How to Break in a Mattress: 9 Easy Tips to Boost Your Comfort

Say goodbye to restless nights and enjoy better sleep! Discover simple tips on how to break in a mattress and experience ultimate comfort.

You’ve invested in a new mattress, expecting instant comfort and restful nights, only to find it’s not as cozy as you hoped. Fret not—you’re just experiencing the usual transition period!

Even the most luxurious mattress needs time to adjust, just like a pair of new shoes. But what if there was a way to speed up the process, ensuring you get the comfort you crave sooner?

This actionable guide shares nine easy and practical tips to transition into your new mattress quickly and efficiently.

Ready to turn your ‘sleep haven’ into the cozy oasis you envisioned?

How to Break in a Mattress (9 Easy Tips)

Fortunately, you can transition to a new mattress effectively and comfortably with these simple steps.

1. Let Your Mattress Breathe and Rest

Unpacking your new mattress is an exciting experience. Once you have it out of the box, let it breathe.

1. Remove the Packaging: Start by carefully removing all the packaging. This allows the mattress to expand fully, especially if it’s a bed-in-a-box type.
2. Aerate: Leave the mattress uncovered in a well-ventilated room for a few hours or even a full day. This allows new mattress odors to dissipate. It also helps the mattress regain its intended shape and firmness after being tightly packed for shipping.
3. Rest: Refrain from jumping into bed immediately. It may be tempting, but give your mattress some alone time. Allow the materials to rest and start their adaptation process.

Note: You can also invest in a bed with certifications such as GREENGUARD, STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX, or CertiPUR-US®. These indicate fewer chemicals (VOCs) used in the mattress manufacturing process.

2. Sleep on Your Mattress Consistently

Consistency is key when adjusting to a new mattress. Even if you find it hard to fall asleep on your current bed, don’t abandon hope and sleep on the couch.

Here’s how regular use can ease the transition process:

1. Nightly Use: Sleep on your new mattress every night. This helps the materials adjust to the weight and shape of your body, promoting the adjustment process.
2. Use the Entire Surface: Don’t just stick to one spot. Make use of the entire surface area by sleeping in different positions and areas of the bed. This ensures an even break-in and prevents premature sagging in one particular area.
3. Daytime Naps: Not just reserved for nighttime, catching a few daytime naps on your new bed can also expedite the transition process. The more time spent on the mattress, the quicker it can adapt to your body.

Remember, a new mattress might feel unfamiliar during the first few nights. But with consistent use, it will soon adapt to your body contours and sleeping habits, ensuring a comfortable and restful sleep.

3. Rotate Your New Mattress

Rotating your mattress is a great way to ensure it settles evenly, contributing to comfort and longevity.

Here’s a simple rotation strategy for single-sided mattresses:

1. Rotate Regularly: For the first three months, try rotating your mattress 180 degrees every two weeks. This means the head of the mattress will now be at the foot of your bed.
2. Post Transition Rotation: After the initial three months, rotate your mattress every two to three months. This will ensure all areas of the bed receive equal wear over time.

By ensuring your mattress wears evenly, you can prevent indentations and sagging. This enhances the lifespan of your bed and the quality of your sleep.

4. Increase Room Temperature

Did you know that room temperature can influence the feel of your mattress, especially if it’s memory foam?

Here’s how to use temperature to your advantage:

1. Turn Up the Heat: Memory foam responds well to heat. It becomes softer and more pliable. Increase your room temperature to around 72 degrees to help speed up the process.
2. Use a Heater: If it’s not practical to heat the entire room, you can use a space heater directed at the mattress. However, ensure it doesn’t get too close to avoid safety risks.

Remember, always be mindful and safe when using any heating devices.

5. Apply Pressure or Weight

Applying gentle pressure or weight can be another effective strategy to settle in your mattress more quickly. Here’s how to do it:

1. Gentle Walking: Carefully walk on the surface of your mattress. Be gentle and avoid jumping or harsh pressure that could damage the bed.
2. Spread out the Weight: You can also distribute weight across the mattress. Use objects like books or a carefully placed weight set. This constant, evenly distributed pressure can help the materials conform faster.
3. Spend More Time on It: Spending more time on your bed can also apply the necessary pressure. Consider working, reading, or watching TV on your bed during the day.

Note: The aim is to mimic the natural pressure your body exerts while sleeping without causing damage to the mattress.

