[By material] How long does a mattress last? Explains signs to replace it and tips to make it last longer

There are probably many people who feel that their current mattress is less comfortable to sleep on than when they first bought it, or who think, "I want the next mattress I buy to be one that is highly durable ! "

Each mattress has a lifespan, and if you use it for too long, it will lose its original functionality without you even realizing it, gradually causing adverse effects on your body. Therefore, if your mattress deteriorates over time, you will need to replace it.

However, if you buy a mattress that is not durable and it deteriorates quickly, you will end up with a 'penny wise, pound fooled' situation. By choosing a mattress that has a certain degree of durability, you can continue to use it cost-effectively.

This page will introduce you to the lifespan of a typical mattress, signs that it's time to replace it, ways to make it last longer, and how to choose a durable mattress. If you're wondering, "Is it time to replace my current mattress?" or "What kind of mattress will last the longest?", be sure to read to the end.

[Author introduction]

Senior Sleep Health Instructor (No. 733). An expert on mattresses and sleep. Purchases and tries out over 50 mattresses a year. Helps many people choose bedding and mattresses from the perspective of sleep quality and QOL . →Good Sleep Hacks

The average lifespan of a mattress is about 5 to 10 years. This depends on the quality, usage, and maintenance, but the estimated lifespan also varies depending on the material inside.

Here we will explain the estimated lifespan of mattresses based on the materials they contain.

The lifespan of a pocket coil mattress is 7 to 10 years, which is longer than that of other materials. Bonnell coils are also coil mattresses, but their lifespan is shorter than that of pocket coils, at 5 to 8 years. However, they are less likely to wear out than urethane mattresses and are more durable.

The average lifespan of a high-resilience urethane mattress is 5 to 8 years, but be careful as poor quality ones can deteriorate in as little as 3 years. This material is also used in luxury mattresses, some of which cost over 100,000 yen.

Even among mattresses made of the same urethane material, it's important to note that memory foam has a low durability of only 3-5 years. Because it's soft, it sinks under your weight, which can lead to quicker wear and tear. However, many of them are reasonably priced, making them easy to purchase even for those on a tight budget.

Fiber and latex mattresses have a lifespan of around 6 to 9 years. Fiber mattresses can be washed completely, so they can be used hygienically for a long time.

Check the following signs to see if it's time to replace your mattress:

1. The mattress is worn out
2. The mattress no longer feels bouncy (resilient)
3. The fabric has frayed or torn
4. Coil spring creaking noise
5. Mold has grown on the fabric or inner material

Here we will explain the above signs in more detail.

Mattresses gradually wear out over time. A typical example of this is a memory foam mattress, which becomes dented in parts and does not return to its original shape. However, this is not limited to memory foam, and all materials will wear out as they approach the end of their lifespan, so use this as a guide for when it's time to replace them.

The lower back, which bears the most weight while sleeping, is particularly susceptible to wear. When the lower back wears down, the body sinks. This can also impair blood flow and cause stiff shoulders and back pain. This can also affect the quality of your sleep, so consider replacing your mattress.

If you use a mattress in a humid environment for a long time, it will gradually lose its elasticity. If it feels softer and less resilient than when you first purchased it, it's probably time to replace it.

If the mattress lacks resilience, it will be difficult to turn over in bed. If you cannot turn over smoothly, you will likely feel discomfort and pain in your lower back, neck, and shoulders when you wake up. If you continue to use the mattress in this condition, your posture may become distorted, so be sure to replace it as soon as possible.

Deterioration may occur not in the mattress itself but in the fabric. If the fabric is frayed or torn, the mattress's functions such as water absorption and moisture release will also be reduced.

Dirt can get in through the torn areas, making it easier for mold and dust mites to grow, so be careful. When using a bed mattress, using a fitted sheet can prevent the fabric from fraying or tearing.

Coil mattresses can also creak due to deterioration of the springs. The creaking sound can be a sign of rust or a deterioration in the coil spring structure.

