Reasons to replace a mattress

There are some very obvious reasons why you might need to replace your mattress or bed, but equally there can be some less apparent “tell tail” signs that may indicate that a replacement is required.

Reasons to replace your mattress

Here are some signs to look out for. Some are obvious, but some are not.

The mattress is showing outward signs of failure, These may be any (or a combination) of the following.
• Visible undulations or deflections in the top surface of mattress.

• Damaged, badly worn or fraying fabric. This can include the stitching splitting along tears or rips.

• Lumps or a combination of hard and soft areas in the mattress body. i.e. some sections offering no support and others being overly hard.

• The mattress being too flexible and having no real structure when lifted or turned.

• The sides of the mattress “bellying” out, indicating that the side support system has failed.

In addition to the visible and more obvious mattress failure indicators, you should also be aware of the following, even if you have an orthopedic mattress.

• Is there resistance from the mattress when you try to move or alter your sleeping position whilst in bed.

• Do you feel any difference in the resistance, comfort or the cradling feel of the mattress across different parts of the bed.

• Do you wake up regularly during the night. (Are your sleep patterns disrupted.)

• When you get up in the morning do you feel poorly rested.

• Does your back or any of your limbs ache as a result of sleeping, i.e. do you wake up during the night or in the morning with aches, pains or stiffness.

• If you share a bed, does the movement of your partner create a sufficient residual movement in the mattress to disrupt your sleep.

• Do you find it difficult to get comfortable, or to find a satisfactory sleeping position or posture.

• Have you noticed any negative changes in your sleeping patterns, levels of comfort, or time spent in bed and could this be accounted for by a deteriorating mattress or a failing bed frame or divan.

If you think that any of the observation (questions) above may be applicable to you or your mattress, then perhaps you need to look at a mattress replacement. You spend one third of your life in bed, so a good mattress is an investment in your health. If you do intend to replace this part of your bed, you should consider an orthopedic mattress or a mattress with orthopedic properties.

If you want some tips on selecting a new mattress, take a look at this what to look for in an orthopedic mattress page. It will give you some practical tips on how to tell if a bed and mattress support you correctly. It also covers past and current ideas concerning how an orthopedic mattress is defined.