It can be difficult to know exactly when you need a new mattress. We get asked a lot by reader “Do I need a new mattress?”. There is not an easy answer to this question however we’ll try and provide some answers to help you answer this question with the help of out mattress comfort test below.

Typically a traditional coil sprung mattress will need replacing every 6-8 years or so (depending on the quality of course) while a memory foam mattress will last 10-12 years.

It can be difficult to remember exactly how old your mattress is and of course wear and tear will vary over the years. Crucially the build quality of all mattresses varies enormously so their expected life is hard to explicitly state. All this makes it very hard to predict exactly when your mattress is due for replacement.

To help you we have put together this of tell tell signs thast your mattress may be at the end of it’s life.

• Is you mattress over 6 years old?
• Is you mattress no longer comfortable?
• Remove the covers from your mattress, does it look excessively dirty, stained or worn?
• Do you find you sleep better when staying elsewhere such as in a hotel or at a friends house?
• Are you suffering from regular back or limb pain?
• Does your mattress feel uneven, lumpy or can you feel the springs pushing through?
• Do you wake up several times in the night feeling uncomfortable?
• Do you feel excessive movements when your partner changes position on the bed?
• Are the springs starting to squeak when you move about on the mattress?
• With the cover off are there any signs of sagging or does the surface look uneven?

If the answer to two or more of the above questions are yes then your mattress may be at or near the end of it’s natural life. Over time the comfort provided by your mattress will decline, especially at the end of its life.

We continually receive question from our readers regarding mattress comfort. TO help our readers we’ll use this Frequently Asked Questions page to document our answers.

Q. How firm should my mattress be?

A. There are two factors you need to consider. The first is personal preference. Some people like firm mattresses while others prefer much softer ones. The second thing to consider is your size and weight. The less you weigh the ‘firmer’ a soft mattress will feel. If you are larger than average then you will probably need to look at the firm to very firm mattresses available.

Q. What is the best way to store an unused mattress?

A. If you need to store a mattreess for any length f time then it is best to do so with it standing upright along it’s side edge. Try going to a mattress store and ask them if they have any old plastic wrapping off display models that you could have. This will allow you to protect you mattress from dust during storage.

Q. What is the est way to remove a musty smell from a mattress?

A. If your mattress has a musty smell it could be due to damp. First ensure the room it is in is not suffering from damp. Assuming it isn’t first you need to air the mattress for at least one week in a well ventialted area. Under a car port is ideal as it is sheltered but allows the wind to pass by the mattress. Once fully dry give the mattress a thorough clean with a vacuum cleaner before spraying with a fabric odour remover.

Q. What type of mattress is good for back problems?

A. Well, this is not an easier one to answer and there is no right or wrong answer. However the general consensus is that memory foam mattresses tend to bet better for people who suffer from back pain. These types of mattresses tend to offer more even support to your body, placing less stress on your back or neck.

Q. How long should my mattress last?

A. Again there is no definite answer we can give here. Various factors such as quality of build, quality or materials used and the amount of use will play a major part in the length of your matreess. As a general rule a decent coil sprung mattress should usually last between 5-7 years while a modern memory foam mattress should last up to 10-12 years. That said you should always care for your mattress properly to ensure it’s life is maximized and keep a look out for signs of wear and tear.

Q. How can i get urine stain out of my mattress?

A. THis is a common problem, especially if you have young children. While there are many cleaning products on the market aimed at mattress cleaning using a mixture of vinegar and water it one of the best at tackling urine. Take a look at our complete guide to how to clean a mattress for more details on dealing with urine stained mattresses.

Before embarking on cleaning your mattress we would urge to to consider if it is time for you to invest in a new one.

How Do Mattresses Get So Dirty?

Most of the dirt that accumulates on a mattress (ignoring one of spills) comes in the form of dust particles (formed from the dead skin we shed in our sleep and the dust mites that feed on them.

The average human will shed an entire layer of skin into their beds once every month. This build up of dust attracts millions of minute dust mites that feed on the dust particles and excrete in our beds.

You won’t be able to see dust mites with your naked eye. To give you some sense of scale they are so small that over 5,000 mite would fit onto the head of a pin. Millions of mites can exists in a normal double bed. Their build up, along with the dust can affect and cause asthma.

How to Clean Your Mattress

1. Remove Dust From Mattress

At least once a month you should removes the sheets and vacuum your mattress. This will help to reduce the build up of dust and also reduce the number of bed bugs living in your mattress.

