It's not a traumatic process for your mattress, but when opened again, it does take some time for it to return to its intended shape and size. Sometimes it only takes a few hours, but other times it can take up to 48 hours to fully expand.
The truth is, it shouldn't damage a quality mattress if you go against the 24-hour rule and sleep on it a couple of hours after unboxing. The rule mostly exists to make sure you get a good night's sleep on your mattress, as the bed is hardly at its most comfortable when it's still expanding.
It is recommended to wait 24-48 hours before sleeping on a new, memory foam mattress. It is up to the consumer whether to wait or not. Defects will not be as obvious before the expansion process has been completed, but expansion should not slow down because you slept on your new memory foam mattress.
It takes 24 hours for memory foam mattress toppers to expand 100%. Memory foam pillows take about 48-72 hours to expand fully because they are denser.
Off-gassing:
It's caused by the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the foam material. Allowing the mattress to air out and expand for 24 hours can help dissipate the odor. Sleeping on the mattress too soon might expose you to a stronger smell, which can be bothersome for some people.
It's because the mattress materials need time to soften and conform to the contours of your body. Although the materials in your new mattress are flexible and strong, they can be rigid especially when they are brand new. This can cause some discomfort during the first month or two.
Discomfort after sleeping on a new mattress is actually quite common. That's because it can take some time for your body to adjust.
The mattress can take 48-72 hours to expand to its full dimensions. The break-in period for the mattress is usually about 2-3 weeks. During this time, the foam of the mattress expands fully and becomes both softer and more supportive with use, providing the best pressure relief for your sleep.
Place Your Mattress in a Warm Room
Most memory foam responds well to warm temperatures as heat makes the foam more malleable. If you've purchased a mattress during colder months, place a space heater in the same room as your mattress to help it expand faster.
After staying compressed for too long, foam might not expand fully. Or, the corners may remain flat while the rest of the mattress expands. Naturally, this can also affect the sleeper's comfort. Warranty issues.
Although memory foam is generally considered safe, it may pose a problem for certain people, such as those who suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions. Memory foam may also bother you if you are very sensitive to smells.
How long does memory foam last? Memory foam mattresses can last anywhere from eight to ten years, depending on how well they're cared for. Typically, a memory foam mattress will last as long as any other type of mattress, whether it's an innerspring or hybrid.
All of our mattresses can be used immediately, even those that are vacuum-packed. However, bear in mind that a packaged mattress will only regain its shape and comfort after around 72 hours. And your body needs a few weeks to adjust to the new mattress too.
Typically, that new mattress smell will go away somewhere within a few hours to a few days. The best way to avoid inhaling off-gas is to open your mattress outside and let it breathe for at least two days. Some suggest letting it air out for a week or two if possible.
Is It Bad to Sleep Only on a Mattress? Yes, it is bad to sleep only on a mattress without sheets. Sheets protect your mattress from wear and tear, absorb sweat and body oils, prevent bacteria growth, and reduce dust mite allergies. So the next time you're making your bed, don't forget to put on a clean set of sheets!
Lay on it! To get an accurate idea of the comfort level, experts suggest laying down in your normal sleeping position for at least 15 minutes. It also helps if you're wearing comfortable clothes when you test out a mattress.
A brand new mattress will often be firmer – sometimes much firmer – than it will become over time after the “break in” period. This firmness is caused by the foam layers. As you continue to sleep on your mattress, the pressure from your body will relax the foam and mold it more and more into your sleeping form.
Put a Pillow Under the Mattress
A small pillow between the mattress and the bed frame or box spring changes the pressure levels, making your mattress return to its original shape. Although this won't happen overnight, it's a good and straightforward way to attempt to fix a saggy mattress.
Yes, it is possible to over inflate an air mattress. Your air mattress will feel less comfortable than one with less air pressure inside of it. Additionally, you risk permanently straining and harming the air bed's material if you overinflate your hospital bed air mattress.
If you sleep on your front, firm mattresses are better for your back. However, side sleepers should opt for a medium-soft mattress, and back sleepers require more cushioning, and should therefore choose a soft mattress instead.
1. Open the box within 72 hours. Once your mattress in a box arrives at your doorstep, it's out of its element, and subject to a new climate and atmosphere. Because of this, we strongly encourage you to open it within 72 hours of receipt.
When sleeping on a firmer surface, the bones absorb most of the pressure, meaning there is less stress on muscles, veins and arteries. Muscles are less strained, and circulation is improved. A firm mattress also keeps your lower back from collapsing, which could allow for more oxygen intake while sleeping.
Once you have removed your new mattress from the box, air will begin to enter the foam again. As a result, the mattress will expand and come into its original shape. It's a slow process and can take approximately 6 hours. That's the primary reason you shouldn't use your mattress immediately, as it is off-gassing.
Yes, a new mattress can cause back pain temporarily. That's because there's a transition period when you go from an old unsupportive mattress to a new supportive mattress. New mattresses also have a break-in period. Components can be stiff at the start but will soften up and conform to your body over time.
Too Firm or Too Soft
If you are experiencing back pain at night, the most likely reason may be that your memory foam mattress is either too soft, or too firm!