If you really want to sleep well, you need a good mattress. There’s no way around it. But even the most comfortable example has to go at some point – apart from hygienic requirements – for several reasons. On the question, how often a mattress should be changed, there is also a corresponding scientific answer.
How often to change the mattress: More often than you might think
The fact that we sleep on the same mattress every night leaves its mark. This is not about wear and tear, but about the accumulation of liquids and skin debris. Not only from the manufacturer, but also from the Stiftung Warentest, there is therefore a specific recommendation as to how often a mattress change should take place.
“For hygiene reasons, you should the mattress about replace every 8 to 10 years.”
Stiftung Warentest (via BR.de)
This is supported by science, with researchers citing health reasons in addition to hygiene. A 2009 study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine confirms that the sleep quality of the participants in the study “(had) improved significantly with the replacement of the old sleeping surface”.
According to the study, the beds were more than nine years old on average, so the test subjects lay in them for a total of three years. Based on the observed relationship between sleep quality and the age of the pad, it is very likely that the structure and support function of a mattress and the Comfort periods are much shorter than generally assumed.
Pay attention to 3 factors: They influence mattresses and when to change them
What ultimately affects the longevity of mattresses are very different things. This means that in addition to basic hygienic rules, there are other things to consider. For example, the quality and material of the mattress can determine the average frequency of replacement.
Mattress change depending on the material (Recommendation via Bobvila.com)
- Innerspring mattress: every 5-8 years
- Memory foam mattresses: every 6-8 years
- Latex mattresses: every 8-12 years
There are also factors that are less likely to be suspected. You can unexpectedly shed light on when it’s time to change the mattress.
#1 High body weight or significant change
According to medical experts, a person’s weight plays a major role in longevity. A mattress wears out faster when a heavy person sleeps on it. Losing or gaining weight quickly can also have an impact.
The scientist Dr. According to Jonathan S. Kirschner (Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City), for example, a load of 100 kilograms and more per night causes a mattress to become unusable in less than the typical eight to ten years.
#2 Sudden onset of allergies or increased asthma
Scientific studies have shown that an average mattress can house between 100,000 and ten million house dust mites. These trigger allergic reactions in many people or increase asthma symptoms. In addition, mold can develop due to the elimination of fats and body fluids. The onset of appropriate reactions or visible traces is a very clear answer to when to change the mattress.
#3 Restless sleep and tiredness after waking up
If you regularly toss and turn at night and are tired and not rested when you get up, this can indicate that the mattress is getting on in years. After a while, valleys and mountains have often formed due to your sleeping position, which hinder sleep. But lumps in foam mattresses can also have a similarly disturbing effect. As in the study mentioned above, a swap can then improve sleep quality.
More tips for cleanliness
In addition to the question of how often to change a mattress, the same problem arises for many when it comes to bedding. For example, there are studies that show how surprisingly often you should wash bed linen. The same applies to textiles in the bathroom. When to wash towels You may not like the answer.
Sources: BR.de, Bobvila.com