Shopping for a new bed can seem daunting, given the thousands of options and the significant amount of dollars to potentially spend, but it’s simpler than you might think. There are many different informational resources available to you when it comes time to buy a new mattress. And then, of course, you’ll want to know how to break in a mattress.
Once you’ve decided on the general direction you should be going, you can either purchase one at a brick-and-mortar location or online. Both options have their benefits and drawbacks.
Buying and breaking in a new mattress is not a frequent occurrence in most people’s lives, and it’s always a good idea to chat with a professional about which of the best options currently on the market will serve your specific needs. Mattress World Northwest has Sleep Specialists available to help you make a smart decision at every location, over the phone and through a chat on our online store.
Mattresses are not exactly a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. The factors to consider when purchasing a new mattress are the position you sleep most comfortably in, your body size, your lifestyle, space constraints, and budget.
Smaller-framed people tend to prefer softer mattresses since they don’t sink as deeply into the support layers as a heavier person would. Likewise, a person whose height is over six-feet might find a twin or a full-size mattress to be a bit cramped and a plush mattress to cause back pain.
Side sleepers tend to prefer a plusher mattress that features memory foam, allowing their hips and shoulders to sink into it without creating pressure points. Back and stomach sleepers may want a mattress that’s on the firmer side to prevent their hips from sinking too low, creating spinal misalignment. If you’ve been sleeping on a different firmness such as going from a firmer mattress to a plusher choice, it may take a bit longer to get used to a new mattress.
Don’t let the fear of not knowing how to break in a mattress keep you from improving your sleep.
Breaking in a bed takes 21 to 30 nights on average. Part of this is your body getting used to the new materials and surface, and the other part is the materials learning to give to your body’s curves. If you’ve been used to the worn-out feel of an old mattress, just like a worn-out pair of shoes, the absence of those familiar and well-worn curves might take a short period of time to get used to. If your new mattress feels a bit stiffer than it did in the store, don’t worry. This is just because the materials are brand new and no one has laid on it before.
Walking on the bed with your socks or bare feet can help soften the innersprings and loosen up the foam. Kids are typically more than happy to offer help in this department.
Just avoid jumping, though, as that can damage your new mattress.
Keeping your bedroom a little warmer can help soften memory foam mattresses, as they flex more in response to heat, like your body heat when you lie on them. Not so warm that it’s difficult to sleep, but a few degrees warmer than your usual temperature.
Adding a mattress topper is an inexpensive way to adjust more quickly to a mattress that hasn’t yet been broken in. It provides an additional layer of cushioning and has the added benefit of another layer that protects your mattress.
A bed frame or box spring that’s past its prime or designed to be used with a different type of mattress will definitely affect the way it feels underneath you. Box springs are meant to be used with innerspring or hybrid mattresses only and will be quite uncomfortable underneath a thin memory foam mattress.
Latex and memory foam mattresses are often the same on either side, allowing them to be flipped. Try a different side; it may have a better feel. Just double-check that your memory foam is the same on each side, as some memory foam mattresses are built with different foam densities in each layer.
The length of time it takes for your body to adjust to a new mattress depends largely on the materials used. Latex mattresses tend to have the shortest adjustment periods and can break in anywhere between two and 14 days. Denser foams and firmer mattresses will take longer than their less dense counterparts.
Breaking in a memory foam mattress can take about 60 days. The break-in period of a memory foam mattress depends on the density and firmness of your mattress. Memory foam that is less dense will take less time to break in, but it will also wear out faster. On the flip side, a denser and firmer memory foam mattress will keep its shape much longer. A few extra weeks of a break-in period is well worth the few extra years you might be able to get out of your new mattress purchase.
Breaking in a latex mattress is pretty easy and generally is the shortest adjustment period between two to 14 days. Natural latex mattresses might take a little longer to break in than their softer or less dense synthetic counterparts, but they will last longer.
Hybrid mattresses can take anywhere from 30 to 90 days to break in. This wide window is because they come in a variety of materials and designs. The coil type, along with the type and quality of memory foam used will dictate the break-in period.
With innerspring coils, you are typically looking at a 30-day break-in time. New coils can be stiff at first, but the more gentle movement you subject them to, the faster they will loosen up and begin conforming to the contours of your body.
Whether you’ve purchased an expanding memory foam or a traditional innerspring mattress, it’s best to give your new mattress at least a few hours to breathe once you remove the cover. All new mattresses will have some odors leftover from manufacturing and you can eliminate any foreign or unpleasant smells that might keep you up at night by opening a few windows and letting it air out.
Memory foam mattresses will need time to expand. After just four to six hours, it will have expanded to 90% of its original size and will keep expanding for up to 24 hours after that. It is important to note that it will not likely harm your memory foam mattress if you need to use it sooner than the four to six-hour suggested minimum. Natural latex mattresses may be slept on right away, as they are made without any chemicals. Synthetic latex should be allowed to off-gas.
A new mattress should feel great, giving you nights of undisturbed, high-quality rest and mornings where you feel energized. But sometimes a combination of factors can make it not quite love at first night. It’s important that you consider all of the factors, like your bed frame and foundation when making a purchase of a new mattress. At Mattress World Northwest, we are committed to helping you get off to a fantastic start with your new mattress and offer a 90-day comfort guarantee.
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While you can't go wrong with any of our mattresses, here are a few factors you'll want to consider before making a purchase: your sleep position (and if you have a partner, theirs as well), the size of the space, and a price point. If you have any questions, rest easy knowing that our team is happy to help you find that perfect fit.
| Size | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Twin | 38″ wide x 75″ long x 9.25″ tall |
| Twin XL | 38″ wide x 80″ long x 9.25″ tall |
| Full | 54″ wide x 75″ long x 9.25″ tall |
| Queen | 60″ wide x 80″ long x 9.25″ tall |
| King | 76″ wide x 80″ long x 9.25″ tall |
| Cal King | 72″ wide x 84″ long x 9.25″ tall |
| Split King (2pk) | 38″ wide x 80″ long x 9.25″ tall |
Mattress World Northwest makes it easy to choose the right foundation for your space and lifestyle.
Reliable support for your boxspring and mattress.
