Mattress Expansion Time: How Long to Wait Before Sleeping
Congratulations on your brand-new mattress in a box! You may be wondering how long your mattress will take to expand fully and become ready to sleep. You may have already disposed of your old mattress, and you are wondering if your new mattress is ready to sleep on right away.
Different brands will have different suggestions on how long their mattresses should take to expand fully. Some brands claim that their mattresses can be used within a few hours while others suggest waiting up to 72.
Do you really need to wait for that long, before you jump into bed and enjoy your first night of sleep on a new mattress? What are the potential consequences of sleeping directly on the mattress while it is expanding?
We answer these questions to help you decide when you should start sleeping on your mattress.
Why does it take time for mattresses to expand?
The mattresses are usually made overseas, and they remain compressed for a long time until they reach your door. The foam and coil layers (for hybrid mattresses), inside the mattress, can take a while to return to their original size, shape and form.
As soon as you remove the mattress from the box, air begins to seep back into the layers of the mattress and gain volume. The time it takes for the mattress fully to expand and return to its original state will depend on the type of material and how long the mattress has been compressed.
How long does it usually take for a bed to fully expand?
Most mattresses will reach 95%-98% of their original size within the first few hours after unpacking. The remaining 2%-5% of the mattress’s full size will expand over the following days.
Is it Safe to Sleep Directly on the Mattress?
We still recommend waiting 72 hours to sleep on your mattress. If you wait for 72 hours, you will reap some benefits, but there aren’t many downsides.
Waiting 72 hours before sleeping on a mattress has its benefits
1) Off-gassing
When you unbox a new mattress, it can have a strong odour or smell. Volatile Organic Compounds are responsible for the smell. VOC emissions from certified mattresses are well below safety standards but still can cause sensitivity in some people.
According to research, VOC emissions are highest on the first day and decrease by 58% on day three. If you’re sensitive to smells, wait at least 72 hours before using the mattress.
2) Changed feel
A mattress that is not fully inflated can have an uneven surface or even weak edges. Your initial sleep experience might not have been as pleasant as you would have liked. Sometimes the first impression of a mattress can stick in your head, and you develop a bias towards it.
How Can You Accelerate The Expansion Process?
You can do a few simple things to expand your mattress quickly.
1) Air the mattress out:
Open the window and turn on the fan to let the mattress air out. You can leave your mattress outside for a few hours if the weather is good.
2) Roll or walk on the mattress:
You may think it’s silly, but this helps. You can help the foam expand faster by rolling or walking on it. You should not jump on the bed and wear clean socks when walking on it.
3) Increase the temperature [Applicable to memory foam mattresses]
Memory foam is heat-sensitive and will respond well to warmer temperatures. The mattress will expand faster if you raise the thermostat, or place the mattress next to a window that faces the sun.
