Is your mattress worn out and in need of replacement, or are you simply looking for a mattress upgrade? Either way, it’s important to take care of your old mattress before welcoming a new one.
If you’re wondering how you can take care of your old mattress without throwing it in the landfill, we've got some surprising things that you can try. We’ll focus on practical, free, and paid ways to dispose of your old mattress with less environmental impact.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through your options and give you some tips for finding the right mattress replacement for your needs.
Let’s begin.
When Should You Replace Your Mattress?
We’ve mentioned on many occasions that a mattress does not expire as obviously as food. Mattresses in Singapore have different lifespans depending on their materials, quality of construction, and usage.
Generally, a mattress should be replaced if it reaches 6 to 10 years old. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when determining the best time to replace your mattress. In fact, some mattress materials, like natural latex, have longer lifespans than budget mattresses.
To help you make a decision, check if some of these apply to your mattress:
- Your mattress is already 6–10 years old
- Your mattress is lumpy or saggy
- There are noticeable signs of damage on your mattress
- Your mattress is affecting your sleep
- Your spring mattress is making a disturbing noise
- You are experiencing increased allergy or asthma symptoms
- You regularly wake up with aches and pains
- Your mattress is excessively discoloured
Ultimately, you should replace your mattress once it is no longer able to support your sleeping needs. Maybe your sleeping needs have already changed, or you simply want to upgrade to a better mattress. Generally, if you’re thinking about getting a new mattress, it’s worth investing in a new sleeping solution.
What Should You Do Before Disposing Of Your Mattress?
Before getting rid of your old mattress, remember to check its condition, especially if you are planning to donate it. Answer the following questions to identify the current condition of your mattress:
- Does it have holes or ripped parts?
- Is your mattress sagging in the middle?
- Does it release a musty odour?
- Is it infested by bed bugs?
- Is your mattress clean and free of allergens?
How to Dispose of Your Old Mattress Responsibly
Once you decide to replace your mattress, it’s good to figure out how to dispose of your old one to make way for a new sleeping solution. But before disposing of your mattress, there are a few things that you should check, like the manufacturer’s warranty or the mattress disposal policy.
If your mattress is still under warranty, you may confirm whether it can be replaced for free. When buying a new mattress, check with the retailer to see if they also offer disposal services.
Here are other ways to responsibly take care of your old mattress:
Donate Your Mattress
If you plan to replace your mattress for an upgrade and it’s in good condition, you can donate it to a charity. Aside from giving your mattress a second life, donating is also a good way to reach out and provide others with a comfortable place to sleep.
When donating your mattress, make sure that it is clean and still comfortable. Moreover, make sure that your mattress is not infested by bed bugs. Carefully vacuum your mattress before handing it over to the next owner.
Ultimately, if you think that your mattress is not good for you, it may also not be good for others. In this case, try other disposal methods if possible.
Recycle Your Mattress
Your mattress is made of quality materials that mostly offer benefits aside from supporting your body during rest. Keep your mattress from being thrown into the landfill and give it a second life by having it picked up by a recycling centre. This is a convenient yet environmentally-friendly way to dispose of your old sleeping solution.
Some components of your mattress that are recyclable include the foam, springs, and even the fabric cover.
You can also upcycle your mattress components for your DIY projects. From imaginative displays, cleaning materials, or home improvements, the foams, springs, and fabric covers can do so much for your BTO or HDB flat.
Avail a Mattress Disposal Service
If you are looking for a fuss-free mattress disposal process, you may want to spend a bit on a mattress disposal service. Many mattress retailers in Singapore also offer disposal services, so make sure to check with them if you want to avail of the service. This is an easy and fast way to take care of your old mattress since disposal service providers know exactly what they can do with it. You can include this in your budget when shopping for a new mattress.
How Should You NOT Dispose of Your Mattress?
These are the things that you should never do when disposing of your old mattress:
- Avoid flytipping your old and bulky mattress. Contact the public waste collector (PWC) or engage with a private licenced waste collection service for legal mattress removal.
- Avoid simply dropping your mattress into the landfill, especially if it is still usable. A bulky mattress contains materials, especially synthetic ones, that take a long time to decompose. Imagine having lots of them in a landfill.
- Do not burn your mattress.
Is it Time to Buy a New Mattress?
If you’ve had your mattress for at least 6–8 years or if it’s no longer supporting your sleep, start looking for a replacement. While there is no one-size-fits-all mattress solution for every sleeper, you can find the right one for your needs by asking these questions.
- What is your preferred sleeping position?
- Do you share your mattress with your partner?
- Do you like to have more room to stretch out when sleeping?
- Are you a hot or restless sleeper?
- What firmness level do you prefer?
- Do you prefer a contouring or bouncy mattress?
Somnuz mattresses in Singapore are designed to support different sleeping needs with their high-quality pocketed spring systems, foam, and latex layers. Somnuz mattresses are also covered in premium cooling fabric, perfect for the local weather in Singapore.
Conclusion
The mattress is a big and bulky essential that we cannot simply throw away or leave on the curb. Although disposing of your old mattress requires some time and effort, it is surely worth it. Now that you know how you can responsibly dispose of your mattress, you can start planning out your old mattress disposal and new mattress shopping.