Care for memory foam mattresses

How Long Does a Memory Foam Mattress Last?

Memory Foam Mattresses are championed for their durability and their longevity if they are looked after properly. We’re often asked, “how long does a memory foam mattress last?”, and “when is it time to replace my memory foam mattress?’. While we’re happy to share our general expectations with you, we must emphasise that these are not definite answers.

The Sleep Council recommends replacing your mattress every 7 years to maintain an optimal sleep environment. But ultimately, the only way to determine the lifespan of your memory foam mattress is by considering 1) the quality of the foam and 2) how you take care of your mattress. We’ve included some info about those points below too.

How Long Does a Memory Foam Mattress Last?

Memory foam mattresses are expected to last longer than innerspring mattresses and can even outlast a hybrid mattress if cared for properly. We would expect an average memory foam mattress to support and comfort you for at least ten years, but a high-quality, high-density foam mattress can provide you with a fantastic night’s sleep for up to fifteen years. More expensive, higher density memory foam mattresses can last even longer – and cheaper items will likely face general wear and tear a lot faster.

Why Is Memory Foam So Durable?

Memory foam mattresses are one of the most durable types of mattress available due to their unique properties of "viscoelastic" polyurethane foam. Memory foam is heat sensitive and moulds to the contours of your body, and quickly retorts back to its original shape after you’ve woken up… year after year after year. If it’s good quality, that is.

How To Determine Quality

The quality of the memory foam is an important factor to consider when working out how long a memory foam mattress should last. Generally, higher-quality memory foam will last longer. Lower-quality foam tends to break down and deteriorate more easily.

The primary means of measuring the quality of foam is by density, so finding this measure in the spec is a good place to start.

What is Foam Density and How Does it Affect My Mattress?

It is important to note that lower density memory foam mattresses are not always a bad choice. For example, if you’re looking for a guest bedroom mattress that is not used regularly then a lower density mattress is perfect. The shorter lifetime is suitable for its purpose and you’ll save some money too.

Before purchasing a memory foam mattress, make sure you’re dealing with a reputable company that will disclose the density of their memory foam products and meet BS regulations. Our memory foam densities are displayed on our product pages and all of our memory foam mattresses come with a 12-month guarantee – and many with an extended warranty of up to 10 years. This gives you an indication of the confidence we have in our products and the high-quality materials we use. 

Be aware that there are companies out there that import cheap foam mattresses from abroad that do not comply with British fire standards, use substandard materials and as a result will deteriorate extremely rapidly.

Caring for your memory foam mattress

There are a few things you can do to maximise the lifespan of your memory foam mattress:

  • Ensure your bed base is supportive. If you notice dipping in your mattress, broken supports or slats are the most likely problem
  • Rotate your mattress head-to-foot regularly to even out concentrations of body weight on particular areas of the mattress. Ideally once a month, but realistically just as often as you can
  • If you’re worried about spilling liquids on your mattress, use a waterproof mattress protector. Liquids are not good for the foam interior of your mattress. Find out how to clean your mattress here. 

What Impacts the Lifespan of My Mattress?

The most obvious factor in the lifespan of your memory foam mattress is body weight. If you’re a lone sleeper, there shouldn’t be too many issues concerning body weight and the longevity of your mattress. However, if there are two sleepers using the mattress you should consider your choice more carefully.

A decent memory foam mattress will typically have a density of 3.5 lbs/ft³. Very cheap mattresses are likely to fall under this standard and therefore the mattress won’t last as long. But, if you want a much higher quality mattress you should look out for a minimum foam density of 5 lbs/ft³.

Your sleeping position can also impact your mattress. For example, the pressure points created by a side sleeper are much more forceful than those of a back sleeper, and so your mattress may begin to sag quicker on certain pressure points, such as the shoulder or hip of a side sleeper.

How Do I Know When to Replace My Mattress?

Knowing when to replace your mattress is likely to be a natural conclusion. You’ll find yourself no longer enjoying a good night’s sleep, you might begin to suffer from aches and pains, or it could be a case of spotting general wear and tear. 

Here are some tell-tale signs that you need fresh comfort layers and its time to buy a new memory foam mattress:

Your Next Mattress

If you're looking for a mattress that will last the distance, memory foam is a safe bet. Try pairing with our plush memory foam mattress toppers to add an additional layer of comfort and support.

Discover our full range of memory foam mattresses to find your next bedmate



Back to blog