Determining whether to replace the mattress will involve evaluating the mattress itself, its age and your sleep.
If you’re having a hard time determining whether to replace a mattress or not, you need to carefully analyze any existing discomfort, pain, sleep patterns or sluggishness you might feel.
You should also carefully check the mattress for signs of infections, sags or holes, as well as tears and stains.
Why is sleeping important?
If you are aware, there are many benefits of sleeping. A good night’s sleep will improve your ability to concentrate the next day, control inflammation, help you live longer, and minimize stress.
To have a healthy life you should know that sleeping is important. For this reason, if your mattress is affecting your sleep then it is best to replace your existing mattress with a new one.
Why should you replace your mattress?
- Foundation
You should note that simply because your bed is intact, that does not mean it is supporting you well. The best mattress needs the best foundation.
Going for a wrong foundation causes discomfort and reduces the stability of a mattress. For this reason, you should know the type of foundation the mattress requires.
For example, some beds make use of slatted foundations created with metal or firm wooden slats. These are closely packed so that they offer the needed support if you’re using memory foam.
These kinds of memory foam mattresses will conform to your body’s shape and react to the heat of your body.
- You like to sleep in a different room
This is possibly the most obvious warning sign that you should replace the mattress. If you like sleeping on the sofa or end up going to a different room, then you’ve got a huge issue regarding your mattress.
However, if you begin to prefer another bed to yours, then it’s time you should start considering replacing your mattress.
- Your mattress is 7 to 10 years old
You need to dispose and replace your old mattress at once. According to research, a mattress has a life expectancy of eight years, but this will vary by the way you sleep, the kind of mattress you own, the manufacturer, and whether you sleep alone or not.
In addition, if you are heavier or bigger, the mattress can deteriorate quicker. A mattress is made to last long, not to last eternally. Keep in mind that continuous wear and tear can reduce the longevity of your mattress quicker.
A second-rate mattress does not last long; nevertheless even one created with pot quality materials also comes with a determined life expectancy and will eventually need replacement. If you have an old mattress that is the first sign you need to get a new mattress.
- Invasion of bed bugs
You should not wonder why you continue having bug bites when you are quite sure there are no mosquitoes where you reside. There’s a possibility that bed bugs are to blame for that itch you’re getting.
The reason you have these bugs under the mattress is because of not cleaning it frequently. It may also mean that you are not using a bed bug proof cover for your mattress.
Because you’ve used your mattress for a long time, dirt and dust might have already buildup inside. Apart from bed bugs, the mattress may also be a breeding area for allergens, germs, and dust mites.
- Mattress gets dirty
A mattress does not simply become dirty; it becomes extremely dirty and absorbs dust and sweat. Dust and humidity get absorbed by your mattress, whether you sleep on your bed or not. To sleep properly, you should know you are resting on something clean.
- Bodyweight change
Indeed, what you weighed a few years back is most likely not the same as you do now. Some get lighter and others heavier.
If you’ve become heavier, then there’s a likelihood your mattress has a difficult time accommodating your weight in comparison to five years back. This is mainly because of wear and tear together with your weight change.
Now that we know why it is important to change a mattress. Let us look at how do you know when it is time for replacing the mattress?
Well, here are some essential points to consider.
This is when to change your mattress
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The mattress does not bounce back
If you own a memory foam mattress, and the spot where you sleep leaves a depression that takes ages to go back to its natural state, or the dent remains there permanently, then it’s best to get a new mattress.
This takes place when the materials in this kind of mattress start to deteriorate. The memory foam softens and begins losing the support, which comes with its ability to bounce back. This means it’s time to get a new mattress.
People purchase memory foam mattresses as it allows their bodies to sink into the bed. This is helpful if you want to minimize pressure points. If the mattress is not bouncing back then it isn’t performing its work.
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Check for tears in the mattress
Remove the bedding and check the mattress for any big or small tears. It’s important that you take the mattress off the bed or box spring and check all sides of the mattress.
Find out the spots where there’s friction between the box spring and the mattress or other support because repetitive friction can result in a tear. If there’s a tear, the mattresses’ contents can spill out and decrease comfort.
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Look out for a sagging mattress
If there is a depression in the mattress forming your body’s shape that is a sign that it is excessively worn out.
Sagging will take place with nearly any mattress (apart from waterbeds) and you can notice it at the edges, under your sleep area, or both. If there springs in your mattress, they can break down and hang down.
Pillow top, foam, and fiber materials all break down eventually. This will make you experience more discomfort depending on how deep the sag is in the mattress.
A sagging mattress will disrupt your sleep and cause pains and aches.
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Difficulty sleeping
If you toss and turn every night and you’re not able to take a nap, then this can be another sign that you need to replace your mattress.
New mattresses will be holes and lumps-free and will naturally in firmness and quality after being slept on for many years.
There are other factors that may result in the inability to sleep such as insomnia or sleep apnea.
For this reason, ensure that you talk to your health care expert to exclude those choices. Still, getting a new mattress may help even if other reasons are causing you not to sleep.
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Do you wake up with back pain?
You should feel for any back pain in the morning when you wake up. Though there are lots of back pain causes, the main culprit may be your mattress.
If you have pain in your back when you wake up in the morning but can’t fix it with some stretching or investing in a gel mattress topper, then the issue might be your mattress.
If there’s another reason behind the pain, replacing your mattress might still be the best choice.
If you are experiencing pain on your lower back, the mattress might not be correctly supporting your spine’s curve. You might want to shop for a new mattress that will better support your spine’s shape.
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A spine that’s badly aligned
Regardless of how new or old the mattress, if it does not provide the right alignment and support, you will not get the best sleep.
For stomach and back sleepers, the natural S curve of a spine needs to be obvious when you are lying on the mattress. If it is exaggerated or flattened, your mattress is not aligning the spine well.
For side sleepers, the spine needs to be straight from neck to bottom if you have the right support.
The best pillow might correct small problems; however, if you can slide a hand in the space between mattress and body, it is a wake-up call that you may require a different mattress.
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Squeaking and creaking of bed
Your mattress coils are most likely squealing since they are old. This kind of wear and tear takes place over time and can be box spring the mattress covers.
It can also be a worn-out mattress and, if that’s the case, the noises mean you need to change the bed you have been using and get a new one.
There are many choices when it comes to mattresses out there to choose from. There are memory foam, specialty foam, pillow-top mattresses, and innerspring and hybrid.
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You start getting allergic reactions
If you or a family member gets allergic reactions while resting in bed, this is a sign that there might be allergens in the mattress.
Ultimately, things that make you break out into a rash, cough, sneeze, and wheeze; build up in the mattress over time.
While cleaning the mattress can help for a while, if you find you’re vacuuming the mattress regularly than normal, then it might be time to begin looking for new mattress choices.
Conclusion
If you think you require a new mattress, do your research, and teach yourself before purchasing. You should know everything used to make the mattress.
This will help you get one that fits your budget and offers you a good night’s sleep. Search for a mattress that will provide enough spinal alignment support.
You may find a stiffer mattress better than a softer one or vice-versa. The choice of mattress is very personal and needs time to get ones that offer comfort, support, and alignment.
