How Often Should You Replace Everything in Your Bedroom?

How well we sleep impacts nearly every aspect of our lives, from our emotional wellbeing to our long term health. Keeping our mattresses, pillows, and other bed accessories in tip-top shape, and replacing them when necessary, can dramatically influence how well we sleep. Here’s what you need to know about cleaning your bedroom and replacing your bedroom items.

Pillows

• Clean: Every 6 months
• Replace: Roughly every 3-5 years

According to the National Sleep Foundation, you ought to be replacing your pillows every 1 to 2 years due to the aggregation of body oils and skin cells, which create a breeding ground for mold and dust mites.

But not all experts agree. In an interview with ABC News, Sara Barnes, the director of the National Asthma Council Australia, explained that there isn’t a scientific consensus on the matter. “From an allergy point of view, there’s no data or research into how often you should change your mattress or pillows.” According to experts, pillows may be safe for upwards of 3 to 15 years.

Related: How to Wash Pillows

Plus, washing your pillows can rid them of allergens and other irritants. Wash your pillows every 6 months, or more often if you experience allergy or asthma symptoms.

As for when you should replace your pillows, comfort and support play the biggest role. The materials inside can degrade over time, leading to improper support or lumps that aren’t so comfy. When your pillow no longer feels great, it’s probably time to throw it out. This could happen in less than a year with a low-quality pillow, or over 10 years with a high-quality pillow that’s properly cared for.

Mattresses

• Clean: Every 6 months
• Replace: Average of 8 years

Just as with pillows, mattresses should be replaced when they become uncomfortable. How long this takes depends on the type of mattress, the quality of its materials, and how well it’s cared for. On average, a high-quality mattress will last 8 years.

Here is what you can expect based on mattress type:

• Traditional Innerspring Mattresses: Coil mattresses last around 3 to 10 years, dependent upon the quality of coils and other materials. Firm mattresses usually outlast soft mattresses.
• Memory Foam Mattresses: Memory foam mattresses last around 3 to 15 years. High-density foam lasts longer than low-density foam.
• Latex Mattresses: Natural latex mattresses are some of the most resilient beds, lasting up to 25 years. Synthetic latex is likely to decrease in comfort following 3-8 years.
• Hybrid Mattresses: Because hybrid mattresses cannot be flipped and consist of multiple layers that must remain intact, their average lifespan is 6 years.

Rather than follow a strict number of years, pay attention to how your mattress feels and looks. If you notice that you aren’t sleeping well, that you wake up with aches or pains, or that the sleep surface is sagging, the time for replacing your mattress has come.

Rotate your mattress every 6 months to extend its life. You can also use a mattress cover to protect it from stains and allergens.

Thoroughly clean your mattress twice annually. Vacuum its surface, and use a spot cleaner on stains. For optimal freshness, allow your mattress to air out and get some sunlight by opening your windows each time you clean your sheets.

Duvet or Comforter

• Clean: Freshen once per month, launder when needed
• Replace: 10 to 25 years

We do not put weight on our duvets the same way we do on our mattresses and pillows, which allows them to last longer. A high-quality duvet that is well taken care of can last 25 years. You will want to replace your duvet once it becomes flat or starts to lose filling.

Duvets do not need to be laundered often. When taken care of, some only need cleaned once every 5-10 years. To keep your duvet fresh and comfortable, air it out each month at the same time that you remove and wash its cover.

Mattress Foundation

• Clean: Every 6 months
• Replace: Average 9 years

New mattress foundations like slatted wood and metal do not need to be replaced often nor washed regularly, but box springs do. Box springs contain coils like innerspring mattresses, and they have a similar lifespan. A cheap box spring will need to be replaced in just a few short years, but a nice one can last over 20 years. Vacuum your box spring twice annually to reduce the buildup of dust and other allergens.

Sheets

• Clean: Weekly
• Replace: 2 years

Most people spend over 50 hours each week lying directly on their sheets, which can slowly accumulate sweat, hair, and dead skin cells. Throw your sheets in the washing machine weekly. The time to replace your sheets is when they are no longer comfortable or intact. The average lifespan of sheets is about 2 years, although high-quality sheets can last much longer.

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Conclusion

Ensuring that your bed and bedding are updated and clean can help you get a good night’s sleep. Remember that the above are guidelines. People with allergies may need to clean more often, and different materials break down at different rates. Pay attention to how well you’re sleeping and feeling come morning time.