When Should You Replace Your Mattress?

Mattresses wear out slowly, so it’s easy to miss the moment yours stops doing its job. Many manufacturers suggest replacing a mattress roughly every 7 to 10 years, but quality, materials and how it’s used all make a difference. The signs below are a better guide than the calendar.

Signs it’s time for a new mattress

• Sagging or dips where you usually lie that don’t recover
• Lumps, or springs you can feel through the surface
• Waking up stiff or sore, and feeling better after a night somewhere else
• Rolling towards the middle or towards your partner
• Noisy springs or a frame that creaks with every move
• More sneezing or stuffiness in bed, as old mattresses collect dust

How to make your mattress last longer

1. Use a washable protector to keep out sweat, spills and dust.
2. Rotate it every few months, head to foot, so it wears evenly. Flip it too if the maker says it’s two-sided.
3. Give it a solid base. A weak or broken frame or slats can make a good mattress sag.
4. Air it out. Strip the bed now and then and let the mattress breathe, especially in humid weather.
5. Avoid jumping or sitting on the edge for long periods.

Ready to shop? Read our mattress buying checklist before you go.