How Long Does A Memory Foam Mattress Last?

How Long Does A Memory Foam Mattress Last?

When you buy a mattress, you’re making an investment.

Many consider their sleeping comfort to be an important part of their life that cannot be compromised on, and spending a good amount on a mattress is a good call because good-quality mattresses can last you years, if not decades if cared for properly.

Memory foam mattresses have been all the rage in recent years.

Memory foam is made from a kind of material that is heat sensitive and molds to the shape of your body, reducing pressure and fitting to body contours to provide added support and comfort.

When you leave your bed, the mattress will then spring back to its original shape. If it is a durable memory foam mattress, it will carry out these routines for years and years. Sometimes it can be tricky to figure out which memory foam mattress will last through the most years of use and wear. Most mattresses require replacing every 10 years, though some experts recommend switching them out every seven years.

However, with a durable mattress, you can continue to get optimal sleep without needing to change your mattress so soon. Typically, memory foam mattresses are known for having better durability than most other kinds of mattresses and can last 10 to 15 years if well cared for.

Factors That Affect Memory Foam Lifespan

While most memory foam mattresses generally stay in usable condition for about 10 to 15 years, there are some other factors that come into play in regards to how long your mattress may last.

Density

The density in question has to do with the weight of one cubic foot of the memory foam in your mattress. A heavier – and therefore denser – foam would have cells packed more tightly together, which can change the way the mattress feels and works.

Low-density memory foam would weigh about 2 to 4 lbs. per cubic foot, while a high-density foam would weigh over 5.5 lbs., and medium-density foams fall somewhere in between.

Thanks to the increased number of cells, denser memory foams are better able to support the weight of those sleeping on them, meaning that they tend to last longer than foam mattresses with lower densities.

Still, keep in mind that very high-density memory foam is not typically a favorite among sleepers due to higher viscosity, which is not comfortable for many sleepers.

Lower-density foams may last up to 6 years, while medium and comfortably high-density memory foam mattresses may last up to 10 years or more.

Support Base

The support layer is best described as the core of a memory foam mattress – it’s a thick layer of foam designed to act as support for the mattress, usually resting beneath the memory foam layer.

It is this layer that adds needed support for a sleeper’s body, supplementing the pressure-relieving features of the memory foam.

As you might expect, a low-quality support base foam means that your memory foam mattress will not last as long. This comes down to densities again.

A good support foam with high resilience to wear and tear will have a density of over 2 lbs. per cubic foot. Those beneath that amount will likely break down faster.

Daily Cleaning

Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential to keeping a mattress in tip-top shape – as it is with virtually any other piece of furniture or equipment. Giving the foam layers a vacuum once in a while and keeping the mattress free from spillages is essential.

Use Mattress Toppers or Covers

Using a topper is a great idea for keeping your memory foam mattress in pristine condition. It can protect the foam from spills and save it from severe damage from accidents or mishaps.

It also acts as a shield between your body and the mattress, preventing sweat from seeping into the surface and also acting as a barrier against the 30,000 or so skin cells you shed per hour.

A mattress topper is so important that a wide majority of manufacturers require that you use one as part of their warranty requirements. Don’t have a mattress topper and stuck figuring out which one would be the best to get? Check out our helpful mattress topper buying guide.

Base

Memory foam mattresses require firm, flat support platforms in order to have a prolonged lifespan. With a box spring or basic wooden slats that are spaced far apart, you may actually be causing your mattress to deteriorate faster.

Once again, a good support base is so important that many manufacturers have specific base requirements for memory foam mattresses in order for the warranty to be valid.

Rotation

We’ll preface this by saying that you’re not meant to flip over your memory foam mattress upside down, ever – that can just damage the mattress – but when we say “rotation”, we mean turning the mattress 180 degrees so that your head is resting on the opposite side of where it usually does.

Turning the mattress every 6 to 12 months can ensure that each side gets an equal amount of wear, thus making the mattress last longer.

Warranty of a Mattress

Alright, so this feature doesn’t exactly determine for certain the lifespan of a mattress. But what it does do is give you a good idea of how long you can expect a memory foam mattress to last.

For example, you’re much more likely to trust a mattress with a 20-year warranty than one with a warranty that only lasts one or two years.

Most mattress warranties are limited to specific areas, aspects, or conditions, so be sure you read and understand the stipulations of your mattress’s warranty. A good warranty for a mattress should last about 10 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should a memory foam mattress be replaced?

A good mattress might last anywhere from 10 to 15 years, but the very best ones might last even longer. Memory foam mattresses do not need to be flipped, but you might need to turn them around on the bed from time to time

How long does a memory foam mattress last?

Memory foam mattresses can last anywhere from eight to ten years, depending on how well they’re cared for. Typically, a memory foam mattress will last as long as any other type of mattress.

How do you know when memory foam is worn out?

Over time the cellular structure of memory foam breaks down, becoming softer and losing its ability to bounce back, aka to support you. If your mattress has a body impression that stays long after you’ve gotten up, or if the impression is deeper than two inches, it’s time to replace it.