2. Work on specific dirty patches

Use specifically formulated upholstery shampoo on areas that are particularly dirty. This technique should only be used if the mattress has a spill on it or has been soiled.

If you don’t have upholstry shampoo you can mix some detergent with some water and mix to form some suds. Take the suds (not the water) and apply them to the soiled area before scrubbing in. Wipe them off with a damp (not wet) cloth and air the mattress until fully dry.

Caution. Do not under any circumstances allow the inner padding of the mattress to get wet. Doing so will often reduce the softness of the mattress and will often give the mattress a musty smell as it will be incredibly hard to get the inner material fully dried.

3. Steam Clean Your Mattress

Steam cleaning a mattress should be done with extreme care. As mentioned above using any type of water to clean a mattress is a risky business as getting them too wet can cause mold to form which can be dangerous. Be sure to use a good quality steamer and only go over each piece of the mattress once to ensure it doesn’t get too wet.

When steam cleaning your mattress always aim to do so first thing in  the morning when a hot day is forecast so you can move your clean mattress outside to dry thoroughly. Ensure it has enough time to dry – this can take several days depending on the weather so don’t rush to sleep on your freshly cleaned mattress until it is fully dry.

4. Dry Clean Your Mattress

Obviously you can’t take your double mattress to be dry cleaned but there is a way you can do this at home. First remove all of the bed sheets and sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda (also called Baking Soda or Arm and Hammer) over the mattress. You can use a kitchen seive to help spread it evenly over the surface of the mattress. The soda will act like a sponge drawing out dirt, moisture and odors. Leave the soda in place for 24 hours then vacuum the mattress clean. Repeat on the other side.

This method may not get out stubborn stains however it is usually very effective at getting rid of light odors and general dirt.

5. Cleaning Urine From A Mattress

Urine on a mattress can be quite tricky to clean as it can leave a nasty smell in the fabric of the mattress.

• Make a mixture of exactly half water and half clear vinegar

• Spray this lightly onto the affected area of the mattress

• Immediately blot the area with paper towels or a dry cloth

• Repeat the above process 3-4 times

Using vinegar should both clean the stain and help remove the smell from the mattress. Be sure to leave the mattress to fully dry in a well ventilated area (outside if possible) for at least 6 hours, ideally for a couple of days.

How to Keep Your Mattress Clean

Obviously once you have your mattress clean there are several things you can and should do to keep your mattress clean.

• Use a mattress pad. Unlike a mattress topper (that provides support and firmness to your bed) a mattress pad is a thin layer designed to protect your mattress from spills, dust or soiling. They are usually machine washable enabling you to clean them regularly and cut down the time you need to spend cleaning your actual mattress.

• Change bedding at least once per week.

• Avoid keeping to many cushions/soft furnishing on your bed. Bed bugs thrive in dark, moist conditions. The more things are on your bed the better environment it is for them to breed. In this case not making your bed can actually help to keep it cleaner!

• Always shower before bed time. This may seem obvious but the cleaner you are before bed time the less dirt will enter into your bed.

One way you can increase your mattress comfort without having the expense of replacing your old mattress is to buy a mattress pad or topper. Mattress toppers are designed to extend the life of existing mattresses by adding an addition 5-20cm of padding to the top of your mattress, increasing the comfort and support it offers you.

Types of mattress toppers

1. Feather/Down Pads - This type offers more comfort  and ‘softness’ to the feel of your mattress.

2. Memory Foam Toppers – Memory foam toppers are generally more expensive than feather toppers but the add more support to your sleeping surface. As is the case with memory foam mattresses they mold to your body’s shape according to the pressure applied and temperature. When the pressure is removed they slowly revert back to their original flat shape. Recent improvements in these foam technologies now means that this type of mattress topper are much more effective and cost effective than they were just a few years ago.

As with mattresses the quality of topper you get will usually be correlated to the amount of money you pay for one. While you can buy a thin topper for under $50, you can spend as much as $1,000 on a high quality, high density one.

It is well worth remembering that you may be better off investing the money you would have spent on a topper towards a new mattress. Much will come down to your individual budget and the age and condition of you existing mattress. Just remember that the comfort your mattress provides you will not last forever so buying  a mattress topper may just extend the life of your exiting mattress until you can afford a new one.

Before you buy a mattress it is crucial you buy the right size. Standard mattress sizes vary between Europe and North America so be sure to get the correct size according to your geographical location.