Even if the outside of the mattress is fine, the functionality of the inside may be declining, so use this as a guide for replacing it. However, creaking noises can also be caused by a problem with the bed frame, so be sure to check the cause of the noise carefully.

Also, if you feel the springs touching your back when using a coil mattress, it's a sign of deterioration. If the stiffness of the springs is transmitted to your body, it will be uncomfortable to sleep on, so it's best to replace it as soon as possible.

Japan has high humidity levels, so mold can often grow on the fabric and filling depending on how it is maintained. Urethane mattresses in particular have poor breathability, so if you don't regularly dry them in the shade to let the moisture escape, mold will quickly start to grow, so be careful.

If you sleep on a moldy mattress, you will inhale the mold while you sleep. Inhaling mold can have adverse effects on your body, such as allergies and asthma. Furthermore, mold can spread to your bed frame, so it's best to replace it as soon as possible.

Here are some tips to help your mattress last longer:

• Stand the mattress upright to allow it to ventilate
• Rotate the mattress
• Prevent moisture with dehumidifying sheets and bed frames
• Use sheets and wash them frequently
• Do not place anything on the mattress
• Use a mattress topper

We will explain each in detail below. Please refer to this information to extend the life of your mattress.

It is said that humans sweat a cup's worth while sleeping, and this sweat soaks into the mattress, causing it to become damp.

If moisture remains in the mattress for a long time, it can cause mold and dust mites to grow. It also causes the mattress to wear out quickly, so it is important to release the moisture regularly.

The frequency is about once a week, so you should dry it in the shade to let it air out. If you have a tri-fold mattress, it can stand on its own, making it easier to dry in the shade.

Especially if it is placed directly on the floor, moisture cannot escape. Therefore, it needs to be ventilated more frequently than a regular mattress. If possible, it is recommended to stand it up and ventilate it every day.

If you use a mattress every day, the same parts of the body tend to be stressed. The lower back area in particular is subject to a lot of stress, so be careful as this area is prone to wear.

To spread out the wear and tear and slow down deterioration, we recommend "rotating" your mattress. Rotating your mattress means using it by turning it upside down or over. By rotating your mattress, you can distribute the load on the areas where it is being applied.

However, mattresses with different structures on the front and back or top and bottom cannot be rotated. Make sure to check in advance whether the mattress can be rotated before purchasing.

Regular mattresses use urethane foam. Even coil mattresses often use urethane as the filling.

This "urethane foam" is a material that is vulnerable to moisture. If it is left in a humid environment for a long time, it will easily deteriorate. Therefore, we recommend using a "humidifying sheet" to prevent moisture.

Simply place it under your mattress and it will absorb moisture, making it an easy way to prevent moisture buildup. It can be reused after drying, making it a cost-effective item.

Also, try to use a bed frame with a slatted base that allows for good ventilation. This type of bed frame has gaps between the floorboards, which allows for excellent ventilation. This will help prevent moisture from building up under the mattress and allow it to escape.

Sleeping directly on the mattress will cause dirt and sweat to get on it, which will cause it to deteriorate faster. It will also make it more susceptible to mold, so be sure to use a sheet on the mattress.

Laying sheets on your bed will prevent stains and absorb sweat and moisture. Be sure to wash your sheets about once a week. Even if they are not visibly dirty, sweat and sebum will still be on them. This dirt is a food source for mites, so be careful.

Using your mattress as storage can cause it to wear out quickly. In a one-room apartment where you live alone, you tend to put things on top of the bed. It's also tempting to sit on it like a sofa, but try to avoid this as much as possible as it can cause the mattress to wear out.

It is also wise to discourage small children from jumping on the bed. This not only causes wear and tear, but also puts the bed springs at risk of being damaged, so try not to use the bed for anything other than sleeping.

A mattress topper is a piece of bedding that is placed on top of a mattress. It is used to improve the comfort of the mattress and prevent it from wearing down. It is generally about 4-6 cm thick, and simply laying it down can prevent the mattress from wearing down.

