How long does a mattress last?

A mattress typically lasts around 8 years on average, depending on factors such as the type of mattress, how well it's cared for and your sleeping habits. For example, a guest mattress that isn't used regularly may last slightly longer than your master bedroom mattress, which is slept on every night.

Memory foam mattresses have also been found to have a slightly longer lifespan due to their design, as the foam moves back to its original shape when pressure is removed.

Britain as a whole sits just under that 8-year mark, at 6.4 years on average, though the spread is wide. Around 31% of us are on a mattress that's three to five years old, another 20% are in the six to eight year band, and 24% are at nine years or more. If you want to see how your own bed compares by age group, we've broken down the numbers in our guide how old the average UK mattress is.

How to tell when it's time to replace your mattress

If you're unsure how long you've had your mattress or think its best days are behind it, there are some clear signs that it's time for a fresh start:

1. Check the label: All our mattresses come with a delivered-on date, helping you track how old your mattress is and when it needs replacing.
2. You wake up with aches and pains: Discomfort or soreness in the morning, especially around the joints or back, could be a sign that your mattress is no longer providing sufficient support and needs updating.
3. Your sleep is getting worse: If you wake up feeling groggy, tossing and turning more than usual, or struggling to get comfortable at night, your mattress might be to blame. Over time, mattresses lose their ability to provide the right level of support, leading to restless nights and poor-quality sleep.
4. Your mattress is noisy: If it has started squeaking when you get in and out of bed or at the slightest movement, it's a sign that the springs have weakened or are rubbing against each other, indicating they can no longer support your weight properly.
5. Look out for lumps and sagging: Over time, the mattress's materials can soften and move, causing irregularities in the surface.
6. You're rolling into the middle of the bed: When your mattress loses its structure, it can become uneven, causing dips. This can cause uneven weight distribution, causing you to shift towards the middle of the bed.
7. Your partner's movements are keeping you up: If your partner's tossing and turning has started waking you up when it didn't previously do so, it could signal that your mattress is no longer distributing your weight properly.
8. Your allergies get worse at night: If you notice that you sneeze, itch, or cough more when you get in bed, it could be a sign that your mattress needs replacing. Old mattresses hold onto dust mites and allergens, so updating them regularly for good hygiene is essential. Discover our range of naturally hypoallergenic mattresses for your fresh start.
9. You've noticed an odour: We naturally sweat and shed dead skin at night. Over 8 years, this can add up, leaving behind an unpleasant smell – a clear warning that it's time to change your mattress.
10. You prefer sleeping elsewhere: If you find yourself getting a better night's sleep when you stay at a friend's, in a hotel or even in your guest room, it's a sign that your mattress is the issue and it's time for a change.

How to prolong the lifespan of your mattress

There are some ways that you can maintain and prolong the lifespan of your mattress, including:

• Using a mattress protector to prevent wear and tear and increase hygiene.
• Rotating or flipping your mattress regularly.
• Keep it clean by vacuuming and spot-cleaning stains as soon as they occur. For more tips, read our mattress care guide.
• Avoid jumping or excessive weight by following the weight guidelines and not placing heavy objects on your bed.
• Occasionally, remove the bedding for a couple of hours when you change your sheets to allow airflow to your mattress.

Choosing a new mattress

If your mattress is around 8 years old or you're noticing any of the above signs, it might be time for a new sleep start. Browse our wide range of mattresses in all sizes to find the perfect one for you, or take our Sleepmatch quiz to discover your ideal fit based on your preferences, sleeping position and budget.

Where to start looking

Comfort is personal, so the right mattress for you may not be the one your friend swears by. Our mattress-finding guide explains what the comfort grades actually mean, and our guide to mattresses for back pain is worth a look if mornings are the problem.

Every mattress comes with our 100-night comfort guarantee, so you can give it a proper go at home and swap it if it isn't right.

What to do with your old mattress

Your new mattress arrives, and suddenly, there's an old one taking up half the landing. We asked people what they'd do with a mattress they no longer wanted; 38% told us they'd take it to the tip. Only 26% said they'd recycle it through a mattress retailer.

Which is a pity, because the retailer route is usually easier, and it saves you wrestling a super king into the back of an estate car. Our mattress recycling service collects the old one and takes it to a specialist facility where the springs, foam, and fabric are all recovered. And, if you've ever wondered what happens after that, we followed the whole process of where mattresses go when you recycle them.

Your mattress replacement questions answered

How long does a mattress last?

Around 8 years for most. Memory foam mattresses tend to go a little longer, since the foam springs back to shape once you get up, and a spare room mattress that only sees the occasional guest will happily outlast the one you're on every night.

Is a 10 year old mattress too old?

Almost certainly. Ten years is two past the point we'd suggest replacing it, and by then the springs and fillings have given up a good deal of their original support – plus your mattress is holding onto a decade of bacteria. Around a quarter of UK adults are sleeping on one that's nine years or older, so it's a common place to end up.

Can an old mattress cause back pain?

It can play a part. As a mattress loses support, your spine stops sitting in a neutral line overnight, which is why you can wake up stiff and then loosen off within half an hour of getting up. One study found that replacing beds averaging 9.5 years old cut reported back discomfort by around 48%. If mornings are the worst part of your day, our guide to mattresses for back pain is worth a read.

How do I know how old my mattress is?

Every Dreams mattress carries a delivery date, so that's the quickest place to look. No luck? Check the law label sewn into the side seam or hunt out the original receipt or order confirmation.

Does a mattress protector make a mattress last longer?

It helps, on the hygiene side at least. A mattress protector catches the sweat, spills and skin cells that would otherwise soak straight into the mattress, and unlike the mattress, it goes in the wash. What it won't do is stop the springs and fillings compressing under your weight, and that's usually what decides when a mattress has had its day.

What should I do with my old mattress?

Recycle it through a retailer if you can. Our mattress recycling service collects your old mattress and sends it to a specialist facility, where the springs, foam and fabric are recovered rather than going to landfill. Which is one less thing to sort out around delivery day. The cost of disposing of your mattress with us depends on the size, so make sure you check out the page.