Does a Mattress Double Its Weight in 10 Years?

You've likely heard the statement that a bed mattress gains weight over time.  It's often stated as a doubling of weight in 10 years after purchase for normal every night sleeping.  Is this really true?  Let's find out.

First, why would a mattress gain weight?  No material is added to the outer covering or inner stuffing of a mattress.  What is it that increases the weight, as the saying goes?  Dead skin.  Yes, you read that right, dead skin.  If that doesn't disgust you, a typical bed mattress contains 100,000 to 10 million bed mites, which also have mass. :-)  Bet you can't wait to get to your bed tonight!  :-)

As you shed skin, each tiny little flake contains mass.  You shed about 0.2 ounces of skin per week, some of which ends up in your bed as you sleep.  This adds up over time, but does it really double your mattress weight every 10 years?  Probably not.  It doesn't appear as if any scientific studies have tested this in a controlled environment, but there does appear to be some exaggeration in the claim.  Does you mattress gain some weight?  Yes, probably.  Does it double in weight after 10 years?  No, probably not.  For more info, here are a few links to check out.

Does Your Mattress Really Gain Weight Over Time?

Does a mattress double its weight due to dust mites and their debris?

Your Weekly “Eww”