How Often Should You Change Your Mattress?

How Long Should a Mattress Last?

In general, a quality mattress will give you around 8 to 10 years of solid support and comfort. After that, things naturally begin to deteriorate — the materials wear down, support weakens, and the comfort layer stops doing its job. You might find yourself tossing and turning more, waking up sore or stiff, or just not feeling well-rested anymore.

And let’s be honest — most of us don’t remember exactly when we bought our current mattress. That’s why a good tip is to pop a little label or sticker underneath with the purchase date. It sounds a bit over the top, but it’s surprisingly helpful when you’re not sure if it’s been six years or twelve!

 What If It’s Worn Out Sooner?

Not all mattresses make it to the 8-year mark. If yours is only four years old and already sagging in places, feeling lumpy, or uneven, then it might not have been great quality to begin with. Cheaper mattresses tend to break down more quickly — and that uncomfortable night’s sleep is often the price you pay for saving money at the checkout.

So if you find yourself waking up feeling achy or irritated, or if you’re having trouble falling asleep in the first place, it could well be time to say goodbye to your old mattress and invest in something better.

Signs It’s Time for a New Mattress

Still unsure whether your mattress needs replacing? Here are a few tell-tale signs to look out for:

• You wake up feeling tired or sore, even after a full night’s sleep.

• You notice dips, lumps, or obvious sagging in the mattress surface.

• Your mattress creaks, groans, or feels unstable when you move.

• You suffer from allergies or increased sniffles in the morning — this could be down to a build-up of dust mites, mould, or allergens inside the mattress.

• You sleep better elsewhere — on a hotel bed, your friend’s spare room, or even the sofa!

Basically, if your bed has gone from a place of comfort to a nightly battle, it’s time to move on. And yes, if you’re reading this blog post, you probably already suspect it’s time for a new one.

So, How Often Should You Actually Replace It?

On average, most mattresses should be replaced every 7 to 10 years. However, that can vary depending on the type of mattress you own and how well it’s been looked after. Here’s a quick guide:

• Innerspring mattresses: 6–7 years. The springs tend to lose their tension and create pressure points over time.

• Memory foam mattresses: Up to 10 years. High-density foams are more durable and supportive.

• Hybrid mattresses: 8–10 years. These combine coils and foam layers, offering a good balance of comfort and longevity.

• Latex mattresses: Often 10–12 years or more, especially natural latex, which is very durable.

It’s worth noting that if you suffer from asthma or dust mite allergies, you might want to replace your mattress even sooner, especially if it’s not hypoallergenic. Over time, mattresses accumulate skin cells, dust, and moisture — the perfect breeding ground for allergens, no matter how clean you keep your home.

Check For Wear and Tear On Your Mattress

When your mattress exhibits physical signs of abuse and wear and tear, it is time to change it. The signs of deterioration will all depend on the kind of mattress that you have. If you are using an inner coil mattress, there can be some lumps around the springs which have lost its tension. If you have a hybrid mattress, check for frays along the stitches to find where it may have come undone.

When your mattress has reached this level of degradation, it means you’ve been sleeping on a worn out mattress for some time. By now, you probably know when to change your mattress, so do your research and make that change as soon as possible.

Exactly How Many Years is A Mattress Good For?

The answer to this will depend on the kind of mattress that you have. Mostly, innerspring mattresses are ideal for a lifespan of six to seven years, even if the manufacturer tells you it can last up to 10 years. That is very basic since the coils can lose tension after a certain period of time. The moment it is uncoiled, there is nothing more you can do to prolong the mattress life. There are some accessories that may help you, but in truth, the ideal solution is to change your mattress.

With that said, some materials and mattress types can last the test of time. Hybrid mattresses and memory foam mattresses are a great way to obtain a good value for the price. Memory foam mattresses are extremely resilient and dense without using the coil system. This means that this kind of bed may last up to 10 years. That is not saying that things can’t go wrong, for in the real world it will. However, some mattress brands offer a lifetime guarantee for the lifespan of the mattress. For instance, Nectar mattresses come with The Nectar Forever Warranty which is a great indicator of how long a quality foam mattress can truly last.

What About Turning or Flipping Your Mattress?

Ah, the old "flip and turn" trick. Depending on the type of mattress you have, this can definitely help prolong its life.

• Traditional innerspring mattresses: These benefit from being flipped and rotated every 2–3 months. It helps even out the wear and keeps the springs from sagging too quickly.

• Memory foam and hybrid mattresses: These usually have a specific "right side up", with comfort layers designed to sit on top. So flipping them isn’t advised — but rotating them head to foot every few months can still help distribute wear more evenly.

• Latex mattresses: Some can be flipped depending on the design, but check with the manufacturer to be sure.

Do I Need to Replace the Box Spring Too?

In short — not always. You only really need to replace your box spring if it’s damaged, sagging, or has broken slats. A good box spring or bed base can last through several mattresses, so give it a quick inspection before deciding.

However, if you’re upgrading to a mattress that’s much heavier — like a thick hybrid or memory foam mattress — it’s worth checking that your base can support the extra weight. Some older box springs just aren’t built for modern beds.