8 Effects of Old Mattress On Your Health
Written by Nectarsleep editorial team
Fact checked
Last Updated on Jul 12, 2022
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After a long exhausting day, all you want to do is come home and curl up on your cozy mattress while letting go of all the stress and anxiety. But when the mattress doesn’t do a good job, you end up tossing and turning. And instead of waking up refreshed, you feel fatigued even after sleeping for hours. If you relate to this situation, you must ask yourself if it is time to let go of your old mattress.
Now, just like light bulbs or electric appliances, everything has a lifespan. And this includes your mattress. You won’t try reusing a burnt bulb, so why try it with your mattress? While some people put off purchasing a new one because of the price tag, some simply don’t think there is anything wrong with their mattress.
But my friend, using an old mattress not just disrupts your sleep but also causes ill effects that hamper your health. What are they? Keep reading to know more.
How Long Does A Mattress Last?
Most mattresses last between 8 to 10 years, but that depends on several factors influencing the mattress lifespan. The quality, materials used, construction, weight, and sleeping style of the sleeper also affect mattress longevity.
When you go for a high-quality mattress, you can rest assured that you will enjoy comfortable sleep for several years. Along with the quality, if you also maintain the mattress properly, this will further enhance the life expectancy of a mattress and could even last over a decade.
Today, several mattress-in-a-box brands offer ten and even 20 years of warranty. But, the lifespan of your mattress and the length of the warranty are two separate things. And no matter what, your mattress needs some TLC (tender loving care) to ensure it does a phenomenal job. Some of the tips you can follow;
- Don’t jump on your bed, and don’t let your kids jump on the bed too.
- Rotate your mattress every two months from end to end. If yours is a double-sided mattress, flip and rotate.
- Make sure you opt for a bed frame that offers central support so that your mattress doesn’t sag.
Effects Of Old Mattress
An old mattress can disrupt more than just your sleep. From chronic back pain to even weight gain, using an old mattress even after its lifespan can have some unpleasant consequences, adversely affecting your health. So, take a look at how an old mattress affects your health.
Dead Skin, Body Oils, Dust Mites
On average, you spend at least seven hours on your bed each night, which is around 2,555 hours a year. Now, during this time, your bed starts collecting lots of body oil and dead skin cells, which dust mites love!
In fact, according to a study by the Ohio State University experts, you can see more than 10 million bugs under the microscope on the surface of your bed. And these mites even excrete waste on your mattress. While these bugs are invisible, you experience their presence in other different ways, and one of them is allergies. If you wake up every day with a runny nose, sneezes, itchiness, or watery eyes, this can be because of dust mites.
If you are someone suffering from breathing illnesses, such as Asthma, it can worsen because of the mites. It can cause difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and a congested chest.
Now, your few months old mattress can also have dust mites, but not as much as your old one. And while you cannot buy a new mattress now and then, there are measures you can take to keep your mattress dust-mite-free.
How to Protect Your Mattress from Allergens?
- Make use of hypoallergenic bedsheets, as this helps more than your regular covers. Allergen-proof covers have less space due to dense thread counts and don’t allow allergens to dwell in them.
- The second step is to avoid beddings that are difficult to wash. How will you even keep it clean if you cannot wash your bedding thoroughly and frequently? Because you are required to give it a good wash weekly once in hot water to keep the dust mites away.
- Vacuum your mattress frequently to keep it clean and dust-mite-free.
- A mattress protector is a great way to keep your mattress protected and keep allergens or bed bugs away.
Back Pain
A bad mattress can cause severe back pain! When your mattress starts ageing, the wear and tear begin. Soon, your mattress will tend to sink or sag in the middle, and you will not be able to experience the same comfort it gave you as a new mattress. This leads you to sleep in the wrong position, where you wake up stiff and sore every morning.
If you don’t sort this out soon, the pain will just keep getting worse. You can use a few pillows for a semblance of comfort, but that’s not a permanent solution. You will have to bring home an ideal mattress that can even provide relief from back pain.
Weight Gain
We all know how imperative sleep is. But, did you know that poor sleep quality increases the risk of weight gain and obesity! When you use an old lumpy mattress, which doesn’t offer comfort and deprive you of the right amount of sleep your body needs, you cannot refuel your energy. And the hormones in the body crave energy, which directs the brain to eat more. So, if you want to stay fit and fine, proper sleep is something you need every night.
Increase In Stress
One way to combat stress is to enjoy a peaceful sleep. Having a comfortable mattress means better sleep and reduced stress. However, your sleep is hindered when your mattress is old and lumpy. Oklahoma University conducted a study where the participants slept on a new mattress, and after four weeks, it was observed that their stress levels had significantly gone down.
Snoring
A mattress older than seven years is more likely to sag in the middle. This factor puts the airways under tension and can cause snoring. While it is not a dangerous condition, but an indication that it is time to change your mattress without delay.
Immune System
Sleeping on an old mattress can hamper your sleep cycle, which can deteriorate the immune system. If you are suddenly more prone to colds or other types of illnesses, your mattress may be to blame.
Heart’s Health
According to a study, it was observed that people with poor sleep quality or lack of sleep were 48% more at risk of developing a heart condition than people who slept well. So, when you rely on your old mattress to offer a good night’s sleep, it won’t be able to deliver. Therefore, getting a new mattress becomes highly important as sleep is essential for our lives.
Effect On Beauty Sleep
We are all familiar with the term beauty sleep. While it almost feels cliche, there is a truth behind it. When you fall asleep, you enter a deep sleep mode. Here, your body produces growth hormones. These hormones create new cells that heal our skin from any damage one might have suffered during the day. But lack of sleep doesn’t allow this process.
When you don’t sleep well, it shows on your skin. Instead of waking up with rejuvenated skin, you wake up with puffy eyes blocked pale-looking skin, which can also hinder your self-esteem. Therefore, a good night’s sleep is a necessity. And for that, you need a proper mattress that can offer the comfort you need.
Signs You Need a New Mattress
Now you know why an old mattress is not suitable for you. But, these below signs will tell you when you must start thinking about replacing your mattress.
- If your bed has started sagging in the middle, it means it’s time to get rid of the old mattress and bring home a new one.
- If your mattress smells funny or emits a chemical smell, which doesn’t go away, you will need a new mattress.
- You are experiencing skin rashes or other skin reactions when you wake up every morning.
- You are unable to fall asleep as it is uncomfortable.
- You wake up with pain or aches every morning.
- Your mattress is visibility lumpy.
- If you have allergies or cold-like symptoms very frequently.
- Your mattress has too many stains, which doesn’t go away.
- If your home has a mold problem, it can spread to the mattress. You must quickly replace your mattress if that's the case, as mold can lead to respiratory issues.
If your mattress is old and affects your health, it is time to bring home a new mattress. Sleep is essential for good health and productive mornings. Therefore, if you notice any of the signs mentioned above, make sure you switch your mattress immediately. Refer to this standard mattress size chart to make sure you get the correct mattress size.
