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Investing in a quality mattress can provide you with a restful and comfortable sleep for many years. Since mattresses cost anywhere from $500 to $3000 or more, it is important to take care of them to make them last. However, there are several factors that can reduce the lifespan of a mattress while leaving you tossing and turning each night and waking up in pain in the morning. 

Understanding these factors allows you to take care of your mattress so you enjoy a comfortable and restful sleep every time. 

How Long Should a Mattress Last?

With proper care, your mattress can last around 7 to 10 years. However, several variables can shorten the lifespan of your mattress. The quality of the materials used does not only influence its longevity; your weight and sleeping style can be huge factors, as well. 

When it comes to how long you can keep your mattress, there is no “explicit expiration date”. As soon as your mattress becomes saggy, then it is time to purchase a new one. Often, we grow so accustomed to it that we fail to notice the problem and do not realize that it has significantly affected our quality of sleep. Quality mattresses may be expensive, but it is a worthwhile investment for our overall health. 

Before you go shopping at the nearest mattress store, never forget to check the warranty details, in case there are defects or structural flaws in your purchase. Depending on the issue, the manufacturer can either repair or replace the item. 

How to Take Care of Your Mattress

Mattresses do not last a lifetime but there are certain things you can do to extend their life. Keeping them as clean as possible can help increase the number of years, improve air quality and ensure a healthier sleeping environment. 

Below are a few tips to keep your mattress in tiptop shape. 


Use a Mattress Protector 
Using a good, quality mattress protector is one way to protect your mattress from spills, dust, debris, and dirt, as well as the build-up of allergens like dust mites and mould. It does not only protect the external materials of the bed but also the materials used inside from damage caused by sweat and skin oils. A mattress protector also makes cleaning easier when accidents happen. You can easily find newer types of mattress protectors in local markets.
Keep Your Mattress Supported Properly
You need proper support for 7 to 8 hours of restful sleep every night. To ensure your bed is in good condition, check the box springs (or foundation) and bed frame regularly every year. When the box springs become saggy and worn out, it can cause the wood slats to fall apart anytime. A broken bed frame can also affect the level of comfort.


Clean Bed Linens Regularly
Your body normally produces sweat and oil and sheds skin cells and hair during sleep. Tiny crumbs can also fall when you eat on your bed. All these can get into the layers of your mattress, making your bed a breeding ground for bacteria and dust mites.

Make it a good habit to strip your bed and vacuum clean the surface and seams regularly every month to get rid of unwanted particles even if you are using a protector. One of the most effective ways to eliminate excess moisture and odours is by sprinkling baking soda on the surface of the mattress before vacuuming. Removable and washable mattress cover should be thoroughly washed regularly. 
Rotate Your Mattress
We all have our “side of the bed” where we feel most comfortable. However, staying on your favourite side may not be the best thing for your mattress. Over time, your body weight and shape will eventually imprint on the mattress surface, causing it to bend in certain ways. You can prevent premature damage by rotating or flipping your mattress every 6 months. This helps even out the wear and tear and keeps your bed in the best shape possible.


Never Play or Jump on the Mattress
Your mattress is made for sleeping, not for jumping or playing. It may be fun to watch your kids having fun on your bed, but this can deteriorate its condition and structural framework. Jumping can damage the spring, torsions, and coils of the mattress, causing it to fall apart eventually. If your mattress is placed on a metal frame, it should have adequate spacing between the slats for maintenance.
Provide Better Ventilation
High humidity levels in your home can have a significant impact on your mattress. Make sure that your room is well-ventilated by simply opening the windows and doors every morning to enable proper air circulation. If you are cleaning your room, do not forget to lift up the mattress and lean it against the wall to allow the area underneath to breathe and prevent the development of harmful bacteria and mould. Providing your mattress with better ventilation can help maximize its lifespan.

While every type and brand of mattress requires unique care and maintenance, the basics are all the same—clean it, protect it from dirt, debris, and damage, ensure proper support, and rotate it regularly for even wear and tear. 

