Most spring mattresses can be used straight after you receive the delivery. However, you should allow at least 24 hours for ‘rolled’ mattresses or memory foam mattresses to expand before you use them. This guide will explain all the reasons why you need to wait 24 hours, and whether or not it is safe to use your mattress straight away.
Is it safe to sleep on a new mattress?
Getting a good night’s sleep is probably top on your agenda if you have just bought a brand new mattress, or even a new bed.
The trouble is, now you have your new mattress installed, you want to get sleeping on it straight away – but you don’t know if it is safe to do so!
You may also be interested in our post explaining how long it takes to adjust to a new mattress.
Box spring mattress
Most traditional box spring mattresses are perfectly safe to sleep on straight away, and don’t need to be rested or expanded first.
However, they may give off a nasty smell at first, so you might want to leave the new mattress to breathe for a day or so befofre using it for the first time.
Read also: Can you roll a spring mattress?
Memory foam mattress
With a new memory foam mattress, you are definitely going to want to leave it at least 24 hours before you sleep on it.
New memory foam mattresses need to ‘off-gass’ and can smell pretty unpleasant until this process has had at least 24 hours.
Is memory foam gas smell toxic?
Off-gassing of new memory foam gives off an unpleasant smell, but it is not actually toxic and shouldn’t make you sick.
The smell given off by a new mattress comes from ‘volatile organic chemicals’ which are used in the manufacturing process and which normally come from the foam and adhesive parts of the mattress. These products are not toxic in the amounts contained in your new mattress.
A very small percentage of people can experience irritation such as itchy throat and eyes if they expose themselves to the smell of the new mattress for a long period. This is one of the reasons why it’s not recommended to use your new mattress before 24 hours has passed.
The chemicals in a mattress are also one of the reasons why you shouldn’t burn a mattress.
How long does it take for a new mattress to stop smelling?
The amount of time it will take depends on the type of mattress. The strongest off-gassing smell will fade within a few days to a couple of weeks, although with foam mattresses you may notice a faint smell for up to a couple of months.
The best way to speed up the process of off-gassing is to lay your mattress outside (on a dry, sunny day) for a few hours.
If you can’t lay it outside, place it in a well ventilated area for a couple of days before you use it.
It also helps to ‘turn’ the mattress over periodically while you are airing it out.
Can you sleep on your mattress right away?
If your mattress has been delivered to you in a box, rolled up, or compressed then you should not sleep on it until it has had time to expand fully. This process normally takes aroudn 24 hours but varies depending on the type of mattress and how it has been packaged for delivery.
Can you sleep on a rolled mattress straight away?
It depends on the type of mattress and how quickly you can get it out of the packaging. Some come vacuum packed to make them easier to transport, while others are rolled up for storage purposes.
If your mattress has been compressed and rolled for storage or delivery then it is best to give it at least a few hours to regain its proper shape before you try to use it.
If your mattress is memory foam then you should leave it at least 24 hours before sleeping on it.
Can you sleep on a memory foam mattress straight away?
Most memory foam mattresses require at least 24 hours to expand.
Can you sleep on a spring mattress straight away?
A lot of people might be wondering if they should wait to sleep on their new spring mattress. The answer is, you don’t have to wait! You can sleep on your new mattress as soon as you get it.
How long to leave a memory foam mattress before sleeping on it
The expansion process for a new memory foam mattress normally takes 24 hours. Some manufacturers suggest waiting 48 hours before using your mattress, so always check the label first.
Why is it recommended to wait 24 hours before using your new mattress?
Most people think that you should wait 24 hours before using your new mattress, and this is because the mattresses are shipped vacuum-sealed in order to reduce shipping costs. When the mattress is taken out of the packaging, it will slowly regain its original shape. It is also recommended to let the mattress air out for a few hours before use, as this will help to get rid of any chemical smells.
Some people choose to ignore this advice and use their new mattress straight away, but they may find that they are not getting a good night’s sleep. This is because the mattress needs time to regain its original shape and to air out properly, and using it straight away may not give it the chance to do this.
What will happen if you don’t wait 24 hours before sleeping on your new memory foam mattress?
If you don’t give your memory foam mattress 24 hours or more to expand before you sleep on it you may risk damaging the memory foam by placing weight on it before it is ready. This can actually cause lasting damage and is one of the main reasons why people return their mattresses, as their body weight has damaged the memory foam and resulted in a lumpy mattress..
If you do use your foam mattress before 24 hours has passed, you may not end up with the quality mattress you expected, and you may also find it diffucult to sleep with the strong new mattress smell.
What if I can’t wait 24 hours?
It’s a good idea to wait until the mattress has fully expanded before sleeping on it. This will help ensure that you get the most comfortable sleep possible. But, if you really can’t wait to sleep on your new mattress, try sleeping on your back or stomach instead of your side. This will help reduce the amount of pressure you put on one specific area of the mattress.
If you can’t wait 24 hours before using your new mattress, then at least try to let it air out for a few hours first. This will help to get rid of any chemical smells and will make it more comfortable to sleep on.
How to help your new mattress fully expand quickly
There are a few things you can try to reduce the break in period of a new mattress:
Use a vacuum cleaner
If you have a new memory foam mattress, it’s important to give it time to fully expand. The best way to do this is by using a vacuum cleaner with the hose attachment. Simply place the nozzle over the top of the mattress and turn the vacuum cleaner on. This will help remove any excess air from within the mattress, which will help it to expand more quickly.
Use a hair dryer
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer to help the mattress expand. Point the hairdryer at the middle of the mattress and turn it on high. This will create heat which will help the mattress to expand more quickly. Be careful not to damage the mattress by using too much heat, though.
Keep the room warm
Make sure the room you place the mattress in has a high temperature while you are letting the mattress expand, as this will help the foam to expand more quickly.
Roll on your mattress
You can also roll on your mattress to encourage the memory foam to expand. Try not to stay in one place on the mattress for any length of time and do not place excess weight on the mattress as this may damage the memory foam.
Give it space – don’t put sheets on the bed
Always ensure that your new mattress has space to expand. This means not putting anything on top of it, even sheets, until it has fully expanded. Make sure not to tuck sheets too tightly around the corners when you do eventually make the bed for the first time.
Read also: Do latex pillows smell?
Conclusion: Can you sleep on a new mattress straight away?
It is important to give your new mattress time to fully expand before sleeping on it. This will help ensure that you get the most comfortable sleep possible and reduce any chance of damaging the memory foam with too much weight or pressure. If you are unable, make sure to air the mattress out for a few hours first – using it straight away may not give it enough time to allow for the off-gassing process.