How Long Does a Mattress Last? This Is What You Need to Know 

With the online mattress industry experiencing a health boom within the last decade, you may find yourself wondering just how long your current mattress will last. And if you’re waking up with a stuffy nose or aches, you may need a new bed.

But brand-new mattresses aren’t permanent replacements for their saggy and stained predecessors. They, too, will eventually need to be recycled or thrown away. This begs the question—How long does a mattress last?

Keep reading to find out.

How Long Does a Mattress Last?

Figuring out just how long the average mattress lasts can be a challenge. That’s because a specific set of factors determines a mattress’s lifespan. The most influential of these include:

• Type of Mattress
• Daily Usage
• Maintenance and Upkeep

Understanding how these factors influence a mattress’s lifespan is crucial to keeping your current or future bed in tip-top shape. Still, the average mattress lasts about ten years, potentially more when well-cared for.

Let’s begin by taking a brief look at the most common mattress types and their standard longevities. This will help you determine a base lifespan for your bed.

Type of Mattress

There are several different types of mattresses. The most traditional of these is an innerspring mattress. This type of bed consists of coiled springs, padded cloth, and thin sheets of cotton webbing or foam. They’ve been around since 1871.

Memory foam mattresses are popular, and they’re also one of the most recent mattress types. They consist of one or several layers of dense foam. Latex mattresses are very similar, though they’re made of resilient latex rubber. 

Of these types, innerspring mattresses tend to enjoy the shortest overall lifespan. And while latex is usually one of the more expensive options, beds made of this material tend to have an extraordinarily long life.

Daily Usage

This factor is difficult to control, as human beings require sleep daily. Still, an individual’s weight, height, and sleep quality can influence the amount of daily wear and tear mattresses experience.

Those who are taller, or who weigh more, are likely to notice more apparent signs of use. Indentations are typically the first and most noticeable signs of weathering and wear.

However, sleepers that toss and turn throughout the night may also find that their mattress seems to sag. Unfortunately, there’s almost no way to reduce the effects of daily usage.

However, keeping your mattress maintained may help it retain its firmness and shape.

Maintenance and Upkeep

Following maintenance, guidelines can help you extend the overall lifespan of your mattress. Before beginning any type of cleaning or upkeep, it’s vital to check your bed’s tags and materials.

Some cleaning solutions can be corrosive or damaging to fabric, latex, or foam materials. Always be sure to use the dryest cleaning methods possible before resorting to liquid solutions.

Moisture is one of the greatest enemies of mattress longevity. 

Mattress Maintenance Tips and Tricks

While a mattress’s type influences its base lifespan, usage and upkeep help determine its final overall age. Consequently, these are the two aspects that sleepers have the most influence over in the long-run.

But attempting to preserve your mattress by sleeping on the floor or the couch isn’t the most effective way to help extend its life. Regular maintenance and cleaning tend to be far more effective (and enjoyable) solutions to short-lived mattresses.

Say No to Moisture

No matter what kind of mattress you have, chances are, it’s absorbent enough to hold onto moisture. While this might not pose a significant problem in the short-term, it can wreak havoc on a mattress over time.

Moisture can lead to material decomposition and promote mold growth. A mold-ridden mattress is a significant health hazard. Besides, mold can consume almost any type of material, including wood, cloth, and plastics.

When mold and mildew infest your mattress, they can cause respiratory problems and cause your bed to erode and sag. Using a waterproof mattress protector and keeping moisture away from your mattress is crucial.

Use a Dedicated Vaccum

While it can be tempting to use your household vacuum to suck away dust and debris from your mattress, please resist. Vacuums that have been used on your home’s floors aren’t typically well-suited to handling a mattress.

Dedicated handheld vacuums with wide suction hoses work best for this purpose. If you prefer to use your home’s standard vacuum, be sure to clean your preferred attachment before getting down to business. 

Mattress maintenance faux pas are surprisingly common, and they can do long-lasting damage to your bed. This page can help you avoid other common mattress maintenance mistakes.

Wash Linens Regularly

Washing your sheets, pillowcases, and other bed linens regularly can help keep mattresses retain their hygiene and shape. Most fitted sheets pull slightly against the corners of your mattress, eventually distorting its shape.

It’s a great idea to remove your bed’s linens and wash them at least once a week. Having replacement or back-up sheets and blankets can help make this process easier on your schedule and washing machine.

Get the Most Out of Your Mattress

How long does a mattress last? The average mattress can enjoy a lifespan of ten years, but those that receive regular care and cleaning can last far longer.

Before you toss out your old mattress or invest your savings in a modern model, be sure to try the above maintenance tips and tricks. They can extend the life of your bed and help you achieve cleaner, healthier, and more satisfying sleep.

Of course, if your current mattress is beyond the point of saving, it may be a better idea to invest in a new one. You can apply your newfound mattress cleaning and maintenance skills to this replacement, ensuring that it will last for years.

To discover more about helpful household information, be sure to check out our blog today!