A good night's sleep is so important for our overall health and wellbeing, and a large part of what helps with getting proper sleep is choosing the right mattress.

If you're starting to find that your mattress isn't as comfortable as it once was or that you're not getting a good night's sleep anymore, then it could be time to consider replacing your mattress.

When it comes to how often you should replace your mattress, there isn't a set timeframe and it very much depends on things like the quality, brand, type, foundation used, and how well the mattress has been maintained over the years.

In this blog post, we're going to look at how often you should replace your mattress, plus give you tips on how to know when your mattress has served its purpose.

On average, we spend about 26 years, or one third of our lives asleep, which is quite a lot when you think about it, and if that sleep is of good quality, it has actually been shown to increase life expectancy by around five years for men and two for women.

If you've ever slept on a really comfortable mattress and then slept on a truly uncomfortable one, then you know just how much it can impact your sleep!

A bad night's sleep can leave you feeling groggy, cranky, and unfocused the next day, which over time, can really affect your physical and even your mental health, lowering your immune system, and increasing feelings of stress, anxiety and depression.

When you first bought your mattress, it might've been great, but over time, it can wear down, making it less supportive and overall less comfortable causing issues like back and neck pain, and even poor posture.

Another issue you might see as your mattress ages is an increase in things like allergy symptoms or even asthma which can be exacerbated by dust mites, mold and mildew that build up in the fibers of the mattress over time.

You can certainly take steps to keep your mattress in good condition and lasting longer by regularly rotating it to even the wear, using a good waterproof mattress protector, and keeping it clean, but eventually, it's a good idea to replace your mattress completely.

How long a mattress lasts depends on many factors, and how you care for your mattress will certainly affect the lifespan of your mattress. However, due to the materials used, some mattress types will generally last longer than others.

It is important to note that all mattresses, even one costing $30k, will soften. Natural comfort impressions of less than 1.5" are completely normal and considered good. Just like your favorite pair of shoes that break in and conform a bit to your toes, your mattress will do the same thing.

Each mattress type comes with its own benefits, so it's important to consider things like your sleep preferences, how much support you need, and who's going to be using the mattress.

Here's a rough guide to show the difference between each type of mattress to help you find the right fit for your needs:

Zipper Top Customizable Mattresses

Our zipper top mattresses allow you to refresh your mattress without having to replace it. Simply unzip the top of the mattress, replace the top comfort layer, and zip back up.

So if your mattress has become too soft after a few years or you need a different level of support for your back, the zipper top mattress is customizable to suit you, and may possibly be the last mattress you ever need to buy.

Innerspring Mattresses

On average, an innerspring mattress can last anywhere between 5-8 years. If you keep the mattress in good condition, flip it regularly (if flippable), and keep it clean, then you may even get a bit longer out of it.

Due to the springs and coils in this type of mattress, it's prone to wearing out quicker, so buying a quality Innerspring mattress may also affect how long it lasts before you need to replace it.

Memory Foam Mattresses

You can expect a good quality memory foam mattress to last anywhere from 8-10 years as long as it's well-maintained.

The quality of foams used in mattresses varies wildly and will impact durability and longevity. If the density of the foam is lower to begin with, then you'll find it loses its shape faster, which means it won't last as long.

Hybrid Mattresses

Taking the supportive benefits of an innerspring mattress and the comfort of a memory foam mattress, a good hybrid mattress can last anywhere between 8-10 years.

This mattress type is great for those who like the support of a spring mattress, but want something that lasts a bit longer and has more softness and luxurious feel.

Pillow Top Mattresses

You can generally expect a pillow top mattress to last for about 5-7 years if cared for properly. Although they're known as very comfortable mattresses, the pillow top layer is more prone to wearing down, especially as the quality of the pillow top foams varies, over time compared to other types, which can lead to it needing to be replaced sooner.

While you can certainly get the most out of your mattress by looking after it properly, most are not made to last forever, and there will come a time when your mattress no longer provides the support you need, and you need to replace it.

Since you've spent so much time sleeping on your mattress and will have become used to how it feels, it's not always easy to tell when you should consider replacing your mattress.

Here are some of the signs to look out for:

• Lumps or sagging in the mattress
• Feeling sore when you wake up, especially if you notice a difference when sleeping somewhere else
• Allergy or asthma symptoms have increased
• You notice obvious signs of aging or wear and tear
• Noisy or uncomfortable springs

If you're noticing any of the above, then it's a sign that your mattress has passed its prime, and is likely to get worse, so consider replacing it before it starts to impact your sleep quality too much.

It's also important to keep in mind that, even if your mattress isn't showing obvious signs of aging, the quality will decrease over time, especially with frequent use, so it's a good idea to try and stick to the general time frames above for replacing your mattress, or consider a zipper mattress.

The material your mattress is made from is one of the main things that really affects the lifespan, so it's important to consider this when buying a mattress.

Here's a look at the different types of mattress materials used and how frequently they need to be replaced:

Memory Foam

Depending on the quality density of the foam used, you may need to replace the mattress sooner. For example, a typical memory foam mattress can last up to 8 years, but if a softer, lower density foam is used, the lifespan may be shorter.

If you start to see visible dents or bumps in the mattress, or you feel like you're not getting the same level of support as before, then it's a good sign that your mattress may need to be replaced.

