Sleep is a critical component of our health. Without it, we cannot function at our optimum and will lack focus and energy.
An important part of getting a good night’s sleep is having a high-quality mattress that will facilitate it. If you are struggling to get good sleep, it might be worth checking your mattress to see if that is the problem.
When Do You Know If You Need to Buy a New Mattress?
There are a few indicators that you need to buy a new mattress:
You don’t feel well-rested when you wake up.
A good night’s sleep means that you wake feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. If you aren’t waking well-rested, instead of feeling sluggish or tired, it means you are not getting the quality or quantity of sleep you require.
If sleep disorders have been ruled out, it’s time to check your mattress as this can be causing discomfort and impacting your ability to have a good night’s rest.
Your mattress is old
Track of the age of the mattress so you know when it might need replacing. In general, mattresses have a life of eight years.
There is no getting around the fact that our mattresses have a hard life and will be subject to wear and tear. With the regular use and pressure applied to the product, there is no wonder mattresses need replacing at certain periods.
Depending on the type of mattress you have, it is typically recommended to replace one every 7 – 10 years. Write the date of your purchase on your mattress tag so you can keep track of its age.
Don’t be fooled by the warranty which can cover up to 20 years of use. This is for use on certain parts, such as springs. However, it doesn’t mean that your entire mattress won’t need replacing before then.
You have better night’s sleep elsewhere
Have you ever slept in a hotel or at a friend’s house and been unable to believe how comfortable the bed is?
If so, your mattress probably isn’t very good. If you sleep elsewhere and get better sleep, it’s time to upgrade your mattress.
Buy something that provides you that extra level of comfort so you can wake feeling refreshed every day. Quite often, we struggle to fall asleep or wake up regularly through the night because we are uncomfortable. Eliminate this problem by bringing a comfier mattress into your bed.
You wake up sore
If you’re waking up with stiff and sore muscles, it may be a sign of a worn-out mattress. Over time, a mattress can lose its shape and support.
This means that you can find yourself sleeping on a misshapen mattress or even the springs themselves. This is not good for your body as it puts uneven pressure on different points, meaning you wake up sore and uncomfortable.
It is also very common for the center of the mattress to sink, causing your body to sink with it. This puts additional pressure on your neck and back, which can lead to a variety of problems. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, check your mattress to make sure this isn’t causing you pain.
You suffer from allergies despite having a thorough cleaning regimen
Are you somebody who cleans your house thoroughly from top to bottom, but still can’t get rid of the dust allergies?
If so, it’s worth checking your mattress to check that it isn’t holding dirt and dust. Our mattresses are prone to holding a range of substances, from the dust floating around the room to oils that the body emits while we sleep.
If you find that your allergies are flaring up at night or are worst when you first wake up, your mattress may be holding things that are irritating you. Consider getting a new mattress to remove these irritants.
Your mattress is visibly sagging
If your mattress is sinking in the middle, there’s no avoiding an upgrade. This is a clear sign that your mattress is old, worn, and in need of replacement.
As mentioned above, a mattress that sinks in the middle or is misshapen in any way can have a detrimental impact on your physical health. It, therefore, needs to be replaced as soon as possible.
Your mattress feels as though it is sagging
Many people avoid buying a new mattress if there is no visible damage, but if you can feel sinking or sagging, you still need to replace your mattress.
Just because you cannot see the misshape in your mattress, doesn’t mean it’s not there.
If you can feel damage or wear, that is a clear sign that it exists. Replace your mattress to protect your back and neck and ensure you get a good night of slumber.
You have gained or lost a significant amount of weight
Fluctuations in weight are natural and not necessarily unhealthy, especially if somebody is pregnant. The issue is that a mattress that supports you through these changes may not be in suitable condition to serve you when your weight stabilizes.
If you experience a significant change in your body weight, you need to evaluate your mattress to see if it suits your current situation.
Even if your mattress is in good condition, it might not be right for your new body. Take the time to assess the comfort and ensure no pressure is being put on certain body parts.
Your mattress squeaks or makes noise
If you have a spring mattress that squeaks or cracks when you sit on it, chances are you need a new one. Your comfort depends on the support your mattress can provide, and as it gets older, the springs can get stiffer and less able to provide the support you need.
Make sure you regularly upgrade your mattress to ensure everything works well and as it is supposed to.
Your mattress is simply uncomfortable
There may be absolutely nothing wrong with the condition of your mattress, but it still doesn’t work for you.
If this is the case, you need a new mattress. There’s no use in persisting with a mattress that doesn’t suit your body or provide you comfort as this can result in long term pain or other ailments.
How Can You Make Your Mattress Last Longer?
There are a lot of tell-tale signs that indicate when you need a mattress, and the reality is that each mattress does have a shelf life before it becomes detrimental to your health. That being said, there are ways you can prolong the life of your mattress to prevent replacing it as often.
Use a mattress protector
The first day you get your new mattress, protect it with a cover. These can be bought at most stores that sell linen or products for the home and will go a long way in increasing the life of your mattress.
They offer protection against liquid spills, helping to stop stains and liquid trapping in hard-to-dry areas, as well as reducing the quantity of dust that gets captured in your mattress fibers.
Mattress protectors are also an effective way of stopping bodily fluids from making their way to the mattress, such as the oils that we excrete when we sleep. A foreign substance can infiltrate the mattress and reduce its quality, so the more you can keep these out, the better.
Support your mattress
One thing you should be doing from the very day you purchase your new mattress is ensuring it is well supported.
This means making sure your bed is supportive enough to support your mattress in the appropriate locations, rather than leaving room for sagging in the future.
