Old mattresses are ridden with bed bugs and dust mites that eat the dead skin cells your body sheds during sleep. The presence of dust mites can cause many health-related issues, from skin problems like eczema to respiratory conditions, as they damage your lungs and cause a sore throat.
Toss it. Mattresses only have a lifespan of about 7-10 years and 10 years is pushing it. There is an enormous amount of dust mites, fluids, dust, etc. that can cause all sorts of breathing issues and allergies.
Health Impact: Over time, mattresses collect dead skin, body oils, and dust mites. Dust mites, in particular, can lead to allergies and worsen conditions like asthma. Regular maintenance, such as using allergen-proof covers and washing bedding, can help mitigate these issues.
If your allergies have gotten worse and it's not allergy season, it could be your mattress. Dust mite feces can cause respiratory problems which trigger allergies and asthma. An older mattress can have more dust mite issues than you'd think.
Aches and Pains: Waking up with aches and pains may be due to the comfort layers in your mattress breaking down, causing pressure points when you sink onto the firmer support core. Poor Sleep: Tossing and turning on an uncomfortable mattress may result in poor sleep quality, even if you're not consciously aware of it.
Sleeping on a 20-year-old mattress isn't a good idea. Most mattresses wear out after 7–10 years, losing their support and becoming full of dust and allergens. A mattress that old can cause discomfort, poor sleep, and health problems like back pain or allergies.
Chemical off-gassing causes headache, nausea, dizziness, itchy skin and throat, breathing problems like asthma and nasal allergies as a short-term impact. The long-term impacts are more serious, which include increased risk of cancer, neurological and reproductive health hazards, etc.
#5 You're Experiencing Aches and Pains
If you're waking up every morning to nagging neck and back pain, you might not be showing signs of age but your mattress could be.
1) Your mattress is over 8 years old
If you are not good at keeping files, you should write the date of purchase on the mattress label. Consumer Reports magazine recommends replacement every 7 to 10 years.
Over the years, your mattress may have trapped plenty of dust. While dust is mostly made up of harmless things like dead skin cells, there may also be allergy-causing substances such as bacteria and pollen. Once these have made their way into your mattress, it can be difficult to get them out even with deep cleaning.
Over time, many settle into the cracks and crevices of your mattress. Dead skin is a feast for hungry dust mites. These tiny bugs and their droppings can set off allergies or asthma.
Dust mites occur naturally and can appear in nearly all homes; roughly four out of five homes in the United States have dust mite allergens in at least one bed. Dust mites can live in the bedding, mattresses, upholstered furniture, carpets or curtains.
In addition to dust mites, an old mattress is more at risk of bedbugs, which feed on your blood while you sleep. They can hide in your mattress, sheets, and throughout your bedroom, resulting in red, itchy bumps on your body.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends NOT using hand-me-down cribs more than a decade old or cribs that have been modified.
If your mattress has served you for many years and has deteriorated due to wear and tear, it's time for a replacement. An old or dilapidated mattress can cause your body to sink into it, leading to poor spinal alignment, lack of support, and heightened back pain.
If your mattress is no longer comfy, it's time for a new one. Sleeping on an old mattress can significantly affect your sleep quality and overall health.
Obvious sagging
The most visible indication that a mattress needs to be replaced, sagging may as well be an “It's Time to Replace Your Mattress” sign.
“An older mattress that's well past its recommended lifespan can negatively impact sleep quality. Reduced support and an uneven surface can lead to discomfort and pain leading to a lot of shifting throughout the night.”
Signs Your Mattress Might Be Toxic
This is often due to off-gassing, where volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals are released into the air from the mattress materials. Persistent chemical or plasticky smells, particularly long after the mattress has been purchased, are red flags.
Bed bugs love warmth, histamine, and carbon dioxide which unfortunately means urine on a bed makes a perfect environment for them.
If you complain of back pain right after waking up every morning, the mattress and your sleeping position are likely to be the culprits. An old mattress or a mattress that is too soft for you can put unwanted strain on your spine leading to back pain in the morning.