Milk, eggs, orange juice, bread, even medication have them...does your mattress? Have what...an expiration date! If you go into your bedroom right now, and check the tags, will you find a "best when used by" date on your mattress? The answer is, wait, how many of you are actually checking your bed right now; you can stop, because you won't find an expiration date.

So, how are you supposed to know when it's time for your bed to hit the road? Well, that depends on several factors like:

• How often is the mattress used?
• Have you lost or gained a significant amount of weight?
• Did you take care of it or use it as a trampoline? 
• Has it been the victim of spilled food or drinks? 
• Was it stored in an environment that wasn't temperature controlled, like a garage, storage unit, car? Tip: your garage is for your car, not your mattress.
• Is it sagging or lumpy? Mashed potatoes and mattresses should never be lumpy! 
• Is your mattress discolored? Think about it this way, you wouldn't want to spend the night in a hotel with a lumpy or discolored mattress, so why would you sleep on one in your own home? 
• Are the springs exposed? 
• Do you sleep better on your couch or at your in-laws house than in your own bed? 

These are all signs that's its time to shop for a new bed. According to the Better Sleep Council, the average mattress lifespan is "five to seven years." Of course there are different factors that come into play, for example a mattress in the guest room will typically last longer (unless your guest room is a busy as a hotel.) 

However, memory foam mattresses are known for their durability and longevity (often lasting up to 20 years), again it boils down to quality! Mattresses with higher density memory foam will last longer than a cheaper mattress, layered with inexpensive fillers. When shopping for a new mattress, remember quality equals quantity.: better sleep, plus a mattress with a longer lifespan. How old is your mattress?