When you decide to buy a new mattress, you'll hear a lot of advice from others. Once you investigate their claims, though, you'll likely find that many are just myths. It's often hard to separate the myth from reality, which can lead you to spend more than you can afford on a mattress because you think you have no other choice. Now is a good time to look at common mattress myths and learn the truth behind each one so you can purchase the best mattresses for your home.
1. You Need a New Mattress Every 7 or 8 Years
A common myth in the mattress industry is that you need to replace yours every seven or eight years. Some people recommend buying a new one every five years or every decade. The truth is that it depends on the type of mattress you own and what you put it through. A latex mattress usually has the longest lifespan at up to 15 years, but memory foam and hybrid models can last for a decade or longer.
2. Flipping Always Works
If you ask a few people how to make your mattress last longer, several will tell you to flip it. This requires turning the mattress over every few months. While this can help some mattresses wear more evenly, you cannot flip all types. A pillowtop has a cushioned pillow sewn into the top. Flipping this type of mattress will damage the comfy top you love. A better solution is to rotate your mattress every six months, moving the end where your head lies to the bottom.
3. A Firm Mattress Helps With Back Pain
Back pain is one of the more common types of discomfort people experience. Some recommend a firmer mattress and claim that it will alleviate or reduce back pain. A firm mattress isn't always the best choice, though. It depends on how you sleep and what feels comfortable to you. A mattress that is too soft can increase your pain because it doesn't provide enough support, while one that is too firm puts more pressure on your back, which leads to more pain.
4. You'll Feel Comfy the First Night
Another myth is that you'll feel comfortable the first night you spend in a new bed. Have you ever checked into a hotel with an amazing bed but found yourself tossing and turning because it didn't have the right amount of support, or you couldn't find a good position? Your body remembers the old mattress and takes some time to grow accustomed to the new one. It can take several days or longer until you learn to love your new king or queen mattress.
5. Allergens Add Excess Weight
Dust mites are microscopic creatures that eat dead skin cells and produce feces and urine. About 80% of homes in the United States have dust mites. Dust mites, pet hair or dander, and dust are just a few of the allergens that thrive in the bedroom. A common myth says that these allergens double the weight of pillows and mattresses every eight to 10 years. While they do add some weight, they don't add this much or this often. Cleaning your mattress and bedding keeps the weight of the allergens down.
6. You Need to Spend a Lot
One of the biggest myths is that the only way to feel comfortable and get the sleep you need is with an expensive mattress. In most cases, simply spend as much as you can afford on a new mattress without breaking the bank. A cheaper model works well for a few years until you can afford a better one, especially if you add some type of support under it. You'll also find mattresses that come with payment plans, some of them interest-free, that let you pay off the amount due over a few months or years instead of coming up with all of it right away.
7. Most Mattresses Work for Anyone
There's a reason why you don't feel as comfortable sleeping in a hotel room or a friend's place as you do at home on your king size mattress. What works for one person will not always work for someone else. You might love a memory foam mattress that cushions your body and supports every pressure point or a pillowtop mattress that feels like sleeping on a fluffy cloud. While you can ask others to recommend types or brands, don't assume that you'll love the same mattresses they do.
8. You Need a Box Spring
A box spring acts as the foundation or support for the mattress. It was common in the past to see stores and websites that sold packages pairing a mattress and a box spring, which led to many shoppers assuming they needed one. Box springs are no longer the only type of support available. Platform bed frames have a large box that sits under the mattress to support it. Other frames have straps that act as the foundation and do not require a box spring.
Auto Draft9. Toppers Aren't Worth It
As you compare mattresses, don't assume that you'll find one that feels comfortable and doesn't need a topper. A topper does more than just increase comfort because it also adds some padding to the bed. Some toppers help you retain your body heat to stay warm when the temperature drops, while others keep you cooler as the temperature rises. Other toppers use several inches of foam and can serve as a mini mattress that sits on top of your regular mattress. You'll even find toppers filled with down feathers that act as a cheaper alternative to a down mattress.
Go Mattress Shopping Confidently Now That You Know the Truth
Debunking some of the common mattress myths you hear from others or see online will help you when you shop for a new one and bring it home. You'll know when to replace it and how to make it last longer as well as what to expect when you sleep on it. Happy shopping!
