How often should you get a new mattress?

We recommend considering a new mattress every decade, but your mattress could last longer or need replacing sooner.

Today's mattresses use better materials than mattresses twenty years ago and can easily last fifteen years when looked after. Cheap foam and open coil mattresses are the likeliest to need replacing before the ten-year mark.

If your mattress is over ten years old, it is technically near the end of its life, but you should firstly go on what it feels like.

Most of us know we need a new mattress when the comfort level or support level changes and we no longer get a comfortable night's sleep.

You might have noticed that your mattress is no longer nice to sleep on or that it gives you backache – these are tell-tale signs you need a new mattress.

The golden rule is you should get a new mattress when your mattress no longer delivers the comfort/support you need or when it has obvious defects.

Signs you should get a new mattress!

Here are some of the signs you need a new mattress:

The cushioning is flat.
The support is no longer adequate.
You wake up with aches and pains.
You are tossing and turning more than usual.
You get the sensation of roll-off (where the mattress sinks at the edge).
You get the sense of roll-together (where the mattress dips in the middle).
Your mattress has lumps, bumps, or an otherwise uneven surface.
The springs are squeaky or stick into the mattress.
You sink into the mattress a lot more than you used to (this can be because of weight gain, but in any case, you can get a firmer mattress).

If you need a new mattress, our award-winning range is a great place to start, featuring Good Housekeeping and 'Which?' award winners.

Is it you or the mattress?

Sometimes, the urge to replace a mattress isn't because it is past its best, but because your sleeping habits and body have changed.

Weight gain/loss is the biggest reason a mattress can suddenly be uncomfortable. The heavier you are, the firmer your mattress needs to be, and our mattress buyer's guide explains this in detail with recommendations.

How often should you get a new mattress? Pictured: Young couple first-time buyers creating a shopping list. — Pictured: Young couple first-time buyers creating a shopping list.

Another reason you might want to change your mattress is your sleeping habits have changed. For example, if you used to sleep on your side but now sleep on your tummy, you need a firmer mattress to maximise support.

You might also need to upgrade your mattress because your partner doesn't sleep well on it. Medium and medium-firm mattresses usually offer the best compromise.

All mattresses degrade – is your mattress past its best?

All mattresses degrade over time – the adhesives bonding the layers of foam and fibre filling together break down, and springs eventually weaken, creating an unstable and uncomfortable sleeping surface.

Sometimes, old mattresses are easy to spot because they have visual defects like lumps and bumps (caused by popped springs and deformed foams). Another common flaw in sprung mattresses is sagging in the middle.

When a mattress is past its best, the first thing to go is the support system. Whether your mattress has springs or pure foam, if it's past its best, the support will be inconsistent across the surface and difficult to enjoy.

Man in bed feeling uncomfortable in bed. Beat Insomnia. — Pictured: Man in bed feeling uncomfortable in bed.

Try rotating your mattress by 180 degrees and see if there is a difference in support – if there is, one half of your mattress is worn while the other isn't. You might be able to live with the fresh side for a few months but beware that it will degrade because it will compensate for the other side and wear out.

Overall

It would help if you got a new mattress when your old one no longer delivers the comfort and support required. This could be because it has degraded or your sleeping habits have changed. In any case, a new mattress will solve your sleeping woes.

Are you concerned about waste? We offer a disposal and recycling service for your old mattress, so it doesn't end up in a landfill. Find out more here.