Different factors can affect the mattress lifespan, but if you follow the best practices for mattress care, it will ensure you years of healthy and comfortable sleep and keep your investment lasts as long as possible. Sleep Masters believes that a good quality mattress is essential to getting restful sleep every night. Our commitment to delivering exceptional and affordable mattresses makes your investment worthwhile. Give us a call today at (416) 781-7441 or (416) 518-4077 to learn more about our products.

There is nothing better than getting into your bed and having a restful sleep after a long tiring day. Clocking a solid 7 to 9 hours of good night’s sleep can help you feel refreshed and start a new day on a happy note. Several studies prove that a sound sleep every night helps maximize the natural regenerating power of our bodies.

Unfortunately, many people do not realize the importance of having a quality mattress. Snoozing on an old mattress can be uncomfortable, leaving you tossing and turning throughout the night and feeling tired in the morning. Poor sleep quality can spell bad news for your health.

If you find it difficult to get a decent night’s sleep, the culprit could be your old, saggy mattress. In this post, let us explore the effects of sleeping on an old mattress and how replacing it with a high-quality one can help reclaim your quality of life.

How an Old Mattress Affects Your Health

Buying a new mattress seems like something many people try to put off — blame their lack of interest on the price tag. As long as their old mattress is “sleepable,” it can do significant damage to your health more than your sleep. 


Increase Stress Level – Stress is only caused by job or health problems. There are various studies showing how an old mattress can make you feel more stressed. The results of a study show that stress levels dropped significantly in the second month of using a new mattress. This only shows that sleeping on an old, saggy mattress can increase the cortisol levels in your body. 

 
Lead to Back Pain – Sagging in the middle is one sign your mattress needs to be replaced ASAP. You will end up sleeping in an awkward position in the centre of the bed. Many health professionals agree that sleeping on a bad mattress can cause and aggravate pain symptoms, including chronic back pain. Waking up every morning feeling sore and stiff can affect your quality of life. Over time, the nagging pain can result in sleep disturbance, discomfort, and exhaustion.

 
Trigger Allergies – Bed bugs and dust mites can be swarming your old mattress. Sleeping on a dirty mattress can be a health risk. Dust mites thriving inside the foam can feed on your dead skin and body oil. These harmful microscopic pests do not only increase your risk of skin allergies like eczema, pimples, dry skin. It can also lead to respiratory problems, such as asthma, runny nose, and nasal congestion. 
 
Promote Snoring – When the mattress fails to provide you with proper body support, your airways can be put under tension, causing you to snore. If this is not immediately prevented, snoring can lead to serious health problems.


Trigger Respiratory Illnesses – Sleeping on an old mattress can result in respiratory health problems as well. The combination of your sweat and the darkness in the room makes your mattress a perfect breeding ground for mould, which you may end up breathing in. This can trigger asthma and wheezing. Moreover, these symptoms can get worse and lead to lung infection, especially if you are suffering from pre-existing respiratory problems.  
 
Unwanted Weight Gain – Did you know that sleeping on an old mattress can result in unwanted weight gain due to overeating? Sleep professionals claim that insufficient sleep can cause an imbalance in hormones, leading to overeating. Lack of sleep can affect two hormones, Leptin and Ghrelin which are considered as the “yin and yang of hunger.” Ghrelin accelerates your appetite — it sends a signal to the brain that you are running on empty fuel and require energy. Leptin, on the other hand, acts as the brake — it tells your brain that you are full and satisfied. 
 
Affect Your Heart Health – A study conducted by the European Heart Journal shows poor sleep can take a toll on your heart health. Lack of sleep can increase your chances of developing a heart condition by 48%.


Cause Joint Pain – Although your pillows play a huge role here, lying down on a poor quality mattress can also contribute to neck pain. When a used mattress becomes saggy or lumpy, it can affect the positioning of your body in relation to your head. 
 
Impair Your Memory – People who are not getting enough sleep due to a bad mattress are more prone to memory issues. Memories are formed during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Sleep disturbances can prevent you from entering REM sleep. This affects the brain’s ability to form new memories, leading to memory impairment.

