Hello AT,
My wife and I can't agree. I want to get a new mattress because we haven't been sleeping well. I think it is the mattress, but she isn't so sure. The mattress (a good one!) is about 10 years old, and I want to know at what point do you consider a mattress "worn out"? What is the lifespan of an average mattress and when should you consider replacing one???
Thanks, Sleepless in West Village
This is a good question and we hope to hear more on the matter. We have heard that the average mattress "lifespan" is between 8-15 years. This is a wide range, and certainly it depends on whether it has had heavy "use." Only you can be the judge of that...... (Thanks, Sleepless!) MGR
It also depends on how often (if at all) you "flip" the mattress...
But everyone I've ever heard of who got a new mattress usually does it at the 10-year mark... and invariably has better night's sleeps because of it. They all typically say, too "I wonder why I waited this long?!?"
I just did the buying a new mattress thing. I beleive in the 8 year mark, especially when you get into the whole germ/bed bug thing. I once watched an episode of Oprah that went over replacing things in your house like your sponge and pillows and mattresses. They had scientists take samples of everything, and all these things were really old, and the results were astounding. I know you are supposed to replace your pillows ever 1.5 years. As for my search, it took me awhile to decide and for my boyfriend and I to agree. One resource is this guy,
www.philly.com/mld/philly/living/home/design/ask_expert_front.htm
He's a "mattress expert" and reading through the questions is enlightening. When I asked my own he seemed to not read it at all and miss what I actually need, so I do think he's a bit of a dingbat.
Whatever you do, make sure the mattress you actually get is not going to come with a velour top! The one I tried in the store did not and then the one I was given does have one, and none of my sheets will stay on the thing.
I've seen a 30 year old mattress, slept in almost daily, directly on a plywood base that's quite comfortable.
And it's only 6" thick.
That being said, a lot of them have serious case of built-in obsolence.
heh.
I had bought a cheap mattress out of college and after about 10 years I also had the "I'm not sleeping well, maybe time for a new mattress thing". I love my new one, it's something like 18" thick with pillowtops, etc. I agree about flipping the mattress regularly but I will say that these new ones weigh approx 1.3 tons making it difficult on the single among us. And don't get me started on sheets.
Ruth-- Pottery Barn just started carrying extra-deep sheets, and Garnet Hill offers lots of choices, too.
And maybe "Hey, would you like to come over and help me flip my mattress?" could be your new invite-line! ;)
Shouldn't matresses last for more than 10 years? I grew up sleeping on the same mattresses that my father and his twin used. They lasted through two childhoods and now they're being used by a new generation -- my cousin's kids.
Ruth - or anyone who might know -
How do you flip a pillow-top mattress?? Isn't the actually pillow-top attached? Do you just rotate it instead?
Marie, my mattress has pillowtops attached on both sides so I just flip it the same as any mattress. I rotate it as well. I have this high tech thing where it "memorizes" my body and shapes to it, so if I don't want a gully it has to be shifted.
Patrick, I usually buy Ralph Lauren sheets because they fit the bed (but I still can't get those over the bottom pillowtop) but it's good to know other places that I can go. A lot of times even sheets advertised as deep pocket are only about 15" which is not nearly enough for my monstrosity.
Ruth, I've seen these little elastic strips meant to keep sheets on mattresses at Bed Bath + Beyond, among other places. The looked like little suspenders with clips on both sides and 1/2 or 3/4 inch elastic running between, and you clipped them so that they ran diagonally underneath your mattress. If you're handy at sewing, or know someone who is, you could cook up something similar of your own to clip your sheets over your fluffy monster mattress.
We paid a lot of money for our mattress and boxspring 11 years ago. We both flip and flop it at least once a month. It is still the most comforable bed I've ever slept in. It has a 20 year warranty. I've schlepped too many cheap mattresses to the dumster over the years. I pays to invest in a good one.
bought a new mattress about two years ago, old one was a bit lumpy. Slept much better the first night. I didnt really notice any difference on subsequent nights thereafter. I think I slept better due to the increased comfort due to avoiding the lumps of the old mattress...
the biggest rip-off of the mattress is the supposed "box-spring" which for $400+ is merely a "heightener" (they no longer contain springs or any internal structure) plus todays mattresses are twice as thick as older models and make beds about 12" higher than before...