6. Use a Proper Foundation

Using the proper foundation for your mattress can assist in the adjustment process, help maintain its shape, and extend its lifespan.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Check the Manufacturer’s Recommendation: Various mattresses require different types of support. Some need a box spring, some require a solid platform, and others work best with slatted bases.
• Ensure Adequate Support: The foundation should be sturdy and provide consistent support across the entire bottom surface of the mattress. Inadequate support can lead to sagging or uneven wear, impacting your comfort and the mattress’s lifespan.
• Align Your Bed Frame: Ensure your bed frame aligns with your mattress size to avoid overhanging edges. This helps distribute your weight evenly, aiding in the transition process.

Using the proper foundation for your mattress also provides the necessary support for a good night’s sleep.

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7. Add a Mattress Topper

While you’re transitioning into your new mattress, a topper can add extra comfort and make the process easier. Here’s how:

• Extra Cushioning: A mattress topper provides an additional layer of cushioning, which can alleviate the initial firmness of a new mattress.
• Customize Your Comfort: Toppers come in various materials, such as memory foam, latex, or down. You can choose one that complements your comfort preferences.
• Easy Adjustment: A topper can make the transition to a new mattress smoother by providing a familiar feel while your body adapts to the new bed.

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Note: While a topper can enhance comfort, it shouldn’t be a permanent solution if your mattress doesn’t suit your needs. If discomfort persists, a different mattress model or firmness level may be worth considering.

8. Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions

Your mattress’s manufacturer knows their product best. Following their specific instructions can be invaluable during the adjustment period.

Here’s why this matters:

• Specific Guidelines: Each mattress is unique; manufacturers often provide guidelines for care. These can include tips on rotation, cleaning, and suitable bases.
• Warranty Considerations: Not following the manufacturer’s instructions can sometimes void the warranty. Ensure you understand the dos and don’ts to keep your warranty intact.
• Get Professional Advice: If you’re not transitioning into your new mattress as expected or experiencing persistent discomfort, contact the manufacturer or your BedMart store team. They can provide advice tailored to your specific mattress model and situation.

Remember, the manufacturer’s instructions help you get the most out of your new mattress. Follow them closely for an optimal transition and sleep experience.

9. Give Yourself Time to Adjust

Just as your mattress needs time to adjust to you, you also need time to adjust to your mattress.

Here’s why giving yourself ample time is essential:

• Different Feel: It might feel different initially, especially if you’ve changed the type of mattress you’re used to. Whether you’ve switched from innerspring to memory foam or plush to firm, it will take time for your body to adjust to the new feel.
• Aligning Your Sleep: Your sleep may also align better as you adjust to the mattress. You’ll get accustomed to the support and comfort levels, which can improve your sleep quality.
• Patience is Key: A mattress can take a few weeks or 30 days to fully settle. Don’t rush the process. Patience is key to achieving the comfort and support you desire when choosing your mattress.

Note: Everyone’s experience with a new mattress is unique. Allow yourself the time to adjust to your new bed. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying comfortable and restful sleep.

Why Do You Need to Break in Your Mattress?

When you first bring home a new mattress, it may feel slightly different than in the store. That’s perfectly normal.

Mattresses need a period of adjustment to reach their optimal comfort level, a process known as the transition period.

Why is this necessary?

1. Materials need to loosen up: Mattresses are made with various materials, including memory foam, latex, or coils. These materials are tightly packed for shipping and need time to loosen and adapt to the contours of your body.
2. Body adjustment: As the mattress adapts to you, so does your body. Especially if the firmness level or material is different from your previous mattress.
3. Air Out: When first unpackaged, many new mattresses may have a harmless chemical smell. Aerating your mattress allows this odor to dissipate.
4. Achieve the right feel: The actual feel of a mattress becomes evident after a few weeks of use. Adjusting helps you understand whether the mattress is the right fit for you.

Transitioning to a mattress enhances your comfort and extends the mattress’s lifespan. So, patience pays off in the long run.

How Long Does it Take to Break in a Mattress?

Transitioning to a new mattress is not an overnight process. It takes time for the materials to soften and conform to your body’s unique contours and sleeping patterns. It may take your body 30 days to adjust to the support of a new mattress.

While the adjustment period can vary based on the type of mattress and your personal comfort preferences, here are some general timelines:

 

New Mattress Break-In Period
Memory Foam Mattress	60 days
Latex Mattress	2-14 days
Hybrid Mattress	30-90 days
Spring Mattress	30 days

Find the RIGHT Mattress at BedMart!

Struggling to find the perfect mattress that suits your comfort needs and budget? Look no further than BedMart.

We make the daunting task of mattress shopping a breeze. Our sleep experts will help you choose the best mattress based on personalized factors such as sleeping position, firmness preference, budget, and more.

Don’t compromise on your sleep quality. Experience the BedMart difference and wake up refreshed every morning. We offer a 140-day sleep trial period to ensure you love your new bed before committing to it for the long haul.

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