How to Know When to Buy a New Mattress

Girl with duvet up to her eyes

A good night's sleep depends on many things, but the mattress you sleep on may just be the most important factor. There are many ways to tell if your mattress needs to be replaced. This article explains the signs that can be indicators that tell when it is time to buy a new mattress.

Instructions

1. Think about how you fee when you wake up in the morning. If you are tired and achy, this might mean that you need a new mattress.

2. Notice how you sleep when you are away from home, such as in a hotel bed or at someone else's house. If you get a better night's sleep elsewhere, that might indicate that you need a new mattress.

3. Look at and feel your mattress without sheets or a cover on it. Does it look or feel saggy or lumpy in places? Is it torn or wearing in places? If so, it's time for a replacement.

4. Gauge the age of your mattress. If you are over the age of 40 and your mattress is five to seven years old, it might do you well to replace it. Your body can tolerate less pressure as it ages. However, the general rule is to replace your mattress every 10 years.

5. Compare your mattress to a new one in the mattress or department store. Which one feels more comfortable to you, and that will provide you with a better night's sleep? That is the one that you should be sleeping on.

Tips & Warnings

• Mattress technology changes all the time. Be sure to visit a mattress or department store to see what is new in mattresses since the last time you purchased one.

• Never purchase a used mattress. It's illegal to sell used mattresses in many states. Besides, do you really want to sleep on someone's old mattress?