Your mattress is an important part of your daily routine, and you carefully consider which one is best for you. As a result, it’s easy to believe—and tempting—that you and your mattress will be together forever. Unfortunately, no matter how wonderful your mattress is, this is one of those relationships that must end.
A premium mattress should last for at least 7 to 10 years before giving way to the wear and tear of supporting your body every night. It stops providing proper support at that point, resulting in aches, pains, poor sleep, and the need to find a replacement.
But how can you tell if you really need a new mattress? Here are the warning signs:
Clearly Visible Sagging
Sagging is a symptom that affects all mattress types as springs break down, memory foam softens, and fibers in other materials compress over time, all of which contribute to sagging. Do not wait for a crater in the middle of your bed to form. Even minor sags of 1-2 inches should not be overlooked, as they can indicate a lack of support for your body’s most vulnerable areas.
Goldilocks Effect
Owners of memory foam mattresses should be aware if their mattress becomes too hard or soft. Because memory foam is temperature sensitive, it will harden over time if kept in a small room, and soften over time if kept in a warm room. This shift in firmness can have a significant impact on your comfort.
Check for Lumps
Lumps in your mattress may appear as the padding within the mattress shifts over time. Because of the uneven density, you may not be supported where you need to be. It can also result in painful pressure points. Lumps are more common in lower-quality mattresses, but they can also occur in higher-end mattresses that have reached the end of their useful life.
More Prone to Allergies
Most mattresses can accumulate allergens such as mold, mildew, and dust mites over time. If you’re allergic to these irritants, your mattress will cause you to have an allergic reaction. If you find yourself sneezing when you get close to the bed or feeling stuffed up in the morning, it’s time to take a look at your mattress.
You are Kept Awake at Night
It may be time to replace your mattress if you are unable to fall asleep or frequently wake up during the night to adjust positions. Other factors, such as stress or poor sleep hygiene, can also keep you awake at night. However, if you’re tossing and turning into the wee hours of the morning, your mattress is probably worn out and you need a new one. If you seem to sleep through the night but still feel tired in the morning, this could be the case.
A Change in Your Life
Sometimes your mattress is still perfectly fine, but circumstances in your life necessitate that you get a new one. If you’ve had an injury, lost or gained a significant amount of weight, or have a new bed partner, this could be the case. If your mattress is still in good shape but isn’t providing the support you require, don’t feel bad about donating it.
