When to Buy a New Mattress

There’s no magic number of years a mattress will last. That makes things a little more complicated.

Mattresses in guest rooms that don’t get much use will last far longer than the kid’s mattress that’s jumped on each day. In the master bedroom, things are somewhere in between those two extremes.

A properly cared for, good-quality mattress is generally expected to last around 5-7 years.

With a troubled economy, there’s no double that tasks like mattress replacement may take a back burner. Plus, there are millions of things more fun to do on a Saturday than mattress shop. I’m guilty of putting off mattress replacement myself. Can you tell?

So, how do you decide when it’s finally time to bring in the new mattress?

The Better Sleep Council encourages you to ask yourself the following questions:

Are you sleeping better or worse than you did a year ago?

Are you waking up feeling stiff and sore?

Does your mattress have visible signs of wear and tear?

Would a new mattress improve your sleep?

The Better Sleep Council recommends considering a new mattress if you answered “yes” to any of the questions above. They also mention that if you’re getting a better night’s sleep in a hotel, it’s time to give the old mattress a pink slip.

Another thing to consider is that a manufacturer’s warranty won’t necessarily cover comfort. In other words, a mattress may be free from covered defects for far longer than it provides your body the comfort and support it needs. In addition, your physical needs have probably changed since you made your last mattress purchase.

How old is your mattress?

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