Several factors can affect your sleep, one of which is the surface you choose to sleep on. According to research, people who sleep on mattresses, particularly memory foam, tend to fall asleep faster and rest well. Studies also show that latex foam can better resist that ‘sinking feeling’ you get from using memory foam. This resistance that latex foam offers may help people sleep at a comfortable position and temperature.
But just like wine, mattresses take a while before they feel more comfortable. If you’re struggling to sleep on your new mattress, don’t worry. You just need to break in your mattress.
How long will you need to break in your mattress?
Depending on the type, most mattresses will take 30 to 90 days to break in. For instance, hybrid and memory foam mattresses take around 60 days to break in due to their heavy and high-density foam material. A spring mattress may take about 30 days to completely break in since it’s originally designed to conform to your weight. Meanwhile, a latex mattress, which is a luxury mattress, will only take 2 to 14 days to break in.
Since the mattress’s breaking-in period is important, many mattress companies like Keetsa will offer a 90-night sleep trial after purchase to give you enough time to break the mattress in and let your body adjust. Some companies don’t allow return or exchange requests until after the sleep trial period has been completed. You can check out a Keetsa mattress review or other online reviews to find out how long it took for their previous buyers to break in their mattresses.
How do you break in your new mattress?
Here are some tips you can follow to break in your new mattress and make the most of it.
- Let the mattress rest
After getting your new mattress, resist the urge to sit or lie on it right away. Instead, give your mattress enough time to breathe and rest, especially if it’s tightly wrapped in plastic. Most mattresses will need a few hours to a day to expand fully before use.
So, after purchase, let your mattress rest and set it up near an open window. Avoid wrapping it with any bedding and ensure that no one sits, sleeps, or places heavy objects on the mattress. Let it rest for 24 hours so that it can breathe and expand to its original size.
- Adjust the room temperature
If you’ve bought a new memory foam mattress, it will help to adjust the room temperature and increase the heat. Remember, memory foam is a temperature-sensitive material. Turning up the heat may allow your memory foam mattress to turn softer and more comfortable for sleeping.
But be sure not to increase the heat too much, so your room won’t feel like a desert. Memory foam also tends to retain heat, making the mattress’s surface uncomfortably warm against your body. Just keep your room’s temperature at ideal humidity for better sleep and a comfortable sleeping surface.
- Wait for your body to adjust to the new mattress
Understandably, the first few weeks of sleeping on your mattress can feel weird, unfamiliar, or uncomfortable since the mattress is still in the process of breaking in. You don’t have to give up on your new mattress. Be patient with your body and give it time to adjust to your new bed. Buying another mattress will only bring you back to square one.
You might find this challenging to do, but it will be worth the wait once the break-in period is over.
- Switch to a new foundation
Using a new bed frame or foundation may be an afterthought. However, a poor foundation can affect your mattress’s ability to provide support and comfort to your body during sleep, even if it’s brand new. If the foundation is already sagging or unstable, your new mattress will feel the same.
Consider switching to a new foundation compatible with your new mattress’s size and type. A new hybrid or memory foam mattress may work better with a platform-style foundation. On the other hand, a spring mattress may be more suitable for a box spring bed frame or a slatted base.
- Add a mattress topper
One quick and low-cost way to break in your new mattress is to add a mattress topper. Although most mattress companies recommend you try your new mattress without a topper, using a mattress topper can help you adjust to your new mattress.
The mattress topper will function as your training wheels to help your body get used to the new surface. Additionally, it will protect your new mattress from wear and tear, extending its life span.
There are four types of mattress toppers you can choose from:
- Feather or down mattress topper: It’s affordable and suitable, providing soft support.
- Wool topper: It offers soft support and is hypoallergenic.
- Latex topper: It provides airflow.
- Memory foam mattress topper: It relieves joint pain.
Pick a mattress topper based on the type of mattress you have.
- Flip and use the other side
For latex and memory foam mattresses, you can flip them to the other side if the other surface isn’t to your liking. The other side might offer more comfortable support or break in faster than the other surface. Plus, rotating and flipping your new mattress can help prevent premature sagging. Ripping or rotating it spreads out the heavy pressure from your body, potentially extending your mattress’s lifespan.
However, note that flipping is only applicable to some mattress types. For example, spring mattresses can’t be flipped since they’re designed for use with a specific side.
- Use your new mattress regularly
Just because you’re waiting for the break-in period to be over doesn’t mean you should temporarily ditch it to sleep on the couch. To speed up its break-in process, sleep on your new mattress regularly. If you have a hybrid mattress that usually takes 60 days to break in, sleep on it every night and put heavy objects on it during the day. With consistent use, your new mattress will be softer and more comfortable.
However, suppose the 60- to 90- night sleep trial has elapsed, and the mattress still feels hard on your body. In that case, you’ll have to seek advice from the mattress company or return it for an exchange.
- Consider a return or exchange
If none of these tips worked for you, consider returning your mattress or exchanging it for a new one. It might sound frustrating to go through the process of breaking in all over again, but you’ll find the perfect mattress eventually.
Conclusion
A brand-new mattress is usually firm. But with this guide, you can take steps to make your bed more comfortable and enjoy a good night’s sleep. After the break-in period, your mattress will become softer, its foam molded more and more into your sleeping form over time.