How often should I change my mattress?

How often should I change my mattress? Spoiler alert: more often than you think.

It’s said we spend a third of our lives in bed. That’s countless hours snoozing, sprawling and lounging on a mattress, and that adds up over time.

Even expensive mattresses have a limit. The average mattress lifespan is about 7 to 10 years, depending on the quality, use and how well it’s looked after. If your mattress feels saggy or you’re waking up sore, it could be hurting your sleep quality more than you realise.

And let’s be real, not all mattresses are built to go the distance. As the years of relaxation go by, some pretty undesirable build-up joins you in bed too, from dead skin cells to dust mites.

How Gross is Too Gross?

We don’t want to frighten you, but it’s pretty likely you’re sleeping on kilograms of dead skin and sweat. And let’s not forget the old mattress itself — which could be doing you more harm than good if it’s well past its prime.

Over eight years, the average person will shed 4.8kg of dead skin in bed. That’s about the same weight as a small pup (and let’s be honest, we know which one we’d rather roll around in bed with).

If your four-legged mate likes to bunk in with you, you’re probably doubling the amount of skin cells making themselves comfortable in your sheets.

Add in sweat, saliva and other bodily fluids (you know the ones), and that poor bed base is likely supporting a very different kind of ecosystem than you signed up for. That’s enough gunk to fill two bathtubs — and a solid sign it might be time to replace your mattress.

Wondering how long should a mattress last? It really depends on the material, your sleep position, and how well it’s held up over time. Latex mattresses and hybrid mattresses typically give you more years than a traditional innerspring bed, but even the best can start to go downhill when you hit the 7 to 10-year mark.

There are lots of factors influencing mattress lifespan, so if yours is sagging, smelly, or triggering your allergies, that’s your cue: don’t sleep on it — literally.

How Often Should I Replace My Mattress?

According to the master of all things mattress and Koala Product Manager Stephanie Roberts-Baxter, the answer depends on your warranty.

“Our mattresses are tested to last the lifetime of the warranty. We recommend they’re replaced every 10 years.”

But how long does a mattress really last? That depends on several things — including your body weight, how often you use it, the mattress's construction, and whether or not you're using a mattress protector to guard against stains, sweat, or the occasional oopsie.

Different materials age differently too. For example, natural latex mattresses often outlast standard innerspring mattresses thanks to their resilience and durability. That said, even the most high quality mattress won't last forever — especially if it’s not well cared for.

And if you or someone in your household suffers from asthma symptoms, an old, dust-laden mattress could quietly be making things worse. So even if you’re not at the 10-year mark yet, it might be time to replace your mattress sooner than planned if you’re noticing sagging, discomfort, or increased sneezing.

How Can You Tell When You Need a New Mattress?

Like anything, mattresses deteriorate over time and aren’t meant to be kept forever. The mixture of sweat, oil and bacteria eventually seep through your bed sheets. This can leave a mattress cover looking stained and discoloured – even if it’s regularly washed. FYI - Koala mattresses are designed to last beyond their 10-year warranty; but different mattresses will last different amounts of time.

Like anything, mattresses deteriorate over time and aren’t meant to be kept forever. The mixture of sweat, oil and bacteria eventually seeps through your bed sheets, no matter how often you wash them. This can leave your mattress cover looking stained and discoloured – even with regular cleaning.

Wondering how long should a mattress last? It depends on your mattress type, how you sleep, and what kind of bed base is supporting it. Latex mattresses tend to be more durable than traditional spring options, but when it comes to comfort, support, and longevity, a high-quality mattress, like the ones we make at Koala, is hands down one of the best choices.

In fact, Koala our mattresses are specially engineered to balance pressure relief, airflow, and long-term support, no matter your sleep position. Backed by a 10-year warranty, it offers a cleaner, comfier, and more dependable sleep experience without the bounce or sag of those outdated innerspring or hybrid beds.

So, while all mattresses wear out eventually, choosing the right one at the start — and knowing what signs to watch for — makes all the difference when it comes to getting your best rest yet. 

How Can I Protect My Mattress?

The easiest way to save your mattress from spills, stains, and hidden nasties? Three words: utilising protective covers. And lucky for you, we’ve got two top-notch options to choose from.

The Koala Great Barrier Mattress Protector

Our Great Barrier Mattress Protector is fully encased to keep microscopic little monsters out of your bed. It discourages dust, pet dander, mites, and the allergens they leave behind – giving your sleep space a cleaner, healthier vibe.

It also features a clever water-resistant barrier to help protect your mattress from accidental spills, snack mishaps, or whatever chaos gets thrown your way. And when it’s time for wash day? You can simply zip off the top layer (leaving the base behind) – no heavy lifting needed.

Using a proper protector helps your mattress last longer, especially when you factor in things that cause wear and tear — like your body weight, sleeping habits, and even changes in season. 

No matter your mattress type, a good cover can go a long way in keeping it fresher, cleaner, and ready for years of solid sleep.

And for those with a taller model (we see you, Soul Mate fans), the Deep Fit version is made just for mattresses with a height of 30cm or more. 

Ready for an Upgrade?

Time to replace your mattress? Whether you're after essential comfort, advanced support or something a bit luxe, we’ve designed four different options to suit every mattress type and sleeper style.

Choosing the right type of mattress can have a big impact on how well you sleep — and how long your bed stays clean and supportive. That’s why all our Koala mattresses are made from innovative foam, offering consistent support across all sleep positions and body types.  

The Koala SE Mattress

All the must-haves of our legendary Koala Mattress, with a few tweaks to make it the best-value choice in the mob. Great if you’re in need of a good mattress but don’t need all the frills. Sweet dreams were made of THIS!

The Koala Mattress

This Aussie fave is built to suit nearly every sleep position and body weight. It's not too firm or too soft — just right. Plus, it features our iconic Zero Disturbance® Tech and 3-zone support system to ensure you stay undisturbed through the night.

The Koala Plus Mattress

Back pain? Sleeping hot? The Koala Plus Mattress features 60% more Kloudcell® for extra support, a flippable comfort layer for adjustable firmness, and a seasonal topper that keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer—everything you need in a new mattress that’s built to help your mattress last longer.

The Koala Luxe Mattress

Looking for next-level comfort? The Koala Luxe Mattress includes 50% more Kloudcell®, seven multi-zone support layers, and copper-infused foam wrapped in Australian cashmere for breathable, premium sleep night after night.

All Koala mattresses include a flippable comfort layer so you can customise your firmness over time – because, let’s face it, bodies change. We’ve added anti-slip bottoms so you won’t be moving around mid-snooze, and antimicrobial additives to help keep your bed clean and creepy crawlies at bay.

Tested to be low-VOC, free from formaldehyde, and made without nasty chemicals, our mattresses are anything but average. Unlike innerspring mattresses, which can sag and wear unevenly, quality memory foam helps your mattress last longer without compromising on support or hygiene.

So whether you’re wondering how to extend the lifespan of a mattress, or you’re just keen for better sleep, a Koala mattress is a smart, comfy upgrade you’ll wish you made sooner.