• Best Mattress
    • Types

    • Best Memory Foam Mattress
    • Best Mattress in a Box
    • Best Hybrid Mattress
    • Best Latex Mattress
    • Position

    • Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
    • Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
    • Best Mattress for Back Pain
    • Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers
    • Price

    • Best Mattress Under $500
    • Best Mattress Under $1000
    • Best Mattress Under $2000
    • Size

    • Best Twin Size Mattress
    • Best Twin XL Size Mattress
    • Best Full Size Mattress
    • Best Queen Size Mattress
    • Best King Size Mattress
    • Best California King Size Mattress
  • Mattress Reviews
  • Mattress Resources
  • Bedding
  • Sleep Tips
  • Sleep Research
Home / Mattress Resources / What Happens if You Sleep on a Memory Foam Mattress Before 24 Hours?
Mattress Resources

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

by Amy Murphy 42 Comments
Updated January 15, 2023

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 Mattress 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 mattress 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.

Get resources for better sleep

Sign up for sleep health education, expert tips, and the latest and greatest mattress sales.

See Privacy Policy

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 mattress in a box phenomenon. Most manufacturers boast about their mattress 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.

About the author
Amy Murphy

Amy Murphy has spent the last 7 years experimenting with different apps, exercises, products, and routines to optimize her sleep. From sleep tracking gadgets to polyphasic sleep schedules, she’s tried some of the most unusual recommendations for better shut-eye. As Best Mattress Brand’s lead tester, she’s reviewed dozens of different mattresses and bedding accessories to find her top recommendations. Through her articles, Amy shares the wealth of knowledge she has gained during these experiences so readers can find the best sleep possible.

Find more articles by Amy

Find the best mattress!

Best Mattress

Check out our mattress review guides to compare today's top-rated options and find your perfect mattress.

Explore our favorite beds

Popular Reads

Certified Latex Mattress
Who Sells Certified Natural Latex Mattresses?
Bennett Carrington
Are Memory Foam Mattresses Safe?
Are Memory Foam Mattresses Safe?
Bennett Carrington
murphy-bed-dimensions
Murphy Bed Sizes and Dimensions Guide
Bennett Carrington

Best Mattress Brand Fact-Checking Standards and Processes

The Best Mattress Brand writing team is devoted to creating articles that are not only entertaining and easy to understand but also as impartial, accurate, and well-sourced as possible. Whenever possible, we strive to have our articles fact-checked by our independent review board. We also do not tolerate plagiarism or ill intent from our contributors.

Here are the medical and factual guidelines that a Best Mattress Brand article must adhere to:

  • We draw upon only reputable and respectable sources when researching our articles’ topics and endeavor to only link to highly authoritative sources. Such sources would include peer-reviewed medical and academic journals, medical and academic associations in good standing, and interviews with or blog posts from certified medical professionals.
  • We may link to news articles or peer-reviewed medical blog posts about studies when appropriate, but always attempt to connect directly to the studies these pages discuss.
  • Our scientific information, conclusions, and analysis are always supported by at least one reputable source.
  • We strive to make any potential conflicts of interest attached to any studies or sources clear to our readers. When applicable, we also try to include conflicting research or questions that may throw a study’s conclusion into doubt to clarify that scientific understandings often change and progress over time.
  • Our articles typically link to other articles and resources on our site. This is solely for easier navigation, and we do not promote our website as a medical resource. Try to speak with your physician if you have medical concerns.
  • Any necessary background information on a topic will be included when appropriate.
  • Our goal is for every one of our medical-related articles to be reviewed by our independent board of experts. Should they spot any medical or health-related misinformation or errors, we will strike it out from the final published article.

What’s a Certified Sleep Coach?

Our authors have undergone sleep coach training from the Spencer Institute, becoming certified after immersing themselves in different aspects of sleep science. Understanding how we sleep means we understand better how a mattress, pillow, or other product can help us sleep better.

About Us

The Best Mattress Brand is a team of researchers and writers who are passionate about finding the perfect mattress for any situation.

Company

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure

Our Guides

  • Mattresses
  • Best Mattresses of 2023
  • Adjustable Beds
  • Sleep Calculator
  • Mattress Sizes
  • Mattress Reviews
  • Mattress Resources
  • Bedding
  • Sleep Research

Newsletter

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find out about content, features and more happening at Best Mattress Brand.

You must enter a valid email.
Best Mattress Brand Logo

Copyright ©2023 Best Mattress Brand. All rights reserved.