In today's mattress world we are seeing 10, 15 and even 20 year warranties offered by all the major brands in the market, however don’t confuse warranty with how long your mattress should last. Innerspring, Memory Foam, Latex, Hybrid, Air and Water beds all have varying lifespans, costs, features and benefits. So depending on how you value sleep and what you prioritize for health and wellness, choosing the right mattress isn’t about longevity but it's about what your mattress can do for you!
So what influences the lifespan of a mattress? There is no written policy or rule for when to replace your mattress, however the mattress industry is trying to get you to believe that the lifespan of a mattress shouldn't go past 8 to 10 years. And while that may strand true for traditional mattresses, not all mattresses follow this rule.
When considering longevity and durability, it's important to consider the materials used to construct the mattress, the original manufacturing design quality and surprisingly important, the foundation you put the mattress on! The proper foundation will provide proper support and unlock all the features and benefits of your mattress. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for and there are good reasons to spend a little extra to get the results you are looking for.
Here at Essentia, we use only the highest quality organic components and GOLS certified organic latex to make a mattress that is truly durable and will stand the test of time. In fact, our patented organic foam is unlike anything else you'll experience and because it is made using hevea milk or rubber tree sap it is more durable than traditional memory foam or petroleum based foams. That's why Essentia organic mattresses come with a 20 year warranty!
I'll get straight to the point: a mattress can last up to a decade with proper care.
However, the answer brings forth even more questions.
Is there a way to extend the lifespan of your mattress?
What does "proper care" mean in this context?
When is the time for me to replace your old mattress?
In this post, you'll find all the answers to these concerns to help you decide whether to stick with your current mattress or buy a new one.
How Long Should a Mattress Last?
Mattress lifespan depends on several factors. Obviously, the type of mattress you have makes a difference here. According to Sleep Foundation, below is the breakdown of what to expect from current mattress offerings in the market:
| MATTRESS TYPE: | INNERSPRING | FOAM | LATEX | HYBRID |
| Average Lifespan | 5.5 - 6.5 years | 6 - 7 years | 8 - 10 years | 6.5 - 7.5 years |
| Durability Rating | Poor to Fair | Fair to Good | Good to Very Good | Fair to Good |
| Resistance to Sagging | Poor to Fair | Fair | Good | Fair |
| Resistance to Premature Softening | Good | Poor to Fair | Fair to Good | Fair to Good |
| Resistance to Developing Body Impressions | Good | Poor to Fair | Fair to Good | Good |
| Overall Longevity | Fair | Good | Very Good | Good |
For the best lifespan and durability - Latex is the clear winner with the best overall longevity rating. Why Latex? Durability, resilient property and performs well under a wide range of temperatures! Not just latex but organic latex.
Organic Latex mattresses can have a lifespan of up to 25 years which means those looking for a long term value can expect the most with a certified organic latex mattress. However, once you add synthetics or other additives, the latex is no longer natural and it immediately drops the lifespan in half.
Keep in mind that the type of bed is just one of the many factors that determine the lifespan of a mattress. There are other considerations, such as weight, frequency of use, and how well you care for your mattress that could extend the lifespan.
What Affects the Lifespan of a Mattress?
Everyday wear and tear will eventually catch up on your mattress, which may cause you to purchase a new one sooner than you expected. However, it’s easy to extend the lifespan of your mattress so you get more for your dollar.
Here are a few lifestyle factors that play a role in a mattress’s overall durability.
Weight
When you bear down on your mattress, your body weight naturally exerts pressure through your bed. This affects its longevity, so your mattress’s materials need to be able to accommodate your weight.
For sleepers with a greater body weight, thicker mattresses like innerspring and hybrid can withstand greater pressure from your weight. Don’t worry too much about changing your weight — instead, the key to lengthening your mattress’s life is to choose mattress types that are suitable for your body.
Pro-Tip: Even if your mattress can accommodate larger weights, don’t put books or boxes on it for too long. This exerts unnecessary pressure.
Use and Frequency
How often you use your mattress — and what you use it for — can make or break your mattress’s lifespan.
For example, using your bed for what it needs to do — give you a good night’s sleep — is perfect. Sitting or lounging in it for six hours while you work or read is not exactly ideal. It’s fine to do this once in a while, but daily use will significantly deteriorate your mattress’s materials.
Make sure that your bed remains a space for sleeping and intimacy. Kids jumping up and down or pets bounding on and off will also affect its firmness and cleanliness.
Care
A little bit of care for your mattress can go a long way — literally! There are different things you can do to help extend the lifespan of your mattress:
- Prevent your mattress from sagging prematurely using a secure foundation or bed frame like wood slats, a metal frame, or an adjustable foundation.
