Why Do Mattresses Get Heavier?

Why Do Mattresses Get Heavier?

Many people complain that their mattresses get heavier with time. Mattresses come in different sizes, shapes, and materials according to personal preference.

Why Do Mattresses Get Heavier? Mattresses get heavier due to the buildup of dust mites produced as a result of dead skin cells shedding. The accidental spillage like tea, coffee, or water seeps down the layers of foam and contributes to the increase in weight. Moreover, improper drying after washing or cleaning by liquid wash leads to dampness inside it. In addition, moisture accumulation due to humidity or environmental conditions leads to the development of molds. Use of a poor-quality mattress absorbs more fluids, sweat, or oils from your body and gets heavier with time. On average, mattresses double in weight in 10 years.

It becomes difficult to move the heavy-weight bedding that is filled with dust and moisture.

Accumulation of dust mites and debris

Dust mites are the tiny microscopic particles that eat dead skin cells of humans and mostly live in mattresses or upholstered furniture.

The dust coming from the windows, doors, or surroundings accumulates on the surface of the mattress.

Moreover, the moisture or dust penetrates inside the foam and results in the development of dust mites that feed on skin cells.

The human body sweats, oils, or skin sheds exacerbate the development and reside within the mattress.

The foam gets heavier due to the presence of dust mites and debris for a longer time.

According to an estimation, the human body sheds almost one-fourth of an ounce of dead skin, contributing to 5 to 10 million mites in the foam.

In addition, the improper cleaning and washing of bedding increase the risk.

The presence of dust mites within foam also results in allergic reactions or itching issues on the skin.

It is necessary to sweep off the dust from the foam and prevent it from dampness.

Cleaning or sweeping away the dirt or dust from it increases the lifespan and overall condition.

Accidental spillage

The accidental spillage of water, milk, coffee, or tea absorbs inside the mattress, and they get heavier.

Some people prefer to have bed tea or breakfast, and they accidentally spill the tea on the foam.

Sometimes the cup of tea falls from your hands due to kids jumping on the bed and leaving a stain on the bedsheet.

Sometimes you put the glass of water on the bed, and it spills over the surface due to any mishap.

Due to this, the mattress absorbs the water and goes inside the layers of foam, making it heavier.

It gets absorbed in the layers and remains damps for a longer time if not dried completely.

If you are not using waterproof sheets or protectors above the mattress, the water or tea gets inside and damages the inner material.

Sometimes having coffee in the bed cause accidental spillage and cause an increase in weight.

The stain looks bad, produces a smell, and penetrates inside it, which causes an increase in the weight of the foam.

Improper drying

The poor drying of the mattress makes it damp, and with time, the weight of the foam increases.

Some people use liquid cleaners to clean the surface of the mattress and remove dirt from it without drying it properly.

After this, they cover the wet surface with the bedsheets, and the foam accumulates the water inside it.

The weight also increases due to the washing of the mattress and not drying it properly.

Moreover, some foam material or fillings absorb more water inside it during washing and increase the weight.

Sometimes, the outside surface of the mattress feels dry, but there are chances that the inner surface is wet.

It gains more weight when you wash the stains with water without the exposure of the bed to the sunlight, and water remains inside it.

The damp surface produces an unpleasant smell and increases the weight of the foam more than actual.

Due to moisture accumulation

The buildup of moisture or dampness for prolonged periods leads to the development of molds and the heavy-weight of mattresses.

The moisture also increases the chances of health risks and damages the inner side of the foam.

During the rainy season, the open windows allow moisture or raindrops to enter inside the bedding and increase the humidity level.

Moreover, your body releases oils or sweat that the mattress absorbs and gets heavier with time.

The human body releases 20-25% sweat or moisture in the night absorbed by the mattress and contributes to the heavyweight.

In addition, the humidity present in the surroundings increases the moisture accumulation in the foam as the airflow decrease under it.

The moist areas also disturb your sleep, and with time it leads to increased weight.

There are more chances of moisture accumulation when you put the foam on the floor, leading to the development of molds.

Some people also leave their wet towels on the bed, and the foam absorbs moisture from it.

My neighbor also complained that the buildup of moisture in the foam makes it heavier and needs replacement.

Poor quality mattress

The quality of the mattress is essential as it allows you good, deep restorative sleep and makes you comfortable.

Also, you can use them for longer times, and they do not need replacement frequently.

You have to invest in a good quality mattress for optimizing your lifespan and health. Good sleep is necessary for your health and keeps you active the whole day.

You have to replace them sooner due to heavy-weight and damage if you use bad quality foam to save money.

You feel restless, have backaches, and poor-quality sleep on these foams.

The poor-quality mattress is made of low-density foam and has poor absorbency power.

Therefore, the weight of the bed is directly related to the quality, and it weighs more than the low quality.

In addition, due to poor quality material, foam absorbs more fluids and makes it heavier in weight.

Not flipping the mattress

People spend a lot of time in the bed lying, sitting, and even sleeping for hours on the mattress.

Flipping helps the fresh air to enter inside and prevents it from wearing out. Moreover, you can prevent it from premature damage and getting heavier by just flipping it to the other side.

The mattress gets heavier as the dead skin cells penetrate deep inside it when you do not flip the surface.

The dead skin cells accumulate inside it and look heavy due to the shedding of approximately 35000 to 38000 dead cells in a minute.

Flipping also helps distribute body weight and prevent sagging from different points.

It also prevents penetration of dead cells in the mattress layers or fillings and reduces weight gaining.

It is necessary to flip it once or twice a year to protect it from aging or getting heavier.

Many people say that changing the side after four months prevents it from deteriorating and extends its lifespan.

Old mattress

Many factors contribute to the weight gain of the mattress over time. Every foam has an average lifespan, and it degrades with time.

When using it for a long time than the expected lifespan, it gets heavier due to dust, debris, water, moisture, humidity, and even skin cells.

Keeping the bed for a long time without care shows the early signs of damage, aging, and even more weight.

It is difficult for you to move the heavy foam and even change the position. You cannot even move it an inch due to its heavyweight and find difficulty in cleaning beneath the foam.

You also feel uncomfortable sleeping on a rigid surface, heavyweight, and wear and tear.

The average lifespan of foam, innerspring, latex, hybrid, and memory foam mattress are 6.5-7, 5-6, 7-9, 6-8, and 12 years respectively.

Therefore, it is necessary to replace it when you notice an increase in weight to improve sleep quality and prevent further damage.

Does a mattress double in weight after ten years?

Yes, a mattress doubles in weight after 10 years, depending on the handling and care.

However, it is not accurate that doubling occurs after ten years, as some people say that their mattress gets heavier and doubles in weight after seven years.

The average weight doubles after years, and you feel a visible change while moving it.

The weight increases due to moisture, humidity, millions of dust mites, and the accumulation of dead skin cells.

The average weight of a mattress weighs around 50 pounds to 180 pounds which is double in weight after years.

I also bought king size mattress that weighs around 150 pounds, and after 12 years, it weighs almost 300 pounds. The average lifespan of mattresses is almost 8 to 15 years depending upon the type.

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