The average person spends about one-third of his/her life in bed. In all likelihood, there is no piece of furniture in your home that you use more than your mattress, making it all the more important to choose one that will keep you sleeping happy for years to come.

If you're on the hunt for a new mattress, you're probably aware that there are several mattress types and brands to choose from, some of which also offer a more affordable, clearance option. You may wonder—why would anyone want a clearance or pre-owned mattress, and is it worth the discount? While the appeal of a used mattress at a very low price may have you interested, we're here to bust some of the myths around clearance mattresses and fill you in on the pros and cons of buying a used mattress.

What is a Used or Clearance Mattress?

First, it's important to understand that a mattress can be considered “used" for several reasons:

1. The Mattress Is A Floor Model

When it's time to switch to a new line or we need to make room on the showroom floor, we'll sometimes mark floor models down. These like-new beds are a great opportunity to get an awesome price on the bed of your dreams.

2. The Mattress Was Returned

It can take your body a minimum of 30 nights to adjust to a new bed, so Mattress Firm offers guests a 120-night sleep trial in case, ultimately, they are unable to adjust. If the mattress has been well protected, and does not have any imperfections, such as stains, dents or scratches, Mattress Firm will accept the bed as a return. It's important to understand that while these beds are considered "used," they have been in someone's home for no more than 120 days and are still in great condition.

3. The Mattress Has Been Scratched or Dented

Sometimes in transit, beds get scuffed or damaged. They still make for a comfortable sleeping surface, but we mark them down and make them available in our clearance section or at a Mattress Firm Clearance Center or Outlet.

What Are The Pros & Cons of Buying A Used Mattress?

If you buy a clearance mattress, you should do so with the understanding that a portion of its recommended eight years of use has been reduced. For this reason alone, clearance mattresses can mean big savings for consumers.

A used mattress is also a great option for a guest room or second home, where the bed will only be used a few times out of the year. Buying a quality brand at an affordable price often makes the most sense for a mattress that won't be used every single night, and most discount mattresses are still in great shape, even if lightly used. And we can all agree that there's nothing better than saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars on the bed of your dreams!

Are Clearance Mattresses Sanitary?

Before we place any mattress in the Mattress Firm clearance section, every clearance mattress undergoes a thorough step-by-step sanitation process to ensure that its next owner is getting a clean and comfortable mattress. We want to ensure that any mattress purchase you make is in the best condition possible, so after a bed has been sanitized, you can rest assured that it is much cleaner than any bed you would sleep on in a hotel room. Also, keep in mind that if you purchase a pre-owned mattress, it will not be covered by our 120-day sleep trail for money back or exchange.

We know that purchasing a used mattress isn't for everyone; however, even at our Mattress Firm Clearance Centers, we carry all the best brands at the best prices. You can shop your local clearance mattress selection online or use the Mattress Firm store locator to find a clearance center or regular store location near you.

Remember, just because you can keep your mattress forever doesn't mean you should! We recommend replacing your mattress every eight years, or sooner if it's used, to ensure you are sleeping on the best mattress night after night. Happy sleeping!