How often you should replace your mattress

When it comes to your everyday life, we know how important sleep is for health and also how much time we spend in our beds. But somehow, mattresses often get pushed to the bottom of the list of things to replace. There are a variety of factors that hold us back, such as the perceived lifetime, the high price tag and even the lack of knowledge about what to look for. And sometimes, we don’t even realize how bad our mattress really is until we sleep on a great one! 

We sat down with expert Sarah Badun, Vice President and General Manager of Casper Canada, to find out just how long our mattresses last and when it’s time to replace them. 

“Mattresses last up to 10 years when cared for properly,” says Badun. “Whether it’s foam, spring or hybrid, the longevity of a mattress is tied to the quality of the components.” 

She adds that checking the warranty can help ensure you’re going to get a guarantee from the brand you’re buying from: “Casper mattresses are backed by a 10-year warranty and use the highest quality components to ensure every mattress provides years of comfortable, restful sleep.”  

Pillows have a much shorter lifespan, Badun says — noting they can last between three months to two years. Similarly, keeping an eye out for high-quality materials can help lengthen the lifespan. 

Mattress toppers are more similar to mattresses themselves and typically last about five years when placed on a healthy mattress without dips or lumps, says Badun. 

“Bed frames have varying lifespans depending on care, materials and complexity of assembly,” says Badun. “Wooden frames should last 10 years while metal frames can last a lifetime.” 

“Your body will feel when you need a new mattress,” she says. “Over time, most bedding components will deteriorate causing a noticeable decline in support which can cause body aches and unrest. Key indicators for replacement are if the mattress has visible lumps or dips more than 0.75 inches.” 

Because of this, Badun often recommends a mattress with long-term support, such as Casper’s Original Hybrid Mattress which has Zoned Support in three ergonomic areas to relieve pressure and align your spine. 

It’s very simple: “You sleep a third of your life, so make this time worthwhile!” 

She says that getting a new mattress that provides proper support and comfort will also improve one’s day-to-day quality of life.

As Badun mentioned, your body will know when it’s time to replace your mattress, meaning that signs of wear actually might not be obvious to the eye. 

“A common misconception is if a mattress looks okay, it should only be replaced when it shows visible damage,” Badun says. “While mattresses can show visible damage such as dips or lumps, you shouldn’t wait to see this to replace your mattress. The first indicator is when you start to feel less comfortable and more achy. You should replace your mattress after a certain number of years (typically either eight years or the length of the warranty), regardless of condition.”

Badun says there are two main ways to prolong the life of your mattress:

“Good quality mattress protectors will keep your mattress dry from things like accidents and spills,” she says. “Bacteria and moisture accelerate the breakdown of bedding components and can substantially shorten the life of a mattress.” 

Badun also adds that putting your mattress on an old, unstable or low-quality support structure can create stress points in the mattress foundation and prematurely deteriorate your mattress. 

While mattress flipping has been commonly known to help extend the lifespan of a mattress, Badun says that’s actually a myth.

“Flipping the mattress is not helpful,” she says. “However, rotating your mattress periodically (head to foot every six months) can help it wear a bit more evenly, especially if a couple sleeps on it and has more dedicated sides.” 

A good way to remember is to put regular reminders into your digital calendar or tie your mattress turning to other events such as the holidays and summer, for example.

Mattresses can be an investment and in this economy, it might not be possible for everyone. But the reality is that a replacement is the only real fix. 

“If your mattress has reached the end of its life, it’s time to retire it and find a new one so you can look forward to bed and wake up refreshed,” says Badun. “A topper might provide temporary relief but it will ultimately form to the dips or lumps [of the mattress underneath]. We’d recommend only adding a topper to create another layer of comfort.” 

Because there are so many options on the market, people can get into decision paralysis, extending the replacement of their mattress as they try to figure out what they are even looking for. Some may even give up in the meantime! 

Badun recommends doing some research specifically based on your needs and budget as key factors, as well as keeping quality as a high consideration to ensure you get a solid return on your investment. 

“We recommend leaning on brands that have research and development to back up their products and build trust with their customers,” she says. “We also recommend looking for quality materials to ensure restful sleep and product longevity.” 

If you haven’t purchased a mattress in a while, keep an eye out for new technology such as cooling and breathability features. For many innovations all in one? Check out Casper’s Wave Hybrid Snow. 

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