Is It Safe To Buy A Used Mattress? Here Are The Pros And Cons You Need To Know

Picking out a mattress can be a huge deal. The CDC recommends adults get at least seven hours of sleep a night, which is a lot of time spent on your mattress! Although many people would love to have the perfect bed that's as comfortable as a cloud, the problem lies in how expensive they can be. You can buy a new mattress at a starting point of approximately $100 (depending on the size), but that price tag can quickly jump up into the hundreds, if not thousands. Some turn to buying their mattresses used in order to save money. However, it's a move that also comes with downsides that are worth taking into consideration.

Let's start with the positives. Being able to score a good deal on a used mattress is what draws a lot of people in. If you find a luxurious mattress that meets all your body's needs, it might be difficult to afford a brand new one, but purchasing secondhand means you may be able to buy a higher-end mattress for a lower price. Giving an old mattress new life is also a great way to keep it from ending up in a landfill. If you're lucky, you might have a relative, friend, or coworker with a gently used one available.

The biggest issue with buying someone's old mattress has to do with hygiene. The typical adult produces 26 gallons of sweat in their bed annually, but sweat isn't the only gross thing that could be hiding inside a used mattress. Mattresses are home to bacteria, dust mites, dead skin cells, and more. If you purchase an old one, you also run the risk of having to get rid of bedbugs. Besides hygiene concerns, the mattress might be more worn than expected, which could affect your quality of sleep. Plus, you likely won't be able to return the mattress, either.

If you're set on buying a mattress secondhand, there are ways to raise your chances of a positive outcome. Purchasing one from someone you know and trust is ideal so you can confidently learn the mattress's age and history. When buying a mattress from a reseller, ask questions about the environment it was used in — for example, perhaps it was only used occasionally as a guest bed. Look into any reviews or testimonials about the reseller online to gauge trustworthiness. Inspect any secondhand mattress as best you can, looking for signs of visible wear or stains.

After getting the bed home, make sure that it gets a thorough cleaning. While it's possible to clean a mattress yourself, consider having it professionally done. You might also have the option to purchase a refurbished mattress from a bed store, which would be deep cleaned before selling. Overall, it is possible to find a used gem out there — just make sure you do your homework first.