Mattresses are significant investments. There’s no denying that. Unfortunately, the average person spends far more time browsing through a streaming service looking for a movie to watch, or walking around dealerships looking for a new car, than they spend on deciding on a new mattress they’ll purchase for their bed.
The reality is that you spend more time, on an average day, in close proximity to your mattress than your car — or even your living room sofa watching movies. This means you might want to give your mattress a little more consideration, and make sure you purchase one that is built to last.
Did you know that the average lifespan of a mattress is between seven and 10 years? That’s what the Sleep Foundation reports. Fortunately, latex mattresses have a much longer lifespanthan the average mattress on the market today. Here’s what you need to know about the latex mattress, and how long you can expect one to last.
With many mattresses having shorter lifespans than anyone would like, it should come as no surprise that there are quite a few signs you might need a new mattress that you should not ignore. These are a few signs your mattress is no longer giving you the support you require — and that it is time to buy a new mattress.
Notable Mattress Sagging
This can be in the middle, in the areas where you sleep, or in the corners of the mattress. Sagging indicates a lack of support and can leave you without restful sleep.
Some are visibly obvious while others imprints are dents you can fill in the mattress. If you’re slightly out of your normal sleep position, for instance, the body imprints will let you know.
Whether large or small, lumps and bumps in your mattress are uncomfortable, and can disrupt your ability to fall asleep or stay asleep.
If you’re waking up with pain in your neck, shoulders, back, or joints, it’s a sure sign that your mattress is no longer meeting your needs.
If you wake with strong allergy symptoms, such as stuffiness, nasal congestion, headaches, and a tickle in your throat that diminishes as the day goes on, it’s a sure sign that your mattress may be filled with allergens.
Noisy mattresses are a sure sign that it is time to move on to a different mattress, perhaps one without springs this time, to avoid constant noise while you sleep, breathe, or move in your bed.
If you’re spending more time tossing and turning at night than getting your beauty rest, you might consider now a good time to invest in a new mattress.
At this point in time, many traditional mattresses are losing their shape and form, making it difficult for them to deliver the amount of support you need to get a good night’s sleep. Consider replacing a mattress, especially a traditional innerspring mattress, if it is more than seven years old.
While these are all excellent indicators that you may need a new mattress, the bottom line is that if your mattress is no longer working for you, it’s time to replace it.
Many different types of mattresses are available today. Some of them are notably longer lasting than others. Natural latex mattresses, for instance, last considerably longer than traditional innerspring mattresses – up to three times longer in many cases. The mattresses below are the types of mattresses commonly available today.
These are the standard for many people when buying mattresses. However, they offer exceptionally short lifespans when compared to other types of mattresses, usually lasting no longer than seven years.
You can expect to pay more for latex mattresses; however, quality latex mattresses can last up to 20 – 25 years with effective care.
These mattresses have an average lifespan of seven to 10 years, though many complain from day one about the lack of support with these mattresses.
These mattresses are prone to problems, including the mechanical aspects of the mattress (motor, pump, etc.) wearing out, and requiring replacing.
Because there are so many options, it isn’t always immediately obvious which one is the best choice for you. Other factors may affect your decision when buying a mattress, such as in-home trial periods, mattress certifications, or even the presence of toxic chemicals in the mattress.
There are numerous things that impact the expected lifespan of any given mattress. Each one of these can take years off the usefulness of your mattress. Knowing them all can help you make better-informed decisions when buying a mattress.
Most innerspring mattresses have sag factors of three. Memory foam has a sag factor between two and three. A quality natural latex mattress, on the other hand, has a sag factor of five, which indicates that it isn’t likely to dip or sag anytime soon.
With natural latex mattresses, choosing a Dunlop mattress core, or a hybrid mattress that features an innerspring core with latex comfort layers, can help to prevent premature sagging or loss of support in your mattress.
One indication of a quality mattress is a long warranty. Warranties of more than 10 years are quite rare for mattresses, so if you find a product that offers a longer warranty, it is a major indication of quality and belief in the product.
The materials used in making a mattress are also huge indicators of the type of quality and longevity you can expect from your mattress. For instance, mattresses made with synthetic materials and petrochemicals often break down much faster than those made with natural fibers and materials.
The manufacturing process, or how the mattress is made, is yet another indication of quality and longevity in mattresses. Natural latex mattresses are made with natural manufacturing processes, which help them last longer.
The truth of the matter is that you have an impact as to how long a mattress will last. If you’re a larger person with a higher body mass index (BMI), you’ll want to pay attention to the indentation load deflection and the density of the mattress you purchase. Fortunately, a 100 percent natural latex mattress rates well for both indicators. Heavier people often do go through mattresses faster, especially when it comes to memory foam and traditional innerspring mattresses.
Knowing this, you can look for indicators of quality and durability when you’re in the market for your next mattress.
Latex mattresses are mattresses made from the sap of the Hevea brasiliensis tree. Natural latex is processed through one of two methods: the Dunlop method, or the Talalay method. Some latex mattresses will have a Dunlop latex core with Talalay latex comfort layers.
Latex is famous for providing exceptional support for sleepers. However, there are synthetic latex mattresses that do not provide the same degree of support, nor are they as durable as mattresses that are made with 100 percent natural latex.
It’s important that you know what you’re getting when you purchase a latex mattress. Shop for a mattress that is transparent about where it sources its materials, including the latex sap that comprises the mattress, where the mattress is made, and what types of materials are used to make it. Those that have independent certifications are almost always a good choice for quality mattresses.
There are different types of latex mattresses you can choose when in the market for a latex mattress. These are some of the most common you’ll encounter.
These are made with 100 percent natural latex that has been certified organic, meaning no fertilizers or pesticides have been used on the trees tapped for the latex foam sap.
100 percent natural latex mattresses. This means there are no fillers or synthetic materials used in the latex foam.
These mattresses may include petrochemicals and other materials that may be harmful to humans, and cause the mattress to break down faster than natural latex mattresses.
These are mattresses that typically combine the support of an innerspring core with plush Talalay latex foam comfort layers.
Latex mattresses made with 100 percent natural latex are often the longest-lasting of the natural latex options due to the minimal processing of natural materials.
A quality latex mattress can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, or even longer. If you adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when caring for your mattress, you may even get a few more years of life from your mattress.
You should note, though, that all mattresses are made differently. Different mattress makers will offer different warranties for their latex mattress products. Latex mattresses that come with longer warranties are often the mattresses most likely to meet or exceed those expectations.
There are many things you can do to extend the expected lifespan of your latex mattress. While some of these things are beyond your control, if you’ve purchased a natural latex mattress, these practices will help you maximize the mileage, enjoyment, and restful sleep your mattress delivers.
As you can see, there are many things you can do that will help you get even more life from your natural latex mattress. These are just a few small examples.
The Latex for Less Natural Latex Mattress comes with a 20-year warranty, offers a full 120-night risk-free trial, and is made with quality 100 percent natural latex, organic cotton, and pure wool as a fire barrier. Each mattress is hand-crafted in the USA, and comes in two firmnesses, so you can choose the level of support and comfort that works best for you.
Try our mattress today, and see what a difference it can make for your sleep, your comfort, and your state of mind. More importantly, enjoy sleeping on a mattress that is built to last.