Mattress toppers are a popular add-on to a bed setup. They sit on top of your mattress to add extra cushioning, comfort, and support throughout the night.
If you frequently wake up with back pain or have trouble falling asleep at night, a mattress topper may be the solution for you. They can help provide a positive sleep experience—and ensure you’re getting a good night’s sleep.
In this article, we’ll be discussing how long a mattress topper lasts, the best ways to maintain them, and signs you may need to purchase a new mattress topper.
Average lifespan of a mattress topper
A
Body-hugging comfort with advanced cooling technology
will generally last you between three to five years on average. This can vary, though, based on the type of mattress topper you’re using, the quality of its internal structure, and how well you maintain it.
Mattress toppers come in a variety of materials including memory foam, latex, wool, and polyester blends. A high-quality memory foam mattress topper, wool topper, or latex topper may last longer compared to other less expensive materials.
Below, we’ll go over what causes wear and tear on a mattress topper and provide a few tips on how you may be able to extend the life of your mattress topper with proper care. (Learn more about whether mattress toppers work.)
What causes wear and tear on a mattress topper?
As with most bedding products, day-to-day wear and tear will decrease the lifespan of a mattress topper. But what exactly causes wear and tear on a mattress topper specifically?
To help you understand exactly how your mattress topper may get damaged over time, we’re breaking down the top reasons a mattress topper faces wear and tear.
Hopefully, you’ll be able to use the below information and tips to extend the life of your mattress topper and continue to improve your sleep experience with extra comfort, support, and cushioning.
Frequency of use
The biggest cause of wear and tear on a mattress topper is the frequency of use. Of course, you’re going to want to use your foam topper every night, which means it’ll need to be replaced sooner.
A mattress topper in a guest bedroom may not see as much day-to-day use, so it won’t need to be replaced as quickly as one that’s used every night.
Wear and tear from everyday use is unavoidable. As long as you’re caring for your mattress topper properly, you’ll be able to get the most use out of it on an everyday basis.
Body weight
Another factor that can impact the longevity and durability of your mattress topper is your body weight. As you continually use your mattress topper, it can form indentations where your body usually lies.
These indentations can be a good indicator that you need to replace your mattress topper soon. That’s because they’re a sign the material is starting to wear down.
You may find that a mattress topper in a child’s room wears down differently than in an adult’s room. Plus-sized sleepers may also experience sagging and indentations quicker.
To help prevent this type of wear and tear, you can try switching sleeping positions and which side of the bed you sleep on.
How well you maintain your mattress topper
Maintenance of a mattress topper is incredibly important. You need to make sure you regularly clean it to cut down on dirt, bed bugs, dust mites, and the buildup of other allergens.
Not only can a well-maintained mattress topper help improve the quality of your sleep, but it can also help ensure that you’re getting the most out of your topper’s lifespan.
Regularly cleaning your mattress topper will help ensure it’s clean, comfortable, and in good working condition. (Not sure how to clean your mattress topper? Don’t worry, we’ll go over some top tips for cleaning in a bit!)
Quality of the existing mattress underneath
One of the most surprising things that can contribute to the wear and tear of a mattress topper is the quality of the mattress underneath. Like mattress toppers, old mattresses will also lose comfort, support, and contouring abilities over time.
To ensure your mattress topper can offer the best cushioning possible for your pressure points, you need to make sure your current mattress is in good working condition.
If the mattress underneath the topper is sagging, then this could cause your mattress topper to sag as well. So if you’ve been using a mattress topper on top of an old sagging mattress, you should consider replacing both to ensure you get the comfort and support you need for a good night’s sleep.
How to clean and maintain your mattress topper for increased longevity
Proper maintenance is one of the key ways you can ensure your mattress topper will have a long lifespan. For good measure, you should clean your mattress topper about once every three months.
Some mattress toppers are machine washable, depending on the material they’re made from. You should always check with your manufacturer’s instructions before putting it in the washing machine. Foam mattress toppers, for example, are not machine washable.
If your topper is machine washable, you should first scrub any stains with a gentle detergent and toothbrush. From there, you can put it in the washer on the delicate cycle with a gentle detergent.
Putting a tennis ball in the dryer with the topper can help keep it in good shape. You can also put a machine-washable mattress topper in the dryer on a low-heat cycle with tennis balls to dry it quickly and efficiently.
If your mattress topper isn’t machine washable, you can vacuum and spot-clean it with a gentle detergent to remove any stains or odors. After you let it air dry, you can put it back on top of the mattress. (Learn more about how to clean every type of bedding, including mattress toppers.)
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Frequently asked questions
How much will I need to spend on a new mattress topper?
A mattress topper can vary in price, depending on the quality and type of memory foam or other materials used in it. However, you can generally find them priced between $100-$500 for a queen-size bed.
Can a mattress topper extend the lifespan of my mattress?
Mattress toppers can help extend the lifespan of your mattress by reducing premature sagging and impressions. Because mattresses are so expensive, it may be a good idea to include a mattress topper on your bed setup to help reduce damage over time.
What is the difference between a mattress topper, mattress protector, and mattress pad?
People often confuse mattress toppers, mattress protectors, and mattress pads—but they’re all very different.
A
Instantly adds a plush layer of comfort and protection
will offer a small amount of padding for extra comfort at night but primarily offers protection from stains, dust mites, and bed bugs. A
Breathable, undetectable protection from spills, dirt, stains, and humidity
, on the other hand, doesn’t offer any type of padding—it only offers protection.
A mattress topper will be most likely to change the feel of your mattress, especially if you sleep on a firm mattress but want something a little more cushioned. Mattress toppers are also larger than mattress pads and mattress protectors. (Learn more about the differences between mattress pads vs. mattress toppers.)
Shop high-quality mattress toppers and more bed accessories with Saatva
Your mattress topper should last you at least three to five years. But you need to make sure you’re properly maintaining it to get the most out of it for as long as possible.
It’s also important to find a high-quality mattress to go along with your mattress topper. This can help ensure you experience increased comfort and pressure relief.
Take Saatva’s online mattress quiz to discover the right mattress for your sleeping preferences. You can also explore some of the best mattress toppers, bed sheets, and other accessories we have available to upgrade your sleep.
