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Home › Buying Guides & Advice › Can You Sleep On A New Mattress Straight Away?
When your long-awaited new mattress finally arrives, it’s very tempting to want to make the bed straight away and enjoy that first blissful night’s sleep. But, can you actually sleep on a new mattress straight away? The short answer is yes, in most cases you can, but, depending on the type of mattress you’ve purchased and how it has been delivered, there are a few things worth knowing that can help you get the most comfortable, supportive sleep from night one.
At Sussex Beds, we want your new mattress to feel perfect from the very first evening, so we’ve put together this guide that explains what to expect, how long a new mattress needs to settle, and the simple steps you can take to maximise comfort right from the start.
Even though most mattresses are safe and ready to use immediately, many will feel slightly different in the first few hours, and even in the first few weeks which is actually completely normal.
If your mattress arrives vacuum-packed or roll-packed, it will need time to fully expand because during transportation, the mattress is compressed to make delivery easier and more eco-friendly. Once it’s opened, the layers inside (which could be foam, springs or a hybrid of materials) need time to regain their intended shape and height.
Most mattresses expand within a few hours, but some may require up to 24 hours to reach their full depth and performance level.
Did you know that temperature and humidity play a role in how quickly materials settle? Memory foam, for example, softens slightly in a warm room and may take longer to adapt if your home is cool.
This depends on the type of mattress you have, so let’s break it down.
You can sleep on a new memory foam mattress straight away, but it may not feel exactly as designed until it has finished expanding, and that’s because the foam continues to settle even while you sleep.
For the best results:
Hybrid mattresses are mattresses that combine springs with foam layers and are also safe to sleep on immediately. Because of the springs, hybrids tend to expand faster than all-foam options, so they could be a good option if you’re in a rush to use your new mattress.Â
However, for full support and comfort, giving them a few hours to breathe is beneficial.
Pocket-sprung mattresses are delivered flat rather than rolled which means they are ready to be slept on the moment they arrive. You can simply place them on the bed frame, remove the packaging, and they’re good to go. And the best part is that no expansion time is needed.
Many mattresses, especially foam and hybrid types, release a mild scent known as off-gassing which is caused by the release of trapped air from the manufacturing and packaging process. This is absolutely nothing to worry about – the smell is temporary, harmless, and usually gone within 24-72 hours
To speed things along, you could:
At Sussex Beds, our suppliers prioritise low-emission materials to minimise off-gassing, but a slight new-product smell can still occur.
Even if you can sleep on your mattress immediately, it won’t always feel exactly how it will in a few weeks’ time, in fact, most manufacturers suggest a break-in period of around 30 nights.
During this ‘breaking in’ period:
This is why Sussex Beds offers a 60 night comfort trial to ensure the mattress you’ve chosen continues to feel right as it settles. Please note you must purchase one of our mattress protectors at the time of purchase to qualify for our 60 night trial.
If you’re eager to enjoy your new bed straight away, these tips will help ensure the best first night sleep possible.
Open windows, remove all packaging, and let the mattress air out for at least a few hours before sleeping on it.
A quality protector helps keep your new purchase clean, hygienic and free from accidental damage, without affecting the feel. Remember to purchase your mattress protector to qualify for your 60 night comfort trial.Â
All mattresses benefit from occasional rotation during the first months to help the fillings settle evenly. We recommend that you rotate your mattress once a week for the first 12 weeks and monthly after that. This will help the fillings to settle.
A new, supportive mattress can feel firmer than expected, especially compared to an old, worn-out one but you should stick with it for a few weeks to allow your body to adapt.
Your mattress can only perform at its best when paired with a quality bed frame. Slats, in particular, should be the correct spacing to prevent the mattress from sagging.
Yes, you can absolutely sleep on a new mattress straight away, but remember to just give it a few hours to expand (if vacuum-packed) to allow it to breathe, and then make the bed as normal. It may take a few nights to feel perfectly broken in, but most people enjoy noticeably improved comfort from the very first night.
A great mattress is an investment in your sleep, health and wellbeing. At Sussex Beds, our expert team is always available to help you find the perfect match for your comfort needs, so every night’s sleep feels like a dream.
If you’d like personalised recommendations or have questions about settling in with your new mattress, we’re here to help. Just pop into your nearest Sussex Beds branch or explore our full mattress range online.
We have mattresses in all sizes in stock ready for delivery in as little as 48 hours!
