How Often Should I Change My Mattress? The Honest Answer from a Mattress Manufacturer

Key Takeaways

• Ditch the 7-10 Year Rule: Replace your mattress when it actually fails, not based on the 7-10 year industry schedule, which is primarily a marketing tool.

• Foam Fails, Not Springs: From my experience opening hundreds of returned mattresses, it is always the foam layers that break down, not the springs.

• Materials Determine Lifespan: A mattress's lifespan depends entirely on its materials. Low-density foam can fail in 1 year, while natural latex can last over 15 years.

• Signs You Need a New Mattress: The real signs you need a replacement are waking up with new pain, seeing or feeling visible body dips, or noticing you sleep better elsewhere.

• The Modular Solution: A modular mattress allows you to replace just the foam component when it wears out, which saves money and reduces landfill waste

The mattress industry will tell you to replace your mattress every 7-10 years. That's convenient for them—it keeps you buying.

The reality of how often should you change your mattress? It depends entirely on what your mattress is made of, how it's designed, and how well it matches your body weight. I've seen mattresses fail catastrophically within 6 months. I've also opened mattresses that are 10+ years old where the springs are still perfect—it's just the foam that's wrecked.

The Real Question: What Fails First?

Here's what I've learned from opening hundreds of mattresses: The springs almost never fail. It's always the foam.

I have yet to see with my own eyes any half-decent pocket springs that have any noticeable loss of resilience. Every single mattress I pull apart has perfect springs and destroyed foam. The plastic foam on top of the springs is the issue 100% of the time.

Materials Matter: A Deeper Look at Mattress Lifespan

The durability of that top foam layer is the single biggest predictor of your mattress's lifespan.

Foam Mattresses: The Good, The Bad, and The Saggy

Based on my 12 years working with these materials, here's my experience with how long different foams last with a 90kg person sleeping on an 8cm layer:

Many people ask about memory foam mattresses specifically. My experience is that memory foam generally lasts a bit longer than polyfoam of the same density, but it's still just plastic foam. All foam mattresses tend to break down. The brutal truth is that most mattresses sold today use cheap, low-density foam because it's profitable. That foam will dip within 1-3 years.

Innerspring and Hybrid Mattresses

What about traditional innerspring mattresses? As I said, the springs almost never fail. Old innerspring mattresses usually fail because the thin layer of foam or fibre on top has compressed to nothing. Lower quality innerspring models use very basic spring systems that can become noisy springs over time, disrupting your sleep.

Hybrid mattresses, which combine pocket springs with thicker layers of foam (often memory foam), are very popular. However, they suffer the same fate as other foam mattresses: the springs are fine, but the foam on top will be the first thing to fail.

Latex Mattresses: The Longevity Champion

Natural latex is the gold standard for durability. I open customers' mattresses, and if there's real latex in there, it's in perfect condition. The springs are perfect, too. When you have two components that don't deteriorate, you get a mattress that lasts ages.

It's important to distinguish natural latex mattresses from those using synthetic latex or blends. Most brands claiming "latex" use a tiny 1-2cm piece of a 50:50 latex-to-plastic blend, which is just marketing. Real, natural latex is a durable, resilient material that can last 15-20 years. Synthetic latex is a plastic and won't have the same mattress longevity.

Factors Influencing Mattress Lifespan

The mattress type is the biggest factor, but other factors influence how long your bed will last.

Mattress Materials

As shown above, this is the most important factor. High-density foam lasts longer than low-density foam. Natural latex outlasts them all.

Body Weight and Sleeper Type

A mattress must be matched to your body weight. If the springs are too soft for you, the upper layers "stretch" into the support layer and fail quickly. This isn't sagging; it's a spring tension mismatch. Lightweight sleepers (under 75kg) put less stress on materials, while heavier individuals (over 95kg) need firmer springs and high-density materials to avoid rapid failure.

