Do you remember the last time you got a really great night’s sleep? Perhaps it wasn’t even in your own bed. Where were you? A hotel? Your favorite easy chair?
All too often, the answer is somewhere other than your own bed. But you should be getting your best night’s sleep on your own mattress. If you find you’re not sleeping as well as you should in your own bed, you may want to consider that your mattress and foundation could be robbing you of sleep. It may be time for a new mattress if:
- You wake up with pain, stiffness or soreness
- You are not sleeping as well as you were a year ago
- You had your best night’s sleep somewhere other than your own bed.
- Your mattress shows visible signs of wear and tear.
Too often, people are unaware that their mattress is no longer meeting their needs. You can avoid sleepless nights by carefully evaluating the comfort and support of your sleep set twice a year to make sure your personal comfort preferences are still being met. If you’re still not sure whether your mattress is stealing your sleep, you may want to visit your local retailer to compare the comfort and support of new sleep sets in the store with your old set at home.
Your mattress won’t last forever. A combination of factors works together to determine how long your mattress will provide optimum comfort and support.
It’s All About You
Lifestyle
Changes in lifestyle, such as moving into a new home or getting married, may call for a change in your mattress.
Your Body
As we age, our bodies change. What was comfortable and supportive when you were 25 may not meet your needs when you’re 35 or 45. Likewise, the amount of space that’s right for a six-year-old may not be enough for a 16-year-old. Make sure that every mattress in your home meets the sleeper’s current needs for comfort, support and space.
It’s Also About Your Mattress
Age
Don’t look to the age of your mattress or the warranty to determine whether it’s time for a new mattress. Neither are indicators of how long your mattress will maintain optimum comfort and support. Instead, judge your mattress by your quality of sleep. Most mattresses with daily use need to be replace at least every 8 to 10 years.
Quality
A poor-quality mattress set can deteriorate quickly, while high quality mattress sets can provide comfort and support for many years. The statement, “you get what you paid for” rings true for mattresses. High quality, long lasting mattresses will be more expensive that basic mattress sets which may only last four or five years.
Use
A mattress set that is used nightly or that gets more of a workout (e.g., you watch television or read in bed) will lose its comfort and support more quickly than a set that is used less often, such as a guest room bed. It is just like an automobile with high mileage will need to be replaced sooner than a car driven only on weekends.
Care
Improper care can shorten the life of a mattress. To get the most out of your mattress set, follow the manufacturer’s care guidelines. See Mattress Care Tips for more information on the proper care of your mattress.