Perhaps the first thing to consider is the size of any existing bedding (sheets, bed covers or duvets etc) you have. In Europe stores such as Ikea stock US sizes so it can be confusing what size you need to go for. Measure twice and order once! Not only are the sizes different on different sides of the Atlantic but also the naming conventions used to describer mattress sizes.

Below is a table showing standard mattress sizes used in both Europe and North America. Use it as a guide to help you ensure that the mattress you choose matches both your bed frame and existing bedding. The table is based on average standard of mattress sizes. Due to different production methods and materials used mattresses can differ by up to two inches in width/length so expect some slight variations.

When bed frames are advertised they are usually described in their sales literature according to their mattress size. When measuring the space for your new bed (assuming you are buying a new frame as well as a new mattress) allow extra width over and above the size of mattress chosen to allow for your beds frame.

A typical bed frame requires an extra 20-30cm of width though they all vary so be sure to measure carefully before ordering. If you have a tight space to put the bed (say between two fitted bedside cabinets) you’ll need to ensure you measure the width to include the frame size, not just the mattress.

We spend roughly one third of our lives asleep. Ideally 8 out of every 24 hours, 365 days a year will be spent lying on your mattress. That is a huge amount of time.

In order to get the best quality of sleep possible you need to be comfortable. One of the biggest factors that can affect how well you sleep is the surface you are lying on. In order to sleep well you need a clean mattress that is firm enough to support your body while being soft enough to be comfortable.

How we feel day to day is in a large part decided by how well rested  we are. It has been proven that not only is the quantity of sleep we get important but also the quality of sleep. Of course the quality of sleep is decided by how much comfort your mattress provides.

Don’t Buy a Mattress Invest In One

Many people will not think twice about spending tens of thousands of dollars on a nice car yet when it comes to buying a mattress they somehow resent paying a few hundred dollars. Think of your mattress purchase as an investment in how well you sleep in the future.

As is the case with most things when you spend more on a mattress you are not just paying for more comfort, you’ll also be paying for better craftsmanship. The better quality of mattress you buy, the longer it will last

If you suffer from allergies then again paying a little more for a natural fiber, anti allergy mattress could be well worth it.

We have put together some simple tips below to help you get a better nights sleep. Many problems associated with getting a poor nights sleep can be resolved by following some or all of the good sleep tips below.

Don’t eat too close to bed time

Eating speeds up your metabolism. As a result eating a big meal before you go to bed can make it harder to get to sleep. Aim to have your evening meal at least 4 hours before bed time, allowing you plenty of time to fully digest your dinner before going to bed.

Invest in a good mattress

Spending 8 hours a day in bed (the recommended amount of sleep you should be aiming for per day) means that you’ll be spending just over one third of your life in bed. If you are spending such a large proportion of your time lying in bed it makes sense to a bit extra on one invest in a good quality one.

Never mind and expensive bed frame, it is the mattress that dictates your comfort. Personally if i am spending one third of my life lying on something i’ll gladly pay a bit extra to make sure it is as comfortable as possible. Take a look at our guide explaining How to Choose a Mattress.

Make the bedroom peaceful

To help aid your sleep try to make your bedroom a peaceful, relaxing place to be. Where possible try to de-clutter your bedroom, decorate it in natural soft colors, remove things that don’t belong in there.

Another thing to consider is getting rid of that TV from your bedroom. Watching TV before bed stimulates the brain which can make it harder to doze off. Try taking the TV out of your room and making the bedroom somewhere just to sleep, not watch TV.

Relax before bed time

Sleep Like a Baby

We all do different things before we go to bed such as watching TV, reading, eating, catching up on paperwork, working etc. Many of these activities don’t allow you to fully unwind and relax before attempting to go to sleep which can result in you lying there unable to sleep.

• Yoga. Light exercises such as yoga can help both your mind and body to relax and get you in the right frame of mind to sleep. Spending only 10 minutes doing yoga stretches and breathing can help you slow your body down and help separate your hectic daily lifestyle from your peaceful night time sleep.

• Breathing Exercises. Doing some simple breathing exercises before you go to bed or if you wake up in the night can help you drift off into a peaceful sleep. All you need to do is to lie down on your back and concentrate on your breathing. Try to take long slow breaths from your chest, focusing on nothing else but your breaths.

• Dim the Lights. Our bodies are designed to wake and sleep according to the natural sunlight. Spending some quite time in your bedroom with the lights dimmed low can help mimic the sun setting and help convince your body it is time to sleep.

