How to Spot the Signs Your Bedding Needs to Be Replaced

Sleep impacts practically every aspect of health and wellness, but is your bedding undermining your routine? “Sleep is essential to every process in the body, affecting our physical and mental functioning the next day, our ability to fight disease and develop immunity, and our metabolism and chronic disease risk. Sleep is truly interdisciplinary because it touches every aspect of health,” Erica Jansen, Research Assistant Professor of Nutritional Sciences tells University of Michigan School of Public Health. Poor bedding can interfere with sleep quality and disrupt your rest—here are signs your bedding needs to be overhauled immediately.

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If your sheets don’t feel as comfortable as they used to and you can’t remember when you bought them, it might be time for a replacement. “While we wish perfect sheets lasted a lifetime, in reality even high-quality cotton sheets have a life expectancy of 5-7 years,” according to Home Treasures. “With years of regular use and washes, fabric wears down becoming less effective, and can be host to unseen germs and bacteria.”

If your pillows aren’t comfortable, they could be worn out. “Most experts recommend replacing your pillows every 1 to 2 years. If you have high-quality memory foam or latex pillows, they may last longer, up to 3 years,” says City Mattress. “Even if it hasn’t been a year yet, consider replacing your pillow if you notice signs of wear and tear such as lumps, flattening, or a persistent odor that doesn’t go away even after washing.”

Look out for visible signs of damage to bedsheets as a sign for investing in new ones. “Bed sheets should ideally be replaced every 2-3 years. However, if you invest in high-quality, durable sheets, they can last longer,” says City Mattress. “Keep an eye out for signs of wear like thinning, fraying, or pilling.”

If your bedding smells off even after being washed, it could be time to throw it out. If your bedding still has an odor despite having been freshly washed, it’s time to replace them as they could be harboring bacteria or mildew,” says Home Treasures.

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If your mattress is more than 10 years old, it might be time to get a new one. Sleeping on an old, saggy mattress can cause back pain and disrupt your sleep. “Lack of support from a mattress can reinforce poor posture, strain muscles and prevent neutral spine alignment,” says Jesse Cooper, DC, via Baylor Scott & White Health. “A mattress that provides comfort and support can help reduce back pain, allowing the spine to rest and recover during the night. If an old mattress visibly sags in the middle or is no longer comfortable, it’s probably time to purchase a new one. If you are using a wooden board under a sagging mattress, this is only a short-term remedy, and you need to replace the mattress.”

Comforters tend to last longer than other bedding, but still have an end-date. “Because it doesn’t have to support weight the way pillows and mattresses do,” according to Martha Stewart, “your comforter should last 15 to 25 years if you keep it covered and air it regularly. Replace it when it begins to look limp and flat or starts leaking bits of filling.”