If you're like me, the thought of sleeping on a mattress for the next decade or so makes your skin crawl.

After all, what happens if it gets an unsightly stain? How long will it last before it starts to sag? And do you want to be that person who has to replace their mattress at age 65?

Fortunately for all of us, there are steps we can take to ensure our mattresses continue being spongy and springy for many years to come.

Here's the beginning and end; you want to know how long a mattress should last—and what factors might shorten its lifespan.

A mattress's lifespan depends on its quality, determined by how often it is used and maintained.

It's essential to store your mattress correctly when not in use and make sure you clean it regularly.

If you have an older mattress needing replacing, check out our guide on choosing the right one for your needs.

To decide whether a mattress is well made, check the firmness. On the off chance that it's excessively delicate or excessively hard for your body, consider that an indication that the core materials are not of high quality;

If you sleep in different positions during the night (such as on your side or stomach), consider this another sign of low-quality construction.

You can also try sitting on one end of the bed with both feet flat on the floor; if you can sit on one end without sagging down into the middle of the mattress, then its support structure isn't strong enough to hold you up throughout 5+ hours of uninterrupted slumber.

• The quality of the mattress. How long a mattress lasts is also dependent on its quality and construction. A high-quality mattress with latex or memory foam will last longer than one made of polyurethane or fiberfill.

• The quality of the mattress cover. In addition to the type and construction of your sheets, you want to ensure that your surfaces are made of materials that are not difficult to remove and clean (such as cotton). -This will help keep dust mites out and prolong their lifetime.

• The quality of the mattress protector: A good quilted pad is essential to ensuring that your bedding lasts longer because it prevents liquids from seeping onto your mattress.

If you're the owner of a mattress and looking to replace it, here's what you need to do:

• Check for signs of wear and tear. Take note of any sagging, lumps or bumps, loose springs, and discoloration. If your mattress is old enough to lose its bounce, then there's no shame in buying a new one. And if your back hurts when lying on the bed at night? That's another sign that it might be time for a replacement.

• Check for mold. Mold can grow underneath cheap mattresses very quickly if they aren't cleaned regularly (which often isn't the case). If some discoloration or an unpleasant odor is coming from the bottom of your pillow-top mattress—or worse yet—if you see actual mold growing there, toss that sucker ASAP. It could cause respiratory problems over time and other health issues if left untreated.

So, how much sleep do you need? You need to consider your age and activity level to answer this question.

The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night.

Older adults (65+) may need less sleep than younger adults (18-64), but they are more likely to experience sleep problems.

They also tend to be more inactive and have more health problems affecting their sleeping patterns. As per the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research at the National Heart Lung & Blood Institute (NHLBI), they should get about seven hours per night for the best quality of life possible.

A mattress is a significant investment, and you want to make sure it lasts. While mattresses can last for decades, the average lifespan of an innerspring mattress is between 8 and 10 years.

Some mattresses are designed to be more durable than others. This means they use higher-quality materials and have been tested more rigorously before they’re sold.