The type of support required will depend on your mattress. Spring mattresses may require less support than say a memory foam mattress, which usually needs a solid foundation so that all of the weight is spread evenly.
Bigger beds need to have bars that support the weight in the middle of the mattress. Otherwise, this will become a sagging point when people begin to sleep in it. Regularly check your bed frame to ensure there are no broken elements that could be compromising the quality of your mattress.
Rotate your mattress
Your mattress experiences a great deal of general wear and tear simply from being used every night. T even out this wear and tear by rotating your mattress regularly.
This should include flipping it as well as spinning it to use different parts of the surface rather than having weight in one single spot night after night.
Especially important in the first few years of a mattress’s life, rotating your mattress should be done at least every second month to optimize the product.
Change your linen frequently
We sleep, we shed hair, sweat in our sheets, and excrete body oils. These are all things that can make their way through our sheets into our mattresses and reduce the quality of the sleeping base.
If you want to prevent this from happening, or at least reduce these materials from entering the mattress, it is best to change your linen regularly.
To get the most out of your mattress, you should be washing your sheets at least weekly. Your mattress protector should also be cleaned at regular intervals throughout the year, although it doesn’t need to be washed as frequently as your linen.
Have pets sleep in their own bed
Pets can track in dirt and hair that can enter your mattress. To prevent this from impacting your mattress quality, make sure your pet sleeps in their own bed.
Many people will argue that their pet is clean and well-groomed, but they still walk outside and can bring a range of things back to your sheets, which will transfer to your mattress.
If you are serious about prolonging the quality of your mattress, avoid having your pet in the bed.
Move your mattress carefully
If you want to keep your mattress in optimum condition, make sure you move it carefully. This includes when you rotate it every couple of months as well as during transportation if you are moving to a new house. When you transport it, it is best to use plastic protection and transport boxes.
Keep the mattress up on its side to prevent sagging in the middle. Moving a mattress correctly can help in prolonging the life of it.
Refrain from jumping on the bed
Jumping on the bed can cause extreme damage to your mattress and result in needing a replacement immediately, or at least earlier than it otherwise would have.
Avoid damage to your springs, memory foam, or other material by using the bed only as it is intended – for sleeping.
Inspect hotel rooms to ensure you don’t bring home bed bugs
When you are staying somewhere that is not your home, make sure you check the room carefully for bed bugs or other creepy crawlies that may ruin your mattress if brought home.
Bed bugs are the ultimate way to destroy your mattress and are extremely difficult to exterminate if they infiltrate your home.
Open the curtains
Open your curtains daily so that sunlight can dry your mattress and prevent damage from humidity.
It will help stop the condensation from building up in your room, which can cause moisture that gets in your mattress and cause damage.
It is also a good idea to open the windows when you get a warm, sunny day. The fresh air will do the same thing and give your entire mattress a freshen up.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
Manufacturers provide cleaning directions for a reason.
Every product is different and requires different care, so following the instructions will ensure you do what is required to keep your mattress in optimum condition.
Typically, stains should be cleaned using some sort of spot treatment consisting of warm water and mild soap, and regular vacuuming is a must to keep dust under control.
You need to check your cleaning instructions to make sure the general cleaning methods apply to your particular product and avoid destroying your mattress.
Typical Lifespan of a Mattress
The lifespan of a mattress depends on a range of factors: type, brand, frequency of use.
This article is owned by Sleeping Report and was first published on December 25, 2019
In general, a mattress will last for between 7 and 10 years if maintained correctly.
There is no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to a mattress’ life, and it can vary greatly depending on the type of mattress you use.
For instance, a memory foam mattress is likely to last longer than a spring mattress but not more than a natural latex one. You need to be familiar with your particular mattress so that you can understand maintenance requirements and the general lifespan.
Regardless of the mattress you have, following the steps above will help you to prolong the life of your mattress and keep it in good shape for longer.
Understand the specific requirements for your mattress, clean and rotate it frequently, and keep an eye out for any of the signs that it needs replacing.
Why Do I Need to Replace My Mattress?
Having a good mattress is an important part of getting much-needed rest and maintaining good health. There is a range of reasons why you should prioritize good sleep.
Better focus and more energy
High-quality sleep results in improved focus, meaning you can direct your attention where it is really needed. It also leads to higher energy levels to get through all of your commitments.
Increased productivity
With increased focus and energy comes greater productivity. If you are struggling to get through the day or having difficulty maintaining concentration, lack of sleep could be the issue. Make sure you have a high-quality mattress to prevent this from happening.
Stronger immune system
Better sleep routines also lead to a better immune system. Our bodies cannot fight off illnesses if we are not getting the required amount of high-quality slumber.
Lower risk of weight gain
Lack of sleep, particularly high-quality sleep, has been linked to obesity. Prioritize your health by ensuring you get the sleep your body needs to function at its optimum.
This article is owned by Sleeping Report and was first published on December 25, 2019
Better mood
Sleep is critical for our physical health in many ways, but it is also extremely important for our mental health.
If we do not get enough sleep, we are more likely to feel down and be more prone to depression that if we are getting the rest we need.
Improve your mood by investing in a good mattress that facilitates a good night’s sleep.
Final Thoughts
It is extremely important to have a high-quality mattress to ensure you get a good night’s sleep and maintain good health.
This requires the replacement of your mattress when it needs it. Check your mattress regularly for signs that it needs replacing and implement a range of measures to get the most out of your product.
SleepingReport.com copyright article was updated on ..
It is worth doing a few small things to get the most value out of your mattress while also prioritizing your health.
