We can’t stress enough how important your mattress is when it comes to your health and wellness.
Because you spend 1/3 of your day on your mattress, choosing the right sleeping solution can mean the difference between a restful and a restless night's sleep. While the former can help you gain more energy and be productive, the latter can greatly affect your concentration and mood. A bad mattress can also cause chronic pain and have long-term health implications.
Unlike many things that we buy online or in stores, a mattress does not have an exact expiration date. However, as it gets older, even the best mattress will start sagging and deteriorating.
Generally, a mattress can last from 6 to 10 years. However, the lifespan of a mattress will depend on many factors, like:
- Type of your mattress
- Your body type
- How frequently you use your mattress
- How frequently you clean and maintain your mattress
Contrary to many myths, the firmness of your mattress won’t necessarily affect its life expectancy more than the quality of the materials does.
In this guide, we’ll focus on the lifespan of our favourite innerspring mattress, how to find out if it’s already on its last leg, how you can extend its lifespan, and what modern varieties offer better sleep comfort and durability.
Let’s begin.
Innerspring Mattress Lifespan
Traditional innerspring mattresses can last up to six years with proper usage and care. Pocketed spring mattresses, on the other hand, have an average lifespan of 7 to 8 years, similar to a memory foam bed. This lifespan can be influenced by different variables like the quality of materials, construction, usage, and maintenance.
Factors that Influence the Lifespan of Your Mattress
Initial Mattress Quality
The initial quality of your mattress will depend on the quality of its materials and how it is built.
High-density foam mattresses and memory foam mattresses will perform better than lower-quality poly foam mattresses in terms of support and durability. Latex is also considered one of the most durable mattress materials and is also present on many hybrid innerspring mattresses.
Additionally, an entry-level or budget mattress will wear out quicker than a hybrid mattress of higher quality. However, do take note that this doesn’t mean a more expensive mattress is automatically more durable.
Type of Mattress
When it comes to mattress types, a traditional innerspring mattress generally has a shorter lifespan compared to higher density memory foam or latex mattresses. As they age, the coils of an innerspring mattress start to become brittle and unsupportive, while the foam layers sag. Luckily, new mattress technologies introduce higher-quality pocketed coil mattresses with individually encased springs that receive an extra layer of protection against sagging and premature spring damage.
Mattress Usage
How you use your mattress also affects its life expectancy. Do you have kids who love to play and roll out on your mattress? Do you allow your pet to sleep on the bed? Do you use your mattress alone? Do you share your mattress with your partner?
Mattresses that are used by kids or shared by adults with different body types will receive more pressure than a guest mattress. Thus, they have shorter lifespans. Sharing a mattress with your pet also makes it prone to pee accidents and stains.
Mattress Care
Never let your mattress rest on your bed forever without proper care. While it’s easy to overlook your mattress when cleaning your room, practising proper mattress care is important to make the most of its lifespan.
Once you buy a new mattress, guard it against dirt, dust mites, and mould by using a mattress protector. It’s also important to change your bed sheets at least once a week to prevent allergen buildup. To preserve its form, flip or rotate your mattress at least twice a year or every six months. Always check the manufacturer’s care instructions for cleaning and flipping recommendations.
When Should You Replace Your Mattress?
Experts recommend replacing your mattress after 7 years. But as we mentioned above, several things can affect your mattress's performance aside from its age. While there are many factors to consider, it’s a safe bet to change your mattress when it starts showing signs of deterioration and discomfort. However, you don’t have to wait for your mattress to get old before replacing it, especially when it fails to deliver the support your body needs during sleep. Your body doesn’t deserve to settle on an uncomfortable mattress.
Answer these questions to find out if it’s already time to let go of your mattress:
- Have you been sleeping well these days?
- Do you feel rested after sleeping?
- Do you wake up with sore muscles and body pain?
- Do you feel more rested when sleeping in a hotel or visiting a family member’s house?
- Do you need to toss and turn for hours to find a comfortable sleeping position?
- Do you sleep hot?
- Does your partner’s movement affect your sleep quality?
- Does your mattress feel extra saggy and uncomfy?
- Have you been suffering from increased allergy and asthma symptoms?
- Have you been using your mattress for more than 6 years already?
Aside from this, some alterations in your sleeping situation should also be considered when changing your mattress. Are you pregnant? Is your child transitioning from a crib to a standard bed size? Did you or your partner lose or put on some weight? Do you have mobility issues?
If your answer is yes to most of these questions, you are most likely in need of a better mattress solution.
If you still feel comfortable sleeping on your mattress, add a topper or mattress protector to squeeze some more years out of your current mattress. This is only applicable if the adjustments are still worth their price and if the mattress is still covered under warranty.
If your current mattress has lived past its warranty, start looking for a quality replacement. You don’t need to let your body settle on an unsupportive mattress. After all, it’s your health and wellness we are talking about.
Goodbye, Old Mattress
Say goodnight to your unsupportive mattress and say hello to a more effective sleeping solution! Whether you love the conventional bounce of your traditional innerspring mattress or are looking for a better solution for restless sleeping and mattress sharing, we have quality options for you. Explore our unique collection of high-quality pocketed spring mattresses in Singapore made from premium quality and long-lasting materials.