How to Choose the Right Mattress for Your Sleeping Needs

There are 3 types of mattresses that you can buy: foam, innerspring, and adjustable. Unfortunately, there is a no-size-fits-all solution for choosing the right type of mattress. It all boils down to your sleeping style. 

Side Sleepers –  If you sleep on your side, you will need a mattress that will support your body weight and conform to your shape. Choosing an innerspring can provide you with more pressure relief than a foam or latex mattress. However, a soft foam mattress with built-in pressure relief points around the hips and shoulder is also a good choice. 
 
Stomach Sleepers – If you sleep on your stomach, memory foam is never a good choice. Choose a firm foam or dense innerspring mattress for the best support.
 
Back Sleepers – If you sleep on your back, buy a mattress that provides something in between. A firm surface that supports but feels comfortably soft to give your spine a healthy alignment. 

It is Time to Invest in a New, Quality Mattress!

If you think that your mattress prevents you from getting a night of restful sleep, then it is high time to get rid of it and invest in a new one. While a high-quality mattress benefits you with years of comfortable sleep, there is no way of telling how long it will last. There are several factors that can affect its life expectancy. However, most mattress manufacturers recommend replacing it every 6 to 8 years. 

Buying a new, premium quality mattress offers much more than improving your sleep — it also elevates your quality of life! A night of quality sleep can do wonders for your health. 

Health is wealth. If you think you need to replace your old, dirty, saggy, mattress, do not procrastinate! Visit the best mattress store in Toronto. Sleep Masters Canada offers a wide selection of the best premium, high-quality mattresses and accessories that will ensure you comfortable and restful sleep every time. 

Call us at 416-781-7441 or use our contact form if you want to request a custom build service.

Pain at night can disturb your sleep or make it impossible for you to fall asleep in the first place. About 90% of people experiencing chronic joint pain don’t sleep well. Because sleep allows your body to recuperate from your daily activities, any form of discomfort or disruption while you slumber can affect your physical and emotional well-being the next day. 

Hip pain is a common occurrence, especially for people aged 40 to 60 years. It is also more common in women than in men. It can result from an injury or overuse, although other underlying factors can also contribute to it. If you are struggling with hip pain that affects your sleep, read more to learn what causes it and how to manage it well and sleep better.   

Causes of Hip Pain

Nighttime hip pain is caused by various factors which include:

Improper Sleeping Conditions

Your sleep environment and posture may be one of the primary reasons you’re having issues with your hip. The way you’re sleeping or the choice of mattress could trigger pressure points, leading to soreness.

Bursitis
Bursae are small sacs found around your hip bone and other joints filled with fluid meant to cushion the joints when they move. Bursitis occurs when these sacs become inflamed. The inflammation of the bursae causes pain radiating from the hip down to the side of the thigh. This sharp pain may worsen at night when you lie down or sleep on the affected hip. People with bursitis don’t feel pain while standing.  

Tendinopathy
Tendinopathy is the general term for any disease affecting the tendons. Tendons in the hip attach the gluteal muscles to the hip and pelvis. They work to provide stability to the pelvis and support for hip mobility during activities, such as walking and going up the stairs.

Tendons in the hip, however, may become inflamed or break down when compressed or overloaded and don’t have enough time to recover. This can cause hip pain at night. Frequent sitting with legs crossed or standing with all the weight on one hip can also cause tendinopathy.

Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is another common reason for hip pain. It is a result of the wear and tear of the cartilage surrounding the ends of bones, primarily due to age. As the cartilage at the hip deteriorates, the hip bones rub against each other, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain. The pain can move around the buttocks or down the leg, affecting movement. 

