Life Hack: The unexpected warning signs that show it’s time to replace your mattress
How old is your mattress?
You spend about a third of your life in bed, so making sure you’re well-supported by your mattress is essential.
In general, mattresses will last for about six to eight years, with some lasting up to 10 or 15 years, before they need to be replaced.
In many cases, visible signs of wear and tear can be a clear sign that they need replacing but there are some subtler signs to be aware of too. A new mattress may be on the horizon sooner than expected if you experience issues like poor sleep quality.
“Most people are aware that their mattresses need replacing after eight years, but sometimes they do need changing sooner if they no longer suit your needs,” says Rebecca Swain, mattress expert at Winstons Beds.
“If you’re waking up sore and achy and with consistent headaches all of a sudden, it could mean that your mattress isn’t giving your body the support that it once used to.
“Another sign is if you can hear your partner moving around much more than usual. Good quality mattresses absorb motion transfer so if it feels like you can hear your partner moving around more in the night, it’s not them being annoying, it could be a sign of poor mattress quality.”
Winstons Beds have highlighted five lesser-known signs you need to change your mattress.
If you're constantly waking up with aches and pains in your body all of a sudden it may be a sign that your mattress is no longer supporting you the way that it should be.
Mattresses are designed to reduce and absorb motion transfer when one person moves. Feeling your partner move in the night more than usual could mean your mattress has lost the ability to do this.
Keep an eye on your allergies and if they begin to worsen during the mornings or at nighttime when you’re in your bed. This could indicate a build-up of dust mites and other allergens in your mattress.
In a quality mattress, springs should never be noisy or creaky. If you find your mattress begins to make noises as you move on it then it’s likely that its internal structure is weakening.
We often associate headaches and migraines with stress but if you are experiencing these frequently in the mornings, they could be from poor alignment and support during your sleep.
If you notice any of these signs, you should consider buying your next mattress to ensure you get the correct amount — and quality — of sleep every night.
