How to Know if Your Mattress Is Bad?

A good mattress is conducive to a healthy night's sleep.

Mattresses are used every night and, although they are made for constant wear and tear, they do eventually wear out. A worn-out mattress leads to restless sleep and discomfort over time. Know when to replace your mattress so that you can enjoy a quality rest. Look for the indications that a mattress should be replaced.

Instructions

1. Evaluate your sleep. No matter how new a mattress is, it needs to help you get a good night's sleep. You should feel well-rested and energetic in the morning after a full night's sleep, not tired and sore. If your body aches when you get up, it might be time for a new mattress.

2. Remove the sheets and visually inspect the mattress. Look for a valley in the area where you sleep. A sag in the middle of the mattress where you sleep is a sign that the springs are giving way and that you need a new mattress.

3. Lie down on your mattress as you would do normally and listen for a creak. If the creaking is coming from the mattress rather than from the frame, the mattress is wearing out.

4. Place gentle pressure on the edges of the mattress. If the edge gives way too readily, pushing downwards with even a little pressure, this is a sign that the edge support of the mattress is failing.

5. Spend a few nights in another bed. If you find that you sleep better in other beds, it is time to get a new mattress.

References

• Spine Health: Choosing the Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain
• Choose a Mattress: How to Tell When You Need a New Mattress