Breaking In A New Mattress - Sleeping On A Mattress Immediately

So, What’s the Deal with Mattresses in a Box?

If you ordered your mattress online, chances are it arrived rolled up and squished into a box that seems way too small to hold an actual bed. That’s totally normal.

Most boxed mattresses are compressed and vacuum-sealed—basically all the air is sucked out to make delivery easier (and to stop you from having to wrestle a full king-sized mattress through your front door). When you unbox it, the mattress needs a bit of time to re-inflate, so to speak. Usually, around six hours will do the trick for it to bounce back to shape—but for some types, especially memory foam, it can take longer.

And yes, you might notice a bit of a smell at first. That’s just off-gassing, and while it’s harmless, it can be a bit off-putting if you’re sensitive to smells. Most of that scent should clear up within 24 hours—but if you’ve got time to let it air out, it’s worth doing.

Why Your Mattress Needs a Break-In Period (And You Do Too)

Okay, real talk—sleeping on a brand-new mattress can feel a bit... weird at first. Sort of like wearing a new pair of shoes. They look perfect, they feel promising, but they’re just a bit stiff. And that’s totally normal.

Most mattresses, especially those made from memory foam or latex, need a bit of time to soften and adapt to your body. When they’re fresh out of the factory, the materials are firm and haven’t had a chance to flex and stretch yet. That’s what the break-in period is all about—giving the mattress a chance to adjust to you, and vice versa.

So if your first night feels a little underwhelming, don’t panic. It’s not a sign you bought the wrong mattress—it’s just part of the process.

How Long Does It Take to Break In a Mattress?

Most mattresses take about 30 to 60 nights to fully break in. Yep, a month or two. That might sound like a long time, but remember: your body’s been used to your old mattress (even if it wasn’t great), and this new one needs time to catch up — and win you over.

If after 60 days you’re still uncomfortable, it might be worth checking the return or exchange policy. But for most people, once you hit that sweet spot, you’ll wonder how you ever slept without it.

How To Break In A Mattress

If you’re eager to start sleeping like a baby (and who isn’t?), here are a few tried-and-true ways to help your new mattress settle in faster:

1. Let it breathe

Before you throw on your fitted sheet and duvet, give your mattress a chance to breathe. Strip off any protective wrapping, open the windows, and let the air do its thing. This helps release any of that “new mattress” smell and gets everything circulating nicely through the foam.

2. Add a bit of heat

If your mattress still feels a bit like sleeping on a plank, try warming up your room by a few degrees. Heat can help soften the foam, making your bed feel comfier, quicker.

3. Walk it out

Yes, really. If you're comfortable with it, gently walking or crawling across your mattress (think of it as a grown-up version of “kneading the dough”) can help loosen up those materials. Got kids? Let them do a bit of supervised mattress marching. Just steer clear of jumping—it’s fun but not great for the structure.

4. Be patient

This one’s hard, especially when you're desperate for a good night's sleep, but it’s key. Some mattresses take a few days, others a couple of weeks to feel just right. Your body also needs time to adjust to new support, especially if your old mattress was, well, letting the side down. So hang in there—it’ll be worth it.

5. Skip the topper (for now)

Tempted to throw a thick mattress topper on for instant cosiness? Hold off for a bit. While toppers are great later on, using one too soon can actually slow down the break-in process by acting as a barrier between you and the mattress. Give it a chance to shine on its own first.

Should You Sleep on It Right Away?

If you’re still wondering, “Can I actually sleep on this thing tonight?”—here’s the lowdown: you probably can. Most modern mattresses are designed to be safe and usable within hours of unboxing. But if you can give it a full 24 hours to expand and air out, you might have a more comfortable first night.

And remember, comfort improves over time. So if night one doesn’t feel like sleeping on a cloud just yet, don’t lose heart. That dreamy sleep is coming.

How to Take Care of Your New Mattress

Now that you’ve got your beautiful new mattress in place, here’s how to keep it in tip-top shape for years to come:

➤ Unwrap it ASAP

Don’t let it sit in the box for days. The sooner you unwrap it, the sooner it starts expanding—and the quicker that factory-fresh smell disappears.

➤ No bouncing

Yes, kids love using beds as trampolines, but mattresses really hate it. All that pressure can mess with the structure and lead to sagging down the line. Same goes for pets with a habit of springboarding on and off—if you can, encourage them to keep all four paws on the floor.

➤ Protect it

Invest in a quality mattress protector. It’s like insurance for your bed. It guards against spills, stains, dust mites, and allergens—and it’s way easier to wash than the mattress itself.

Final Thoughts

Buying a new mattress is a big step toward better sleep—but just like any relationship, it takes a little time to find your groove. So yes, go ahead and sleep on it that first night if you like, but remember: the magic often happens after a few days (or weeks) of breaking it in.

Be patient, treat it well, and soon you’ll be wondering how you ever slept without it.