Revealed: The five signs it's time to buy a new mattress - and why a 'bouncy' bed is a BAD sign
- CHOICE has outlined the top signs that could indicate you need a new mattress
- The consumer watchdog says while discomfort is a clue, there are also others
- These include a sniff test, whether there's sagging or if there's too much bounce
The average person will spend a third of their lives sleeping which means a decent quality mattress is a must.
However, while your mattress may have served you for a few years, it's not designed to last forever, according to Australian consumer watchdog CHOICE.
'Deciding when it's time to retire your bed and then choosing a new one is not an exact science,' said CHOICE's mattress expert Peter Zaluzny.
Clues that can be a sign that your mattress is on its way out include the 'sniff test', sagging and too much bounce.
We spend a third of our lives sleeping which means a decent quality mattress is a must (stock image)
1. Your mattress is uncomfortable
Over time, the support a mattress can offer changes. Some that were previously soft can start to harden and those that were firmer can start to soften.
One way you can tell if comfort levels have changes is the the way you feel when waking or if you have started to notice aches and pains.
'Comfort is subjective. Trust your body,' the expert said.
However, before outlaying for a new bed, Mr Zaluzny advises first having any pains checked by your GP - to rule out any health problems.
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2. Apply the smell test
A new mattress smell will fade over time, and there's every likelihood your mattress won't smell like much at all, no matter how many years you've slept on it.
However, if you have started to notice an odour this might well indicate your mattress has passed its use by.
Mr Zaluzny said one of the tests CHOICE run mattresses through is a sweat repellent test.
The test involves a person sleeping on a mattress for two hours in a warm room as a way of measuring humidity levels between the person and the mattress itself.
Then testers will pour liquid onto the mattress to measure how much comes out.
'If it flows through the mattress, you're golden. If it doesn't, it can hang around and create all kinds of unpleasant smells.'
3. Sagging
If your mattress has started to sink in the middle, this is a sign it's time for a new one.
While there are a few reasons as to why mattresses can start to sink, one of the more commonly associated with a loss of firmness, support and resiliency is the combined weight of two people sleeping in the same spot over the years.
If you've outlaid for a new mattress and don't want the same problem to occur, make sure you regularly turn your mattress over to slow down and even out the wearing process.
CHOICE suggests taking your time when shopping for a new mattress and don't just spend a few minutes lying on it before making a decision (stock image)
4. There's too much bounce
Mattress wear can show up as too much springiness, which means when you roll over it makes waves that can disturb the person you're sleeping with.
'If you roll over in the night and then bounce around, that could be a sign of mattress wear,' said Mr Zaluzny.
One test applied by CHOICE when assessing mattresses before a rating is a test to check their stability.
Essentially, testers measure how much a mattress bounces when someone moves on it. The less movement, the higher the stability score.
5. Your mattress is more than eight years old
Despite the fact you may have spent thousands on your mattress with a view to keeping it forever, the reality is it only has a life span of eight years.
Of course, how much wear and tear your mattress undergoes is dependent on the manufacturer, whether you sleep alone or with someone and how you sleep.
While choosing a mattress can be a time-consuming process, don't just assume a few minutes lying on your back in the showroom is enough time to decide.
CHOICE suggests taking your time, shopping with a partner, and moving about. You should also roll over, sit up, get in and out of the bed. Ease of movement contributes to comfort.
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