Innerspring

This type of mattress is popular because of the high levels of support it provides. However, over time, the coils will start to wear down, and will generally need to be replaced after about 8 years as the coils will not provide enough support.

If you start noticing divots in the mattress, or if you can feel the coils, then this is a good sign that your mattress is ready to be replaced.

Hybrid

A good quality hybrid mattress can easily last up to 10 years if it's on proper support, but some can wear down a bit quicker than others, so it always depends on the quality of foam and other materials used as well as the quality of the coils.

When you feel like your hybrid mattress is not giving you enough support or you're feeling sore or stiff after sleeping, this is a sign that your mattress has seen better days.

As your mattress ages, it will start to lose shape and firmness which not only makes it less comfortable to sleep on, but you won't be getting the same amount of support from the mattress as you once did.

Sleeping on a mattress that's too soft and losing its shape can cause you to sleep less deeply because you're constantly moving around to get comfortable. It can also cause you to feel stiff and sore when you wake up because you're not getting the right support.

All of this will result in poor quality sleep, but if it goes on for too long it can start to affect your health, too, so it's important to think about replacing your mattress if any of this applies to you.

While the time frames above give an estimate for how long you can expect your mattress to last, there are other factors that come into play, and these are mostly down to how to use your mattress on an individual level. Here are some of things that affect the lifespan of your mattress:

Quality of your mattress foundation

Just as you wouldn't build a house on an old or shaky foundation, your mattress also needs a solid foundation to keep it in good shape and avoid issues like sinking.

How often your mattress is used

If you buy a new mattress for your spare bedroom and you only have guests a couple of times per year, then your mattress will most likely last a lot longer than one you buy for your own bedroom that you sleep on every night.

The amount of weight on the mattress

Other things that can affect the lifespan of your mattress are the weight of those sleeping on the mattress, especially if there's an unequal distribution of weight between two partners and the mattress is not rotated regularly.

Children jumping on the bed or sitting on the edge of the mattress for longer periods can also cause damage and sagging of the mattress due to the extra weight and pressure.

How well you care for your mattress

Regardless of how your mattress is used, a great way to keep it in good shape for as long as possible is to use a waterproof mattress protector to reduce things like dust mites and allergens - especially if you have pets in the bed.

Moisture and other liquids can degrade your mattress, reducing its usable lifespan. A waterproof mattress protector will help keep your mattress dry and clean.

Vacuuming your mattress once a month or so and light spot treating is another good way to keep it fresh and clean.

How often you flip or rotate your mattress

In order to maintain support and firmness over time, you should flip or rotate your mattress regularly. Especially if there's a lot of weight on the mattress, or an uneven distribution of weight that can cause sagging over time and reduce the support.

How frequently you should rotate or flip your mattress depends on the type of mattress and the material used.

• Innerspring, Hybrid, and Memory foam mattresses: When you first get a new mattress, you should rotate it once a month for the first 6 months during this critical break in period.

  After that, it's recommended to rotate the mattress twice per year. A good way to remember is to rotate your mattress at the same time you change your clocks for daylight savings.

• Flippable mattresses: If you own or buy a flippable mattress, you need to flip it! This is because the same materials, in a smaller height, are used on each side of the mattress.

  If you don't flip it, you won't get the value or comfort out of your two-sided mattress. You should flip it once a month for the first 6 months during the critical break in period.

  After that, you should flip the mattress twice per year. Another benefit of a flippable mattress is you can also rotate it to prolong its life.

If you want to keep your mattress in good condition for as long as possible, then a few simple steps can really go a long way.

Here are the best ways to keep your mattress in good shape so that you don't have to replace it sooner than you'd like to:

• Regularly rotate or flip the mattress depending on the type
• Use a waterproof, washable mattress protector
• Ensure the mattress is on a proper foundation
• Vacuum your mattress every few months
• Avoid misuse of the mattress like letting children jump on the bed or sitting on the edge of the bed

While there's certainly no fixed deadline for when your mattress will need to be replaced, once you start noticing things like less support, sleep disturbances, or aches and pains when you wake up, these are all signs that point to your mattress needing replaced.

Over time, lack of sleep or reduced sleep quality can cause physical health problems to appear or worsen, like chronic pain conditions, allergies, and even asthma. It can also affect your concentration, putting you at risk of accidental injury or making mistakes at work.

Lack of sleep can also have a detrimental impact on your emotional and mental health, too, and has been shown to cause an increase in feelings of stress, anxiety and depression.

In some cases, your mattress may be completely fine and not necessarily needing to be replaced, but it simply doesn't meet your individual needs anymore.

For example, if you have a pillow top mattress that you bought because of the comfort it provides, but you now need some extra support and firmness due to a back injury, the mattress you have may not be able to give you the best sleep quality.

If you've gained or lost a significant amount of weight, this can also affect the best type of mattress for your needs. If you simply want to upgrade to a bigger size or experience a different feel, then our zipper mattresses allow you to customize your mattress without replacing it.

Another thing to consider is that, while your mattress may look fine on the outside, especially if you have been using something like a mattress protector, you don't always see what's going on inside, so pay attention to changes to your sleep for clues about whether or not it might be time to part ways with your mattress.