- Clean your mattress every month using a vacuum to get rid of dust that cuts on the mattress's surface material.
- Cover it using a waterproof mattress protector to prevent dust mites, sweat, and products from seeping into the mattress.
- Use other accessories like mattress toppers and pads to not only extend its lifespan but also give you a good night's sleep.
- Wash your bed sheets regularly.
- Rotate your mattress at least once a year to avoid overusing the same side.
Now that you know the four factors that affect the lifespan of a mattress, you can maintain and maximize its duration. However, there are clear signs your mattress will demonstrate when it’s time for a replacement.
How to Know When You Need a New Mattress?
As mentioned, the time to replace your quality mattress will arrive soon enough. In fact, you'll actually feel most of the signs below that point to you getting a new mattress.
1) Sagging
Sagging is common among innerspring and memory foam mattresses. This happens when your favorite side of the bed, which is the side you often sleep on, softens due to your weight. The result is a slightly dented area that dips lower than the rest of the bed. Almost every type of mattress experiences this towards the end of its life, except for waterbeds.
You may feel the sagging before you see it as you may awake with aches and pains due to the sagging. Initially, you can manage this issue by flipping its side and using mattress toppers during the first few years. But if your mattress is nearing the end, there's no way around the sagging.
2) Allergens
If you're having a runny nose or experiencing nasal congestion upon waking up, your mattress may be infested with dust mites.
It’s difficult to rid your mattress of dust mites because, even if you address the surface, they can (and do) burrow into the bedding and lodge themselves inside the mattress.
Besides dust mites, other allergens that may reside in your mattress include mold and mildew.
So if your allergic reactions are getting worse by the day and you've tried to clean your mattress, it's time to replace it.
3) Unremovable Stains and Smells
If your kid or pet keeps peeing on the bed while sleeping, they may have caused permanent odor and discoloration on your mattress.
You also could be the one at fault for the poor condition your mattress is in. When eating on your bed, you may have spilled your drink on the mattress.
No matter how hard you clean it or even if you use a mattress cover, the stain and smell could remain. And the worst thing about the stains and smells is you will be forced to replace your mattress even when it's still relatively new.
4) Grinding Noise
If your bed is old, it will eventually make a squeaking noise every time you lay down on it. The coils of your box spring bed base have undergone wear and tear — the sound they're making indicates that you must replace the base.
Another symptom of a broken-down bed base is when you feel the coils poking from underneath. If the bed base and mattress came as a set, you might have to replace your mattress as well.
5) Bed Bug Infestation
Bed bugs strike when you're asleep because your body heat is a prime attractor, letting them know that they can feed. They also may be hiding under the floorboard, behind the walls, and in other hard-to-reach places. However, their main residence will be your mattress.
If you wake up with itchy red bumps on your body, you have a bed bug problem.
Similar to dust mites, bed bugs are tough to eliminate from your mattress even with regular cleaning. You could try DIY solutions to remove the bed bugs that accumulated on your mattress, but there's no guarantee they'd work.
Instead of looking for ways to get rid of these pesky critters, it's best to get rid of your old mattress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Mattress Last 20 Years?
A mattress can reach 20 years under the right conditions. Organic latex foam mattresses from Essentia have a lifespan that can last up to 20 years. As long as you have the mattress on the proper foundation that ensures a breathable, firm surface for the mattress it will stand the test of time.
How Do You Tell If a Mattress Is Worn Out?
Below are the warning signs telling you that it's time to replace your mattress with a brand-new one:
- Your favorite side of the mattress sags
- It's infested with bed bugs
- It's filled with allergens
- It makes a squeaky, grinding sound
- It has permanent stains and a smell
When Should You Replace Your Mattress?
Replace your mattress once it reaches its expected max life. Each mattress type has a specific lifespan, so you need to find that out first. However, the mattress can exceed its life if you take good care of it and you don't use it as often.
Can a Mattress Last 40 Years?
Most mattresses last between seven to 15 years. You could extend its lifespan by cleaning it regularly, using mattress accessories, and limiting your use. However, even with these tactics, sleeping on a four-decade-old mattress is not ideal.
Conclusion
As you can see, it's not a matter of how long a mattress is good for. What counts is how much care you take and how well it helps you sleep while you have it!
Different mattresses have varying lifespans because of their materials and construction. Eventually, you’ll need to replace your mattress — if not because of wear and tear, then at least due to hygienic reasons.
If you’re looking for the healthiest high density foam mattress in the world, Essentia offers some of the most durable mattresses around. Our all-natural latex memory high density foam collections are designed to support different types of sleepers based on firmness, support, temperature, and more. Click below to learn more about our mattresses at Essentia.
