How often should you change your mattress? The tell-tale signs it's time for a replacement

Wondering how often you should change a mattress? We're here to help with a round-up of the sure-fire signs your trusty mattress is past its best and in need of replacement. 

Of course, if you've invested in the best mattress your budget allows, then most of us want to hang on to that mattress as long as possible. Especially considering that even if you take advantage of some of the best mattress deals going, mattresses don't come cheap. 

But, nothing lasts for ever, and if your mattress is exhibiting any of these tell-tale signs then replacing it could be one of the best ways to sleep better and eliminate night-time aches and pains.

How often should you change your mattress?

The Better Sleep Council advise that, 'While there is no hard and fast rule about how long a mattress lasts, it’s suggested that most have a life span of around 7 years'.

Interestingly, the sleep organisation's own research shows that most of us hang on to our mattresses a lot longer than this. The Better Sleep Council's data shows that 'people tend to consistently keep their mattresses for 10 years on average'. That's three year's of sleeping on a mattress that may no longer be offering the support we need for a comfortable night's sleep.

The signs you need a new mattress

Of course, there's no point ditching a good mattress just becuase it's reached the seven year mark! So what are the key signs that tell you your mattress has past its best? We asked several sleep experts for their advice.

1. It looks tired and out of shape

Learning how to clean a mattress will ensure your sleep surface has the longest lifespan possible, but, eventually, visible signs of wear and tear, like stains, holes or tears in the fabric cover are a clear sign your mattress is past its best. 

Springs poking through the mattress cover, or lumps and bulges that indicate the springs are close to popping out are another obvious indicator your mattress is on its last legs.

2. You can't get comfortable

Your body might also be telling you that your mattress is no longer doing its job. If you're consistently waking up with a stiff back, shoulders, or neck, then listen to your body and consider changing your mattress.

Of course, if you can feel the springs in your mattress or it's developed lumps or areas that sag, these are also likely to cause discomfort when you sleep. 

Paying attention to the manufacturer's recommendations for how often you should rotate your mattress can help to prevent depressions from forming in your mattress, but, over the course of multiple years the weight of your body in its usual sleep position is going to compress certain areas of the mattress.

3. Back pain

Of course, it might not just be that your mattress isn't as comfortable as it once was, it might also be causing you back pain. 

It can be hard to pinpoint the root cause of new back pain, but if it tends to be worse in the mornings, it could be that your mattress is to blame. Over time a mattress can lose its support, allowing hips and shoulders to sink in too far and creating curvature of the spine which can lead to discomfort.

Molly Freshwater, co-founder of bedding brand the Secret Linen Store says, 'developing back pain when sleeping on an older mattress could be an indication that your mattress losing its supporting features'.

'A good mattress should gently support the whole body and provide postural alignment by keeping the spine in a neutral position,' agrees Adam Black, co-founder of mattress manufacturer Button & Sprung.

4. Annoying noises

'Once a mattress starts to get old (and especially if it’s a traditional sprung mattress), you’ll find you start to get annoying creaks and squeaks that could disturb your sleep,' says Martin Seeley, founder and CEO of mattress and bed retailer MattressNextDay.

There's nothing worse than rolling over at night only to be woken by squeaky springs, so if you've checked it's not your bed base that's become loose and needs tightening, squeaks and groans could be a sign your mattress is in need of an overhaul.

5. Your sleep needs have changed

A lack of comfort at night doesn't always mean your mattresses age is to blame. Changes in your physical health, or just your sleep position could mean that an older mattress is simply no longer best suited your needs.

The things that a side sleeper should look for in a mattress are very different to what a front sleeper requires, so if your regular sleep position has altered – be that because of an injury, health condition, or simply a change in preference – your old mattress may no longer be supporting you adequately.

'Another reason you may need to change your mattress is your change in body shape or size,' says Hannah Shore, sleep knowledge and research manager at bedding manufacturer Silentnight. 'Our bodies change over a period of time, a lot can happen in eight years. The mattress you bought back then may have suited your shape, size, preferences and, let’s face it, budget! But all these things may have changed several years later'.

6. Drooping edges

A good mattress has edge-to-edge support at the sides which helps to prevent the mattress from dipping if you sleep close to the edge of the bed, and stops you from feeling like you might fall off in the night. 

If your mattress' sides have begun to sag then this is a sign that the inner construction has seen better days and your mattress is likely in need of replacement.

7. Suffering from allergies

If you've noticed your asthma or rhinitis gets worse at night then this could be a sign that dust mites or other allergens have penetrated your mattress. Although it is also worth considering whether it's your duvet or pillows that are to blame.

'We should change our mattresses around every eight years', says Hannah Shore of Silentnight, 'this is for hygiene purposes mainly. Within that eight years, you will have applied the equivalent of a bathtub full of sweat and the weight of a dachshund in dead skin cells to the mattress', she states.

This can be prevented by adding one of the best mattress protectors on the market to your mattress when you first purchase it, and, if you're prone to dust-mite allergies you might also want to consider a mattress encasement which protects the mattress from all six sides. 

8. Rolling into the middle

If you start to find that you and your partner are rolling into the middle of the bed during the night, or you’re being thrown around every time your partner tosses and turns, it’s probably time to invest in a mattress with better motion isolation. 

It may be that the mattress springs are broken or the foam top layers have become compressed.  

9. You’re overheating

During the summer months, it’s not uncommon to find yourself getting too hot in the night. But if you constantly wake up sweating all year round, it’s a sign that you should change your mattress. 

Older and cheaper memory foam mattresses are notorious for running hot as the dense structure of memory foam can lack breathability. If you’re struggling to maintain your body temperature at night, and you have an older hybrid or pure foam mattress, it may be worth investing in a more breathable open coil or pocket spring mattress, or opting for a newer hybrid mattress that uses more breathable materials. 

Alternatively, if your mattress is otherwise sound, you could try adding one of the best cooling mattress toppers to the bed. These will act as a 'breaker layer' to increase airflow between your body and the mattress which allows the body to do a better job of regulating its temperature, leading to a cooler night's sleep. 

What to do when it’s time to change your mattress

If your mattress is suffering from one or all of the signs above, then it's likely it's time to change your mattress. At this point there are two main considerations you'll need to factor in – how to buy the best new mattress and disposing of your old one. 

When buying a new mattress, it’s important to understand your needs and requirements. For example, it may be that you should be looking for the best mattress for back pain, and you might need to weigh up the pros and cons of memory foam vs hybrid mattresses.

Ultimately, you should always do your research before buying a new mattress, and, ideally, you should try a mattress out in-store or take advantage of a mattress sleep trial to ensure it's the best fit for your needs.

You also need to consider how you’re going to dispose of your old mattress if you don’t want to keep it. There are many ways to get rid of a mattress, and with so many mattresses ending up in landfill every year it's important to do it responsibly. Our guide to how to recycle a mattress has everything you need to know.

FAQs

A mattress should last a long time, but don't compromise your sleep by pushing it to the limit.