Tips for How Often to Buy a New Mattress

There are many factors that come into play when deciding how often to buy a new mattress. Your age, your body type, your sleep position, the needs of your sleeping partner, and how much you invested in the mattress in the first place, can all affect how long your mattress will last. So, how often should you replace a mattress? Here are some tips on how often to buy a new mattress for yourself and other members of your family. 

Feeling confident about how often to buy a new mattress? Check out our guides on how to choose a mattress, find the right mattress for your body type, or simply take our mattress quiz! 

What is the average life of a mattress?

The National Sleep Foundation states that the average mattress lasts around 8 years, but this is not a universal number that applies to each and every mattress out there. In reality, the overall quality of your mattress components determines the longevity of your mattress. High-quality components can last your mattress around 20 years, while more budget-friendly options can last around 8 years. 

Interestingly, so many people are used to the idea of replacing their mattress every 8 years that many people throw out perfectly good mattresses for no reason. On the other hand, there are also situations where someone refuses to throw out an older mattress that is low-quality out of fear of spending a fortune on a new one.

Whether you’re on either side of that particular fence or straddling it with uncertainty, we can tell you without hesitation that you should not wait until your mattress is falling apart to purchase a new one. At Texas Mattress Makers, we have both budget-friendly mattresses for those whose priority is affordability, as well as high-quality mattresses made from top-notch components. 

No matter how much you’re willing to invest in the longevity of your mattress, we will help you find the best mattress for your body type. And if you are in a position to invest in our more luxury models, odds are your mattress will get tired of you before you ever get tired of it. 

How often to buy a new mattress for yourself

The answer can be simple: when you are not getting a good night’s sleep regularly, it may be time to change your mattress and find one that works better for you. 

Think about how comfortable you are in your current bed. Do you feel restricted while laying on your bed? Are your legs dangling off of the end? Have you gained or lost weight and now the mattress doesn’t feel supportive enough? 

There are a lot of questions you can ask yourself to determine if your mattress needs replacing, but the two main questions you should ask yourself are: “How good am I sleeping every night?” and “Am I waking up with pain?” That’s because the quality of your sleep is the best  determinant for whether or not it’s time to change your mattress. If you find your mattress has any of these bad mattress symptoms, it could be time to replace it. 

Pro Tip: Are there any circumstances where you wouldn’t recommend purchasing a new mattress? Yes! When your body goes through a major but temporary transformation (such as a pregnancy or a surgery) you may feel like you need a new mattress, but odds are you’re just going through physical changes that will affect you in the short-term. 

How often to buy a new mattress if you sleep with a partner  

It’s common when couples first move in together to just use the mattress one party already owns. But if your partner is getting a good night’s sleep while you are left tossing and turning, your mattress may only be working for one of you. 

A good mattress should meet both you and your partner’s unique sleep needs and mold to your different body types. When sleeping on the same mattress as another person, the pattern of weight distribution could cause your mattress to sag prematurely, which may cause you to need a new mattress sooner rather than later. 

Just make sure you can tell the difference between sagging mattress vs. body impression. If you do find that your mattress is sagging, the support could be weakened, meaning it could be time to replace your mattress. Finding a mattress that can work for both of you can improve your sleep and quality of life together. 

Pro tip: A queen-size mattress is a good financial option for new who are just starting out. However, you will likely eventually want to graduate to a king-size mattress, especially if you have kids or pets who like to join you in bed. If you and your partner have significantly different sleeping needs, consider a split king mattress or ask us about our custom, dual comfort mattresses. 

How often to buy a new mattress if you have kids

When you have kids, it’s just as important to know when to replace their mattress as it is to know when to replace your own. Some sources claim that a children’s mattress could last for up to 10 years, but as kids grow older, they will need different mattresses to accommodate their changing height and weight.

Your children’s behaviors can also be a factor in when it is time to buy yourself a new mattress. For example, while jumping on the bed can be a fun activity for kids, it can be a really bad time for your mattress and cause it to break down more quickly than usual. Jumping on the bed can also damage or even break the box spring which helps reduce wear on your mattress. And can a bad box spring ruin a mattress? Yes, broken springs can cause the mattress to settle unevenly and reduce the support. 

Need recommendations? Visit our website to browse mattresses for kids.

How often to buy a new mattress if you have pets

Sleeping with your pet every night is truly one of life’s greatest pleasures. However, sharing a bed with your pet can definitely reduce the lifespan of your mattress. Pets can scratch up the mattress, larger animals can weaken the support. When pets use the bathroom on your bed, their little accidents seep into your mattress and can be hard to remove. 

After a while, you’re going to have to decide whether you just need to clean your mattress again or buy a new one altogether. 

Additionally, if you or your partner have pet allergies, those can affect the quality of your/their sleep. Pet hair and dander can both stick to the top of your sleeping surface and seep into your mattress, causing the party with allergies to spend the night in discomfort. 

In cases like these, a mattress protector can be a lifesaver when it comes to keeping your mattress usable for a longer period of time. Simply slip your sheets over your protector and wash your sheets regularly. Now you and your pets can sleep happily. 

Looking to replace your mattress? Speak with an expert at Texas Mattress Makers. 

The next time you lie down on your mattress, really think about how it makes you feel. If your mattress is too soft for your liking or you feel sagging in some areas, give the experts at Texas Mattress Makers a visit. We handcraft all of our mattresses right here in Texas using top-of-the-line components that can help you get the best quality sleep on a mattress that will last. 

Not sure how often to buy a new mattress? The sleep experts at Texas Mattress Makers can help. Visit any of our mattress stores in Katy, Downtown Houston, The Woodlands, Rosenberg, Humble, or Baybrook, TX, or shop online.

Questions? Contact us to chat with a mattress expert today! 

More Helpful Articles by Texas Mattress Makers:

• Best Mattress for Side Sleepers 
• Split King vs. King Beds 
• Firm vs. Soft Mattresses 
• Finding the Best Box Spring for You
• When is the Best Time to Buy a Mattress