I get a lot of questions from customers about their mattresses. This is one of the most common. Unfortunately, I don’t usually get this question until after they have called and complained, thinking that something was wrong with their mattress. When I tell them the mattress is structurally sound and nothing is wrong with it, they are usually upset because they “know” something is wrong with it. They are convinced that it must be the mattress. I have even had customers tell me that I am lying to them because they know something is wrong with it. #StopMattressBlame

I’m not saying that if you have a problem with your mattress you shouldn’t have it checked out. I am saying that it’s not always your mattress. Quite simply, your needs may have changed. The mattress you purchased 5 years ago or so may not be what you NEED anymore. Before you click away from this blog, hear me out.

Have you ever had a pair of shoes or jeans that you loved so much that suddenly doesn’t fit right anymore? Maybe you had a favorite ice cream flavor as a kid that you don’t like now? Something that was perfect for you before that just doesn’t work for you anymore? Well, your mattress is no different. What was comfortable to you five years ago may not work for you now. Not all of a mattress’s comfort is visual. Studies show that our bodies undergo a change every five to seven years.

Let’s face it, none of us are getting any younger. (If you are can you please let me know your secret?) With each year that ticks by, our bodies work against us. We don’t bend like we used to, we can’t run as fast or for as long, and for some reason, everything we eat tends to stay with us a lot longer than we had planned (goodbye donuts). So, as our bodies mature and evolve, so does our need for changing support. That said, while the mattress you purchased three or five years ago was perfect for you when you purchased it, but that may no longer the case.

But wait! You spent a ton of money on that mattress. It was heaven. It was perfect. You want that completely blissful night’s sleep back! Well, I know you don’t want to hear this, but that may or may not be possible. However, your chances are greater if you pay attention to my next words:

Stop shopping for the past! That’s right. Stop trying to compare your old mattress to what you are shopping for now. You may argue, “but I liked that one." Well, obviously it doesn’t like you anymore. It is mean to you. It hurts you. So stop trying to recreate the feeling with another mattress that feels just like it. You need a new mattress surface. Not just a NEW one but a DIFFERENT one. Start from scratch. Don’t think of your old mattress at all. Forget it. Mentally divorce the thing because that relationship is over. Do you remember that first computer you had? Remember how it was great when you first got it? How far ahead of its time it felt? Would you buy that same computer again today? Of course not, it is outdated. It doesn’t have enough memory or RAM for today’s software. It would be like going back to dial-up (some of you born after the 80s may have to google that).

Then you think, “It can’t be my mattress. It’s still under warranty!” Stop right there. Just because it is under warranty doesn’t mean it won’t be uncomfortable. There is a difference between a warranty and a comfort guarantee. A warranty guards against structural defects in materials and craftsmanship. What does that mean? Well, just like your car, if the engine messes up under warranty the dealership replaces or repairs the engine. They don’t give you a new one. They repair your car, and that is what most mattress warranties cover. If you change your mind after having it for three years, they aren’t going to give you a new one. At Pike’s Mattress, we do have another option — we offer alterations. Not many places can do this, but we can because we are a mattress factory. If you purchased one of our mattresses and your needs have changed, we can offer an alteration option. This means we tailor fit it closer to your requirements. There is a fee for this service and a charge for the materials added, but it is only a fraction of the cost of buying a new mattress. Contact our store for more details and options.

So you will give up trying to search for that mattress that you had before. So now what do you shop for? The answer is simple: what fits you today. So maybe it isn’t that simple, but check out some of my other posts about shopping for the right mattress. For some it is easy, but for others, it can be a very complicated process. Once you find the right mattress again, however, it will be so worth the effort.

Another thing that most people overlook is the accessories. Pillows, sheets, blankets, and comforters all play a critical role in your sleep. I recommend spending time searching for the right pillow and invest in your sleep. Please don't continue to trust that $5 pillow with the support of your head and neck. Don't worry, I will be blogging about pillows soon. If you have any questions before then, please feel free to contact us or stop in the Pike's Mattress showroom and we will be happy to help.

One more thing I want to mention is what to do with the old mattress. There are actually a lot of options. The most common is give it to someone else in the family, a friend, or a neighbor. We have had some customers list them on CraigsList and help pay for the new mattress. In the past, you could donate them to St. Vincent-de-Paul or the Salvation Army, but most of them won’t take used mattresses for hygiene reasons. At Pike’s Mattress, we offer a free disposal service to our customers. Some areas have a mattress recycling service. You should check your area for availability. Otherwise, the other option is to pay to have it hauled off or wait for heavy trash pickup day (if it’s available in your area). Please do me a favor and NEVER BURN A MATTRESS! Talk to any firefighter and they will tell you to never burn mattresses or other upholstered furniture. It can smolder for days and re-ignite. There are hundreds of fires caused by mattresses that were soaked after being burned and re-igniting hours or even days later. So please be safe.

I hope this post helps you in your search for a better night’s sleep. You deserve it. God bless you and goodnight, my friend.