Exercise-related causes
Strenuous activities, such as football, running, or dancing, were found to increase the risk of hip pain. The overuse and force applied to the hip joint during athletic maneuvers can lead to conditions, including bursitis, tendinopathy, or injury. A sudden change to the frequency of exercise can also trigger pain in the hip.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy puts extra pressure on your spine and hips. This happens especially during the third trimester. There are several reasons why hip pain occurs during pregnancy, including:

• Weight gain, which puts more stress on your bones and joints
• Relaxin, a hormone that relaxes the tissue connecting the bones throughout your body
• Poor posture, as a result of the redistribution of weight focused on your belly

 
Other Causes
Other factors causing hip pain at night include:

• Age
  Osteoarthritis and bursitis are more common in older adults. Menopausal and post-menopausal women are also at greater risk of hip pain.
• Obesity
  Increased body weight can put more pressure on the joints
• Accident or Injury
  An accident or injury affecting the hip joint, like dislocation, can be painful at night. 
• Pain from the Knee, Pelvis, or Back
  Pain in other areas of the body can also affect the hip. For instance, pain in the back caused by pressure on a nerve can also be felt in the hip.

Managing Hip Pain at Night

Pain isn’t normal and it can significantly interfere with your sleep and your body’s ability to recuperate. Fortunately, pain is also manageable. Here are 8 remedies to manage your hip at night:

Adjust Your Sleeping Position

The hip is a sensitive pressure point. When placed with too much weight, it can easily feel stiff or sore. Help improve your hip pain with proper sleep positions. If you feel pain on just one side of your body, be sure to sleep on the opposite side. When your hip hurts when sleeping on the side, try placing a pillow between legs to keep legs parallel and to support the hips, pelvis, and spine. Better yet, start lying flat on your back. This position places less strain on your hips. 

Use Pillows to Your Advantage
Where you place your pillow is crucial to easing the weight on your hips and alleviating the pain. For back sleepers, put a pillow under your lower back or below the knee to elevate the hips and reduce the stress on them. For side sleepers, a pillow under or between the knee can be helpful. Make sure that your sensitive hip isn’t under immense pressure and pushed into the mattress. If you don’t have a pillow of the right size, a folded blanket or towel can also do the work.

Check Your Mattress

Ensuring that you have the correct mattress can save you from unnecessary discomfort. A pressure-relieving mattress or orthopedic mattress can provide you with the proper hip support in bed, evenly distributing your body weight. Among the many types of mattresses, memory foam is the most recommended option as it properly cradles your body with losing firmness.

Practice a Good Sleep Hygiene 
Good sleep hygiene encourages a sound and deep sleep, and it can certainly help your hip pain at night. By practicing healthy pre-bed habits, you allow your body to regain energy and recover from injury. 

Here are a few activities you can add to your routine:
Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake before bed.
Avoid the use of sleeping pills.
Avoid electronic use at least 2 hours before sleeping.
Keep your bedroom cool.
Remove clutter and distraction in your bedroom.

Stretch Before Sleeping

Hip stretches are important when you are suffering from hip and back pain. A couple of light stretches before going to bed can reduce the tightness and soreness in your body. One helpful stretch is called the butterfly stretch.

Sit on the floor, bend your knees, and keep the soles of your feet together. Bring your heels as close to your body as you can, and use your elbow to push your knees down. This can help take away the pressure and tension in your hips, and help you feel relaxed before bedtime. 

Maintain A Healthy Diet
Nutrition is another essential component in reducing hip pain. First, a well-balanced diet can help you lose weight, which in turn, reduces the pressure on your joints. Certain foods, like nuts, fruits, root vegetables, and whole grains, also contain nutrients that can strengthen the joints. 

Change Your Daytime Activities
Night hip pain is often a result of activities you do during the day. To help reduce the pain, try changing up your activities. This may well be enough to relieve the pain completely. Even as simple as ensuring good posture can already do wonders. Also, don’t forget to take breaks and sit down, especially at jobs that require you to stand for extended hours.

Get Good Exercise

A sedentary lifestyle is a major health risk and can increase your chances of developing conditions, such as obesity and osteoarthritis. Daily physical activity is highly recommended to prevent and relieve hip pain. Try low-impact and less strenuous exercises, like yoga, walking, or swimming. If your exercise includes high-impact activities, like running, jumping, or hiking, be sure to condition your body before diving in. 

