How Long Should You Wait to Sleep on a New Mattress?

It's a big decision to buy a new mattress. The new mattress that you choose is going to directly affect the quality of your sleep and your overall well-being, so you need to consider the investment that you're making.It's tempting to jump directly into bed once you get your mattress onto it, but should you be doing that?Many mattress manufacturers and experts will recommend waiting before you head into bed straight away. But how long should you wait to sleep on a new mattress? And what's the point of this waiting period anyway?

In this article, we're going to guide you through the first 24 to 48 hours of setting up a new mattress. We're going to talk you through what happens during this critical time and why it's essential to allow your mattress to expand and settle before you get on board.

The Importance of Waiting Before Sleeping on a New Mattress

Most new mattresses, especially those that are compressed and rolled up in a box, need time to expand and breathe to reach their intended shape. This is especially true for memory foam and hybrid mattresses because these are designed to regain their full structure after being compressed for shipping. 

Expansion Time for Memory Foam and Hybrid Mattresses

During the compression stage, the foam inside of the mattress is compacted with no air bubbles. This means it can't provide the level of support and comfort that it's supposed to give you right away. If you sleep on a mattress before it's had the time to expand properly, it may not perform as it should. For a foam or a hybrid mattress, especially those that have been vacuum sealed, it can take hours or e-mail up to 48 hours for the mattress to regain its full density and its shape. By sleeping on it too soon, you'll end up with an uneven comfort and you might not get the level of support you're hoping for.

Off-Gassing and Chemical Smells

When you get new clothes from the store, you wash them before you wear them because you don't know what's on the material, and the same is said for mattresses. One of the reasons that manufacturers suggest waiting to sleep on the new mattress is due to the off gassing process. Mattresses, particularly memory foam and those with a synthetic component, release a distinct chemical smell when they're first unboxed. This smell comes from the manufacturing process and the materials that are used in the mattress. It's perfectly normal, but the smell can be strong and it can be irritating. Airing the mattress out for a few hours or even a whole day can help to minimise that smell.

Quality Control and Settling of Materials

A variety of materials are used in the production of mattresses, including different types of coils, foam, and fabric. After unboxing the mattress, some materials need to settle into place, and this is particularly true of the foam layers. During the first few hours or days of use, the materials like memory foam can shift and settle into their intended position. This offers a smoother and more consistent feel. Jumping into bed too early can disrupt this process and result in less than ideal sleeping experiences.

Protecting the Mattress’s Longevity

You want your mattress to last as long as possible, and by allowing it to properly expand and settle, you can help it to perform at its best for years. Sleeping on it or laying down on it too soon can compress the materials unevenly when it's trying to expand. This can cause wear and tear, and if you place a new mattress on an unsuitable bed frame, this can cause misalignment. Giving it time to breathe and settle into place on the proper base will help to protect the longevity of your mattress.

What Happens During the First 24-48 Hours?

So you've just bought a new mattress and you're eager to jump on board and get snuggled down. The first 24 to 48 hours after you get your new mattress set up is crucial for the expansion process. During this time, the mattress, when you take it out-of-the-box or out of the packaging, expands to its full shape.It also has to adjust the room temperature and humidity conditions. Here's what you can expect during those first hours and days:

Unboxing and Initial Setup

Mattresses are typically compressed and rolled into a tight package, so when you first unbox it, stand back so you don't get flung across the rim. For most mattresses, particularly those with memory foam or hybrid designs, you have to remove all the packaging very carefully. Mattresses will begin to expand immediately, and this process does take time. In most cases, you'll notice that the mattress quickly begins to regain the main shape within the first few hours, but some, particularly thicker models may take up to 48 hours to fully expand.

Ventilation

We mentioned the chemical smell called off gassing earlier on and while it's completely normal, it's a strong smell and it can be quite off putting. Make sure that when your mattress comes out of the packaging, it's in a well ventilated room with open windows. This will allow the off gassing to dissipate more quickly so that you can dress the bed properly in no time.

Full Expansion and Settling

When you wait for your mattress to expand and settle into its intended shape, you'll be giving it time to make you more comfortable. Memory foam mattresses especially require adequate time to expand and become comfortable. Sleeping on it too soon can make it feel firmer than you expect, or you may even notice an unevenness where the foam hasn't fully expanded.

Initial Comfort and Feel

You want this to be a comfortable experience, and how you feel after a few nights of use can be a little bit different from what you might expect after a mattress has first expanded. It may feel a bit firmer right after the process of expansion because of the fact that it's still trying to spread and settle. Over the first few nights and weeks, you may notice that it gradually softens or conforms more closely to the body shape. It's essential to give it time to break in before deciding whether the level of firmness is right for you.

What to Do While Waiting to Sleep on Your New Mattress

It can feel like a long time to wait for your mattress to settle, but there are things that you can do to make the most of this period:

Allow the Mattress to Breathe

Make sure that you unbox your mattress in a well ventilated area. The more ventilated the area, the more it can air out.

Check for Any Imperfections

Use this time to check your mattress for any defects or damage. Sometimes mattresses do become damaged because of shipping, and that happens that way. But look for any visible signs of wear, sagging or other issues that could affect the mattress's performance. After all, they're not cheap.

Set Up Your Bed Frame or Foundation

Set up the rest of your bed while you wait for your mattress to breathe. This can include the bed frame, the foundation, or any other support structures. Go shopping for bedding and be sure to remember that the mattress should be placed on a firm and supportive surface that fits the specifications.

Don’t Rush the Process

It's so tempting to jump straight into bed as soon as you can, but if you do that, you could handle the expansion process. Wait the full 24 to 48 hours and you'll benefit from being more comfortable in the long run.

Can You Sleep on Your New Mattress Before It Expands?

Technically you can, you just shouldn't. It's not recommended because sleeping on it prematurely can cause the materials to compress unevenly. This means you're not going to be getting the most out of your investment, and that's exactly what a mattress is. You're investing in your comfort and in your sleep, and you want to have the correct amount of support to be able to enjoy it. Book yourself into a hotel room for the day that you get your mattress delivered so that you can have a good night's sleep in an already expanded mattress somewhere else. You should always make sure that it's expanded to at least 90% of its intended size before you jump in.