What to do with an old mattress

This is a sponsored article from SustainabilityTracker.com member Snooze.

After years together, it’s easy to feel like your mattress may last forever. Unfortunately, every good mattress will eventually reach its use-by-date. While it might seem like it’s in great condition, old mattresses can harbour dust – and even mould – and a sagging mattress can leave you feeling uncomfortable when you wake up in the morning. 

If you think it’s time for a new mattress, there are some tell-tale signs – but then, what’s next? We’ll go through the signs that it’s time to let it go, the benefits of recycling and exactly what to do with it once it’s time to say goodbye.

How mattress recycling helps the planet

Believe it or not, most mattresses are actually made of products that can be broken down and reused. By salvaging the metal, foam and timber used in mattresses, thousands of tonnes of waste can be diverted from landfills every year. To put this into perspective, every 10 tonnes of the above materials found in mattresses and their matching bases saved is equivalent to the below according to our recycling partner Soft Landing.

• Taking four cars off the road permanently.
• Providing enough electricity to annually power 14.5 households.
• Saving enough water to fill 3.5 average backyard pools. 

Recycling your old mattress can ensure you’re making a positive impact on the planet. The perfect way to sweeten the deal when it comes to buying a new one!

Signs you need a new mattress

A high-quality mattress generally lasts between 7 and 10 years, but it can be difficult to know exactly when it’s time for a replacement. Old mattresses can interrupt your ability to get a good night’s sleep. With that in mind, here are some of the top signs that it’s time to get a new mattress. 

#1 Your mattress is saggy (or lumpy) 

One of the most obvious indications that you need a new mattress is a change in its structure. Mattress sagging causes the middle to dip and lose its shape over time. It’s important to understand the difference between mattress sagging and body signatures.

Body signatures represent an indentation your body weight makes when you lie on a mattress each night. It’s normal for your mattress to develop body signatures within a few days to a few weeks after your purchase. Unlike sagging, body impressions don’t last as they only impact the top comfort layer of your mattress.

Next time you’re washing your sheets and mattress protector, take a look: is your mattress showing visible signs of sagging and dipping in the middle? It may be time to look into a new mattress.

#2 You don’t wake up feeling rested 

As mattresses age, they may stop giving the same level of support that they once did. You can feel this in your body in particular areas. If your mattress is losing shape, exhibiting lumps and starting to dip in the middle, your mattress could be to blame for a restless sleep – without you even realising it.

#3 Your mattress is noisy 

Not only is a noisy mattress annoying, but noticing strange sounds when you move around is a sign that the springs are wearing down. A well-functioning mattress is likely to be soundless, and definitely shouldn’t be keeping you up at night. If it’s noisy, it’s time for it to go. 

#4 It’s been more than 7 years 

Of course, the most obvious sign that it’s time for a new mattress is that it’s more than 7 years old. The general rule of thumb is that mattresses last between 7 and 10 years, but how long an individual mattress lasts comes down to factors including how much it has been used and how it has been cared for. 

How to dispose of an old mattress with Snooze

Snooze has partnered with Soft Landing, a social enterprise that offers mattress recycling services in Australia, so disposing of an old mattress has never been easier. You can either choose to drop your mattress off or have it picked up from directly outside your home. 

Soft Landing currently offers collection and drop-off services in NSW, WA, ACT and Victoria (with more areas coming soon). If Soft Landing currently isn’t operating in your area, you can check with your local council to see if they offer a pick-up service, or get in touch with your local Snooze store and they may be able to help arrange a mattress removal for you.

Mattress disposal checklist

Disposing of your mattress through Snooze:

• Check whether Soft Landing operates in your area (if not, contact your local Snooze store for assistance)
• Book a mattress collection with Soft Landing
• Put your mattress outside your house by 6am on the day of collection 

Disposing of your mattress through your local council:

• Check whether your local council offers mattress collection services
• Book a mattress collection with your local council
• Put your mattress outside your house the night before your scheduled collection

If you feel like it’s time to say goodbye to your old mattress, don’t wait. Your next mattress help you get a better night’s sleep. Head to Snooze to browse our extensive range of leading brands, and let us help take the guesswork out of finding a mattress that suits you. 

This is an article from a SustainabilityTracker.com Member. The views and opinions we express here don’t necessarily reflect our organisation.