After a long day, all we want to do is get back into bed! But to get the most restful nights possible, the mattress must be in good health! Indeed, a mattress that is too worn could affect the quality of your nights, and in the long term affect your health. One question remains: how do you know when it is time to change your mattress? What signs should you look out for? And finally, what is the lifespan of a mattress? Bedding professionals agree that a good quality mattress has a lifespan of around 10 years, on average. However, this duration can vary depending on many criteria. Explanations on the lifespan of a mattress.
The lifespan of a mattress according to its composition
The synthetic foam mattress
There are two types of synthetic foams: polyethylene foam (also called high resilience foam) and memory foam (also called viscoelastic foam). These foams derived from petrochemicals are very widespread on the market, but are not the best choice to make for a mattress with a long lifespan. Indeed, their composition and characteristics do not allow them to have a good lifespan. They will therefore tend to sag after a few years: their lifespan is generally estimated at 7 years.Spring mattresses
Spring mattresses are known for their good lifespan, which easily reaches 10 years. While spring mattresses therefore have the advantage of being durable, they are in the vast majority of cases associated with synthetic foams, which can pose multiple health problems, as they emit VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).Synthetic latex mattresses
Synthetic latex is a material that has been created to have properties similar to natural latex. It is therefore a material that, like natural latex, provides the mattress with a balance between softness on the surface and firm support in depth. However, it is actually composed, like synthetic foam mattresses, of a chemical material that is not very breathable. This causes the development and proliferation of mites and bacteria within the mattress. Indeed, it can only very poorly evacuate moisture. In addition, synthetic latex mattresses have a much lower durability, because they lose their elasticity much more quickly than a natural latex mattress.Natural latex mattresses
Natural latex is known for its durability. A resistant material, benefiting from great elasticity and excellent resistance, natural latex sags very little over time. Natural latex is also a breathable material, allowing moisture to be easily and quickly evacuated. This also allows mattresses made of natural latex to be thermoregulatory: they stay cool in summer and retain heat in winter. Natural latex is also a naturally anti-mite, antibacterial and hypoallergenic material, without needing to be chemically treated. All of these qualities allow natural latex mattresses to last up to 15 years, or even 20! They are therefore a very good investment, much more quickly profitable than other types of mattresses. To ensure unbeatable durability, 100% natural alba mattresses , made from natural latex, are guaranteed for 10 years!
What shortens the life of a mattress?
Frequency of use
Several factors can affect the durability of a mattress. Among them: the frequency of use. It is indeed logical that an extra mattress sags less quickly and keeps its quality longer than a mattress used for daily sleeping.The quality of the filling
The lifespan of a mattress can also be reduced depending on the quality of the filling (also called core). If it is not up to standard, the mattress will have a shorter lifespan! It is therefore better to opt for noble and good quality materials, such as natural latex, rather than synthetic foams, such as polyethylene.The choice of density
It is extremely important that the mattress is adapted to your body shape! If the density of your mattress is not adapted to your weight, it will deform and will have to be changed more quickly. Find out here how to choose your mattress according to your body shape.Mattress maintenance
Finally, it is important to mention that mattress maintenance can play a big role in its durability. A lack of maintenance can severely harm the longevity of your mattress and shorten it. Find out here how to take care of your mattress!How do you know if you need to change your mattress?
There are several signs that a mattress has had its day and needs to be replaced. Pay attention to these signs to see how worn your mattress is and check if it has reached the end of its life!Your mattress sags more than usual when you sit or lie on it.
You feel the slats of your box spring, or the springs of your mattress.
You notice that your mattress keeps its sunken shape after you get up (of course, this sign is not to be taken into account if you have a memory foam mattress).
You are sore and suffer from back pain when you wake up. Pain in the neck, lumbar region, back or kidneys may mean that your mattress has sagged too much and is no longer suited to your body shape.
If you have a spring mattress, it squeaks, creaks, and makes noise every time you move.
You spent a night on a different mattress than the one you usually use, and slept much better. This is a clear sign that your mattress is no longer suitable for you, and that you need to change it!
A bad smell, having suddenly appeared, emanates from your mattress. It could be due to too much humidity, which could even give rise to mold! Go for a natural latex mattress, naturally ventilated, to avoid this kind of problem.
You have become prone to allergic reactions when you are in your room (sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, colds, etc.). This means that bacteria, mites or dust have lodged in your mattress. To avoid this, choose 100% natural mattresses, which are naturally anti-mite and hypoallergenic.
How to optimize the lifespan of a mattress?
Choosing the right mattress
It is obvious that the choice of mattress will be decisive for the lifespan of your bedding. Thus, a thin, entry-level mattress made of polyurethane foam will give up the ghost after 5 years. You must therefore be careful when choosing a mattress, to be sure that you will keep it for as many years as possible. It is important to ask yourself the following questions when purchasing your mattress:- Is this a temporary purchase? How long do you plan to keep the mattress?
- Do you plan to keep it with you everywhere, as you move?
- Do you need a specific mattress that is better for your health?
Choosing a suitable box spring
If we often think first of changing our mattress, it is just as important to know when to change our bed base! And this choice should not be neglected. A bed base that is too old or damaged could damage a mattress and deteriorate its quality too quickly.It is important to know that some bed bases are only compatible with certain types of mattresses, and vice versa. In fact, a spring mattress should ideally be placed on a spring bed base, to optimize the mechanism. On the other hand, a natural latex or synthetic foam mattress should instead be placed on a fixed slatted bed base. This improves the quality of the sleep and the longevity of the mattress.
Taking care of your mattress
What is the point of having a high-performance, high-quality mattress if it is not properly maintained? A few simple reflexes can help extend the life of a mattress and keep its comfort for as long as possible:- Air your room every day for about fifteen minutes, leaving the bed unmade and open.
- Vacuum every month to remove bacteria and mites (if you don't have a 100% natural mattress).
- Clean your mattress from time to time with baking soda, in particular to remove traces of perspiration.
