How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress?

The general rule is to replace your mattress every seven to 10 years. However, how your body responds to a mattress is the real indicator of whether you need to change where you sleep. Here are three signs that you need a new mattress whether it’s 10 years old or not.

❌ Sagging: Here’s an obvious visual cue anyone can spot. If your mattress is visibly sagging or feels lumpy and uneven, it’s no longer providing adequate support. A saggy mattress is particularly unhealthy because it can create spinal misalignment.

❌ Pain or discomfort: If you go to bed feeling fine, yet wake up with back pain, neck pain, or other discomforts that you can't attribute to other daily activities, that’s a sign that your mattress isn’t providing the proper support. Along with spinal posture, as mentioned above, this can also be due to pressure points caused by a mattress that is either too soft or hard.

❌ Poor sleep quality: There’s nothing more frustrating than being dead tired, lying in bed, and being able to fall asleep. You can’t quite put your finger on it. But the bottom line is your body isn’t able to relax into its sleep state. In some cases, it could be hot sleeping or even motion transfer that keeps you up. Whatever the reason, there’s usually a mattress solution to combat your nocturnal ailments.

Just because your mattress isn’t displaying all of the signs listed above, doesn’t mean a new mattress is off the table for you. There are other legitimate reasons why you should replace your mattress. Consider the following:

1. Comfort and support: We discussed how a mattress loses its cushioning effect over time, but there’s another factor to consider: your body. A mattress may still be in good condition, but your body’s needs can change rapidly. Maybe you were in an accident, and need more support, or perhaps you or your partner is pregnant and need more cushioning to fall asleep at night. These are perfectly legitimate reasons to replace your mattress with one that suits your body’s needs better.
2. Allergies or asthma: The only thing worse than allergies getting the better of you is having to lie down on the mattress that’s making those allergies worse. For those with sensitive allergies or asthma, 10 years may be too long to wait. It’s natural for a mattress to collect what’s in the air or on your body when you lay down. That means…

• Pet dander
• Pollen
• Mold spores
• Dust mites
• Outdoor pollutants

They all get caught on your mattress—no matter how often you clean your sheets. If you notice an increase in allergy or asthma symptoms, it may be time for a new mattress—even if it's younger than the recommended 7-10 years.

3. Partner disturbance: They really don’t mean to wake you up every time they turn over. It’s just how they sleep. But sharing a bed with a mover can be exhausting for you if your mattress doesn’t provide motion isolation.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at what to expect from some different types of mattresses.

The lifespan of a memory foam mattress lifespan isn’t that much greater than a traditional mattress. Overall, you can expect one of these mattresses to last between eight and 10 years. Of course, that depends on the quality of materials, how often it's used, and how well it’s cared for. Just like all mattresses, memory foam loses its ability to support as the foam breaks down.

To increase the lifespan of your memory foam mattress be sure to rotate the mattress regularly, keep it clean and dry, and use a mattress protector to prevent damage from spills or stains.

✔ Recommended memory foam mattress users:

If allergies and asthma are a big concern, or if your partner is a light sleeper, then a memory foam mattress is a good option for you. Memory foam doesn’t absorb allergens as much as traditional mattresses do. But they do absorb motion, so when you get up in the middle of the night, your partner won’t feel it. A more recent development in memory foam mattresses is cooling technology, which is a breathable memory foam that lets you sleep cool.

Shop This Sierra Sleep Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam has come a long way since it first hit the market, so even the plushest models are designed to last as long as they can. With that said, a firmer mattress will typically outlast a soft one, so if you like the idea of a memory foam mattress worry you’ll have to replace it soon from wear and tear, consider this firm memory foam bed from Sierra Sleep by Ashley. This landing zone has the best of soft comfort with a thick layer of foam that’s been weaved with traces of charcoal and green tea that soothe the senses for a more relaxing night’s sleep. It’s also very breathable, thanks to dual ventilation technology, so if you’re a hot sleeper, worry not, rest more.

Featured Sierra Sleep memory foam mattress review: “Very comfortable mattress! Not too firm and not too soft so true to the description. Love the cooling effect! Great price for the quality and the size.”

A hybrid mattress combines the benefits of memory foam and innerspring coils. For all its benefits, memory foam isn’t as supportive as innersprings are. However, mattress coils have a reputation for exacerbating pressure points. So, someone in the industry had the bright idea to combine the two for a balance of support and softness. The foam provides effortless, form-fitting comfort, while innersprings provide support and bounce for less of the sinking feeling associated with memory foam.

While hybrids take the best of both worlds, it doesn’t increase their life span. Just like traditional and memory foam mattresses, the lifespan of a hybrid mattress is between eight and 10 years.

Here are some examples of a hybrid mattress with feedback from well rested sleepers:

Shop This Sierra Sleep Hybrid Mattress

At nearly 17 inches tall, this Sierra Sleep hybrid mattress has more than enough support for sleep couples. With its combination of soft gel memory foam, a luxury Euro top surface for an extra layer of comfort, and wrapped innersprings, this plush hybrid mattress hits all the right spots, and since it’s made of quality materials, you can enjoy it for years to come.

Shop This Restonic Innerspring Mattress

Now four decades on the market, Restonic has risen to become a premier mattress brand reputable for its quality, reliability, and comfort. It’s no wonder home experts Jonathan and Drew Scott joined the family in 2018 as part of Restonic’s entire line of premium mattresses.  This model from the Delvin collection is a sample of that luxury, lined with a decadent Euro top cover, followed by a layer of foam, and a durable foundation of wrapped innersprings, which last longer than traditional coils and provide better motion transfer. This mattress runs on the firm side, so if you’re a back or stomach sleeper and want a quality mattress to last for years, give this pick a try.

There are several options for disposing of an old mattress, depending on its condition and local regulations.

✅ Donate it: If you’re replacing a perfectly good mattress, consider donating it to a local charity or non-profit organization. There are several locations for mattress donation Milwaukee donators can go to, and it’s a great way to pay it forward for the community. Some organizations, such as homeless shelters or women's shelters, accept mattress donations.

✅ Sell it: You may be able to sell your old mattress online. Just be sure to use common sense in your transactions.

✅ Recycle it: Many cities and municipalities have mattress recycling programs that can dismantle the mattress and recycle the metal springs and foam.

✅ Arrange for pickup: Many retailers or waste disposal companies offer pickup services for old mattresses. Check with your local waste management or recycling center to see if they offer this service.