It used to be standard practice to keep a mattress until its springs and stuffing were exposed, but that is no longer the case. Now the typical industry recommendation is that you replace your mattress every 5-7 years even if it still passes the eye test.
Why the change? Is this simply a ploy by the manufacturers to generate more sales?
Not at all. As it turns out, unlike a new Vaughan Bassett bedroom set that you can indeed keep forever, there are some very compelling reasons to follow the manufacturers' mattress buying guidelines. Briefly stated, your mattress begins to suffer from these problems after only a few years of use:
Accumulation of dust mites and dead skin cells
Your body sheds dead skin cells all the time, even when you sleep. Over the years, these dead skin cells seep into the mattress where they attract dust mites and other microscopic creepy crawlies. In fact, your mattress can practically double in weight from this accumulation of skin cells and other debris.
Buildup of oil, bacteria, and fungus
Dust mites and dead skin cells aren't the only byproduct to beware of. People also tend to sweat in their sleep, which not only stains the mattress but also serves as a breeding ground for certain kinds of bacteria and fungus. Plus if you allow your dog or cat to sleep on the bed, you can add pet dander to this unappealing mix.
Loss of support
After years of daily use, your mattress slowly but surely starts to lose its ability to support your body properly. This can result in a whole host of musculoskeletal problems, including back, neck, joint, and shoulder pain.
Furnishing your home with top-of-the-line products like Broyhill bedroom furniture is expensive, so it's natural to want to keep everything for as long as possible. But as you can see, mattresses are a completely different story. Be sure to change yours every 5-7 years to avoid potential health problems and general discomfort.
