They say we spend a third of our lives sleeping, but experts say a good quality mattress isn't enough as they may be crawling with bacteria.
Not only can an old mattress give us backaches, experts say they harbour bacteria such as E coli and mould. These germs can cause sore throats, itchy eyes, diarrhoea, vomiting and even more serious infections like pneumonia.
A bed that's seen better days can cause achy back and a string of sleep problems. That's not to mention all the microscopic activity going on unbeknownst to us can give our immune systems a beating.
As reported by The Mirror, sleep specialists at Opera Beds said: "Mattresses provide the foundation and support necessary to achieve good quality sleep. "The right mattress can elevate and influence your sleep by providing pressure relief and preventing you from waking up with aches and pain in the morning.
"Finding a suitable one that caters to your sleep style and requirements is essential for overall comfort, ensuring proper physical restoration, cognitive function, emotional well-being, and overall vitality.
"It’s a personal choice and one that should take individual needs, preferences, and any underlying health concerns into consideration. But once we've got one, many of us fail to recognise the tell-tale signs that it’s time to be replaced.
"Depending on factors like usage and wear and tear, mattresses should ideally be replaced every six to eight years."
From bodily fluids to illness-causing germs, here's everything that could be hiding in your mattress - and the problems that could arise.
Bacteria
Mattresses can be hotbeds of microscopic activity. Previous research has found staphylococcus, lactobacillus, streptococcus and E coli in where we lay to rest.
These bacteria can cause nasty skin infections and upset stomachs, as well as abscesses, joint problems and even pneumonia. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and heart, bone and eye infections are also possible.
Bodily fluids
For all the time we spend in bed, mattresses become full of sweat, saliva, skin oils and semen.
These bodily fluids seep through your sheets and are absorbed by your mattress, sticking around for years. Experts reckon that over the lifespan of your mattress, these liquids could fill two bathtubs to the brim.
It is estimated the average adult sweats 26 gallons a year in bed, making it a warm, moist home for fungus. Things like yeast, mould and bacteria like staphylococcus aureus can make their way into crevices, leaving you at risk of painful red lumps on the skin, sores, crusts and blisters, and painful eyes and eyelids.
Mould spores
If you suffer from a runny nose, sneezing, congestion and itching, these allergy symptoms may be contributed by the most commonly found spores in bed - penicillium, cladosporium, alternaria, and aspergillus,
Opera Beds said: "These can be detrimental for health in the short and long-term. This can be particularly bad if a bedroom gets damp or isn't ventilated properly. Some of the first signs of mould exposure can be the sniffles, sneezing, and red or itchy eyes or skin."
Dust mites
The reality is - the older your mattress, the more dust it will have gathered," the experts said.
Dust mites are critters that feed on dead skin which is found in abundance in mattresses. In eight years, we shed an average of 11lb (5kg) of dead skin cells - so double that if you're sharing with a partner or pet.
Dust mites can burrow into mattress fibres and cause or worse skin problems like eczema and respiratory issues like asthma.
Sleep
On a less grim note, a well-used mattress can get in the way of a good night's sleep. You may find yourself waking up more often, experiencing discomfort or struggling to nod off.
"A lack of sleep affects our day-to-day lives and our ability to function properly, and the issue will cause a negative cycle of sleep disruption, meaning you associate sleep and bed with frustration, causing further problems," Opera Beds said.
Aches and pains
And finally, saggy springs and floppy foam can cause a range of aches and pains.
OperaBeds said: "A tired, worn out mattress likely won't be providing your body with the foundation it needs for a restful sleep, and you might find yourself waking up with pains, without realising why, and thinking it's due to your sleeping positions.
"A lot of older mattresses develop dips in them, which is bad for support and posture."
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