It May Be Time for a New Mattress

Learn the signs of when to replace your mattress.

We all do it and some may get less of it than others. But there’s one other thing aside from death and taxes that can be said to be certain: we all need a good night’s sleep.

While scientists still have not found a clear answer to the question of why we sleep, it is clear that a lack of sleep can have a severe impact on our health and well-being.

The CDC reports that getting less than 7 hours of shut-eye per night can lead to serious health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and mood disorders.

Yet, over 30% of Americans aren’t getting enough sleep, and you may be one of them.

There are many things that sleep experts suggest doing to increase the quality and duration of your sleep each night, including:

• Going to bed at the same time every night
• Avoiding exercise, large meals, caffeine, and alcohol just before bedtime
• Keeping your bedroom cool, quiet, and dark
• Not using electronic devices in the evening, or using them with a blue light filter applied (most tablets and smartphones now feature one of these filters in the Settings menu)
• Avoiding using your bed for anything other than sleep

Another reason why you might not be catching enough Zs? Your mattress.

If even after sleeping 9 hours you feel like you’ve been up all night, then it’s probably because the quality of your mattress prevented your body from going into a deep sleep. A comfortable and supportive bed helps you fall asleep reasonably quickly and stay asleep.

Experiencing aches and pains that tend to fade as the day wears on? While soreness in your neck and/or shoulders after sleeping can be caused by your sleeping position, it’s a common sign that it’s time to replace your mattress.

Tossing and turning feeds into not feeling refreshed and early-morning soreness. So if you don’t know if you toss and turn in your sleep but you’re familiar with the previous two signs then it’s more than likely that you do.

If you notice a surge in allergy symptoms, it could mean that you simply need to replace the mattress protector (if you have one) or wash all your bedding. However, a rise in allergies also could mean that your mattress has collected dust mites over the years and is now a problem.

While spring mattresses can sag after a while of wear and tear, memory foam mattresses are especially known for holding on to your body impression a little too deeply. It’s hard to argue a dip in your mattress. If your bed is sagging, it’s without a doubt time to replace the mattress.

Non-surprisingly, when you lose or gain weight your pressure points can shift. If you’ve recently had a significant increase or decrease in body weight, chances are it’s time to go mattress shopping.

Plus, aside from pressure points, a study at the Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine at the University of Leeds “revealed that study participants who slept an average of nine hours each night had, on average, a waistline that was three centimeters smaller than the participants who reported sleeping an average of six hours per night.”

Simply count up how old your mattress is. However, while after typically 10 years mattresses start to disrupt your sleep, if you notice any of the previous signs, you should consider looking for a replacement. Mattress materials such as springs and foam can wear out and no longer provide the pressure point-relieving support needed for a good night’s sleep.

What to Look for in a New Mattress

The most important thing when looking for a new mattress is your own comfort. Every person is different, especially when it comes to what mattress is the perfect fit. Ideally, you should be laying on a mattress for a minimum of 20 minutes before deciding to make a purchase.

Many mattress companies also offer in-home trial periods of anywhere from 30 to 100 nights. Just remember—while more expensive might not mean higher quality, buying a new mattress is making a big investment, in your health and your happiness.

Once you’ve found the perfect new mattress, what are you supposed to do with the old one? Mattress disposal can be a headache as huge as finding a new mattress.

There are several options to consider when it comes time to dispose of your old mattress. Some things to keep in mind when choosing what to do:

1. Impact on the environment
   Mattresses contain synthetic materials which can cause dangerous chemicals to be leaked into the air and water when dumped or incinerated.
2. Cost of disposal method
   Landfills and recycling services can charge expensive disposal fees when dropping off your mattress.
3. Time and effort involved
   For a nominal fee, you can hire a junk removal company to come into your home, haul your old mattress away, and dispose of it for you. This can save a lot of time and energy!

Your best option could very well be to book a pickup with LoadUp—a junk removal company committed to offering a fast, easy, and environmentally-friendly solution to mattress disposal.

Take a look around our website to learn more about the services we offer. If you have questions or want to book a pickup, chat with us on our website or give us a call.

Related Articles from the Trash Talk blog:

• The Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Get Rid of Your Old Mattress Now
• Clean Out Your Closet: Step By Step to Decluttering Clothes
• Best Ways to Organize Your Living Room
• Home Improvements to Increase Value