Your Bed Base (The Sleep Foundation)

Sometimes, your mattress is fine, but your slats are garbage. I see this all the time. Flexible engineered wood slats are cheap and soften over time, creating a dip. This is a failure of your sleep foundation, not the mattress. The best foundation is a dead flat surface; get as close to that as possible with solid, rigid slats.

Maintenance and Care

You can't stop foam from breaking down, but you can slow it. Fold back your covers daily to let the mattress air out. It absorbs moisture while you sleep, and that moisture breaks down foam faster. A mattress protector can slow moisture and oil penetration , but it also reduces comfort, so it's a trade-off.

When to Replace Your Mattress: The Telltale Signs

Forget the 7-10 year rule. These are the real signs you need a new mattress. This is my checklist for mattress replacement.

1. You're Waking Up in Pain. If you're consistently waking up with back, neck, or shoulder pain that goes away during the day, your mattress is failing you. If you regularly wake up with joint stiffness that eases as you move, your old mattress is the likely culprit. Joint stiffness essentially means your bed isn't providing the pressure relief it used to. Don't ignore this.

2. Visible Sagging and Body Impressions. If you can see a body impression when you're not on the bed, the foam has broken down. These are known as sagging and body impressions. Some warranties use a "2-inch rule," but by then, you've been sleeping uncomfortably for months. It's already too far gone, and your sleep quality has suffered.

3. You Sleep Better Elsewhere. If you consistently get a better night's sleep in hotels or at a friend's house, that's your body telling you something is wrong with your mattress.

4. Your Life or Body Has Changed. Your mattress needs may change. This includes gaining or losing significant weight (more than 10kg), new injuries or chronic pain, or simply getting older, as our bodies need more support.

5. Noisy Springs or Poor Motion Isolation This is common in older mattresses, particularly old innerspring mattresses. If your bed groans or creaks when you move, or if you feel your partner's every toss and turn, the support structure is failing. This leads to restless nights and disturbed sleep.

The Unseen Problem: Allergens in Your Old Mattress

This is a big one that people don't talk about. An old mattress can become a breeding ground for allergens. Over time, it accumulates a shocking amount of dead skin cells, sweat, and oils.

This creates the perfect environment for dust mites. These microscopic creatures are invisible, but their droppings are one of the most common indoor allergens. For many people, this can trigger allergies and asthma symptoms, leading to waking up congested, sneezing, or with itchy eyes. This can be especially problematic during allergy season.

While bed bugs are a separate issue, an older mattress with tears in the cover can provide them with more places to hide. A clean, newer mattress is simply more hygienic.

The Impact of a Bad Mattress on Your Health and Sleep

Why does mattress replacement matter so much? Because a restful sleep plays a huge role in your overall health. A bad mattress doesn't just give you a sore back; it can wreck your sleep.

• Poor Sleep Quality: A lack of support forces your body to fight the mattress all night, leading to tossing, turning, and restless nights. This prevents you from reaching the deep, restful sleep stages your body needs to repair.

• Compromised Health: Poor sleep quality is linked to a huge range of health issues, from increased perceived stress and irritability to weight gain and a weakened immune system.

• Chronic Pain: Sleeping in the wrong position night after night can turn a small ache into a chronic issue. This is why chiropractic medicine and other health professionals often ask about your mattress when dealing with persistent pain.

We spend a third of our lives in bed. It's no surprise that a bad mattress has such a significant effect on our sleep and health. The goal is quality sleep, and your old mattress could be the one thing standing in your way of better sleep.

The Industry's Dirty Secret: Planned Obsolescence

I hear dipped mattress stories in my shop every single day. Some people spend more than $4,000 and have a dipped mattress within six months. The answer is incredibly simple: avoid cheap, thick foam.

Most companies use the cheapest foam possible because it's cheaper (higher profit margins) , and most customers don't understand foam density. By the time it fails (2-3 years), the warranty has loopholes, or you've given up fighting. Meanwhile, bed-in-a-box companies spend 30% of the sale price on advertising. That money comes from somewhere—and it's not going into better materials.

