Some things get better with time. Mattresses are one of those things.
If you decided to upgrade your mattress but now you’re struggling to get to sleep, don’t panic!
Most mattresses have a 30–90 day break-in period as your body adjusts to your new mattress. This feels especially long if you’re struggling to sleep. The amount of time it takes you to break in a mattress depends on your mattress type and sleep habits.
That’s why Casper offers a 100-day trial on all mattresses. If you decide your mattress isn’t working out within 100 days of delivery, Casper will take it off your hands. In most cases, it’s recommended to take the full return time to test out your mattress to make sure it’s not for you before initiating a return.
Most people take between 30 and 90 days to adjust to a new mattress. This depends on the type of mattress, bed frame, sleep habits, and bedroom environment.
It takes an average of 60 days to adjust to memory foam mattresses. This generally depends on the mattress’s density. Memory foam density refers to how firm your mattress is, so a dense mattress is more firm. Lower density mattresses usually break in quicker than higher density models.
A memory foam mattress can soften under your body heat, making it the perfect mattress material for all-night support. This means that your mattress conforms to your body as you use it.
It usually takes people about 30 days to adjust to spring mattresses. Springs soften up quicker than other mattress materials, which is why you should rotate spring mattresses more often. During this 30-day adjustment period, the springs in your mattress adjust to your body shape and weight, softening in the right places.
Latex mattresses generally take two to 14 days to adjust to, meaning they have the shortest break in time. These mattresses can be made from synthetic or natural latex. Synthetic latex might break in quicker, but it also degrades faster than natural latex.
Hybrid mattresses vary greatly in how quickly they break in because each model is a combination of different mattress types. Generally, this timeline is based on the type of mattresses your hybrid model combines.
Hybrid spring mattresses usually break in quicker than other mattress models. When in doubt, contact your mattress manufacturer to determine how long it will take for your hybrid mattress to adjust.
Casper’s hybrid mattresses take your body about 30 days to adjust to. But this doesn’t mean you’ll be sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress for those 30 days — Casper mattresses are ready to sleep on right away. It just takes some time to fully adjust to your new setup.
If you’re feeling disappointed with your new mattress, that doesn’t mean it’s not a good fit. Give yourself some time to adjust to your new setup and break-in period. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite tips and tricks for breaking in a new mattress.
Many mattresses — especially mattresses in a box or memory foam mattresses — need time to sit and fully expand before use. Some mattresses can take a couple of hours to a day to expand, depending on the mattress size.
To let your new mattress breathe, open up a window and set it up without any bedding. This lets your mattress fully expand if it was compressed during shipping and settle into your bed frame.
Your Casper mattress should be ready to go in a couple of minutes, but letting it expand for a couple of hours might give you a comfier first night as it lets your mattress be at its full volume.
Best for: Memory foam mattresses
Sometimes, you sleep worse during the first week on a mattress because you’re not used to it yet. This is especially true if you’re used to one type of mattress and are testing the waters with a new type.
Give yourself as much time as you can to adjust to a new mattress before deciding it’s not right for you. It’s hard to be patient — especially if you purchased this mattress to sleep better — but waiting can really pay off with improved sleep long-term.
Best for: All mattress types
If your new memory foam mattress is feeling a little too firm, turning up the temperature may help make it softer. Since your body heat is part of the reason memory foam mattresses cradle your body so well, turning up the thermostat can help make your bed more comfortable.
However, you don’t want to turn your room into a desert. The best temperature for sleep is still between 60 and 67 F for adults. You also don’t want to mess with your bedroom humidity too much. So, turn the temperature back down before bed or keep it within that range for better sleep.
Best for: Memory foam mattresses
Mattress toppers are a low-cost option that can transform your sleep quality. While you should try your mattress without a topper first, it can act as training wheels and help acclimate you to your new mattress.
Toppers can help correct many mattress issues without having to replace your current mattress. As a bonus, a topper might extend the life of your mattress by protecting it from wear and tear.
There are four popular types of mattress toppers:
Best for: All mattress types
On a poor foundation, your mattress can sag, affecting its ability to support your body for sleep. This is especially true if your foundation itself is dipping or if it lacked the proper support to begin with.
Sometimes, if you feel like your mattress is sagging, it’s actually because the base under your mattress is sagging. So take a look at your foundation and check that it’s still flat and it doesn’t bend when you add minimal pressure.
A new foundation should provide proper support and keep your mattress in shape. Different types of mattresses require different types of support:
Best for: All mattress types
Whether your new mattress is too firm or too soft, switching out your bed frame can help break it in. Different bed frames offer different benefits depending on how you sleep.
To make a mattress firmer, switch to a frame with a solid base rather than a slatted one for extra support. If you feel like your spring mattress is too firm, a box spring can help soften it up and add extra cushion. While box springs are only compatible with spring mattresses, a foundation is an alternative that’s compatible with all mattress types.
Best for: All mattress types
If your memory foam mattress has you feeling a bit disappointed, try flipping it. The other side of your mattress could offer different support and give you what you’re looking for.
This tip works best for memory foam or latex mattresses. Models with springs can’t be flipped because they’re usually made to be slept on with a specific side facing up. However, you can rotate a spring or hybrid mattress to try to get similar results.
Flipping and rotating your mattress is part of regular maintenance, but it also might change the feel of your new mattress if you’re not fully satisfied.
Best for: Memory foam mattresses
Finally, if you’ve exhausted these strategies and you’re reaching the end of your trial period, it might be time to say goodbye. Don’t feel bad — it can be hard figuring out what you like.
Take note of what you did and didn’t like about your mattress so you know what to look for in your next pick. Check out a Casper showroom to feel your mattress in person and determine which model is right for your needs.
Best for: All mattress types
Many new mattresses are firm to begin with and soften up over time. If this is the case for you, you might be experiencing sleep issues like:
To soften up your mattress, try:
You can also get stuck with a mattress that’s too soft. Some common warning signs include:
To firm up your mattress, try:
It takes 30–90 days to adjust to a new mattress, depending on factors like material and sleep habits.
Some mattresses may get softer with time, but generally it’s your body that will adjust to the mattress. Casper mattresses are ready to sleep in right away, as soon as they’re fully expanded.
Yes, you can break in a new mattress by letting it air out, adding weights, and more.
Casper mattresses are ready to use in minutes, but other memory foam mattresses can take a couple of hours to a day to fully expand.
Life is stressful enough — your new mattress shouldn’t add to it. Now that you know how to break in a mattress, you can feel confident you’re making the right choice for better sleep. Casper recommends waiting at least 30 days to adjust to a new mattress and gives you 100 days to try one out with an easy return process.
