In 2019, the global mattress market was worth a staggering $30.38 billion. By 2027, experts forecast this to grow to a whopping $40.37 billion.
A key driver of that growth is the increasing awareness of how mattresses affect health. There’s also the rising demand for more comfortable sleeping environments.
The thing is, mattresses can be expensive, with some costing thousands of dollars. As such, some people tend to postpone getting a much-needed mattress replacement. Avoid doing the same, as many of the signs you need a new mattress can affect your health.
In this guide, you’ll learn about when to replace your mattress and why you shouldn’t put off doing so, so be sure to read on.
1. Your Mattress Has Been Around for Years
An older study found that, on average, folks kept their bedding systems for about 9.5 years. However, some mattresses, especially low-end ones, only last for about half a decade or so.
The older the mattress is, the bumpier or more uneven its surface can get.
One reason is that over time, mattress filling materials break down. As a result, they lose their supportive features and begin to sag. The same problems affect aging mattress springs that lose their tension.
If your old mattress no longer feels comfortable or it’s quick to sag under your weight, it’s time for a new one.
However, be sure to read reviews that discuss mattress support, durability, and temperature. Some reviews also feature recommendations based on body weight and sleep positions. These buying guides can help you choose the right mattress to invest in.
2. You’re Getting Poor Quality Sleep
There’s a lot of evidence pointing out how old mattresses may cause poor sleep quality. For starters, a mattress with excessive sagging may no longer provide adequate support. This can then lead to discomfort, body pains, and stiffness.
If you’re having a hard time falling and staying asleep, it may be due to your aging mattress. The same goes if you always wake up with aches and pains.
Keep in mind that poor sleep can affect your physical, mental, and emotional health. It can heighten stress levels, impair cognitive functions, and cause performance deficits. It can also raise your risks of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and heart disease.
All those consequences should be enough to prompt you to replace your old mattress.
3. You Don’t Get Enough Sleep
An aging and unsupportive mattress can also cut short the number of hours that you’re in sleep mode. You may also end up tossing and turning all night or experiencing many sleep disruptions.
Unfortunately, poor sleep quality and sleep disruptions contribute to sleep deficiency. This can happen if you don’t get the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night for adults. Like poor sleep quality, sleep deficiency can also affect your overall health.
What’s more, people who sleep less than seven hours within a 24-hour period seem to have a higher car crash risk. For example, sleeping for only 6 hours may already raise your odds of causing a car crash by at least 1.3 times. It’s even worse if you sleep for just four hours, as this can increase your odds by up to 2.9 times.
Don’t let any of these happen; get your old mattress replaced as soon as possible.
4. You Suffer From Allergies or Allergy-Like Symptoms
Dust mites are microscopic bug-like creatures known to trigger allergic reactions. Their diet consists of dead skin cells that comprise dust, hence, their name. They prefer warm, humid, and moist environments, such as mattresses, pillows, and bedding.
In fact, researchers say that a used mattress may harbor anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million mites.
Dust mites aren’t parasitic, as they don’t bite, sting, suck blood, or burrow into the skin. However, their excrements and shed body parts disintegrate to turn into allergens. These allergens trigger allergies in an estimated 20 million people in the US.
Symptoms of dust mite allergies include the usual, such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes. Exposure to the allergens they create can also lead to skin itchiness and redness. Some people may even find their throats itching due to these microscopic critters.
If you experience any of those signs when you’re in bed or after sleep, dust mites may be to blame. Consider buying a new mattress, especially if your current one has been around for many years.
5. You Have Bed Bugs
The world is home to at least 90 species of bed bugs, although only a few bite humans. Of these human blood-suckers, the CimexLectularius (AKA common bed bug) is the most common in the US. In fact, you can now find these in all 50 US states.
Bed bugs can interfere with your sleep as they suck your blood. Their bites can be crazy itchy and can cause redness, inflammation, and huge welts. These pests can also cause sleep deficiency in some people who develop bed bug bite trauma.
Aside from bites, bloody spots and trail marks on your mattress and beddings are signs of bed bugs. You likely have an infestation if you find pearly white eggs in clusters in and around your bed. Your mattress may also smell oily or musty.
Large populations of bed bugs are incredibly challenging to eradicate. It may be better to get your mattress replaced, especially if it’s already five years old.
6. Molds All Over the Mattress
Like dust mites, molds prefer warm, moist, and humid environments. If you only see a few small patches of mold on your mattress, you can try vacuuming and cleaning them up first. Disinfectants, such as alcohol and bleach, can kill and remove the stains they cause.
Extensive mold growths on your mattress are more difficult to treat. Moreover, multiple large patches also signal an infestation from within the mattress. In this case, it might be best to replace the entire thing.
Don’t Ignore These Telling Signs You Need a New Mattress
As you can see, most of the signs you need a new mattress are health manifestations. From poor sleep to allergies and bed bug bites, all these are symptoms you should never ignore. Invest in a new mattress before your old one causes more significant health problems.
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