The Modular Alternative: Stop Replacing, Start Repairing

This is why I built Ausbeds the way I did. Instead of replacing entire mattresses, what if you could replace just the worn component?

When a mattress dips, it's just the foam. The cover and springs are fine. So we made everything modular: zippered covers, replaceable foam layers, and swappable spring units. If the foam wears out after 5-7 years, replace the foam (costs around $350-400). Keep the springs—they're still perfect. That's a fraction of buying a new $2,000+ mattress and a great way to save money.

This also means three conventional mattresses are kept out of landfills for every one of ours. Returning a 50kg plastic mattress is the environmental equivalent of throwing away 333 t-shirts. It's better to adjust it than throw it away.

My Recommendations By Weight & Age To Get The Most Out of Your Mattress

• Under 75kg, Under 30 Years Old, No Back Issues: You can probably get away with a budget mattress or bed-in-a-box. Your connective tissue still holds you together. Expect to replace it every 3-5 years if it's foam-based.

• 70-95kg, Any Age: Get a firm mattress with good pocket springs and minimal foam on top , or better yet, good pocket springs with latex on top. This is the sweet spot where support really matters. Replace when foam shows wear (5-7 years for polyfoam, 15+ for latex).

• Over 95kg: You need firmer springs and high-density materials. Cheap foam will crush quickly. Budget mattresses will fail you within 1-2 years.

• Over 50 Years Old: As we age, we need the mattress to hold us together while we sleep. Don't compromise. You need proper support AND comfort, which usually means latex on well-matched springs.

Mattress Replacement: The Bottom Line

Don't replace your mattress on a schedule. Replace it when it fails you.

Signs to replace:

• Visible sagging or body impressions

• Waking up with pain that wasn't there before

• Sleeping better anywhere else

• Significant weight or health changes

To make it last longer:

• Choose latex over plastic foam

• Match spring tension to your body weight

• Use solid slats, not flexible ones

• Air out the mattress regularly

• Use a good quality mattress protector

• Choose modular designs that allow component replacement

The industry wants you to replace your mattress every 7-10 years. I want you to buy once and keep replacing components as needed.

Real Customer Experiences: What Happens When Mattresses Last

These reviews weren't cherry-picked for being the most glowing—they were chosen because they specifically address the question of mattress longevity. The consistent theme is that when you use quality materials (natural latex, properly tensioned springs) and match them to body weight, mattresses simply don't fail the way conventional options do.

Review 1: Helen Lu – 4 Years and Still "Like New"

"I bought Sienna mattress 4 years ago and absolutely love it everyday. Better than a sleepmaker mattress!" Helen's experience highlights what happens when you use quality materials—a mattress that still performs perfectly after 4 years

Review 2: MPG (NSW) – 5+ Years, Three Mattresses, Zero Deterioration

"...The oldest of our three purchases is over five years old and does not show any appreciable difference from the day it was delivered." MPG's review demonstrates the long-term performance. Five years with "no appreciable difference" is what happens when springs and latex simply don't wear out like cheap foam does.

Review 3: SH (NSW) – 18 Months, "Still Feels Brand New"

"I purchased my Ausbeds mattress in late 2018... After 1.5 years it still feels brand new... I regret not purchasing the king-size mattress. Would love to upgrade, but unfortunately will not be able to justify a new mattress in the next decade because it is in such excellent condition and shows no signs of deterioration." This customer actually regrets buying quality because they can't justify upgrading for another decade. This is exactly what I mean when I say the mattress industry profits from failure.

Review 4: Andrew – Modular Design Extends Life Indefinitely

"I used to wake most mornings with a sore back, but the Aurora mattress has solved that problem... It's great to see that the Ausbeds mattresses can be unzipped and any internal parts can be replaced, which will increase the life of the mattress." Andrew's review highlights the key insight: when components are replaceable, the question isn't "how often should I replace my mattress?" but rather "which component needs attention?".