the average mattress doubles in weight over the course of 10 years due to what

The average mattress will double its weight in 10 years as a result of being filled with dead dust mites and their detritus. A few months after this article came out, though, Emmet Glass, the Ohio State researcher the WSJ relied on for their reporting, went on record saying that he’d never said there was any truth to that statistic.

Full Answer

Do mattresses really double in weight in 10 years?

Do Mattresses Really Double in Weight in 10 Years? The claim is often made that a mattress doubles in weight after 10 years due to the accumulation of dust mites (pictured, left), dead skin cells, dust, sweat and other unpleasant things. Is it an urban myth invented by marketers, or based on fact?

Why do mattresses get bigger every decade?

One of the most common myths about mattresses today is that, every decade or so, they double in weight as a result of built-up dust mites and dead skin. Catchy, creepy and memorable as this idea might be, it’s fortunately not the case.

Did George Takei say the weight of a mattress doubles every 10 years?

On 8 March 2015, popular Facebook user George Takei published a post that linked to a list of purportedly shocking facts. The link featured a captioned photograph stating that the weight of mattresses doubles every 10 years, a circumstance attributed (several links later) to the “accumulation of dust mites and dust mite droppings”:

When should you replace your mattress?

In the absence of an exceptional amount of exposure to direct contact (or a health issue like nighttime incontinence), it’s far likelier your mattress will require replacement due to wear and tear than added weight from dust mites and debris.

Why does a mattress get heavier over time?

Mattresses gain weight over time as they absorb dead skin , colonies of dust mites (which feed on dead skin ), oil and moisture.

Do old mattresses weigh more?

“After 8 years, an old mattress becomes a heavy weight, from pounds of dead skin, gallons of sweat, and millions of dust mites that accumulate inside it!” So claims an ad for the concerned Mattress Firm—your salvation is, of course, to purchase a fresh, unsoiled mattress from them.

How much does a mattress weigh after use?

Mattress Sizes and WeightsMattress SizeDimensions in InchesWeight in PoundsTwin38 inches by 75 inches40 pounds to 45 poundsTwin XL38 inches by 80 inches43 pounds to 48 poundFull56 inches by 75 inches50 pounds to 60 poundsQueen60 inches by 80 inches120 pounds to 160 pounds1 more row•May 7, 2022

How many years does a good mattress last?

between 7 and 10 yearsMost mattresses should last between 7 and 10 years. However, there are many variables that can influence mattress lifespan. The original build quality of the mattress, the materials used, and even the weight and sleeping styles of the sleepers can all influence a bed's longevity.

How much weight does a mattress gain in 10 years?

double“Dust mites thrive in plush carpets, overstuffed upholstery and cushy bed comforters. One frightening statistic: The average mattress will double its weight in 10 years as a result of being filled with dead dust mites and their detritus.

How long should a mattress last before replacing?

6 to 8 yearsTherefore, it's important to invest in the best mattress possible, and replace it according to expert guidelines. But when should you replace your mattress? Under normal conditions, mattresses should be replaced every 6 to 8 years.

What is the average weight of a mattress?

between 50 to 150 poundsThe average mattress weighs between 50 to 150 pounds, depending on materials and size. Smaller sizes, like twin, twin XL, and full will weigh less, while queen, king, and California king beds will weigh more.

What is the average weight of a double bed?

Mattress depthsMattress SizeArtisan Bespoke 003The LegacySingle40kg46kgDouble58kg62kgKing68kg72kgSuperking78kg82kg

Do mattresses have a weight limit?

Standard mattresses typically support sleepers up to 250 pounds each; for two-sleeper sizes like kings and queens, this limit is per side for a total of 500 pounds. Mattresses designed for heavier people are constructed with more intentional weight limits.

How do I know if my mattress is worn out?

9 signs it's time to replace your mattressYour mattress is sagging, asymmetrical or lumpy. ... Your mattress is noisy. ... Your mattress has worn or frayed edges. ... It feels harder or softer than when you bought it. ... It takes you forever to fall asleep. ... You wake up with pain or soreness. ... You wake up stuffy and watery-eyed.More items...•

How often do hotels replace mattresses?

every three to five yearsHow Often Do Hotels Replace Mattresses? Most hotels replace their mattresses every three to five years, though the specific timetable varies between establishments based on volume, usage, and budget, type of mattress, and mattress brand.

What is the lifespan of a memory foam mattress?

eight to ten yearsMemory foam mattresses can last anywhere from eight to ten years, depending on how well they're cared for. Typically, a memory foam mattress will last as long as any other type of mattress, whether it's an innerspring or hybrid.

How long does it take for a mattress to double its weight?

