When Kaitlin and Torben were here they talked with Andy about his problem sleeping. So they asked how long it’s been since he bought a new mattress. Say what? We still have the ones we bought in Ithaca 50 years ago. Say what?!!
Yes, Andy and I were raised in a completely different world from the one now. When our mattresses sagged too much we put a board under them, and we both recall putting cardboard in the bottom of our shoes when the soles wore out but the tops were still good. We’re not adverse to spending money for new mattresses, and we might end up trying a new one for Andy, but I don’t completely buy the current idea that we should buy new ones every 7 to 10 years.
I agree you might want a new one if a mattress is giving you allergies or if you have trouble getting up in the morning because you are stiff and have pains. But I don’t have trouble with allergies and my only trouble getting up in the morning is because my bed is so comfortable.
So why the arbitrary 7 to 10 years? Presumably it’s because (1) mattress companies want to make more money and/or (2) modern mattresses don’t last as long as the older ones. My main reaction is I’m impressed by my mattress for doing so well for so long. Yay, little mattress! Who would have guessed?
What about you? How often do you buy a new mattress?
I bought mine eight years ago and it is still going strong. I have no intentions of changing it in the near future. Incidentally, I suspect that mattresses now a days need frequent replacement because they are placed on top of sprung frames. Since Ranjan and I both use hard board below the mattresses, perhaps they last longer. Strictly my personal theory but sounds logical to me.
I think it’s more that they use memory foam, which doesn’t last as long. That might not be the fad in India.
It’s called ‘planned obsolescence’, I believe. Yes, there are actually experts who advise manufacturers how to design products so they last only a number of years. Just one of the ‘nicer’ things about the corporate world! lol
Reading the reviews of new mattresses has been a real eye-opener! One fellow says he’s kicking himself for disposing of his old mattress, it was so much better than the new one. How old is your mattress? Have you had good luck too?
I agree. Old mattresses could be flipped and now, new ones are mostly one-sided. Growing up my mattress had a board under it too. My current is 10 years old but before that I slept two stacked full size futon mattresses that sat on my wood floor, not in a frame and I must be honest, I think they were more comfortable. If you get Andy a new one, I’d suggest reading reviews that you find by Googling the brand rather than the one on the products own website.
It’s sad that so much is being made with future sales in mind. Anymore I really research items, to know where they come from and who made them. I also try to buy vintage or gently used when possible and/or handmade.
Mine is one sided and has never been flipped. I may have rotated it 180 degrees once in a while years ago, but not for a long time. I hadn’t realized what a great mattress it is — I’ve just taken it for granted. There is no way I would risk my back flipping a mattress now.
I agree with diane.
they know exactly how long a product will last anymore and yes… it’s totally profit driven!
with the exception of the new company ‘Casper.’ by some young people that think it’s ludicrous that there are so many expensive options out there!
I love the simplicity of their concept. and it’s reviewed as a wonderful product.
they offer one kind as I understand… in only three or four different sizes.
truth to tell I haven’t looked at their actual site yet!
I had to replace my old mattress because I was so afraid of those black mold spores that filled the little apt I got so sick in. when I saw what was in the A/C unit and thus the air… it scared me. although that mattress I left behind looked like new (I always took very good care of it) it had begun to hurt my back and it was over 20 years old. and with the chance of the mold I just thought it was time to say goodbye. it had served me well.
this new one is already not as firm as when I bought it not quite a year ago!
so yup.
I believe it’s built in obsolescence for sure. and poorly made at that. one of the things I do not like about any of the new ones… you CANNOT turn them over. that’s so silly.
if I ever have to buy another one I’ll buy the new Casper. they deliver it in a box you know! amazing!
I just looked up Casper reviews and they mention the smell, which most modern mattresses have. I’m sensitive to smells and don’t remember that being a problem with mine when it was new — it’s polyurethane, though, which presumably isn’t good for you as it outgasses. That’s another reason not to get a new one for me. After 50 years I’m sure it has completely outgassed!