• Avoid Distraction. If you live in an urban environment your relaxation time may be interrupted by background noise of traffic, airplanes, sirens etc. To help you relax you can either try some soothing music or ambient sounds or if you’d prefer total silence some noise canceling ear plugs.

images by DanielJames

Get in a routine

Our bodies are designed for routine; three meals a day, 8 hours sleep a night etc. Simply going to bed at the same time every night allows our bodies to develop a routine. If you can stick to a regular bedtime and wake up time your body will reward you with better deeper sleep.

We all know how jet lag can throw our body clock off track and cause sleepless nights. Well this is caused when the body falls out of sync with it’s sleep routine. If you tend to go to bed at irregular times try going to bed at 10pm every night for two weeks – we sure you’ll feel the benefit.

Sleep in The Dark

It is amazing how much ambient light we are exposed to, particularly if you live in the city.  Our bodies are programmed to wake up when it gets light  so if we sleep in a room with lots of ambient light our body may not fall into as deep sleep. Investing in some blackout curtains for you bedroom will ensure that you can sleep in a totally dark environment meaning you’ll get a deeper, more restful sleep.

Eat Right to Sleep Well

What we consume every day can have a big impact on how we sleep.

• Caffeine & Smoking. Avoid stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine. This is pretty self explanatory really, both caffeine and nicotine are artificial stimulants that can hinder the amount or quality of sleep you get for many hours after consuming them. Don’t forget that many soft drinks such as Coke, Lemonade etc have caffeine in them, not just tea and coffee.

• Alcohol. Many people associate alcohol with making them sleep better or helping them to nod off. However alcohol has been proven to severely reduce the quality of sleep you get.

• Large meals. Large fatty meals take a long time to digest (up to 5-6 hours) so avoid over eating or eating lots of fatty food before bedtime. Instead opt for some fruit, a bowl of cereal or as a treat some cookies and milk. The key is to allow time for you body to digest the food before you go to sleep.

Stay hydrated during the day but avoid drinking too much before bed to avoid having to wake up during the night to go to the bathroom.

Regular Exercise Helps You Sleep Better

When trying to increase the quality of sleep you get you need to take a holistic approach. In order to maximize the quality of sleep you get you should aim to improve many different aspects of your lifestyle. One of the major areas most people can benefit from is the amount of exercise they get.

Increased exercise has been proven aid several factors that will help you sleep better including;

• lowering your resting heart rate

• reduce stress that can cause insomnia

• helping you fall asleep quicker

As with most things moderation is the key to success. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, 1 hour if possible. Avoid exercising in the evening as exercises increase the heart rate for a short period which can make it hard to get to sleep. Be sure to seek medical advice before embarking on a new exercise program and listen to your body – don’t over do it.

Look After Your Mattress

What you are lying on can and obviously does have a big impact on how well you sleep. Be sure to follow a regular mattress care routine to keep it in tip top shape and maximize it’s life.  Also if you do have one off spills or accidents take a look at our guide on how to clean a mattress.

Avoid Long Daytime Naps

If you must take an afternoon nap then keeping it short is the key. Try the following ‘Espresso Nap’ that many people say works wonders if taken during the middle of the day.

• Drink an espresso coffee
• Set your alarm clock to wake you in 20 minutes time
• Get up as soon as the alarm goes, the key is not not exceed 20 minutes

This method ensures you are not waking up in the middle sleep cycle which can leave you feeling groggy and even more tired. Hopefully this method will allow you to feel refreshed and have enough energy to get through the day without keeping you awake at night time.

Get Up After 30 Minutes

If you have done everything described above and you can’t get to sleep in 30 minutes don’t lie there stressing about the fact you can’t sleep. Get up out of bed and go to a different, gently lit room and do a gentle activity such as reading until you feel drowsy. As soon as you feel drowsy head back to the bedroom and slide back into bed.

Summary

Hopefully by implementing some if not all of these good sleep tips you can kiss goodbye to your sleep issues.  Unfortunately there is usually not one single thing that can fix your sleep disorder however by taking a holistic approach and making lost of small changes hpefully you’ll be able to get more, better quality rest.

Not all mattresses are the same. You’ll need to consider a few factors when choosing a new mattress to ensure you choose the most comfortable for you. Below we’ve outlined some of the main things to think about when buying a new mattress.

Choose The Firmness To Suit You

The fist thing you’ll need to decide is the amount of firmness you require form you mattress. As a general rule, the heavier you are the firmer a mattress you should get. That said we are all different and each of our bodies will require a different amount of support when we sleep. Choosing the a comfortable mattress is a balance between finding one that is soft and comfortable yet offers enough support to you back and shoulders to remain comfortable in the long run.

