When it comes to sleep surfaces, how long do mattresses typically last?

Even very old mattresses pose little risk to your health. Other health problems can arise from restless sleep, such as those listed below. Accordingly, it's a great idea to get a new mattress every few years.

The Average Mattress Lifespan

According to Consumer Reports, a properly cared-for mattress should last for at least 10 years. Seven years is the maximum recommended use of a mattress, according to the Better Sleep Council.

Presently, many mattress producers provide 10-year guarantees. Even longer guarantees are available from some companies (twenty or more years). However, it is crucial to remember that the lifespan of a mattress and the length of its warranty are two entirely separate concepts.

Insight into the length of time a mattress lasts versus how long a warranty covers it is crucial. The term "mattress lifespan" refers to how long a mattress can be used without causing any discomfort. Those looking to purchase a mattress should know that the warranty does not last forever. There are many cases where the lifespan of a mattress is shorter than the duration of the warranty.

It's important to distinguish between the two kinds of warranties in order to grasp the concept of warranty duration:

• With a prorated warranty, you'll pay for a fraction of the total price of repairs or replacements.
• Coverage under this warranty is non-prorated, so if your mattress breaks down, you won't have to pay to get it fixed. But the inspection and delivery fees are on you. For mattresses with warranties of 10 years or less, non-prorated coverage is the norm.

People over the age of 40 may need a new mattress every 5–7 years because their bodies can no longer take as much pressure.

The Distinction Between a Mattress's Lifespan, Life, and Durability

When discussing the typical age of a mattress, it's also crucial to make a distinction between the terms "mattress durability," "mattress lifespan," and "mattress longevity."

When we talk about the durability of a mattress, we're talking about its resistance to wear and tear. Strength in the face of stress or force is the primary determinant of durability.

A person's longevity is very close to their lifespan. Mattress durability and longevity are key terms in this context. Simply put, a mattress's lifespan is the amount of time that it provides the same level of initial comfort and support. The age of a mattress is dependent on a number of factors. Use, care, production quality, and material are all aspects that fall under this category.

Mattresses double in weight every decade (or so), right?

Is There a Particular Type of Mattress That Is More Durable?

Can the quality of a mattress affect how long it lasts? Is there a correlation between the mattress type you pick and how long it lasts? Could there possibly be a connection between them?

There is a strong correlation between mattress quality and durability.

Latex

The latex variety of mattresses currently on the market is the longest lasting option. It is estimated that the average latex mattress will last between 6 and 10 years. Of the two types, the all-latex ones outlast their hybrid counterparts in terms of durability.

Latex mattresses are not only durable, but also have a special feel that manages to strike the ideal balance between softness, firmness, and shape retention. These mattresses offer enticing variety in both firmness and style. Conformability, natural bounce, and temperature regulation are three additional selling points.

Infused with Memory Foam

The durability of these mattresses is about average. The passage of time and normal use causes them to wear out. They lose their toughness as they soften. Body impression and sagging can form as a result of this. All of these things are detrimental to ease and support. Less people have problems with body impressions or sagging on these mattresses than on others, especially innerspring mattresses.

In normal, every day use, a memory foam mattress will last between seven and ten years on the average. Constant reversal is required

Innersprings

The traditional innerspring mattress has springs that are attached to a wooden frame and then covered in fabric. Innerspring mattresses provide that much-desired extra bounce to your bed, but they can sag over time. Since innersprings tend to sag and form body impressions, they don't last as long as other types of springs.

The effects of sagging are extremely harmful to health. A mattress protector can greatly improve your sleeping experience, but you should still take precautions because dust mites can hide in the cracks of an innerspring mattress.

Innersprings have an average lifespan of eight years with regular care and servicing.

Futons

Beds modeled after Japan's traditional tatami mat flooring are commonly referred to as futons in the business. Nonetheless, western-style futons vary from their Japanese counterparts in a number of key ways. The futon mattresses that are commonly found in the United States are constructed with innersprings.

Similar to air mattresses, futons tend to wear out sooner than average. Futons made with foam or an innerspring system may have a longer lifespan than those made with materials like cotton.

Airbeds

The durability of airbeds is based on their mechanics, construction, and design. Airbeds, in contrast to conventional mattresses, are mechanical in nature. The convenience and durability of these mattresses can be compromised by malfunctioning air pumps and air leaks. The durability of air mattresses is severely reduced by environmental factors like these.

Hybrid

The support core of a hybrid mattress is made up of pocket coils, similar to those found in innerspring mattresses, while the comfort layer is made of latex foam or memory foam. Their shorter lifespan is due to the fact that they degrade more quickly than other mattress materials.

On average, high-quality hybrids have a life span of 6 years. The durability of your mattress and its polyfoam core depends on how you use it.

5 Solutions for an Outdated Mattress

We found that their average lifespan is 7-10 years when considering the aforementioned factors. What do you do with the old one when it has served its purpose and been replaced?

Recycling can be an option for getting rid of your old bed. There are two routes you can take when disposing of a used mattress:

• Visiting a mattress recycling center As we established before, prices are not constant.
• The other (cheaper) choice is to dispose of the mattress in one of the recycling bins that can be found near supermarkets and residential areas. All that needs to be done is to disassemble the mattress into its constituent parts, sort them into piles, and then place them in the appropriate bins.

There are other options for getting rid of an old mattress besides recycling.

• Donate - Donating your old mattress is a great way to keep it out of landfills. A surprising number of people are consistently on the lookout for free mattresses. Find out if anyone you know or know of could use a mattress by asking around to friends, coworkers, or family. The number of possible recipients is, without a doubt, infinite. The Freecycle Network and similar groups allow men to offer up their unwanted goods to others. Cleaning an old, unused mattress can be an option if you have the time or resources to do so before selling it. There are other places to donate your old mattress besides just the landfill, like Goodwill and the Salvation Army.
• Think about selling it if you'd like to make some extra cash and spare the landfills the mattress you no longer use. Mattresses that are going to be sold should be cleaned by a professional before listing them for sale. Depending on the level of service you select, this will cost you between $55 and . Brand, hardness rating, and selling price are all relevant pieces of information to include when describing the item you're getting rid of.
• You might want to try your hand at making some art. The mattress can be used as a canvas for a creative endeavor, which is one way to recycle it. In its entirety or in parts, it can serve many purposes. Right now is your chance to flaunt your artistic prowess before the entire world. Design competitions with environmental themes are even promoted by some groups. This contest, for instance, is meant to inspire creatives to find novel uses for old mattresses that would otherwise be destined for the garbage.

• Donate to animal shelters - Did you know that your old mattress could be useful to those who are rescuing animals as well as humans? Donating used mattresses to animal shelters is also a great idea. Animals in need of a bed while they wait to be adopted or rescued may find one of these useful. Donating one requires a thorough cleaning, which you can do yourself or have a professional do.
• To make a play area for kids (if you have any) Your old bed can work wonders as a comfortable play surface for them. If you can't afford to buy your kids the trampolines they've been begging for, consider using old mattresses instead. When it comes to reusing a mattress for anything other than sleeping, like in many of the examples above, it's best to have it cleaned by a professional first.

The Final Word on Mattress Disposal, Revised and Updated for 2023.