How often should you replace your mattress?
The best mattress will give you a good night’s sleep. But even if you find the perfect mattress, it sadly won’t last forever.
The support and shape will steadily give with each sleep over time, until you’re left feeling uncomfortable when you wake. No one should have to deal with restless nights and back pain; that’s why we’ve answered the question of how often you should really be changing your mattress as well as what you can do to make it last longer.
How often should you change your mattress?
Before we get into the thick of it, we should stress that there is no one rule fits all for how often you should replace your mattress. The longevity will vary based on the design as well as its use.
Ultimately, if it starts to feel uncomfortable, that’s a sign that you need to take action. You might notice a visible dip on the surface of the mattress, or it might give easily when you apply weight to it. It might even feel lumpy. In any case, it won’t offer the support or comfort it originally provided, so it will need replacing.
However, if you want a rule of thumb, Bed Advice UK recommends looking into replacing your mattress every seven to eight years. Going for longer than this risks the quality deteriorating. You should also ideally replace your bed frame at the same time (we suggest doing this at least every 10 years). That way, it will be designed to fit your new mattress, and won’t impact its performance.
Tips to make your mattress last longer
1. Flip it and rotate it if you can
Not all mattresses are designed to be flipped or rotated. Some come with layered designs which can only be placed one way up, sometimes facing in one direction. But, if your mattress can be moved (check with the manufacturer if you’re unsure), rotate and flip it on a schedule to even out the weight distribution.
We recommend rotating memory foam designs which are layered and can’t be flipped every week when new, reducing to once every few months once established. Your typical spring mattress should be rotated as well as flipped every week for three months from new, reducing to once every 3-4 months. Always follow your manufacturer’s recommendation so you don’t void the warranty.
2. Vary your position to spread the weight
It sounds like common sense, but most of us are creatures of habit and will generally sleep on the same side of the bed in the same position each night. If you’ve got the mattress to yourself, switch sides regularly to redistribute the weight. This essentially has the same effect as rotating the mattress.
If you sleep with a partner you could also switch sides to potentially vary the weight and sleeping style on each side. For example, side sleepers are more likely to create dips from the excess pressure of the hips and shoulders, whereas back sleepers exert less focused pressure.
3. Improve the comfort with a topper
If you’re starting to feel uncomfortable on your mattress, but you don’t think you need a full-blown replacement just yet, a mattress topper could be the answer. Think of this as a mini mattress which sits on top of your existing mattress to add more comfort. They’re available will all sorts of fillings, from memory foam to down, so you can find one to suit your sleeping style.
Just keep in mind that if you’re dealing with a severe dip, a mattress topper won’t solve this. While it might alleviate it to some extent, you will more likely feel the same dip through the topper. There’s little you can do to fix a severe dip; even if you flip the mattress, it will impact the support from the other side. We recommend replacing in these instances.
4. Protect it with a mattress protector
If you want your mattress to last, you need to protect it from spills and stains. A mattress protector can do just that. It’s a layer which sits directly on top of your mattress to act as a last defence, but these can provide alternate functions. Some are waterproof, predominantly guarding against spills. Others feature quilted designs to add comfort, and others claim to regulate temperature.
Whichever you choose, it’s good practice to have a mattress protector in place. It’s difficult to remove stains once they’ve reached your mattress, and these can encourage bacterial growth and mould. A mattress protector can also help prevent dust mites from reaching your mattress, alleviating allergies.
5. Let it air
Do not make your bed first thing in the morning. We secrete sweat, drool and oils throughout the night, and all that moisture needs a chance to air and evaporate from our beds. Because of this, you should always pull back the duvet (completely off the bed if you can), fluff up your pillows, and leave a window open for a few hours to get rid of the excess moisture. This reduces the bacterial growth in your bed and mattress.
6. Find the right type of mattress
By finding the best type of mattress to suit your sleep style, it will feel even more comfortable, and you will be happier on it for longer. Do not be guided merely by what’s on sale; considering how long a mattress lasts, look out for one which delivers in support and comfort above all.
It’s better to try out your intended mattress in person so you know exactly what to expect. Do not do this while you feel tired, or every mattress will feel more comfortable than it perhaps would when you get it home. For guidance on what type of mattress to choose and the top picks for each, check out our roundup of the best mattresses as tested by the GHI. Couple it with the best pillows for the best night's sleep.
Be sure to check the bed is sized appropriately for your room and bed frame if you’re looking to upgrade to a larger size. Bed sizes are not always standardised and can vary from mattress to mattress, even if they use a typical size name, like King or Super King. European sizes are different to the UK as well and can be imported. Here’s our handy guide to help you out:
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