sleep, and one of the biggest factors that impact our sleep quality is the comfort of our mattress. The job of a mattress is to support our body weight during sleep, which is no easy task because most of us sleep around 7 hours each night.
That means over a 12-month period, your mattress has to support your body weight for around 2555 hours or 106 days. So, it’s no wonder that experts recommend that you replace your mattress every few years. But this begs the question, how often should you change your mattress on your bed? Well, there is no single answer to this question, as it depends on several factors.
In this article, we’ll examine the factors that influence mattress lifespan and why investing in a new one is a good idea.
The factors that influence your mattress lifespan
Several factors can influence the lifespan of your mattress. These can vary from mattress to mattress. For example, a cheap £250 mattress will degrade sooner than a more expensive one, but these are the main factors to look out for.
Maintenance
Like anything else, your mattress will last longer if it's maintained properly, so make sure that you rotate it 180º every three months. Note: This does not mean flipping it over. Most modern mattresses are designed to be one-sided and should NOT be flipped. You should also keep the mattress clean by vacuuming it regularly, and use a mattress protector where possible.
Body mass
Your body weight also plays a role in how long your mattress will last. Most mattresses are designed to support average body weights. In the UK, that is 86.3kg for a man and 70.2kg for a woman. If you weigh significantly more than this, you can expect your mattress to start sagging sooner.
Children and pets
If you share your bed with children and pets, this can significantly reduce the lifespan of your mattress. While there are some benefits to sleeping with your pets, most mattresses are simply not designed to support the extra weight over a prolonged period.
Material
Finally, the material the mattress is made from can greatly impact its durability. Foam mattresses have the lowest lifespan, closely followed by traditional innerspring mattresses. Hybrid mattresses typically have the longest lifespan and can last up to eight years if properly cared for.
When looking for any mattress, you should prioritise quality over price. You should also pay close attention to the specification. For a foam mattress, look for one with a foam density of 5+ PCF for memory foam and 1.7+ PCF for polyfoam. For a sprung mattress, look for one with a coil gauge of around 12-14.
Check out this article which provides more information about how spring rates and materials can impact comfort and durability.
Product: Natural Supreme 5000
Signs that your mattress needs replacing
Oftentimes, your body will tell you when your mattress needs replacing, so if you are experiencing any of the following, it could be time to think about replacing your mattress.
- You are not getting a good night's sleep
- You sleep better in a hotel or friend's bed
- You begin to suffer from more allergies
- You experience muscle or joint stiffness in the morning
- You have increased back pain
How often should you change your mattress on your bed?
If you're wondering, 'how often should you change your mattress on your bed?', the Sleep Council recommends that you change your mattress every 7 years. You may think that your mattress doesn't need changing if you are not experiencing any of the above problems, but it’s always better to replace your mattress early rather than wait until problems arise.
How a new mattress can pay for itself
With a new mattress costing several hundred pounds, many people ask whether it is worth the cost. The answer to this question is always a simple YES, it is worth changing your mattress. Let’s look at the benefits a new mattress will bring.
Improved sleep quality
Research shows that a new mattress can improve sleep quality, reduce back pain, and lower perceived stress levels in otherwise healthy individuals.
Fewer aches and pains
Older mattresses tend to sag in the middle, which puts increased pressure on the spine. The result is that you wake up with stiffness in your shoulders, neck and hips. Older mattresses also increase the risk of back pain due to spine misalignment.
Eliminate motion transfer
Older mattresses are not very good at isolating the movement of individuals, so a partner that constantly changes position during the night can result in your sleep being disturbed. A new hybrid or foam mattress can greatly reduce motion transfer across the bed.
Reduced allergies
Mattresses accumulate a lot of dust, mould and bacteria across their lifespan. This can lead to a build-up of dust mites which can aggravate the symptoms of asthma and lead to allergies such as Allergic Rhinitis.
A bespoke mattress designed to meet your needs
Is your mattress negatively affecting your sleep? Then it’s time to think about getting a new one. At Endurance Beds, we have over 13 years of experience building bespoke beds and mattresses that are designed specifically for the needs of our customers. All our beds are handmade in the UK and come with a 12-year guarantee as standard.
Our mattresses are also made in-house with length, depth, width, spring rates and foam density all designed to meet your personal preference. In short, a mattress from Endurance Beds is built without compromise and promises to give you the best night's sleep ever.
Contact us today for more information.
