Break in a Mattress for Optimal Comfort
Did you know that the comfort of your mattress plays a crucial role in the quality of your sleep? But, what if your new mattress feels uncomfortable at first? Don’t worry, this is where the concept of “mattress break-in” comes in. Just like a new pair of shoes, your mattress needs time to adjust to your body for optimal comfort. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the break-in periods of various mattress types and provide valuable tips to help you achieve the perfect sleep experience, while answering the question: how long does it take to break in a mattress?
Key Takeaways
- Most mattresses adjust to your body within a few months, offering improved comfort and sleep quality.
- Choose the right mattress type for your needs. Natural latex or hybrid options offer optimal durability and support.
- Maximize comfort with proper break in processes including airing out, sleeping on it daily & optimizing temperature in bedroom.
Understanding Mattress Break-In Timelines

Mattress break-in timelines refer to the varying periods needed for different mattress types to adjust to your body, from immediate comfort to a few months of adaptation. Memory foam mattresses generally take up to 90 days to break in, while innerspring and hybrid mattresses usually take up to 30 days to achieve their optimal comfort level. A new mattress may become more comfortable and enhance the quality of your sleep once it’s broken in, particularly if you initially considered the firm mattress too stiff.
Various factors affect the break-in period, such as the mattress materials, body weight, and sleeping position. However, most mattress companies provide sleep trial periods to ensure your satisfaction. We will now proceed to examine the adaptation timelines of various mattress types and how they acclimate to your body and sleeping preferences.
Memory Foam Mattress Adaptation – Risks of VOC
Memory foam mattresses, known for their superior all-night support, soften under your body heat, making a firm mattress more comfortable over time. Nonetheless, they usually require the most time to break in, with the process extending around 60 days. It is worth noting that some memory foam mattresses, particularly petroleum-based ones, may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause an off-gassing smell. To mitigate this concern, you might want to look for certifications such as GREENGUARD, STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX, or CertiPUR-US® which ensure lower levels of VOCs.
Natural alternatives to petroleum foam, such as natural latex, often provide exceptional durability and comfort. They retain their shape and support over time, giving you a consistent and restful sleep experience, even if you initially find the mattress uncomfortable. Moreover, natural materials used in mattresses help regulate temperature by allowing heat and moisture to dissipate, resulting in a cooler and more restful sleep.
The Quick Settle of Spring Mattresses
Innerspring mattresses have the following characteristics:
- They quickly adapt to your body shape and weight for optimal comfort.
- However, to maintain their great condition and prolong their lifespan, they require regular rotation every 3 to 6 months.
- It typically takes around 30 days to adjust to an innerspring mattress.
- Regular rotation of your spring mattress can help ward off sinkholes, ensuring consistent comfort over the long term.
Proper care for innerspring mattresses is essential for their longevity. Remember to rotate them regularly and invest in a suitable bed frame or box spring to support the mattress adequately. Provided you take adequate care, you can maximize the lifespan of your innerspring mattress and maintain comfort during the break-in phase.
Latex Mattress Immediate Comfort

Latex mattresses, made of synthetic or natural latex, are incredibly comfortable and supportive right from the start. Their structure contributes to immediate comfort in several ways:
- Providing luxurious comfort
- Offering superior support
- Providing pressure relief
- Ensuring breathability
Natural latex mattresses also have the advantage of no off-gassing, making them an eco-friendly option.
Given their brief break-in duration, latex mattresses are a fantastic option for individuals who want comfort and support right away. Their unique properties, combined with proper care and maintenance, can ensure a consistently restful sleep experience.
Hybrid Mattress Customization Period
Hybrid mattresses combine the best of both worlds, featuring foam, latex, and gel layers with an innerspring system. The break-in period for hybrid mattresses varies, offering a unique experience depending on the combination of materials used. Casper’s hybrid mattresses, for example, typically adjust to your body within 30 days, providing you with a comfortable sleep experience even if you initially find the mattress uncomfortable.
The adjustment phase for hybrid mattresses provides an opportunity to enjoy an ideal equilibrium of comfort and support. As the mattress materials adjust and conform to your body, you’ll enjoy a more personalized and satisfying sleep.
Maximizing Comfort: Tips for Breaking in Your New Mattress
Now that we’ve discussed the break-in periods of various mattress types, let’s focus on some tips to help you maximize comfort during this process. The process of breaking in a new mattress can be quite enjoyable! Here are some tips to enhance your mattress enjoyment and transform an uncomfortable mattress into a comfortable one:
- Air it out
- Place weights on it
- Crawl or walk on the mattress
- Stack books on it
Be patient and enjoy the process of breaking in your mattress, sleeping on it daily with proper foundation for the best results. If you still feel like you have the wrong mattress after the break-in period, consider reaching out to the retailer for assistance.
Ensuring Proper Support with the Right Foundation