If you are currently finding it hard to sleep well it could be a sign that you have the wrong type of mattress. Try to think back to when you last stayed at friends or in a hotel – was the mattress firm or soft and did you sleep well?

Types of Mattress

There are several types of mattress available to choose from;
Sprung Mattresses – These mattresses are the most popular and contain rows of metal springs tied together covered in padding. Generally speaking the more springs the mattress has the firmer and more durable (and more expensive!)it is.

Foam Mattresses – Rather than springs these mattresses are made up of a number of layers of foam. Firmness can vary depending on the exact combination of layers used. These kinds of mattresses have improved vastly over the last few years and now rival the best coil mattress in terms of comfort and durability.

Next on Your List Is the Size

If space and money is not an issue then buy the biggest mattress you can get. During the night the average sleeper tosses and turns up to 35 times per night. If you and your partner are both doing this in a small bed you can easily disturb your sleep as you knock into each other. Studies have shown that people sleep better when alone in a bed, therefore choosing a bigger mattress should mean both you and your partner get better quality sleep.

More expensive pocket sprung mattresses and high end memory foam try to minimize the effects you may feel if you partner move in the night by absorbing their movements and not passing them on to your side of the bed. Cheaper mattresses will no do this.

Hopefully now you have leaned a bit about how to choose a mattress, why not take a look at our in depth guide to mattresses sizes.

Having invested in a good quality mattress there should be no reason why it should not last you many years so long as you look after it correctly. Ensuring your care for your mattress will ensure you better nights sleep for many years to come.

Turning Your Mattress

All mattresses wear over time. No matter if you have a coil/pocket sprung mattress or a memory foam one you can help extend it’s life by helping to make sure the wear it gets is evenly distributed across the top and bottom as well as both sides.

Aim to turn your mattress every 3 months. It can be easy to forget which way you turned your mattress last quarter so follow the tip below to ensure even use throughout the year.

Attach a stick on label to the mattress the head and foot of the bed on each side. Next write three consecutive months of the year on each label. Now all you have to do is at the start of each quarter flip the mattress flip the mattress so that the label with the correct months on is at the top left corner as you are looking at the bed.

Fig.1 Keep Track of Your Mattress Turning

Reduce Build Up of Dust

Most household dust is actually made up of dead human skin. As we spend so much time in the bedroom dust build up in and around the bed is probably higher than anywhere else in the house.

We have heard it mentioned that the weight of a mattress can increase by as much as 10% every two years as a result of dust build up. We think that might be a bit far fetched but dust build up can be significant. Use the following tips to reduce dust.

• Vacuum you mattress. When stripping the bed to change the sheets vacuum your mattress and under your bed to remove any dust.
• Wipe down the bed frame. If your bed frame has not been moved for a couple of years you’ll be amazed how much dust accumulates between the wall and the frame. When turning your mattress wipe down all of the frame with a damp cloth.

In addition when turning your mattress take a couple of minutes to wipe a damp cloth over the bed frame to remove the inevitable dust build up.

Mattress Ventilation

Creating good ventilation around your mattress will help to prevent musty smells building up and reduce bacteria building up. Here are some tips to help increase the ventilation to your mattress.

• Ventilate you bed frame. Choose a bed frame that allows plenty of air to get to your mattress from underneath. Ideally go for a frame with wooden slats that will proved both firm support and good ventilation. Try not to use all the space underneath your bed for storage as this will reduce airflow.

• Air your bedroom. When striping your bed to wash the sheets air the room by opening the windows and leaving the mattress uncovered while you wash and dry the bedding.

• Air Dry Your Laundry. If possible air dry your bedding laundry as opposed to machine drying. You’ll end up with a much fresher feeling bed to sleep in.
• Beat your duvet. When doing your laundry take you duvet and pillows outside and give them a beating to remove excess dust. Also air them outside while you laundry dries, the UV ray will help reduce the bacteria levels in them.

Use a Mattress Cover

You should use a thin mattress cover (not to be confused with a mattress topper) to help protect the surface of the mattress. During normal use mattress are prone to discolor and become dirty as (whether we like to admit it or not we all sweat and shed dead skin in our beds).

Using a thin mattress cover on top of your mattress will help protect it from surface spills or accidents and will help maintaining a clean bed much easier. Most mattress covers are machine washable so you can easily wash them every couple of weeks to remove stains, smells or dust.