How Long Does a Mattress Last – Mattress Lifespan Author: Purple Staff Share Tweet Share

White Plains Hospital, in the northern suburbs of New York City, had a problem. More and more patients were complaining about the comfort of their mattresses. Worse, pressure ulcers from hard mattresses were increasing. Turned out the mattresses were past their usable lifespan. Plus, an inventory found that 71 percent of the mattresses were defective in some way, either torn, stained, or dented. It was time to buy new mattresses. But instead of replacing the mattresses a few at a time, the nurses at White Plains Hospital decided on something more drastic — replacing all 275 of the hospital’s beds in two days. How big of a difference would new mattresses make? A very big one. Pressure ulcers dropped 67%, and patient complaints by one-half.

The nurses at White Plains Hospital made this change to help their patients. But they also proved a point to the rest of us. Replacing an old mattress can make a big difference. Don’t Wait for a Breakup to Replace Your Mattress Unfortunately, people usually replace their mattresses only when they’re forced to. For instance: They move out of their parents’ or the dorms to their own place.

They move cross-country and hauling a mattress doesn’t make sense.

They go from a situation where they were sharing a bed with someone to a situation where they need their own. Yes, breakups are a big reason why people suddenly find themselves needing a new mattress. But don’t wait until a big life change to replace your mattress. Aim to get a new mattress roughly every 7 to 8 years depending on the mattress type (or sooner if you notice a major reduction in comfort). How Do You Know When It’s Time to Replace Your Mattress? The best advice on when to replace a mattress is also common sense advice: If you’re uncomfortable, think about switching.

When that will happen is hard to pin down. The “good by” date of a mattress depends on who is using it. Your weight, how much you move when you sleep, the climate where you live — all of these could affect how long your mattress stays comfortable. Do you find it impossible to resist using your mattress as a trampoline? Then, yeah, your mattress might deteriorate faster. How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress? Our chart above can help you figure out how long your mattress will last. However, if you want to get the best night’s sleep, there are a few more factors you should consider. Look for signs of mattress deterioration. This could be sagging, lumps or, if you have an innerspring mattress, coils poking through the fabric, along with other wear and tear you may notice. If you notice your allergies or asthma are getting worse, this could be a sign of allergens like bacteria, mildew, dead skin cells, or dust building up in your mattress. You definitely want to consider replacing your mattress as soon as possible if you notice anything growing! If you don’t protect your mattress, you’ll have to replace it more often. Using a mattress protector will increase your mattress lifespan, so it’s a good idea to invest in mattress protection and upkeep. How Mattresses Age The aging process of a mattress depends on the type of mattress you buy and how the mattress is manufactured. How Long Does a Futon Last?

A futon is a mattress type that originated in Japan. It can be placed directly on the floor, or on a wood or metal frame. A futon can last ten years or more. But the cotton material within will compress over time, making the futon harder. If you’re looking for a very plush sleeping situation you probably aren’t going for a futon anyway, as a typical futon feels like a firm mattress. You may find over time that the futon becomes overly firm. That’s when it’s time to buy a new mattress. How Long Does an Air Mattress Last?

The air mattress is completely unique, because you replace the “filler” every night. As long as there’s air, you have fresh new cushioning every time you lay down your head. (And if you don’t have air you have bigger things to worry about.) The life span of an air mattress varies wildly depending on how you treat it. Putting excess weight on an air mattress, moving around a lot while you sleep, or getting close to sharp objects could drastically reduce its lifespan. No matter how careful you are, holes and deterioration in the seams are inevitable. At some point, you’ll have to patch the mattress to repair this. Air mattresses can also be prone to mold. If you find yourself repairing leaks a lot, or your air mattress has a funky smell, it’s time to buy a new mattress. How Long Does an Innerspring Mattress Last? The innerspring mattress was invented in the 1870s. As far as we know, there’s no Rip Van Winkle still sleeping on one of the first models. An innerspring mattress should last about ten years. But that depends on how you treat it, and the quality of the construction of the mattress. The springs are the key. Higher-quality mattresses have thick coils using materials that are less likely to deteriorate. In theory, a more expensive mattress should use higher-quality coils, but not every mattress company is forthcoming about the materials they use. No matter how strong the coils are, they will break down faster if they are absorbing a lot of weight or unnecessary stress. (Kids! No jumping on the bed!) If you start to sink into your innerspring bed, that’s a sign that the coils are failing and it’s time to buy a new mattress. How Long Does a Hybrid Mattress Last? A hybrid mattress is an innerspring mattress with a top comfort layer made out of more modern material like gel or memory foam. The coils that provide the main body of the mattress should last about ten years. The comfort layer should be designed to last just as long, but the material may get less comfortable over time. If you notice lumps or sagging in the comfort material, it’s time to buy a new mattress. How Long Does a Waterbed Mattress Last?

A waterbed mattress is basically just a plastic container for water, the same way that an air mattress is a plastic conditioner for air. Both types of mattresses require maintenance. If you care for it properly, a waterbed mattress should last 10-20 years. That care is key, however. You need to buy something called “waterbed conditioner” to treat the water in the bed. Otherwise, microbes or minerals in the water can break down the vinyl mattress. You also will likely need to patch the occasional leak. If your waterbed starts to develop frequent leaks, it’s time to buy a new mattress. How Long Does a Memory Foam Mattress Last?

A memory foam mattress is made from material developed by NASA in the 1970s. So if anyone tells you they’ve had their memory foam mattress for more than 50 years, that’s not even possible! A memory foam mattress should last 8-10 years. The lifespan of a memory foam mattress depends on the density of the foam, and the weight of the person sleeping on it. Lower-density foam mattresses are less expensive, but also more prone to sagging. Memory foam should conform to your body, then bounce back after you are done sleeping. If the material loses its memory and stops bouncing back, it’s time to buy a new mattress. How Long Does a Latex Mattress Last? Latex mattresses are made from a variety of different materials, with different manufacturing processes. Some latex mattresses are made from all-natural materials, while others are made from synthetic latex. So the lifespan of a latex mattress depends heavily on which latex mattress you buy. Some manufacturers offer warranties as long as 25 years, but check the fine print — by year 25, you may not get full price for a defective mattress, just a discount towards a new one. How Long Does a Purple Mattress Last?