What You Can Do to Make Your Mattress Last Longer

What You Can Do to Make Your Mattress Last Longer

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?

There is no specific timeline to how long a mattress is good for
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. 

 

Mattress Type Foam Innerspring Hybrid  Latex
Ave. Lifespan (Years) 6 to 7 5.5 to 6.5 6.5 to 7.5 7.5 to 8.5
Durability Rating Fair to good Poor to fair Fair to good Good to extremely good
Sagging Resistance Fair Poor to fair Fair Good
Premature Softening Resistance Poor to fair Good Fair to good Fair to good
Developing Body Impression Resistance Poor to Fair Good Good Fair to good
Overall Longevity Rating Fair Good Good Extremely good

 

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

Keep your mattress clean at all times
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. 

Keep dirt and debris away using a mattress protector
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.

A clean bed is a healthy bed
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.

Beds are not designed for playing and jumping
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.