The proper foundation can make a huge positive impact on how your mattress feels, especially if you initially find the mattress uncomfortable. Traditional innerspring mattresses function best with box springs, whereas memory foam mattresses favor wooden bed bases for their superior support and pressure alleviation. Adding a mattress topper can also enhance the overall comfort and support of your sleeping surface.
A new foundation investment can assist you in obtaining uniform and sufficient support, thus making an initially uncomfortable mattress more cozy. Make sure the foundation remains flat and is able to withstand minimal pressure to ensure a proper break-in process.
Consistently Sleeping on Your New Mattress
Regular sleep can speed up the process to break in a new mattress, even if it initially seems uncomfortable. By sleeping on the mattress every night and putting weight on it, you can help it conform to your body shape and preferences, allowing for a more comfortable and personalized sleeping experience.
Lying on different areas of the mattress during the break-in process can help evenly distribute the weight and pressure, allowing the materials to adjust and conform to your body, thus speeding up the process and ensuring optimal comfort.
Temperature Tweaks for Faster Adjustment
Adjusting the temperature in your bedroom can help certain mattress materials, like memory foam, conform to your body faster. Increasing the temperature in the room can help the foam in the mattress expand and become more pliable, allowing for a more comfortable and enjoyable sleep experience. The ideal temperature to break in a memory foam mattress is around 72 degrees Fahrenheit, which can help soften the material and make it more malleable for forming to your body shape.
Raising the room temperature can be incredibly helpful in making an initially uncomfortable mattress more comfortable, as it enhances the material’s flexibility, allowing it to mold to your body shape for maximum comfort and making the mattress softer.
When to Consider Alternatives
Occasionally, even after adhering to the break-in process and allowing your body time to acclimatize to the new mattress, you might still not achieve the level of comfort you desire. In such cases, it’s essential to know when to consider alternative mattress options. If after participating in the home sleep trial for 30, 60, or 100 nights, you are still not sleeping comfortably on your mattress, it might be time to consider an alternative.
If your current mattress remains uncomfortable after the in-home sleep trial period, consider contacting the retailer to help you find a better-suited mattress. Many stores offer personalized mattress fittings with knowledgeable sleep advisors or specialists to ensure a better sleep experience.
The Role of Body Weight in Mattress Break-In
Body weight significantly influences the mattress break-in process. Lighter-weight sleepers may take a bit longer to break in a mattress compared to heavier sleepers, but the mattress will eventually adjust to the body shape and weight of the sleeper, which can help facilitate the break-in process.
By spending more time in bed, consistently sleeping on the mattress, adding weights to the mattress, and using the proper foundation, you can ensure a mattress break-in process tailored to different body weights. This will allow the mattress to adapt to your body shape, weight, and sleeping position, creating a comfortable and personalized sleeping experience.
Navigating Sleep Trial Periods
Sleep trial periods, as offered by mattress companies like SolaPedic, provide an excellent chance for customer satisfaction and achieving the perfect fit. SolaPedic offers a 100-night trial period, allowing you to experience the comfort of their mattresses in your own home. The purpose of the sleep trial period is to allow customers to comfortably adjust to the new mattress and evaluate how it meets their sleep needs.
During the trial period, SolaPedic’s customer service team is available to provide support and guidance to help you find the perfect mattress. Upon the return of the mattress, you will receive a full refund of the purchase price if you decide it’s not the right fit for you.
Bed Bases and Mattress Longevity
Bed bases have a notable impact on mattress durability and can influence the break-in process. Dense materials such as wood or metal are often recommended for their durability and longevity, making them the best types of bed bases for mattress longevity. Slatted foundations or metal bed bases are great choices.
Utilizing an adjustable base may effectively reduce the break-in duration. Additionally, the quality and density of the bed base can positively affect how long it takes for the mattress to fully break in. High-quality bed bases can help protect the mattress over time, ensuring a comfortable and long-lasting sleep experience.
Summary
In conclusion, understanding the break-in periods of different mattress types and following the tips provided in this blog post can help you achieve optimal comfort with your new mattress. Whether you prefer memory foam, innerspring, latex, or hybrid mattresses, make sure to give your mattress time to adjust to your body and sleeping preferences. With patience, consistency, and the right foundation, you’ll soon be enjoying the perfect sleep experience on your new mattress.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you break in a mattress fast?
Turn up the heat in your bedroom slightly to help your mattress adjust more quickly, sleep on it regularly, apply pressure across the bed using heavy objects, and rotate it every two weeks to promote even wear. This will help your mattress break in quickly and form to your body faster.
Do new mattresses need to be broken in?
Yes, all mattresses need a break-in period in order to reach their optimum comfort levels. From foam beds to innerspring and hybrid options, the mattress will start to conform to your body as soon as you apply pressure or weight.
How long does it take for a new mattress to get softer?
It typically takes 30 to 90 days for a new mattress to get softer and adjust to your body’s contours. Patience is key, as it takes time for your body to adapt to the new mattress and for the materials to adjust. Memory foam mattresses usually take the longest to break in.
What happens if I sleep on my mattress before 24 hours?
It’s generally recommended to wait 24 hours before sleeping on a new mattress, but you can do so a couple of hours after unboxing without damaging it. However, bear in mind that your mattress won’t be at its most comfortable right away.
What factors affect the break-in period of a mattress?
Break-in period of a mattress can be impacted by the mattress materials, body weight, and sleeping position – all of which play a key role in ensuring comfortable sleep.