Hip pain can happen for a variety of reasons, and when it hits at night, it can disrupt your sleep patterns. However, with the right combination of a healthy diet, active daytime habits, and good bedtime hygiene, hip pain can be easily managed. 

Start an uninterrupted sleep by getting the right mattress. At Sleepmasters Canada, we offer a wide selection of mattresses that can offer you lasting hip pain relief. Call us now at (416) 781 7441!

Experts do agree that good quality sleep is essential to your overall happiness and health. Your sleeping environment and arrangement play a crucial factor in ensuring that you get the best rest you possibly can. 

People often make big decisions in creating that ideal environment. While it may be easy to choose the right style, pillows, or sheets depending on your aesthetics, many people tend to overlook the importance of choosing the right mattress during the process.  

A new mattress can be a considerable investment, which is why you need to choose wisely. Finding the right mattress can be tricky, especially if you don’t know where to start. To help you start with, here’s a round-up of the key information you need to know before buying the mattress that suits your need for a good night’s sleep. 

• Mattress Types
  

  If you have been searching for a new mattress, you may have noticed that there are a variety of options to choose from. Each has its own unique feature and offering, and deciding on the right type of mattress can be quite dizzying. One of the best ways forward is to breakdown each type of mattress to see which fits you best.

• • Memory Foam

    Memory foam was first developed by NASA as a seat cushion for pilots and passengers and has since blossomed into a popular material for every mattress manufacturer. Its popularity is mostly due to its superior comfort and support for the body. The foam is most popular for its ability to contour and conform to the body when pressed, providing pressure relief to sensitive body parts, such as the shoulders, hips, and lower back. Another unique feature is its motion isolation capabilities, which means your movement won’t transfer to the other parts of the mattress and disturb your partner. One caveat, however, is that its material absorbs body heat. If you are more comfortable sleeping in cooler temperatures, this foam may not be for you. Memory Foam mattresses at Sleep Masters Canada are gel infused and therefore do an excellent job at channeling away the heat from the sleep surface. Our Simmons Beautyrest mattresses are especially known for Ice Cool memory foam. The same goes for our Serta iComfort mattresses too!

• • Innerspring

    Innerspring or coil mattresses are the traditional type of mattress. Made from different types of metals, springs are also able to keep their shape for years, allowing the mattress to last long. The space between springs allows for the circulation of air and keeps the temperature down. A more affordable option, coil mattresses do offer some body support but lack pressure relief. It’s also bouncier, which provides lesser motion isolation.

• • Hybrid
    

    A hybrid has two elements: the support of an innerspring and the comfort system of the foam. This option offers contouring, motion isolation, as well as support. It is important to note, however, that the combination varies widely depending on the desired firmness of the mattress. Some options may have less foam, resembling a spring bed more than a memory foam. For the optimal hybrid variety, choose a mattress that has approximately 3 inches of foam. Given the all-around feature of this mattress, it is also one of the more expensive ones in the market. Purchasing one can set you back a few thousand, but a worthy investment, nonetheless, if you’re thinking long-term.

  • Latex
    

    Latex mattresses are known for their bounce and durability. It has moderate contouring capability, which makes it comparable to a memory foam. Unlike memory foam, however, latex mattresses are naturally cooling, which is perfect for hot sleepers. If you are eco-conscious, it may interest you that latex is made from an all-natural material. It is a good option if you have allergies or asthma. The only downside of this mattress is that it offers little to no pressure relief at the shoulder or hips. Cheaper versions can also develop bumps and dents over time.

• • Bed-in-a-box
    

    Bed-in-a-box is often referred to as a game-changer as it revolutionized the way beds are purchased. The term refers to the way the mattress is delivered. It is usually compressed and rolled into a box. All you have to do is unravel the mattress and it will be ready for use after a few hours. Bed-in-a-box can be made entirely from foam or a hybrid between memory foam and coils. The great thing about bed-in-a-box is you can order it on the internet and just wait for it to be delivered to your home. No need for pivoting and heavy lifting to get it into position.

