Over the years I've heard it many times. We need a new mattress as we're sleeping on the floor. My first thought is always surely a sofa or a tub with lots of blankets in it might be preferable to the hard, cold, drafty nature of the floor. I'm sure this statement is simply an illustration to the fact that the mattress needs to go. So how do we know when we need a new mattress?
Often our mattress may not be getting proper support. So what is proper support? If you own a mattress/box spring combination this unit should be resting on a steel or wood frame with at least 2-3 cross supports beneath this set. The cross supports should make use of support legs or supports beneath that touch the ground. This will help ensure that your mattress is supported. If you're using a mattress on a platform bed you'll want to make sure the bed's foundation meets the manufacturer's warranty. Standard mattresses will work fine on beds that use ten slats or more. These beds may have partial center support and that will include middle support legs to help with support.
Bed Frame Leg
Perhaps your mattress is supported correctly as mentioned but shows dips or valleys. Is there something beneath the mattress that is causing this? Often changing sheets or adding bedding requires moving the mattress somewhat. Maybe something worked its way beneath the mattress. Does the mattress require periodic rotation or flipping? If this hasn't been occurring that can also cause body impressions faster in your mattress than if your mattress is being flipped and rotated often.
How long have you owned the mattress? Five, ten, twenty years? Conventional mattresses will usually provide ten years of good wear. Many of the more modern memory foam and viscoelastic mattresses may provide fifteen to twenty years of use depending on the model. Of course guest room mattresses and everyday use mattresses vary in terms of their wear and this will affect the longevity of your mattress as well as when to replace it.
Another thing to take into consideration is how you feel in the morning. Do you wake up with a sore back? Do you have aches or pains in the morning? How you feel after a night's sleep is in direct relation to what your mattress is providing in support. Often a sore back in the morning can be attributed to your mattress. If you are experiencing back issues you should schedule an appointment with your physician to make sure any issues you are having aren't related to something other than your health.
So when does sleeping on your mattress compare to sleeping on the floor? I can't think of anything more uncomfortable than the floor for sleeping. When you're at the point when the floor seems to be a better choice for a good night's sleep then the time has come to replace your mattress. So what are the signs to look for to determine if you need a new mattress?
Look for dips or valleys in your mattress. Determine if these are from natural body impressions or if the support for your mattress may be causing these. If the mattress isn't receiving proper support correcting it so it does may eliminate the need to immediately replace the mattress. If the mattress has proper support but still shows impressions than it may be ready to be replaced. How long the mattress has been used can also determine when you'll need to replace it. Generally anywhere from ten to fifteen years is an average mattress lifespan. If you've owned your mattress for this amount of time and it's becoming uncomfortable than you may be ready for a new mattress for your bed.
Beds are funny things. We find comfort from them for sleeping and yet they can become uncomfortable to us over time. Making sure our mattress and foundation are working properly is important not only for our backs and bodies in getting a good night's sleep but our health as well. So if you're considering sleeping on the floor and you currently own a mattress then the time has come to find that new mattress. You deserve better than that cold drafty floor and your body will thank you for it.