How To Break In A New Mattress Quickly

Written by Nectarsleep Editorial Team

Last updated on Jul 08, 2025

Better Sleep Blog
How To Break In A New Mattress Quickly

In this article:

(Because you’ve waited long enough for a good night’s sleep.)

So your brand-new mattress has arrived. 🎉

You’ve just unboxed it, fluffed up the pillows, and made the bed with your Sunday-best sheets. You lie down, expecting instant luxury… And then—
“Wait, why does this feel firmer than it did in the shop?”

We’ve all been there.
The truth is: new mattresses take time to break in.
Sometimes weeks. Sometimes over a month. Sometimes longer.

And while we’d love to give you a magic hack to speed it up (believe me, we would), the reality is: you can’t rush it completely. Good things — like decent sleep and a mattress that moulds to your body — take their sweet time.

That said, there are a few gentle nudges you can give it to help things along.

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1. Sleep on it — even if it’s not love at first lie-down

This one’s obvious, but it matters: you’ve got to give your mattress a chance to get to know you.
And that only happens through regular use. Your weight, heat, and sleep style all play a part in helping the materials soften and adapt.
So even if it’s not instant comfort, keep at it. Your body needs time to adjust too — especially if you’ve been sleeping on a saggy, unsupportive mattress for years.

2. Let it breathe before judging it

If your mattress arrived rolled and vacuum-packed, give it a good 24–72 hours to fully expand before making any snap decisions.
And while it’s airing out, open a window. That “new mattress smell” (aka off-gassing) is normal and disappears fairly quickly. Think of it as the mattress equivalent of new car smell.

3. Warm it up a little

Foam, in particular, responds to body heat. If your bedroom’s chilly, it might take a bit longer for things to soften up. A warmer room (or even a thicker duvet) can help nudge things along.
No need to crank up the thermostat — just don’t sleep in an icebox and expect instant plushness.

4. Press, kneel, gently move around

While you can’t break in a mattress overnight, some gentle movement across the surface might help it relax a little.
Think: kneeling, pressing with your hands, or lying in different spots (spread out across the mattress, not just curled into your usual sleeping corner).
No jumping. No bouncing. Just a bit of encouragement.

5. Rotate it every week (for the first month)

This helps distribute wear evenly and encourages the materials to settle across the whole surface, not just one side.
Once you’re past the break-in phase, rotating every couple of months will help keep things comfy longer-term.

So… how long does it take?

Honestly? 30 to 60 nights is typical, but it can be longer depending on the mattress and you.
Your body, health, sleep style — they all play a part. Some people settle in a week. For others, it’s closer to two months. And that’s completely OK.

Which is why your in-home trial is your best friend. Use the full length of it. Sleep, rotate, give it a proper go before making any big decisions. That time is there for you to work out if this mattress is The One.

Final thought?

You can’t rush a relationship — even with your mattress.
But with a little patience (and a few of the tips above), you’ll get there. And one day soon, you’ll wake up thinking, “Ooh. That was a solid night’s sleep.”

And just like that, you’ll know it’s finally broken in.

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