The lifespan of a mattress is dependent on numerous factors, such as how well it is taken care of, as well as the type of mattress it is. To understand how long your mattress is supposed to last, you first need to know what type you have in the first place. Mattress by Appointment, one of my favorite mattress stores in Grand Forks, ND, has shared some details on the life spans of different mattresses and how to get the most life out of yours.
What Are the Different Types of Mattresses?
Roughly, there are around seven to eight types of mattresses. Innerspring is probably one of the most common, followed by pillow top and memory foam. There are also more exotic varieties like waterbeds, air beds, latex, and those with an adjustable base.
Innerspring is one of the most common, as it is reasonably priced and provides good comfort. The amount, the shape, and the gauge of the metal springs inside determine the quality. These typically last around eight years.
A pillow top is a mattress overlaid with a cushioned top to give increased support. This additional layer provides a sinking feeling as with memory foam and is often used on top of coil mattresses.
Many good things have been said about memory foam, and for good reason too, as this one does wonders in terms of comfort. Composed of foam all the way through, this type of mattress encompasses the body to provide additional support. A good memory foam mattress usually lasts around a decade.
Great for those that sleep on their back, a waterbed is usually composed of a rectangular section composed of foam and other fibers and filled up with water. This can be a free-flow chamber or a waveless model. The lifespan of an average waterbed is around seven years.
Air beds are popular for those that want to customize the level of firmness of their bed. Another great model for back sleepers, this type of bed does suffer from one of the lowest life spans on the list at just around five years.
A latex mattress uses latex foam rather than memory foam. This type of bed boasts one of the longest life spans at around fifteen years. This mattress is unique in that it can be composed of multiple layers that can be replaced or flipped as necessary.
How Do I Make Sure My Mattress Lasts a Long Time?
Properly maintaining your mattress is important, and this involves cleaning it from time to time. Other techniques you can employ are only laying in bed after you have taken a shower, making sure to change the sheets once every two weeks, and flipping the mattress if you have a coil model. A coil or innerspring mattress should be flipped every week for the first three months of ownership, and then about once a season after that. Anytime you clean one side, you should also clean the other. Pillow tops should be rotated 180 degrees seasonally.
Overall, there are four steps involved in cleaning a mattress: vacuuming, deodorizing, vacuuming again, and stain treatment. When vacuuming, make sure to use the upholstery attachment, as this is the most effective when cleaning the mattress.
While there is specifically tailored cleaners for deodorizing upholstery, just a little bit of baking soda rubbed in with a scrub brush will do wonders. Let it sit for about ten minutes so it can sink down and get to the smelly stuff at its core. Vacuum again to remove any excess baking soda along with absorbing all the sweat and other body oils that have come to the surface as a result. Make sure to do a through vacuuming; follow the same method you use to vacuum your carpet, with overlapping narrow paths throughout.
What Is the Best Way to Treat Mattress Stains?
It can depend heavily on what type of stains you have. For instance, dried blood needs a paste composed of hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and table salt. Once the paste is applied, let it dry and carefully wipe away with a white rag.
For urine, a combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide with just a couple drops of dish soap will do the trick. Dab a small amount of the solution in the affected area and let it sit for a bit. Make sure not to drench or apply too much on the spot.
The average lifespan of a mattress is from five to 15 years, depending on which type you have. In order to make sure you get the most out of your bed, you should take the time to clean it a couple times a year, along with flipping it annually in the case of a coil model.