Is there anything worse than a messed-up mattress? Sleeping on a mattress that’s less than perfect can have a range of negative effects on your daily life. From a sore back to daytime fatigue, a bad mattress can take a toll on you around the clock. Luckily, most of the major problems your mattress might face are pretty easy to identify. By keeping an eye out for these telltale signs, you can decide whether your old bed should be fixed or replaced with a new mattress that will never let you down.
Broken Springs
If your mattress has a broken spring, you’ll likely know right away. There will be an uncomfortable spot on your bed, and maybe even a lump sticking you in the side. The bed will also likely squeak and creak when you put weight on it.
Unfortunately, there’s not a good solution for this issue. Few mattresses can be opened up right down to the coils, and trying to swap out a spring will definitely void your mattress’ warranty. Your best bet here is to invest in a new Beautyrest mattress as soon as possible. If you’re dealing with a broken coil, your bed is either old enough that it needs to be replaced, or cheap enough that it wouldn’t be doing your back any favours anyway!
Compressed Foam
If you have a spring mattress, a layer of foam separates the inner coils from the top of your bed. Over time, this foam can compress, leaving you with a hard, lumpy surface. Foam mattresses have a similar problem: uneven weight distribution across the bed can lead to permanent indentations in the mattress surface, making it uncomfortable and unsupportive.
You can try to give a mattress like this new life with a foam topper, or by adjusting your sleep habits to wear your bed down more evenly. A foam topper can give you a few more months with your old mattress, but ultimately, you’ll need a mattress that can give you proper support, and one that’s covered in potholes and speed bumps just won’t do the trick.
Bed Bugs
Yuck …
Bed bugs have to be one of the greatest fears of any bed owner. They’re gross, they’re invasive, and they make you feel unsafe in what’s supposed to be the comfiest, most relaxing part of your home. Luckily, they’re easy to spot when you know what to look for.
The first thing you’ll likely notice is the bites on your legs and feet. They’re usually small, itchy red welts that appear overnight in straight lines along your skin. If you’ve been waking up with mysterious rashes and bites, you may want to inspect your bed for signs of these nasty little creatures.
An adult bed bug is about the size of an apple seed and can be seen easily with the naked eye. They can usually be found hiding in crevices or dark spots near where a person sleeps, like mattress seams, headboards, bedside tables, and rugs. So, when you begin your hunt, look everywhere. Clusters of shed skins will be a telltale sign of an infestation.
You can get rid of bed bugs, but depending on the size of the infestation, the effort may or may not be worth it. You’ll want to clean all clutter from the area around your bed, washing what you can and thoroughly inspecting what you can’t. Wash all your linens, vacuum the mattress and floor around it, and use a stiff brush to clean the mattress seams.
Whether bed bugs are a problem for you right now or not, you may want to invest in a special mattress cover to treat or prevent a bed bug infestation. Many mattress protectors come with bed bug repelling technology that kicks out these unwanted guests and keeps them from coming back. However, if this all seems like more face time with bed bugs than you need in your life, we would recommend starting fresh with a new Beautyrest mattress. Just be sure none have escaped into your room before bringing in your new bed!
Just Plain Old
If your bed is saggy, lumpy, and leaving you with aching muscles every morning, chances are, it’s just plain old. Most mattresses need to be replaced every seven to 10 years. So, think back, when did you bring home the mattress you’ve been sleeping on every night? Longer ago than you thought, huh? There’s nothing you can really do to revive a mattress past its prime, so say your goodbyes and get excited about the wide world of mattress options ahead of you. Your bed has earned a rest, and so have you — it’s time for an upgrade.
If you’re noticing any of these problems with your old mattress, stop on by to explore your options and get help from the area’s top mattress experts. Don’t settle for a bed that’s not giving you the best you can get! Whether you need mattress protectors, toppers, and other extras to protect the bed you have, or you’re hoping to find a brand new Beautyrest one to make your dreams come true, we’ve got you covered.
Angela, Your Sleep Expert