One frightening statistic: The average mattress will double its weight in 10 years as a result of being filled with dead dust mites and their detritus. Facts like these can send even the most skeptical consumer running for the dust mop.

Why does a mattress double in weight?

Rumor holds that a typical mattress will double in weight after 10 years due to the accumulation of debris and dust mite droppings. On 8 March 2015, popular Facebook user George Takei published a post that linked to a list of purportedly shocking facts. The link featured a captioned photograph stating that the weight of mattresses doubles every 10 ...

When was the mattress claim questioned?

As is the case with precise but shaky widespread beliefs, the mattress claim was questioned when it initially appeared in 2000; and as is similarly common, the subsequent adjustment of facts failed to spread nearly as far as its more titillating predecessor.

How many dust mites are in a mattress?

According to Ohio State University, a typical used mattress can have anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million dust mites living in it. Not only that, but 10 percent the weight of a two-year-old pillow may be made of dead mites and their feces.

How to get rid of dust on mattress?

Try encasing your mattress and pillows in dust-proof or allergen-impermeable bags. These should be breathable, but completely cover the item. Clean up as much dust as you can from your room—you can even run your typical vacuum cleaner over your mattress.

Can you get dust mites out of a mattress?

If you’re serious about getting dust mites and other allergens out of your room, there are plenty of hypoallergenic mattresses on the market that can help you do just that. Memory foam and latex mattresses, for instance, are too dense for dust mites to make their homes .

Does a mattress keep dust mites out?

Best Mattresses for Keeping Out Dust Mites. OK, so let’s recap what we’ve covered so far. First of all, your mattress does not double in weight every 10 years (or ever, for that matter). However, it likely does have tens of thousands to millions of creepy-crawlies living inside of it, harvesting your dead skin.

Does a mattress double weight?

No, your mattress does not double in weight every ten years . That said, though, there is quite a bit of truth to this particular myth. While they may not double your mattress weight, the dust mites this legend mentions are certainly no joke. Some people can develop serious health issues if their mattress’s dust mite population gets too high, ...

Can you use memory foam pillows on an air mattress?

Memory foam pillows can help you out with this, too, as can waterbeds and air mattresses. Basically, anything other than your traditional innerspring mattress is the way to go. Dust mites need those empty spaces in your mattress to hide out in, so if there aren’t any spaces left, they have nowhere to go.

Why do mattresses double in weight?

There is an urban myth in the mattress industry that holds a bed doubles in weight after 10 years due to the accumulation of dust mites, dead skin, dust, perspiration and other yucky things.

How long does a mattress last?

It would be interesting to know that. It’s important to note that beds wear out in two ways. The comfort life of a mattress wears out in perhaps eight to 10 years. But the hygienic life of a mattress probably runs out earlier than that, perhaps in five to seven years.

What would happen if beds doubled in weight?

No and no. If beds doubled in weight every 10 years, the earth would literally implode under the weight of all those heavy beds. Retailers have used the weight-doubling claim to support the need for consumers to purchase a new sleep set. That is a clever idea, even if it isn’t supported by the facts.

Why do mattresses gain weight?

Mattresses gain weight over time as they absorb dead skin , colonies of dust mites ( which feed on dead skin ), oil and moisture. But surely if a mattress is gaining weight at a rapid 10 percent per year, someone would have studied the heft? Or mattresses would start breaking bed frames with their bulk?

How many mites are in a mattress?

According to materials published by Ohio State University, a typical used mattress may have 100,000 to 10 million mites inside. Ten percent of the weight of a two-year-old pillow can be composed of dead mites and their droppings.

How much dead skin do people shed?

One of their favorite foods is dead skin, and people shed about one fifth of an ounce of the stuff every week, some of which surely ends up flaking into your mattress. (Also gross: About 80 percent of the material seen floating in a sunbeam is, in fact, flakes of dead skin.)

How many times more likely are Americans to drown in their own bathtub than to be killed by terrorists?

In fact, Americans are 25 times more likely to drown in their own bathtub than to be killed by terrorists. 15. Once lightning enters a structure, it may run through the electrical system, phone lines, plumbing, and even TV and radio antennas and cables.

How many people die from falling on stairs?

The National Safety Council reports that 12,000 people die after falling on stairs, with half of these deaths occurring at home. 24. If you decide to take an elevator, the probability that you will die is much lower but annually, elevators still cause the death of 27 people on average. 25.

What happened to the swan shaft?

The shaft broke and sprung back, piercing his heart. The same thing has been recorded to happen to at least 3 more people. 6. When threatened, swans can be very aggressive. They have been known to capsize boats, attack humans on jet skis, and strangle dogs to death.