Signs That It's Time to Replace Your Mattress

We all know very well that the mattress is one of the most important elements of our household. For this reason, we usually spend a lot of time and effort searching for the one mattress that suits us perfectly, and once we find and purchase it, we rarely think that one day, the time will come to say goodbye to this new purchase. Unfortunately, even the highest quality mattresses wear out over the years, becoming the cause of our insomnia, allergic conditions, and body pain.

According to Domas Jakutis, the manager of LONAS, a company with years of experience in the mattress manufacturing market, the first signs of mattress wear are felt by everyone. However, very often we tend to blame other everyday environmental factors for problems caused by a poor-quality mattress.

“Although the mattress is one of the main elements of quality sleep, it is paradoxical that we blame it last when the quality of our sleep deteriorates. If we have trouble falling asleep or wake up frequently at night – it’s the stress that’s to blame. If we experience muscle, neck, or back pain, we blame sitting work, lack of exercise, or overexertion at the gym, or even the wind that blew on us during the day. Of course, all these factors have a direct impact on our well-being, but very often the problem is much closer to our bedroom than we think,” says Domas Jakutis, manager of LONAS.

The First Signs are Felt Throughout the Body

According to the mattress manufacturing professional, most signs of a worn-out mattress can be easily noticed with the naked eye or felt through the body. These include indents, lumps, protruding springs, and a top or inner layer of the mattress that has lost its firm and uniform shape. If you notice any of these, it is reasonable to suspect that the mattress is to blame for changes in sleep and well-being.

“A worn-out mattress is the greatest enemy of our spine, neck, and muscles. After just one night of sleep on a poor-quality mattress, we might feel a slight ache in our back or neck. Ignoring the first signs of mattress wear can lead to daily body pain and long-term, serious health issues,” says Domas Jakutis.

Indeed, the specialist notes that a mattress that has lost its good qualities can affect not only pain but also allergies. Although these signs of a worn-out mattress won’t be visible to the naked eye, according to Domas Jakutis, they will be felt every time we lie in bed.

“Over time, most mattresses begin to accumulate various types of allergens. The most common ones are mold and dust mites. Those who are sensitive or allergic to these irritants will feel the first signs of a dirty mattress with their nose – every time they approach the bed or wake up, they will experience sneezing, throat irritation, or itchy eyes and throat. Those experiencing these problems should not only pay more attention to mattress care but also choose products made from hypoallergenic materials,” says Domas Jakutis, manager of LONAS.

A New Mattress Is Not Always a Good Mattress

According to the mattress manufacturing professional, a mattress is typically recommended to be replaced every 7-10 years, depending on how carefully it is maintained. Domas Jakutis notes that the lifespan of a mattress can vary depending on the materials it is made from, the person’s lifestyle, sleep habits, mattress care, and other environmental factors.

“When asked which place in the house is the cleanest, many would say the bed. However, every night our mattress collects sweat, dead skin flakes, dandruff, dust, and dust mites. To keep the mattress clean for as long as possible and ensure a peaceful and quality sleep, we must clean, air out, and rotate it regularly. Just like we clean our homes every week, we should vacuum and flip our bed base every few months. A mattress that is not properly maintained will start showing signs of wear after just a few years of use,” says Domas Jakutis, manager of LONAS.

Domas Jakutis emphasizes that even a carefully maintained mattress cannot be judged solely by its age. According to the expert, people often encounter problems with improperly chosen products, and replacing them with a new one is necessary immediately.

“If we sleep on a properly chosen mattress, our body will relax during sleep, weight will be evenly distributed, and consequently, we will toss and turn less and sleep more peacefully. If we choose a mattress that is unsuitable for our body type and sleeping habits, we may encounter serious problems. Sleeping on a mattress that is too firm will prevent our muscles from relaxing, so the body will remain tense throughout the night. If we sleep on a mattress that is too soft, we will experience muscle imbalances – the stomach will sink, the arms will rise, and the back will arch. In this case, regardless of how new or expensive the mattress is, it should be replaced after the first few weeks of use,” says Domas Jakutis.

The Choice of Mattress Depends on Personal Traits

When choosing a new mattress, Domas Jakutis recommends paying attention to two key factors. First, properly assess your sleep habits and personal body traits. Second, conduct a thorough analysis of the product’s quality data.

“When choosing a mattress, it is important to consider your height, weight, sleeping position, and the most sensitive areas of your body. For example, if you feel back pain, firmer mattresses help some, while softer ones work for others. Meanwhile, if your old mattress was the cause of constant allergies, the key feature of your new mattress should be its hypoallergenic properties,” says Domas Jakutis.

The new mattress, according to the specialist, should be at least 15 centimeters longer than your height, and its firmness should be chosen based on your weight. The heavier the person, the firmer the mattress should be. The expert notes that testing mattress firmness by simply pressing with a knee or hand is insufficient. When visiting a showroom, it is essential to lie down and stay there for at least a few minutes. Only then can you feel whether your body relaxes properly when lying down.