You arrive home to find your new memory foam mattress at your doorstep. Your excitement is high as you begin to unbox the newest addition to your home. As you read the directions, your excitement hits rock bottom when you realize you are not supposed to sleep on it for 24 hours.

Everything is ready for this mattress to takes its place in your sleep sanctuary. Slats are placed perfectly for a firm foundation. The old mattress and box spring have been removed and discarded. Mattress topper and protector are ready. You just can not wait to crawl into this great mattress and enjoy a restful night’s sleep.

You’re thinking, it’s only a couple of hours before bedtime.

So, is it true that you should wait 24 hours? What would happen if you did sleep on it before 24 hours has elapsed? Will it be ruined after the first night? This is exactly what we will be discussing. Keep reading to learn why 24 hours is the target number and what happens when you sleep on your new memory foam mattress before 24 hours have elapsed.

What is Bed in a Box?

Memory foam mattress manufacturers found success in the online market. The internet allows consumers to research, shop, and buy almost anything. Your purchases are paid for and then shipped, in a box, right to your door. Some companies are so large and efficient they can do all this in 24-48 hours.

You may wonder how a mattress is going to fit in a box. Well, the box is now the primary mode of shipping for memory foam mattresses. This means manufacturers can compress, deflate, fold, and stuff a mattress in a box. Unlike traditional innerspring mattresses, memory foam is known for easy shipping and added comfort.

Getting a mattress in a box has changed the way we shop and sleep. Memory foam’s ability to be compressed, rolled, and folded is remarkable. All this action and the memory foam does not lose any of its quality. Once your bed in a box has reached your doorstep, all you need to do is pop the airtight seal, unroll the mattress and watch the expansion process begin. A good night of sound sleep is in your future.

Why is it Recommended to Wait 24 Hours Before Use?

Waiting 24-48 hours is standard for a memory foam mattress to completely take on its full shape. The reason for this instruction is to cover the manufacturer’s responsibility.

They prefer customers to wait 24 hours to allow for the expansion process to be completed. Only after the mattress has reached its full shape can a customer ensure they received the product they paid for. If there is cracking or splitting in the memory foam layer, it will not be visible until the expansion process is complete.

This 24-hour recommendation is to ensure customer satisfaction and manufacturer guarantees. It also gives any off-gassing time to dissipate. Usually, off-gassing happens in the first couple of hours.

What Will Happen if you Don’t Wait 24 Hours?

If you decide that waiting 24 hours is out of the question, have no fear. While the instructions say wait, it is generally okay if you don’t. The manufacturer always errs on the side of caution. Consumers need to follow instructions while understanding that some instructions are recommendations. If you only have a couple of hours, it is okay.

In fact, sleeping on your new memory foam bed before 24 hours can speed up the process. Body heat can make the memory foam more pliable, making it expand faster.

Only regular wear and tear from sleep can cause deficiencies in your mattress. This is not going to happen in one night. Remember that if you do choose to sleep on your mattress before it is fully expanded, you may not get the full set of benefits that particular night. A memory foam mattress can only provide a plush supportive feel at its full shape. This is why so many online companies offer lengthy sleep trials. A customer-friendly sleep trial allows you to give your new mattress an honest try before deciding if it’s for you or not.

To sum it all up, you can expect a rolled up, folded memory foam mattress upon unboxing. If your new bed beckons you before 24 hours, it’s perfectly safe to drift off upon it.

If after 24 hours your new mattress has not expanded or you notice defects in the foam, call the manufacturer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a memory foam mattress take to inflate?

Generally, manufacturers say it takes 24-48 hours for a memory foam mattress to fully inflate. This time frame is not set in stone as each memory foam mattress is unique. Some new mattresses will take longer or even less time. You also do not have to wait a full 24 hours to put on your mattress protector or topper. Also, you can sleep on a mattress on the first night, just know the bed may feel different on night two or three.

Does heat help memory foam expand?

Memory foam is sensitive to varying temperatures. In cooler rooms, memory foam can seem more firm. If this is the case, you may want to raise the room temperature a few notches. Once memory foam becomes warmer, it tends to be more flexible and thus expand faster. Body heat can also aid in the expansion process.

How long should you leave a memory foam mattress before sleeping on it?

Once you have received your new memory foam mattress, it is best to open immediately. It takes 4-6 hours for the memory foam to expand 90% and could take another 4-6 hours to get close to full expansion. It is recommended to wait 24 hours before sleeping on it, but don’t worry if you can’t.

So, What Happens if You Sleep on a Memory Foam Mattress Before 24 Hours?

Memory foam is a product that has given rise to the bed in a box phenomenon. Most manufacturers boast about their bed in a box offers. It is completely possible to compress, roll, and even fold a memory foam mattress and place it in a box. No matter what size your mattress is, full size, twin XL, or king, it will fit in a box.

It is recommended to wait 24-48 hours before sleeping on a new, memory foam mattress. It is up to the consumer whether to wait or not. Defects will not be as obvious before the expansion process has been completed, but expansion should not slow down because you slept on your new memory foam mattress.

The short and simple answer is nothing. Your new mattress may not feel exceptional the first night. As the expansion process continues, it will only get better. Once 24 hours have passed, you should have a new bed with what you will call the best mattress you’ve ever owned.