Signs that you need a new Matress

Do you find yourself tossing and turning all night, unable to get into the right position and waking up in the morning weary with a stiff back?

Sorry, wallet, but it may be time to replace your bed… or at least the mattress.

Although most of us expect our divans to last for decades, the truth is that seven years is the optimum time to start thinking about a replacement.

In fact, a 2011 study by the Furniture Industry Research Association showed that beds more than six years old could offer “significantly less support” thanks to wear and tear.

American research has also proved sleeping on a new mattress rather than one that is five years or older can result in a 63 per cent improvement in discomfort for back pain sufferers.

Meanwhile, Allergy UK warns that allergies to dust mites are on the rise, and the fact that – brace yourself - we lose half a pint of fluid each night and shed a pound of dead skin cells into our beds annually means one of the best ways to ward off reactions is to replace your mattress every eight years.

And while it may be a big expense, consider this: you’re going to spend a third of your life in bed. You may as well make sure all that time spent lying down is comfortable.

According to the experts, some of the key signs your bed or mattress need changing are:

Is it seven years old or more?

Would you be embarrassed if your neighbours saw it without its covers?

Does it make noises in the night?

Have you had a better night’s sleep recently in a bed that wasn’t yours?

Are you waking up more often aching and unrefreshed?

Do you and your partner roll towards each other – unintentionally! – in the middle of the night?

Do you have enough space to sleep comfortably?

Is it sagging?

Are the legs worn out?

Does it feel lumpy?

If you answer ‘yes’ to five or more of those it may be time for a trip to the bed shop.

But how to pick the best? Well, March happens to be National Bed Month, and the Sleep Council – the consumer body funded by the National Bed Federation - has compiled a list of tips to help us choose the perfect one. Here are the Top Ten:

What are your priorities (e.g. price, storage, size, accessibility, any health issues etc)? Focus your search on the beds that most fit the bill

Always try a selection of beds before you buy, and set aside a decent amount of time to do the job properly

Don’t just go for firmness. You don’t necessarily need a hard bed for a bad back: ideally the mattress should mould to the shape of your body while remaining supportive. When you lie on your side your spine should be horizontal and you should be able to turn easily.

“A good rule of thumb to test a mattress is to slide a hand between the mattress and your back, and if it slides in without difficulty, remaining in contact with both your back and the bed, it's probably right,” says Patricia Watber, research officer for UK charity BackCare.

Don’t be shy – get down on that bed in the showroom for “at least ten minutes”, says the Sleep Council. Wear comfy clothes, remove any coats and lie in your usual sleeping position. Even make some turns, if the fancy takes you.

If the bed is for two, try it out together. For partners of widely differing size and weight (3 stones/18kgs or more), different mattresses may be required.

If you’re looking at buying a mattress, make sure it is properly suited to your base, and vice-versa – you should never look at one or the other in isolation

Buy as big as you can: did you know a standard double, at 4’6” wide only offers each adult the same space as a child’s cot? You should be able to lie side-by-side, arms behind your head and elbows out, without touching one another

Only go for one with underneath drawer storage if it’s vital: four drawers can add as much of £100 to the cost of a new bed

Your bed should be 10 to 15cm longer than the tallest partner

“Whatever you choose to sleep on will impact the quality of your sleep,” says Jessica Alexander of the Sleep Council.

“Research has shown that an uncomfortable bed can deprive you of around one hour of sleep per night, so swapping for a comfortable one can give your sleep a big boost.”