Statistics show, on average, that Americans replace their mattress every seven years. If you have ever slept on a mattress for that length of time, then it may be no secret that mattresses tend to break down over time, typically just from normal wear and tear that comes from sleeping in your bed a fair amount of the time. For the majority of people who find themselves needing to replace their mattress, it is because it is causing some level of discomfort or pain. Ultimately, this stems from the breakdown of materials that are found inside the mattress. Adjusting to a new mattress may take time for a variety of reasons.
Giving your new mattress time to “break-in”.
For some, finding the right replacement mattress may be difficult, as their old one had time to adjust to the shape of their body, making it seem more comfortable, that is at least before it began breaking down. Even with new mattress sales topping more than 39 million units being shipped yearly within the United States, many may not know that a new mattress still requires some time to be broken in. This is the case, even when they’ve had a sleep specialist help them select their new bed.
Contrary to what some mattress and bedding stores sell, brand new mattresses can cause discomfort for a few weeks before they’ve had the adequate time needed to adjust and soften the new materials. This is something a lot of businesses won’t tell you. It is also why many bedding stores offer a sleep-trial for at least 30 days or more. The Bedding Mart offers a 365 day sleep trial on most of our mattresses.
So, if you have just bought a new mattress and are experiencing some discomfort, then do not worry, it most likely just hasn’t had enough time to adjust and conform to your body. Think of your new mattress as a new pair of shoes, you both need time to adjust and achieve optimal comfort.
While the time needed to adjust varies depending on the materials used in the mattress, most experts agree that 30 days should be enough time for the materials to become broken in. Though this may seem like a long time, there are some tips that you can try to help speed up the time it takes for your mattress to feel most comfortable.
Tips to help adjust to your new mattress:
1. Let the Mattress Breathe- While it may be tempting to jump right in bed as soon as you get your brand new mattress, allowing it to breathe for a few hours will help oxygen to penetrate the brand new materials which will help them become more flexible. Opening the window or turning on a fan will help to air it out quicker.
2. Turn Up the Heat- And no, we don’t mean in between the sheets-- but, of course, that is always an option. Turning up the thermostat a degree or two just before bed will help to soften up the layers of the mattresses, making it feel more comfortable during the adjustment time. This is especially useful for memory foam mattress types.
3. Use a Supportive Foundation- It is important to keep in mind that you are using the proper foundation for your new mattress. Not using the proper support can make it feel more uncomfortable, lead to improper adjustment, and speed up wear and tear. Be sure to check with manufacturers recommendations or speak with a mattress associate to see which type of support is best for your specific mattress type.
4. Add Some Weight- If 30 days just seems like it is entirely too long, you can always try adding some light pressure to your mattress during the time you are not using it. Try putting boxes on top or small furniture to help break in the materials.
5. Use Your Body- For latex or memory foam beds, experts have suggested that you can actually walk around on top of them to loosen up the materials to help it conform to your body. For beds with springs, they suggest crawling around on top as to not damage the springs. You can also roll around on it, but no jumping of course!
6. Spend The Time- Putting in the time will help speed up the adjustment period. This could mean sleeping on it every single night, even if it doesn't feel the most comfortable at first. If you usually spend a few hours on the couch at night reading, watching TV, or doing work, try spending that time in bed instead. The more you lay on it, the faster it will break in.
7. Give It Time- Though it may seem like no amount of time will make your mattress feel more comfortable, giving it the full amount of time to adjust will ensure that it has had proper time to soften. While 30 days is the average amount of time suggested, this amount of time can vary depending on the type of mattress purchased. For example, innerspring models are known to adjust quicker but they can also take up to 4 weeks.
Latex mattresses can depend on whether they are made from synthetic or natural materials, but they typically contain a lot of air in between the fibers, causing them to have an average adjustment time of 2-14 days.
For memory foam, the denser the material, the longer it usually takes to adjust, some high density memory foam mattresses have been known to take up to 60 days to break in. It is important to check with the manufacturer as they often have a minimum amount of time required for their specific mattress.
Sometimes, even after the suggested timeframe has passed, and all these tips have been tried, the mattress may still not feel comfortable. If that is the case, then it may be time for an exchange or a refund. Most mattress companies offer a trial period that allows you to return or exchange the mattress within a certain amount of time. If you have waited and tried everything you could think of to break in your mattress, and it still isn't quite what you wanted, then it may be wise to contact the manufacturer or the store that you bought it from.
If you happen to be in the market for a new mattress, The Bedding Mart offers a 365 day peace of mind exchange if you purchase a mattress protector at the same time. We would be pleased to answer any questions you may have. We want you to find the perfect night’s sleep. Come visit us in-store or online.