The mattress topper itself will wear down over time, but it can be replaced more cheaply than a mattress, so it will also help reduce costs. A mattress pad or bed pad can also help prevent this to some extent.

However, the comfort of the mattress will change, so be sure to choose one that takes into account factors such as firmness and thickness.

From here, we will explain how to choose a mattress that is resistant to wear and tear and highly durable, based on the following six typical materials.

The durability of pocket coils depends on the quality of the wire and the density of the urethane used in the filling. Piano wire can be used for a longer period of time than hard steel wire. Furthermore, the higher the manganese content of the wire, the greater the durability.

Coil mattresses are divided into a coil layer and a cushion layer, and the contents of the cushion layer are called "filling." Urethane is often used for filling, but if the filling layer is too thin, not only will it be less durable, but it will also feel springy after a short period of time, so care must be taken.

As with pocket coils, you should determine the durability of bonnell coils by looking at the quality of the wire and the density of the filling.

However, while pocket coils have each coil individually encased in nonwoven fabric, bonnell coils are exposed, which means they tend to deform and deteriorate more quickly than pocket coils.

In the case of high-resilience urethane, durability varies depending on the density of the urethane.

The density of urethane is expressed in " D ", but to choose a durable mattress, choose one with a density of 35D or higher. 35D will last at least five years, so it is less likely to wear out quickly.

As a guideline , 20-30D will last 1-3 years, 30-35D will last 3-5 years, 35-40D will last 5-7 years, and 40-50D will last 8-10 years . The higher the density , the greater the durability .

As with high-resilience urethane, when selecting low-resilience urethane, be sure to refer to the urethane's density (D).

However, low-resilience urethane has lower resilience than high-resilience urethane and tends to trap moisture. Because it is soft and wears out easily, it requires a higher density than high-resilience urethane.

As a guideline, a mattress with a density of 10D and higher will last for more than 5 years. Therefore, if you want to choose a mattress that will last for more than 5 years, we recommend one with a density of 45D or higher.

Fiber mattresses have a three-dimensional structure and low density, so the material itself is not very durable.

To choose a mattress that is durable, choose a high-density fiber mattress that is packed with lots of fibers.

However, the higher the density, the firmer the mattress will be. Choosing a mattress with as fine a fiber as possible and with as high a density as possible will help you achieve a balance between comfort and durability.

Latex is a material made from the sap of natural rubber. Mattresses that contain 80% or more natural rubber are called "natural latex," while mattresses that contain less than that are called "synthetic latex."

Natural latex also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, so the higher the percentage of natural latex, the longer the lifespan. A natural latex mattress can be used for about 10 years. On the other hand, synthetic latex mattresses will start to show signs of wear after 2-3 years.

For more information on how to choose a mattress, please refer to the article below.

[Expert-supervised] How to choose a mattress here!

Mattress warranties vary by manufacturer, with some offering longer warranties of 10 or even 30 years.

The mattress warranty period starts from the date of purchase. In most cases, the warranty will cover spring failure or wear beyond a certain standard even when used properly. If you want to use the mattress for a long time, be sure to choose a mattress with a long-term warranty.

The warranty coverage varies depending on the manufacturer, but the following cases are usually not covered by the warranty:

• Stains or deterioration of the mattress fabric that occurred after purchase
• Damage to the mattress due to improper use
• Deterioration over time
• Mold that appeared on the mattress after purchase

In addition, it is not uncommon for a product to be unable to be guaranteed without a receipt or warranty. It is important to check the details of the warranty in advance so that you are not unable to receive quality assurance in an emergency.

The lifespan of a mattress varies greatly depending on the material, daily use, and maintenance. Even if you buy a cheap mattress, if it wears out quickly, it will not be cost-effective.

When choosing a mattress, consider your budget, comfort, and durability. Continuing to use a mattress that has reached the end of its lifespan can cause physical discomfort. For better quality sleep, we recommend replacing it as soon as possible.