Simply sleeping on memory foam will cause it to soften over time. You won’t have to wait long for the foam to soften due to your body weight alone. A memory foam mattress will soften to the touch in as little as a week when used regularly. Stay away from the mattress topper if you opt to wait.
Do memory foam mattresses get softer?
Your brand-new memory foam mattress may feel a little firmer than you recalled from the store when you first lay down on it.
Don’t worry; it’s not a faulty unit; the new one just needs some time to get used to its surroundings.
For unparalleled support, comfort, and sleep, nothing beats a memory foam mattress, which is why they have become so popular in recent years.
Foam mattresses, however, require some time for adjustment before they can feel comfortable.
So, to answer your question, yes, a memory foam mattress will soften with use.
Duration to Break In Memory Foam
If your new memory foam mattress proves to be firmer than you had originally expected or wished, there is no need to worry.
It’s important to be patient with these mattresses, as they require time for the dense memory foam to decompress and conform to your specific body shape.
Keep in mind that this is a marathon, not a sprint, and you will soon fall asleep more soundly than ever.
The softening process for a new bed can take anywhere from two to four weeks, but we have some tricks up our sleeve that might help you speed up the process a little bit.
Ways to Make a Memory Foam Mattress Softer
Keeping the room warm (at least 20-22 °C (68-72 °F)) and apply controlled pressure to the memory foam with your palms or by trying to roll on the bed for 10-30 minutes every day for up to 30-60 days will help to release the fibers and make the mattress more comfortable to sleep on.
Here is a complete 5-step breakdown of how to break in and soften your brand-new memory foam mattress:
60 Nights using Continuously
Since memory foam is so tight and inflexible when it is first manufactured, it can take anywhere from 7 to 60 nights of constant use to adjust to a new mattress.
But after a few weeks of being subjected to your body heat and weight night after night, the fibers will have relaxed enough to make your mattress feel much more comfortable.
Specifically, the softening rate will typically be most noticeable in the first 30 days as the fibers adapt to your physical characteristics; the softening will become less noticeable as the foam begins to stabilize.
Additionally, the foam will compress more easily in the pressure points, especially the hip and shoulder areas, to form natural “body impressions” that can improve comfort.
Sleeping on an uneven surface can cause pain and discomfort, but if you notice excessive body impressions and sagging (typically above 1.5 inches in depth), you may have a defective mattress that you can return under the warranty or the sleep trial.
Apply Gentle Pressure
Pressure applied to the top of a new memory foam mattress with the hands, knees, or full weight of a person for 10 to 30 minutes daily for up to 60 days can help break in the mattress and make it feel softer.
Foam mattresses can easily be damaged by applying concentrated pressure, so avoid doing so (for example, by standing on the mattress) (which would likely void the warranty and the sleep trial).
Here are four ways you can apply gentle pressure to your new memory foam mattress:
- Kneeling – Your latest bed may be too firm in some spots; to break it in more quickly, try kneeling on the trouble spots. (Don’t put your full weight on the mattress by standing on it; doing so will leave permanent impressions).
- Massaging – It’s possible to apply different amounts of pressure by moving your palms into the particle. Warning: deforming the foam could result from doing this too roughly or pinching it.
- Pushing – Applying even pressure with the palms of both hands, press down on the mattress’s surface (you’re aiming for compression of around 1-2 inches deep) to loosen up the memory foam’s fibers.
- Rolling – The pressure is distributed more evenly across the mattress surface when you push on the memory foam, which helps to loosen the fibers of the foam and the mattress cover without indenting the foam.
Ambient Room Temperature
Memory foam responds positively to heat, allowing it to swell and soften.
Indeed, when used with pressure, ambient warmth is effective for allowing your new memory foam mattress to expand to its full size.
Using any localized heat source, such as an electric blanket, heating pad, or hot water bottle, is not recommended on memory foam, as this can damage the material, leading to deformation, a decrease in molding capacity, and a shortened lifespan.
Instead, raise the room temperature to 20-22 degrees Celsius (68-72 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher as you lie on the mattress or apply pressure to encourage softening of the foam molecules.
Use a Slatted Wooden Frame
If you want your new mattress to feel smoother than it would on a solid console base, a steel frame, or the floor, try placing it on a wooden frame with wooden planks no more than 2-3 inches apart.
This is because the small gaps mixed with the ‘give’ of the timber can enable more compaction.
Memory foam mattresses are best used on slatted frames because the airflow is improved and overheating, night sweats, and the growth of mold on the underside of the mattress are all avoided or at least mitigated.
Purchase Soft Mattress Topper
Adding a soft mattress layer to a firm memory foam mattress can soften it quickly without letting the fibers relax. Mattress toppers can also provide a distinct sleeping surface.
If your new memory foam mattress is excessively hot and difficult to move around, a soft latex mattress topper can boost airflow, breathability, and heat dissipation to help you sleep cool.
The responsiveness of the latex can also make it simpler to swap positions without being bogged down.
Conclusion:
Can a memory foam bed get softer over time? If you’re like most people who buy a memory foam mattress and then try to lie down on it, you might be disappointed that it’s not as soft as you hoped.
Don’t stress out over it! There will be thawing after the initial sternness. If you give yourself some time to unwind on the new mattress, you should find that it fulfills all your expectations and becomes the cozy bed you were hoping for.
Memory foam is temperature sensitive, which many consumers don’t realize until after they’ve already bought one.
This means that they respond to your body heat and conform to your shape, making it necessary to take your time breaking them in. Hang out, and you’ll soon be experiencing the most restful sleep.
If you absolutely can’t wait, though, you may soften your mattress with various methods. Although time is still the most effective method, you can use the following measures to hasten the softening of your mattress.