• Weight and Body Types

  
  Weight and body type are another important consideration when choosing the right mattress. The sinkage, comfort, cooling, and support of the mattress depend on how much you weigh. Since a lighter person (weighing under 130 lbs) doesn’t sink far into a mattress, a softer foam may offer better contouring. On the other hand, heavy-set people or those weighing over 200 lbs, tend to sink further into the mattress, affecting their spinal alignment. In this case, they need a firmer mattress to prevent that risk. Besides weight, different body types need a different type of mattress. People with broader shoulders or hips may need a mattress that offers better contouring for proper support. Taller people also have to ensure that their mattress dimensions allow them to stretch comfortably.

• Firmness

  How firm a mattress is can affect the quality of your sleep. Firmness refers to the hardness or softness of the mattress. The level of firmness depends on what type of sleeper you are. Just because you bought a soft mattress doesn’t mean it will be comfortable, much less suitable, for you.

• • Soft to Medium Soft
    

    Soft to medium soft mattresses are ideal for people who are lighter. It is also beneficial for side sleepers or those who often change positions overnight since the material can easily mould to the body’s position and relieve pressure from the spine.

• • Medium to Medium Firm
    

    Medium and medium firm is great for average-sized sleepers (150 lbs to around 200 lbs). It has the right balance of comfort and support layers that allows extra lower back support for back and side sleepers under 200 lbs.

• • Firm
    

    This type of mattress is recommended for people who sleep on their stomach, weigh over 200 lbs, or suffer from back pain. A firm mattress will keep your body in a stable position and prevents you from sinking far while you sleep, alleviating lower back pain.

• Sleeping Positions

  The position you sleep in can provide insights into picking the right mattress. Your sleeping position indicates which body parts may need more support to maintain spinal alignment.

• • Back Sleepers
    

    Back sleepers put most of the pressure on their lower back. To accommodate this, a medium firm to firm mattress with light to moderate contouring would be best. A too soft mattress will only sink the body further, straining your back, while too firm and there would be no support for the slight curve of the lower back.

• • Side Sleepers
    

    A side sleeper’s pressure points are usually where the body is the widest — the shoulders and hips. A medium soft to medium firm mattress is recommended; too soft and these points may become misaligned, too firm and there will be increased pressure at those points.

• • Stomach Sleepers
    

    Just like back sleepers, stomach sleepers put the most pressure on the lumbar. A firm mattress will prevent you from sinking and forming a U-shape. At the same time, you won’t feel suffocated when you lay face-down on the mattress.

• • Combination Sleepers
    

    Combination sleepers are those who usually find themselves in more than one sleeping position. Since they don’t have a primary position, a medium firm can offer the best support. It is also advisable to look for a responsive mattress to facilitate movements in bed.

• Pricing
  

  Like any piece of furniture, a mattress is an investment. You need to consider your budget when choosing the right one. The price range of mattresses can range from extremely low-cost, low-quality models to extremely expensive designer beds. Many factors affect mattress pricing:

  • Materials
    

    Some types of materials cost more. The use of high-end, bespoke, or organic materials can increase the price of mattresses.

• • Type of Construction
    

    How the mattress was made can affect its price too. Hand-crafted types and taller and more layered mattresses will be more expensive.

• • Brand
    

    Similar to any consumer products, branding is a contributing factor. Luxury brands charge more.

  Prices can be detrimental to the mattress purchasing process. Some may be forced to buy the cheapest version while others may be persuaded to believe that a higher price means higher quality. However, if you consider all other factors, you will find that there are comfortable options across various price ranges. At certain times, you will also be able to take advantage of mattresses that are on sale. It is possible to choose a mattress that’s both comfortable and suitable for your budget. If you prefer to look for only the highest quality mattresses, you can shop Serta mattresses or Simmons Beautyrest mattresses on our website also!

When selecting a mattress, one significant piece of advice is to focus on what you and your body need. Buying one is a personal journey. Pay attention to these factors, and you’ll no doubt finally sleep on the right mattress.

If you are looking for the right mattress, call Sleep Masters Canada at (416) 781-7441. We’ll help you achieve that quality sleep you’ve always been dreaming of!