When should I replace my bed - summary
- It is generally recommended to replace your mattress every 8 to 10 years, as materials lose their rebound and support after roughly 30,000 sleep hours.
- Over time, mattresses accumulate dust mites, dead skin cells, moisture, and grime, which may trigger allergies.
- Daily use accelerates wear, so it's wise to protect your investment early with a waterproof mattress protector.
- Depending on usage and wear, you may need to replace your mattress sooner than 8 years, especially if you notice sagging, lumps, or waking up with aches.
- A supportive mattress can significantly improve sleep quality and overall wellbeing; regular rotating and cleaning can help extend its life.
When should I replace my bed
A woman recently got in touch with Sleepyhead over what to do with her elderly parents' bed. The couple were on the move to a retirement village and as their daughter dismantled the bedroom, she noticed the Sleepyhead Royale logo and wondered how long her parents had slept on it.
Turns out, the couple had bought the bed the year they married and moved into the family home – the year was 1951.
An Auckland woman recently got in touch with Sleepyhead over what to do with her elderly parents' bed. The couple were moving to a retirement village and as their daughter dismantled the bedroom, she noticed the Sleepyhead Royale and wondered how long her parents had slept on it.
Turns out, the couple had bought the bed the year they married and moved into the family home. The year was 1951.
They were still sleeping on a bed that predated Sir Edmund Hillary conquering Everest, the Beatles and the Auckland Harbour Bridge. They did 69 years on that Royale mattress and base. The ensemble has since come back to Sleepyhead out of curiosity over its immaculate condition, despite its age. But it begs the question: how often should you replace your mattress? A lifetime, 20 years, 10 years?
We recommend replacing your bed every 8 to 10 years and it's not just because we sell beds. There are real reasons and they centre around your health and wellbeing. So what really happens to your mattress over time?
Spills and stains
Your bed is more than a place to sleep. It is where kids climb in, pets curl up, you watch television, read emails, eat breakfast, and spend sick days. All of that activity leaves a mark. So protect your investment from the start with a waterproof mattress protector: it's a small outlay for significant returns.
Bed bugs and beyond
Dust mites will make your bed their home over time. They love warm, humid environments and feed on dead skin, making your mattress their utopia. An Ohio State University study found that a used mattress can harbour anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million mites.
The average person sheds about 5.7 grams of dead skin a week, so there is plenty to feast on. These mites can trigger allergies, and once they move in, they are hard to get rid of. They do not just live in the mattress either; they will live on top of your bedding too.
You can help keep them at bay. Wash your sheets weekly in a hot wash of 40 degrees or more and vacuum the mattress surface regularly to remove dead skin cells and dust.
Weighing in
There is a common myth that after 10 years, your bed weighs twice as much as when you bought it. We are disputing that one. Yes, a mattress will gain some weight from moisture, dust, skin cells and the creatures mentioned above, but it is unlikely to double.
The 69-year-old double that came back to us this month weighed 40 kilograms. But it contains heavy coconut fibre that is no longer used in modern mattresses. As a truly upcycled mattress, its comfort layers were made from fibre wadding formed from leftover clothing scraps. A new double mattress today leaves our factory at approximately 27 kilograms.
Wear and tear
If the thought of what is lurking inside your mattress hasn't convinced you to replace it, consider how its materials break down over time.
Our old mattress didn't contain foam because foam didn't exist back then; instead, it used cotton wadding, which lasts a long time. Modern foam is incredibly comfortable, but it decays much faster. Over a decade, you will spend nearly 30,000 hours sleeping on your bed, causing the foam to gradually lose its resiliency and ability to bounce back. While higher-density foams last longer, all foam eventually degrades.
Think of your mattress like a pair of running shoes: even if they look fine on the outside, they eventually lose their shape, rigidity, and support. While rotating your mattress regularly can help extend its lifespan, time always wins in the end.
Get a better night's sleep with Sleepyhead
So if you've come to the conclusion that maybe it's time to replace your mattress, first try our sleep selector to find out your ideal bed, and get some extra help from the Sleepyhead bed buying guide!