New Mattress: Sleep On It The First Night?

When you get a new mattress, it can be tempting to try it out as soon as it arrives. However, most mattresses need time to expand and adjust to reach their full potential. While it is generally safe to sleep on a mattress while it's still expanding, it is recommended to wait at least 8 hours, and preferably 24 to 72 hours, for optimal comfort and to avoid potential long-term damage. This waiting period ensures that the mattress has fully expanded and that its support and comfort features function as intended.

Different types of mattresses have varying expansion times. Memory foam mattresses, for example, typically take 24 to 48 hours to fully expand, while latex mattresses often reach their intended firmness within 6 to 12 hours. Hybrid mattresses, which combine coils and foam or latex layers, may need up to 72 hours to settle into their shape.

It is important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines and recommendations for the specific type of mattress you have purchased. By allowing your mattress to fully expand, you can ensure a comfortable sleeping experience and maximize its longevity.

It's best to wait for a new mattress to fully inflate before sleeping on it

The reason for this waiting period is twofold. Firstly, it ensures that the mattress has fully expanded and regained its normal firmness, support, and comfort. Secondly, it allows for any off-gassing smells to dissipate, providing a more pleasant sleeping experience.

Different types of mattresses have varying expansion times. Memory foam mattresses typically take around 24 to 48 hours to fully expand, while latex mattresses often reach their intended firmness within 6 to 12 hours. Hybrid mattresses, which combine coils and foam or latex layers, may need up to 72 hours to settle into their shape fully.

It's important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines when setting up your new mattress. They will provide specific instructions on the recommended expansion time and any necessary steps to ensure optimal performance.

While sleeping on a mattress before it has fully expanded may not cause any permanent damage, it can lead to a few drawbacks. The mattress may feel firmer than expected, affecting the comfort and support provided. Additionally, premature use might extend the expansion process and make the mattress feel uneven in specific areas.

To ensure you get the most out of your new mattress and enjoy a comfortable night's sleep, it's best to allow it to fully expand and adjust to its new shape. This way, you can experience the mattress as it was designed and intended, providing you with the best possible sleep experience.

Some mattresses need 24 hours to inflate, others take longer

Mattresses need varying amounts of time to inflate fully and reach their optimal feel. Memory foam mattresses, for example, typically take 24 to 48 hours to inflate fully, while latex mattresses often reach their intended firmness faster, within 6 to 12 hours. Hybrid mattresses, which combine coils and foam or latex layers, may need a full day to settle into their shape.

The time it takes for a mattress to inflate depends on several factors. One of these is room temperature and ventilation. Research suggests that a warm and slightly humid environment can help your mattress expand slightly quicker. However, be cautious not to let the room get too hot or humid, as this can negatively affect the materials and even lead to unpleasant odours.

The thickness and density of the mattress itself also play a role in the inflation time. Thicker and denser mattresses will take longer to reach their fully inflated state.

While it is generally recommended to wait until your mattress is fully inflated, you can sleep on it before it is finished inflating. However, sleeping on a mattress before it has fully inflated may result in a temporary firmness imbalance or inconsistent support, as the materials haven't fully recovered their intended shape. Over time, this can reduce the comfort level initially promised by the manufacturer.

If you need to sleep on your mattress before it is fully inflated, it is recommended to wait at least 8 hours to avoid potential long-term damage.

Sleeping on a mattress too soon can affect its shape and firmness

Most mattresses these days are delivered in a box, neatly packaged and compressed for ease of shipping. Once unboxed, the mattress will start to expand to its full size and shape.

While it may be tempting to jump straight onto your new mattress, it is generally recommended to wait at least 8 hours, and sometimes up to 72 hours, before sleeping on it. This is because the mattress needs time to breathe and regain its intended shape, structure, and firmness.

Compromised Support and Comfort

A mattress that hasn't fully expanded may not conform properly to your body, feeling too firm and creating painful pressure points. It is also unlikely to provide the necessary support, potentially leading to misalignment and body aches.

Premature Wear and Tear

Using a mattress before it has fully expanded can cause premature wear and tear, shortening its lifespan. Indentations and sagging may develop, resulting in an uneven sleeping surface.

Warranty or Guarantee Risks

Sleeping on a mattress before it has completely expanded could void its warranty or guarantee. This leaves you unprotected if issues arise later.

Off-Gassing and Odors

New mattresses often release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), resulting in an unpleasant "new mattress smell." Allowing the mattress to expand and off-gas in a well-ventilated area helps dissipate these odors.

Health Concerns

In addition to the potential for body aches, sleeping on a mattress that hasn't fully expanded can affect your spinal alignment. The mattress may also contain organic compounds used during manufacturing, which can irritate your eyes, nose, and even give you a headache.

Therefore, it is generally best to let your mattress fully expand before sleeping on it. This ensures optimal comfort, support, and longevity.

Mattresses need to breathe and plump up after being compressed

Mattresses need time to breathe and plump up after being compressed. This process is known as mattress expansion, and it is necessary to ensure optimal comfort and support. While it is generally safe to sleep on a mattress that is still expanding, it is recommended to wait at least 8 hours, if not 24 to 72 hours, for the best experience.

During the manufacturing process, mattresses are compressed and rolled up to make them easier to transport. This compression can cause the gas in the foam cells to disappear, and the mattress needs time to regain its original shape and size. The time it takes for a mattress to expand fully depends on various factors, including the type of mattress, the thickness, and even the weather conditions.

For example, memory foam mattresses typically need 24 to 72 hours to expand fully, while latex mattresses often only need 6 to 12 hours. Hybrid mattresses, a combination of coils and foam or latex layers, may need a full day to settle into their shape. Spring mattresses, on the other hand, usually take about 4 to 10 hours to reach full expansion.

It is important to note that sleeping on a mattress before it has fully expanded can lead to some drawbacks. The mattress may feel firmer than expected, and the materials may not have fully recovered their intended shape, resulting in temporary firmness imbalance or inconsistent support. This can affect the overall comfort and performance of the mattress. Additionally, premature use might extend the expansion process and make the mattress feel uneven in specific areas.

To speed up the expansion process, there are a few things you can do. Removing the mattress from its packaging as soon as it is delivered will allow it to start expanding. Placing it in a warm room can also aid in faster expansion, as warmth helps the materials regain their shape more quickly. Ensuring proper ventilation in the room can also help reduce any unpleasant smells that may occur during the off-gassing process.

It's possible to speed up the mattress expansion process

• Place the mattress in a warm room. Memory foam responds well to warm temperatures as heat makes the foam more malleable. Avoid direct heat, as this can damage the mattress.
• Ensure proper air circulation and ventilation in the room. Active air circulation can be created by turning on a fan or two.
• Human-assisted mattress expansion: Your body heat will help the memory foam mattress expand faster without causing any damage.
• Unbox the mattress in a well-ventilated room with moderate temperature and humidity levels.
• Gently massage or walk on the mattress to help loosen the foam and encourage it to expand.
• Rotate or flip the mattress periodically to ensure even expansion.
• Remove the mattress from its packaging as soon as it arrives.
• Cut the plastic wrapping carefully with a sharp object, being mindful not to damage the mattress.

Frequently asked questions