Mattress Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ==Lifespan== The term mattress lifespan refers to the duration in which all types of mattress can retain their original support and comfort.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}} Mattresses deteriorate over time, and the lifespan of a mattress depends on a variety of factors, notably materials, manufacturing quality, care, and the rigorousness of use. A poor quality foam comfort layer can deteriorate noticeably in 1 year, while a quality latex core can last 20 years or more; innerspring cores typically last around 10 years. The comfort layer is almost invariably the first area to fail, which is why mattresses are often double-sided, to extend the lifespan. A separate topper may be used instead of or in addition to a comfort layer, which reduces wear and is replaceable without replacing the entire mattress. The majority of high-end mattresses have a lifespan of between 7β10 years but it can last beyond 10 years and more depending on the level of care. In the United States, mattress [[Warranty|warranties]] are typically for 10 years or 20 years, sometimes 25 years, though this specifically addresses manufacturing defects and faster-than-normal deterioration, not expected deterioration with time. In the United States, {{as of|2008|lc=yes}} there is a general expectation that mattresses should last about 10 years, and this is the average number of years Americans keep mattresses, though this varies by age group.<ref name=btfindings>{{cite web |url=http://bedtimesmagazine.com/2008/04/better-sleep-council-consumer-research-findings-on-mattresses-and-sleep/ |title=Oklahoma State University research shows the importance of new mattress |publisher=[[BedTimes]] |date=April 2008 }}</ref> This expectation is based on a number of factors, including sales pitches; the expectation that mattresses will last the length of their warranty, hence 10 years or 20 years, accordingly; and comparison with other household items.<ref name=btfindings/> The mattress replacement cycle is a key driver of income and profits for the mattress industry β a five-year replacement cycle yields double the sales of a 10-year replacement cycle, for instance β so the mattress industry has a financial incentive to shorten the replacement cycle. Notably, the [[International Sleep Products Association]] (ISPA) established the [[Better Sleep Council]] (BSC) in 1979 with the stated goal to "shorten the mattress replacement cycle", in addition to encouraging people to "invest in better bedding".<ref>[http://bedtimesmagazine.com/2004/09/bsc-builds-on-quarter-century-of-pr-to-move-industry-forward/ "BSC builds on a quarter century of PR to move industry forward"]. ''BedTimes Magazine''. September 2004. Retrieved 2012-9-30.</ref> An industry-funded 2006 study by researchers at [[Oklahoma State University]] (funded by the BSC)<ref>{{cite journal | pmc = 2697581 | pmid=19646380 | doi=10.1016/j.jcm.2008.09.002 | volume=8 | issue=1 | title=Changes in back pain, sleep quality, and perceived stress after introduction of new bedding systems | year=2009 | journal=J Chiropr Med | pages=1β8 | last1 = Jacobson | first1 = BH | last2 = Boolani | first2 = A | last3 = Smith | first3 = DB}}</ref> of 59 people with poor sleep who received free new replacement mattresses for their existing mattresses 5 years or older (average age 9.5 years) found improved sleep, particularly when the existing mattresses were cheap.<ref>{{Cite journal | title = Changes in back pain, sleep quality, and perceived stress after introduction of new bedding systems | first1 = Bert H. | last1 = Jacobson | first2 = Ali | last2 = Boolani | first3 = Doug B. | last3 = Smith | journal = J Chiropr Med | date=Mar 2009 | volume = 8 | number = 1 | pages = 1β8 | doi = 10.1016/j.jcm.2008.09.002 | pmc = 2697581 | pmid=19646380}}</ref> A follow-up paper by some of the same authors with additional statistical analysis reinforced these conclusions.<ref>{{Cite journal | pmid = 17597575 | year = 2008 | last1 = Jacobson | first1 = Bert H. | title = Grouped comparisons of sleep quality for new and personal bedding systems | journal = Applied Ergonomics | volume = 39 | issue = 2 | pages = 247β54 | last2 = Wallace | first2 = T. J. | last3 = Smith | first3 = Doug B. | last4 = Kolb | first4 = T. | doi = 10.1016/j.apergo.2007.04.002 | doi-access = free }}</ref> The BSC has subsequently cited this study in the ISPA-published news magazine for mattress manufacturers, [[BedTimes]], to advocate a more frequent replacement cycle, specifically to "consider replacing a mattress every five to seven years"; the recommendation is based largely on this study.<ref name=btfindings/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://bedtimesmagazine.com/2008/04/oklahoma-state-university-research-shows-importance-of-new-mattress/ |title=Better Sleep Council consumer research findings on mattresses and sleep |publisher=[[BedTimes]] |date=April 2008 |author=Nancy Butler }}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Discuss this page