I've been wondering about that one, actually... My bed comes to mid-thigh on me, even though the frame is only about 4" tall. If I bought a real bed frame, would I be able to get rid of the box spring? I guess I should be asking the mattress expert that sara consulted, but maybe someone here knows...
I like this mattress talk. Isn't the box spring mainly for air circulation? Keeps the mattress fresh. Those platform beds with a mattress plopped on top, minus the box spring, do not provide decent air circulation. Smelly mattress. Mary, three generations! Time to retire those mattresses. One way to prolong the life of a mattress is to use a mattress cover. Never put only a sheet between you and your mattress. I see the mattresses on the street on bulk garbage day. They usually have that body stain that looks like you know what. The mattress cover prevents this. And I wash my cover every other sheet change.
Body stains!
Has anyone here tried a memory foam mattress?
My chiropractor says they are the best for your spine, but I'm thinking they will make me too hot in our gorgeous NYC summers.
Yuck! Do people really not use a mattress cover? I agree with Todd, it's the only way to keep various body stains off of the mattress. Also, my mattress comes with a 25 year warranty but any stains on the mattress nullifies it.
MJ, I think my mattress counts as memory foam and yes, it is really comfortable. I haven't had any back problems since I've been sleeping on it. And I haven't found it any hotter than any other mattress.
I have a boxspring, a frame and my gigantor mattress so the combination comes to about high thigh on me (I'm a bit short-legged). At first it was sort of daunting but now I like it. The bed is high enough to use as a work space for folding sweaters and the like. But I did accidentally knock my laptop off the bed and it hasn't worked since. It is *high* up.
Hi
I am just about to renew my mattress due to bad nights sleeping, but our drawer divan base seems pretty good still so would it be ok to just replace the mattress or do we have to buy the whole bed?
thanks in advance
karl
hi,
I was about to get a Sealy Holly Grove brand new but decided to get Sealy RiverOaks. Are they comparable? the sales man said it cost 2,000 but I bought for 900 because showroom display. The holly grove is worth 1,800 but selling for 900 brand new too. did i make a bad choice? please send any answers to tropezboy@hotmail.com
you people are a bunch of idiots.
i peed on my mattress.
one misconcept of mattress buying i have learned is firmness isn't alsays the gauge. a less firm mattress will actually give to support you body - especially if you are a side sleeper - rather than push and poke at you. the longevity of a less firm mattress is suspect however.
i have found that the individually pocketed innerspring models with memory pillowtops are excellent compare to the POS i have now.
btw...never buy a bassett bed. i think they are made for the hotel/motel business so that they will never fall apart but they are hard as bricks.
i cumbed on my gramma's braw in my pillowtop bed.
the cumb soaked through the pillowtop and now it's all sticky and gooey.
i like to roll in my cumb and then roll around in sawdust so i have cumby sawdust on me.
A good futon mattress is the best for your bod Cheap, comfortable and lasts 10yrs if maintained Set on a slat base and can be used on a flex slat bed. Don't buy a dodgey one! Can be either foam/latex core or all cotton Use "protection" to keep it clean They don't have to be real thick 6-7" is Ok They look really nice on a slim line platform base. Plug (sorry) Check my website.
Benj
Opps www.flatoutfuton.com
Cheers Benj
I bought a new mattress and box spring 2 years ago,and to my suprise the box spring actualy had springs in it. Best 360.00 i ever spent.
My husband and I bought a Simmons Beautyrest Montlena Glen Plush Super Pillowtop mattress about a year and a half ago. It is the nicest mattress I've ever slept on, but we're not sure how to flip it properly to reduce body impressions because it has a pillowtop only on the top. Help!
I still have cumb on my braw :(
how do you get cumb off of a pillowtop?
Bob Goatse:
If you mix equal parts of baking soda and sprite remix, with a table spoon of flour that "cumb" stain should come right out! It also makes a great crumb cake receipt!
Good Luck!
bob goatse is a fucking jerkoff and can not cum
Kate I'm having the SAME problem!! we paid all this money for a top of the line Plush pillowtop they said we wouldn't have to flip. now 2 years later its finally paid off and the indentations are getting bad. i can feel the springs under my back and can't sleep well at all. and there doesn't seem to be a way to flip it because one side is plush and the other isn't. did anyone have any good advice for you?? i'm desperate!