How to Break in A Mattress

Why Do You Need to Break in Your Mattress?

Shoes aren’t the only things that need to be broken in. Car engines, jeans, baseball gloves, and yes, even mattresses, all require a breaking in period.

Think of it this way: you’re used to your old mattress. The saggy indents, the worn-out springs, and the frayed materials are all familiar to you. When you lie down on a new, stiff surface, it’s bound to take some time to adjust to it.

Your body may have been compensating and may not be used to what it feels like to be in proper alignment. Or, the mattress may be especially firm for the first month or two.

Expect the first few nights or weeks on your new bed to feel different. Some people find bliss the first night, while others may struggle for a month or longer.

To accelerate the process of breaking in your new bed, follow the tips below.

---

How to Break in a New Mattress – Tips & Tricks

Let Your Mattress Breathe

If you bought your bed online, chances are it came compressed or rolled in a box. At the very least, it’s been wrapped tightly in plastic.

The materials may give off an off-gassing odor for a day or two. Further, if your mattress was compressed for shipping, it can take some time to expand to its full size.

Depending on the exact model you bought, it can take four to ten hours to expand to its full size. Sleeping on it too soon not only can cause you discomfort, but it can also affect the ability of the mattress to expand correctly. What may help is allowing your mattress to breathe without any sheets or bodyweight for the first 24 hours.

Put on the Pressure

If you are eager to soften the surface of your bed, try walking on it. This technique works well on latex and memory foam surfaces.

If your mattress is an innerspring or hybrid, crawl on your hands and knees instead. The reason for this distinction is that springs can buckle or deteriorate more rapidly when your body weight is overly concentrated.

If you don’t feel comfortable walking along your bed, try stacking piles of books on it instead.

Be Patient

Try not to get discouraged if you don’t love the way your new bed feels straight away. Your favorite pair of shoes might have given you a blister the first day you wore them, too. Remember, it can take thirty, or even sixty, days for your new mattress to feel like home.

The higher the quality, the longer it might take due to the durability of the materials, so that’s something else to keep in mind during this process.

Warm it Up

If you have memory foam, one thing that you might not have known is that the material tends to soften and become more malleable when it gets warm. Therefore, if you’re in a particular hurry to break in a new mattress, try keeping your bedroom a few degrees warmer than normal. It should make your bed feel softer.

Take note that high temperatures can also disrupt your sleep, so this tip is a bit of a tradeoff. It works best if you’re in a colder room, and you had planned on warming it up anyway.

Sleep on It Consistently

You might get discouraged and be tempted to take a break from the process and spend a night on the couch or in the guest room. It may be helpful to keep in mind that consistent use of your mattress can accelerate the breaking in process. This should allow you to enjoy your purchase that much sooner.

Put It in the Right Foundation

Before plopping your bed on the old foundation, check to make sure the two pieces are compatible and that your foundation isn’t worn out, sagging, or broken. While you may not always need a new foundation, you might need to get a replacement if you’ve switched the type of bed you’re now sleeping on.

Follow Your Gut

If you know that deep down this bed isn’t for you, then by all means, don’t suffer through it. However, it might be worth giving it a chance before rushing to judgment.

Give It the Full Time

Most companies ask customers to spend a specific number of nights sleeping on the material before deciding to initiate a return or exchange. These brands know that many people require some time to adjust to sleeping on something new. The amount of time they specify is usually the upper limit of when their customers either decide they love or hate their purchase.

If they say to sleep on it for thirty nights before asking for a return, then why not give it a go? If you’re concerned about being locked into four or more weeks of sleeplessness, try looking for a company that doesn’t have this requirement or reach out to the brand with your concern.

---

How Long Does It Take to Break In?

Conclusion

---

You’re maybe already familiar with the stats about how many years of your life you spend in your bed, so it goes without saying that you shouldn’t have to compromise when it comes to comfort. Before committing to your purchase, make sure you do your research. Here are some helpful hints that can help you out before hitting the purchase button:

• Read customer reviews. Pay particular attention to those that mention situations similar to yours (low back pain or having arthritis, for example).
• Review the return policy. Are you required to sleep on the mattress for a certain number of nights? Does the company give you ample time to make a final decision?
• Find out if the company has an exchange policy. They may allow you to switch your bed out for a firmer or softer model.
• Check to see if there’s a local showroom where you can try before you buy. Showrooms may not always provide a real-life experience, but they can help if you’re deciding between two models.
• Find out if the company offers any accessories to help ensure your satisfaction. Some manufacturers provide “comfort kits” that can make your mattress softer or firmer, depending on your preferences.