March 8, 2023
By Patricia Shannon
If you’re hesitant to invest in a new mattress, you’re no alone. It’s something we spend nearly half our lives on, yet years can go by and we still can’t quite commit to a new model. Thanks to direct-to-consumer brands like Avocado Green and Casper, mattress shopping is no longer a tedious affair, but one that can be accomplished in just a few clicks.
Delivering a mattress to your doorstep has never been easier, plus the materials and technology used to grant you a great night’s sleep have improved, too. This means old truths about the life of a mattress might no longer ring true—and just when things were getting easy, too.
Experts John Clary Davies, senior director of brand editorial and sustainability for Avocado Green, and Russell Jelinek, senior director of engineering, quality, and compliance at Casper, share everything you need to know about when to replace a mattress, including how to get more mileage out of your current model.
How Long Does a Mattress Last?
To be sure, there is no exact lifespan for mattresses. The answer is dependent on a variety of factors, with materials, wear, and use largely impacting the duration of a mattress.
According to Davies, an Avocado mattress is designed to last for at least 25 years. While a quarter of a century is an astounding achievement, Jelinek says somewhere in the 7- to 10-year frame is more the norm, but it’s largely dependent on both how often a mattress is used and how you care for it. “Most of the wear and tear from mattresses come from nightly use, so ones used less often should be able to last longer as long as the cover is in good shape and there is no sagging or uneven surfaces on the mattress,” he says.
How to Extend the Life of Your Mattress
What are some signs that it’s time to start shopping for a new mattress? Most markers have to do with how you feel in the morning. “Having trouble falling asleep, sagging on the side of your bed, and never feeling fully rested when you wake up are some obvious first signs that you need to replace your mattress,” says Jelinek. To delay premature mattress aging (and help you continue to snooze like a baby), there are a few best practices that can extend the life of your mattress.
Set Yourself Up for Success
Find a suitable base, foundation, or frame to support your mattress. You’ll also want to select a high-quality mattress protector “to keep it fresh and prevent the buildup of body oils, dust mites, or stains,” advises Davies. Sheets should also be selected with care. Opt for breathable options to help with night sweats.