SLEEPY CLEAN

How often should you change your mattress?

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A GOOD night’s sleep depends so much on having a good mattress, but how often should you replace your mattress to make sure you’re getting the best out of it?

According to The Sleep Charity, mattresses should be replaced every seven to 10 years.

The quality of your sleep depends on your mattressCredit: Getty

However, if your mattress is noticeably damaged, you’re not getting enough sleep on it or you wake up with aches and pains, then it may well be you need to replace it before then.

Life changes can also mean it’s time for a new mattress.

For example, if you put on or lose weight, or you start sleeping with a partner as opposed to sleeping alone, your bed may not provide the same support it did before or may just not feel as comfortable.

Side effects of a bad mattress

Poor sleep affects your physical and mental health, which if it goes on for too long, can cause big problems.

If you’re not getting enough zzzz you may lack energy and find you can’t be bothered even with life's easy tasks.

Your work may suffer and you may well find you lose your temper more easily, getting irritated by unimportant details.

What’s more, a mattress that lacks support can lead to backache as well as pain in your hips, shoulders and neck.

All of these have a cumulative effect on your general health.

It could be you don’t even realise your bad back is down to your mattress, so waking up pain-free is a bonus to buying a new one and enjoying a restful night’s sleep.

If you need more convincing, then bear in mind that older mattresses also tend to hold more dirt, bacteria and even dust mites that have all built up over the years. Another great reason for buying a new mattress.

What are the signs you should replace your mattress?

Look for obvious signs that your mattress is past its best.

Is it sagging? Are there evident lumps in it? Do the springs creak when you get into bed or worse, can you feel them digging into you?

An old mattress will be less comfortable so if you find it difficult to get to sleep or stay asleep then that could be why.

Add to that a bad back or niggly aches and it may well be you need to invest in a new mattress.

While experts recommend replacing a mattress every 7 – 10 years the exact timeframe will depend on the individual.

Generally speaking, eight years is a good average.

The longer you have your mattress the more dust and dirt will gather on and in it.

Though it sounds a little gross, drooling and sweating also take their toll, not to mention the millions of skin cells we shed each day.

Main signs you need to change your mattress:

  • Broken springs
  • Memory foam movement
  • Sagging
  • Lumps
  • Appearance – stains or marks on the fabric
  • Pain in your back, shoulders, neck or hips
  • Broken sleep
  • Allergies – bacteria and dust build-up in your mattress could affect your breathing

How to make a mattress last longer - care tips

Looking after your mattress will ensure it has a long life.

It’s an expensive product so it makes sense to keep it in optimum condition for as long as possible.

To get the best out of your mattress:

  • Change bedding frequently to prevent dirt and sweat from reaching the mattress. This also prevents bacterial buildup.
  • Use a mattress protector as an extra layer between yourself and the mattress. This is also a good idea if you eat or drink in bed as it will take the coffee stain hit hopefully without it reaching the mattress.
  • Turn (as in rotate) a new mattress regularly, as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Simba recommends once a month for the first three months and then every three to six months after that. Emma recommends rotating the mattress monthly for the first six months and then every three months.
  • If it’s a mattress with both sides suitable for sleeping on, then flip it over regularly.
  • Try sleeping on a different part of the mattress so wear and tear isn’t always in the same place (difficult with a partner but perhaps try swapping sides instead).
  • Air your mattress regularly. Leave the bed unmade for a few hours and when you change the sheets, leave the mattress to breathe before popping on clean bedding.

What mattress types are there?

Now that you know when to get rid of your old mattress and head to the shops, which one should you buy?

Open Coil Mattress

Open Coil mattresses tend to be the cheapest as they are the quickest and cheapest to make.

They cost from £99 to £300 and will usually last around two to three years.

They are lightweight which makes them easy to lift.

However, they tend to have weak support and aren't tailored to your body weight or sleeping preference.

Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam works by slowly moulding to your body when you are in bed.

They come in a variety of densities, firmness and hardness ratings so you can choose what fits you best and feels most comfortable.

You should look to spend between £300 to £600 on a memory foam mattress and they're likely to last between three to five years.

Memory foam beds relieve pressure so they're good for people with pain in their joints.

However, if you're a heavier sleeper or you tend to get warm in the night then memory foam mattresses might not be for you.

Our top 3 mattresses tried and tested

  • Pros: Very easy to unbox and set up, very comfortable to sleep on, hugs and supports your body
  • Cons: Depending on preference the firmness might not suit everyone
  • Rating: 5/5

Read the full review of the best cooling mattresses.

2. Simba Earth APEX, £1,999 -

  • Pros: Medium firm with a good amount of support, eases back and neck pain, supportive, my dog loves it too, 200-night trial, 10-year guarantee, 0% finance option
  • Cons: Expensive, heavy
  • Rating: 4/5

Read the full Simba Earth APEX review.

3. Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Pro, from £950 -

  • Pros: Comfort cool bamboo top, really supportive, open-cell structure, memory foam ensures breathability, antibacterial, thermoregulating, 1,500 individual pocket springs, removable cover is machine washable
  • Cons: Heavy
  • Rating: 4/5

Read the full Panda Hybrid mattress review.

Hybrid Foam Mattress

A hybrid mattress is designed to be the best of both worlds - mixing springs and memory foam mattresses into one.

They have a similar starting price point to memory foam mattresses, usually costing around £400.

However, they range widely in price and can go up to £1,000+, with some coming in at several thousand pounds.

They give the same pressure relief as memory foam mattresses but have cooler foam so they help stop you overheating.

However, they're usually one-sided which means they can't be flipped over and this could mean they don't last as long.

Ideally, hybrid foam mattresses should last eight years, with high-quality versions lasting 10 years or more.

Latex Mattress

Latex mattresses are great for people with sports injuries or sensitive pressure points.

They're very long-lasting and could be good for up to 25 years, although we all know you should be changing your mattress much more than that.

However, they aren't easy on your wallet as latex mattresses can cost upwards of £1,000.

Pocket Sprung Mattress

Pocket-sprung mattresses tend to be suited to most people and consistently have the best reviews.

They usually cost between £500 and £1,000 and can also last many years, similar to latex mattresses.

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Which mattress types last the longest?

Latex

Latex mattresses tend to last the longest, but they also tend to be the most expensive.

As a natural material latex has hypoallergenic qualities, which means it’s suitable for people with allergies. It’s also elastic with a lot of give while also being supportive, so it moulds to your body’s shape and relieves pressure.

It’s also great at absorbing motion and you won’t overheat, as the open structure allows air to circulate.

As a natural material, it is also considered more sustainable than synthetic options.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses combine memory foam layers with pocket springs to bring you the best of both worlds while you sleep.

The memory foam moulds to your body while the springs support – and because they’re contained in individual pockets of fabric, if one breaks the others are not affected.

Quality hybrids also have supportive foam base layers for added longevity and structure.

Their top foam layer is also open-structure, so enabling air to circulate and avoiding the too-hot feeling of cheaper memory foam mattresses.

Memory foam

Memory foam mattresses tend to vary in price and quality.

Pure memory foam versions can cause you to overheat while you’re sleeping but more expensive models aim to combat this.

They feature an open-structure top layer that allows air to circulate, improving breathability and keeping you cooler at night.

The thickness of the foam layers will also impact longevity, with thicker memory foam mattresses lasting longer than their thinner counterparts.

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