How to “Break-In” a Mattress and Increase Comfort

As frustrating as it is, the best things in life, including breaking in your new mattress, sometimes require a bit of patience. Just as it takes some time to unwind after a fantastic vacation in paradise, settling into your new mattress can take some time. Here’s everything you need to know about breaking in a mattress, including how long it will take and what you can expect along the way.

If you’ve been to a mattress store, you most likely tried on several mattresses before deciding on the best one for your sleeping habits. Now that your new mattress has arrived in your bedroom, it may feel different than you remember. Don’t freak out. It’s normal for your mattress to feel firmer than it did in the store. Those mattresses have settled in. Your mattress will settle into the same level of comfort you expected after some time and rolling around.

How Long Does it Take to Get Used to a New Bed?

There is a break-in period for all mattresses. It is usually 30 days, but it can be up to 90 days. The time it takes to break in and adjust to a new mattress depends on the type of mattress and how different it is from your old one. Because this break-in period is so critical, most mattress companies will not even consider a return or exchange request before the first 30 days have passed. That is also why many businesses provide an in-home sleep trial.

Memory Foam

Memory foam and hybrid mattresses are the most difficult to break in, especially if they are high-density memory foam, which is heavier and contains more material than low-density memory foam. Give your new memory foam mattress at least 60 days before deciding whether or not it’s right for you. In general, the longer the break-in period, the higher the density of the memory foam.

Allow Nature to Do the Work

Your mattress may require some time to return to its original shape after delivery. However, if your new mattress arrives a few hours before bedtime, you should be able to sleep on it the same night it arrives. Allow it to air out for at least an hour before putting a protector and sheets on it. People who are particularly sensitive to smell may want to place a box of baking soda at the foot of the bed to absorb any new mattress odor, which should dissipate after a few days.

Maintain a Warm Bedroom

Memory foam is now used in the upper comfort layer of most mattresses, including innerspring and hybrids. Memory foam is heat sensitive and softens as it warms. This is how it gives us that warm body hug after we’ve been lying down for a while. Keeping your bedroom a little warmer may help speed up the process of breaking in your mattress because the memory foam is more likely to soften as a result of the extra heat.

Change your Foundation

Although your foundation or bed frame may be an afterthought, proper support can make a huge difference in how your mattress feels. Make sure your mattress and foundation are compatible before proceeding. Box springs work well for traditional spring mattresses, but platform-style bases are usually required for memory foam and hybrid mattresses.

If your foundation and new mattress are compatible, ensure that the foundation is not broken, sagging, or worn out. If so, you may need to replace it with one that provides even and adequate support.

Sleep On It Consistently

For the first 30 to 60 days, resist the urge to sleep somewhere else or return to your old mattress, no matter how uncomfortable you are. Sleeping on your new mattress on a regular basis not only helps the materials break in faster, but it also helps your body adjust. Going back and forth between your new and old mattresses can actually slow down the process.