I did buy a memory foam topper once, not for the bed but to line my shoes because of a foot problem. It smelled for months and months. No, I’ll skip something like that for sleeping.
Me again, forgot to say I had a memory foam mattress for a VERY short time and then I see Tammy’s comment here.
Just a word of warning.
I ordered a twin, thank god that I didn’t get bigger, i.e. spend more. It had great reviews on Amazon and came to my door in a box. The first few nights it felt too soft but it was comfy. Then one morning I had trouble sitting up on it. I kept sinking in. I couldn’t easily push off and suddenly felt very panicky in a claustrophobic way.
Never slept on it again.
I plan on cutting it up and using it for the dogs to lay on….
Just sayin’
Thanks for sharing your experience. As I wrote to tammy, I would never get memory foam because of the smell. I’m sure the dogs will love yours, so it’s not a complete waste!
I like a 1″ to 1 1/2″ memory foam topper. Thicker than that has too much give for me. Without one I feel every crinkle in the bottom sheet. (Remember the Princess and the Pea?) It usually takes about 48 hours for the smell to dissipate.
As to mattresses we bought our current ones in 2011 when we sold the motorhome so needed to buy furniture. It’s also one of those one-way-up ones so while we still spin it in the spring we no longer can flip it in the fall so we spin it then, too. I spin and flip the topper frequently, though, to decrease it losing its memory. Long term compression is not good for any foam.
Toppers sounded like a good idea to me, if you’re not sensitive to smells. They’re a lot easier to flip than mattresses! Andy spins or flips his mattress every week, but it’s getting to be more and more of a struggle.
WOW!!!
you guys just did my research for me!
I am VERY sensitive to smell.
and the thought of sinking ANYWHERE much less where I sleep gives me the creeps. and I have a back that can’t tolerate softness of any kind… chair or bed. so NO THANKS to casper!
but thanks again to you!
I’m glad it helped. 🙂
at some point I was forced to buy a new bed – the other one developed problems – it took me a while to find one I liked. I think I’ve had it a decade but the mattress actually isn’t doing too good.
I slept in the middle of the bed – but now I’m over on the right hand edge/side as it’s not well (the middle) I can probably sleep some more on the R – then I will switch all the beside stuff to the L…hoping it will last another year.
[it’s what they could a double bed…so not twin. I didn’t want a twin as I often have little book piles right there ]
That sounds easier than going through the hassle of finding a decent replacement mattress! Andy is going to try Kaitlin and Torben’s when we visit them again to see if he likes it even better than his. He doesn’t think his is causing his sleep problems, and we both think it’s still comfortable.
I don’t see why a mattress should be replaced every 7 to 10 years. Surely that’s just a well-worn marketing ploy? We bought our current mattress circa 1990 and it’s still absolutely fine. In fact Jenny finds it so comfortable it’s hard to get her out of bed at all! Supposedly old mattresses are full of dead skin and dust mites and all sorts of nasties, but we’ve never noticed. We’re both extremely healthy.
I don’t think anything is “made to last” anymore – I remember when finally my washer gave up – the guy asked me when I had bought it…I said it was my Mother’s and I acquired in 1975 – this was something like 2000 when it finally died! He said at the time “the older machines just kept on keeping on…they were made to last”
Of course, I thought my new washer like in a few years ago would need replacing because the water slowly went in – it would take a 45min (on the dial) over 2 hours to get done. So I had said to myself when I’m settled in my new pad, I will replace it.
well the first time I used it here, I thought why is it bleeping – and found it was finished. How could that be? Must have skipped a cycle – silly machine. The next time, I used it I stayed in the laundry and the first thing I noticed, when I lifted the lid, “water pouring in” not the usual trickle. So I have decided not replace it at all…(something must have been wrong with water piped at the other place)!
Nick,
We obviously agree. 🙂
Cathy,
What good news that the washer is working fine.