When to Replace Your Mattress: 10 Obvious Signs it Time

Is It Time?

The National Sleep Foundation said that 75% of adults complain about sleeping well. Your mattress could be the cause.

Jonathan Stevens believes everyone deserves a good night's rest. One way of making sure that happens is educating you on when to replace a mattress!

How do you know if your mattress needs replacing, though? In this guide you can expect to learn the following:

• Types of mattresses and their lifespan
• 10 signs it's time to replace your mattress
• Not time? Proven mattress care tips
• Is it time? Steps for getting a new mattress

Take the time to think about your mattress if any of these signs apply to you. Don't live with pain or discomfort that's easy to solve with a new mattress!

Types of mattresses and their lifespan

Most experts say that the average lifespan of a mattress is 8 to 10 years. The issue is not all mattress are the same.

Mattresses come in many different types and qualities. The lifespan for a mattress is only a suggestion, but it can give you an idea on when to start looking for a replacement.



Let's take a look at each type of mattress and their suggested lifespans so you can know when to replace yours.

Innerspring

The innerspring mattress is the most common type of mattress. For the innerspring mattresses, quality of the coils has the biggest effect on lifespan. A well-made innerspring mattress like one from Jonathan Stevens has a lifespan of about 10 years or more.

You know a mattress is good if its coils outlast the foam or fabric!

Memory Foam

Another popular bed is memory foam, known for its unique ability to conform to the user's body.

Unfortunately, this unique advantage hurts its lifespan. Most memory foam mattresses last 7 years, with some achieving the 10 year mark depending on use.

Take note of your memory foam mattress at around the 7 year mark to make sure you're not due for a replacement.

Bed in a box

Is this a mattress type? No, not really- the bed in a box is often a combination of poly-foam, Latex, and memory foam in different amounts. Each bed in a box is a combination of different foams, so determining its lifespan can be difficult. Like other things in life, find the weakest part of the whole to determine its strength. If the bed in a box is partly memory foam, then check it at the 7-year mark. If latex foam is the main structure, we recommend to check at the 9-to-10-year mark.

Be sure to check your warranty before proceeding with anything else!

Waterbeds

Nowadays waterbeds are a rare sight. Most people have forgone waterbeds because of their high maintenance and risk potential.

If properly taken care of these beds can have an average lifespan of 12 to 20 years!

Natural Latex

Natural latex is one of the up and coming mattress types. They are eco-friendly, have longer lifespans, and keep less heat when sleeping. These traits make them attractive to many consumers.

Personally, we highly recommend you try a latex mattress before buying one. They do have a unique feel to them that not all people will enjoy.

Their lifespan tends to be around the 12 to 20 years.

10 Signs it's time to replace your mattress

There are many factors at play that will determine the lifespan of your mattress. Here are 10 signs you should consider when thinking about when to replace a mattress.

1. Your mattress is more than 7 years old

As you've read, most mattresses tend to have lifespans of 7 to 12 years.

We recommend that everyone check their mattress at the 7 year mark.

Why, you ask? Well, you may have an issue that could affect the lifespan of your mattress.

2. You can see the outline of your body

The structural integrity of your mattress is being worn out if you can see the outline of your body on the surface.

This means the foam your mattress has can no longer return to its original shape. You'll know this is happening when you start waking up sore or tired in the morning.

3. Another sleeper has joined the bed

When adding any new sleeper to a bed you must think about two things:

First, will the mattress fulfill the sleeping and support needs of the new person.

Second, if you've been a loan sleeper, there's a chance of an indent in the mattress from where you're sleeping.

Make sure your mattress can solve these two issues. If not, you might have to replace the mattress.

4. Morning aches and pains

Each of us have different health issues and injuries that we deal with every day.

But, if you're waking up with new aches and pain on your body, then it might be ready to change your mattress.

5. Suffering from allergies or sleep apnea

Take this suggestion with a grain of salt- if it's allergy season then your mattress might not be the issue.

Clean your mattress by vacuuming it and airing it out. If it persists, you could be dealing with dust mites, mold, or dander trapped inside your mattress.

New health needs such as sleep apnea can also affect your decision for a new mattress. Changing to a mattress with an adjustable base that can lift your head has proven to help with sleep apnea.

5. Waking up tired

If you find yourself waking up tired even after a full nights rest, then consider your mattress.

One way to tell if it's your mattress is if you're tossing and turning in your sleep. Your body tosses in your sleep because your mattress is not comfortable!

For a new mattress, it may not have been selected for your specific body type.

6. Other locations are more comfortable

It can be an issue if you find yourself preferring to sleep on the couch or another bedroom. Sleeping better on any other bed can be a surefire way to know it's time to replace your home mattress.

7. Squeaking box spring or sagging frame

Sometimes the mattress itself is not the sole cause of discomfort. Squeaking or worn-out box springs can be a culprit, too.

They can cause your mattress comfort level and support to change. If your bed is without a box spring, make sure to take a look under the frame to identify any structural issues.

8. There is a hammock like effect

Not all sagging or structural issues are visible. Sometimes you can feel sagging even when there's no noticeable cues.

This "hammock" like effect is due to the core foam or structure of your mattress degrading. At this level of wear, it can have devastating effects on your sleep and comfort.

9. Large change in weight

It is common for people to go through weight changes in a mattresses lifespan of 7 to 10 years. This does not include small changes, but life changing ones such as pregnancy, health, etc.

The firmness of a mattress that feels comfortable to you is often influenced by your weight. So something that felt comfortable a year ago could no longer be supporting you.

10. You can feel your partner moving

If you can feel your partner moving more than before, then it is probably time to replace your mattress.

Remember, not every mattress is designed to limit the ability to feel movement from a person.

But you will be able to notice a difference if your partner's movements are more perceptible. This is due to a breakdown of the foam in the bed.

Not Time?

Did you run through this list and not find anything of concern? That's great! There's a good chance you don't need to replace your mattress. Be sure to read out article on mattress care to ensure a cleaner and better life for your mattress.

It's Time.

If you've met more than one of these signs, then it might be time to replace your mattress.

No matter what the reason, you're now on a journey to find the right mattress for you. Shopping for the right mattress can be a daunting task, but at Jonathan Stevens we strive to make sure it's as painless as possible.

There might not be a Jonathan Stevens near you, but we want to make sure you get the best mattress possible.

Another great resource is Our blog. It works through all the different factors you need to consider when purchasing a new mattress.

If you have any questions buying a mattress please contact us here, or give us a call at (616)-245-1912. We look forward to hearing from you!