How to Know When to Buy a New Mattress

If you’re wondering how to know when to buy a new mattress, chances are your current sleep system is already telling you the answer to your question. The tipping point for making the decision to buy a new mattress is going to be different for everyone. However, if you know how to read a mattress, you’ll be better prepared to make the correct decision and plan a course of action.

The overall condition of your mattress is going to be the deciding factor in determining when it is time for a replacement. Most experts recommend not buying used mattresses to ensure you get a high quality, dependable product. In deciding when to buy a new mattress, here are some of the things that are most important to consider:

• Age: Most box spring mattresses have a lifespan of about a decade. If your internal spring mattress is older than 10 years, it may be time for a replacement. Memory foam mattresses, latex foam mattresses and adjustable air mattresses all have longer lifespans – up to 20 years or more – and therefore will be functional for about twice the time as traditional internal spring mattresses.

• Visible condition: Are there visible depressions, sags or lumps in the surface of the mattress?

• If there are, this is a strong indicator that the structural integrity of the mattress has been compromised. A replacement is probably warranted. Stains and other aesthetic conditions may also support the purchase of a new mattress.

• Feel: Is the mattress lumpy or uneven when you lay on it? Does flipping and turning the mattress no longer address comfort issues? If the answer to either or both of these questions was yes, then you probably are due for a new mattress.

• Physical discomfort: If you wake up each morning sore or even in pain it is definitely time for a new mattress. An old, worn out mattress can be a significant contributor to pain and discomfort during the sleep cycle that bleeds over into awake hours in a way that affects work and personal relationships.

• Allergies increase: Allergens can build up in old mattresses that haven’t been properly maintained. If you find yourself suffering from more frequent allergy or asthma attacks, in conjunction with any of the previous factors discussed, it may be time to invest in a new mattress.

• Always tired: Do you feel like you’re not getting a full night’s sleep? Are you lethargic and rundown? This could be an indicator that your bed is not properly supporting your body frame and therefore causing discomfort that is affecting the sleep cycle.

• Sleep is better everywhere else: If it seems like you can sleep better anywhere but your own bed, this is a serious red flag indicating trouble. It is probably a good time to replace the offending mattress.

If you want to know when to buy a new mattress, these tips should help you make the decision. Listen to your body and rely on your own instincts. Chances are, if your bed really needs replacement you already know it.