Is memory foam the way to go? Will a firm mattress save your back? Do you really need a washable cover? Our expert tells all …

• The best mattresses: sleep better with our six rigorously tested picks

The average mattress is just six years old when it gets chucked out, according to the National Bed Federation. That’s an awful lot of foam and springs going to landfill. Should you stick with an uncomfortable bed for the sake of the planet, or choose more wisely next time you go mattress shopping?

We recommend the latter strategy, especially if you find a retailer who’ll recycle the old one for you. A well-made mattress that has the right balance of support and comfort for your size and sleeping position can genuinely transform the quality of your sleep. It can also soothe aches and pains, help you sleep in peace next to a partner – and should last much longer than six years.