What Other Things You Can Do When Your Mattress Wont Expand
Memory foam mattress not expanding, even after all the attempts to fix it we mentioned earlier can, indeed, be frustrating. Still, there are some other things you can do, depending on how old your mattress is, how much money you spent on it, and what the company you bought the mattress from offers to its customers.
Stay with us for the remaining paragraphs to inform yourself about things you can do when your mattress wont expand.
Memory Foam Mattress Not Expanding: 7 Causes And Solutions
July 25, 2021// by Terry Cralle//
So, you bought yourself a new memory foam mattress? Youre absolutely ready to leap into the cozy and comfortable memory cloud mattress and dive into a deep and restful sleep. But, what if your memory foam mattress is not acting as expected? Most of the mattresses look expanded out of the box and ready to sleep on, but something feels different about memory foam. Its thin and smushed, what to do?
Memory foam mattresses are different than traditional mattresses in a variety of ways. People who are springing for the memory foam mattress for the first time may not be aware that memory foam mattresses are compressed and enclosed to preserve their freshness and ability to conform and adjust to your curves, which often means itll arrive at your doorstep in a compressed package or a box.
Still, seeing a mattress that is at least 3 times smaller than what you ordered can be shocking and concerning, which is why we want to help you understand how to expand your mattress and what to do if your mattress hasnt expanded even after the necessary time for it to expand has already passed.
Memory foam mattresses, especially if paired with gel memory foam for temperature regulation, are a jackpot of sleep health. They provide comfort and coziness by conforming to your bodys shape.
Unlike really hard and firm mattresses, memory foam mattresses love your curves and will embrace them and cuddle them to sleep.
Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Topper
Price:Firmness:
Who it’s best for:
- People who want a cooling topper to balance out heat retention in their mattress
- Side and back sleepers
- Those who enjoy a bouncy feel
Highlights:
- All-latex design enhances cooling performance
- Breathable cotton cover
If youre in the market for a topper that helps keep your bed cool at night, the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Toppers organic cotton cover option is designed with temperature neutrality in mind. All materials used in this model have natural cooling properties that should feel very comfortable for sleepers who run hot.
The topper has a 3-inch depth and comes in three firmness levels soft , medium , and firm . The soft option provides the most contouring and comfort, while the medium model balances contouring with moderate firmness. The firm option offers the most support and less cushion than the other firmness options. While the softer models are ideal for side sleepers and those who need to cradle sharp pressure points, the firm model is better suited for back sleepers and certain stomach sleepers who need to keep their body on an even plane for healthy spinal alignment.
Regardless of the firmness level, this topper has a slightly bouncy quality thanks to the all-latex construction. Since latex naturally runs cool, the topper does not trap much heat and regulates surface temperature very well. The organic cotton cover enhances the toppers cooling performance, due to the breathable quality of cotton.
Best Value
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What Is The Best Firmness For A Mattress
With this understanding of firmness in place, its time to riddle that age old question: What is the best firmness for a mattress? As you probably gathered, there is no one answer for this all-important Q. Why? Well, because firmness is such a personal thing. An ultra-firm mattress might be excellent for a stomach sleeper, but absolutely horrible for a side sleeper.
To help you better contextualize this question in terms of your own sleeping needs, lets break down firmness by position.
How Long Should I Let My Mattress Expand
Most of the memory foam mattresses are not advisable to use within 24 hours after purchase or unboxing. You need to expect 24 to 48 hours for your mattress to expand to its full size and shape. It is to make sure you are covered by the warranty in case theres damage or defects.
But what if you did not follow the standard procedure and sleep on your new memory foam mattress right away? Well, theres nothing much to worry about if you choose to use your mattress right after taking it out of the box. When you sleep on your memory foam mattress before the 24-hour recommendation, it can help the foam expand faster.
It speeds up the expansion through body heat, which makes the foam mattress more pliable. As a result, you immediately enjoy a good nights sleep with your newly purchased memory foam mattress. So, if you cant wait 24 hours to sleep on your mattress, its perfectly safe to use it.
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What Are The Benefits Of Memory Foam
Could the special properties of memory foam enhance your sleep? Sleep specialist Donna L. Arand, PhD, says that objective studies supporting the claimed benefits of memory foam — or the effects of any particular type of sleeping surface — are lacking.
This is true for a variety of reasons, she says. This type of sleep study can be expensive, if conducted independently. Or it is “chased” by a shadow of bias, if supported by industry.
Also, some sleep technology, such as memory foam, is relatively new, so it hasn’t been well studied. But perhaps one of the more difficult stumbling blocks to testing the health benefits of mattresses such as memory foam is the subjective nature of sleep. It is simply difficult to measure.
Sometimes the brain’s electrical activity, measured with an electroencephalogram , and other findings recorded during a sleep test don’t always match up perfectly with a person’s subjective experience, says Arand, who is the clinical director of the Kettering Sleep Disorders Center in Dayton, Ohio. “They might say, âI had a great night’s sleep,’ but the EEG parameters might not really indicate that.”
Sleep is not only subjective, but preferences for sleep surfaces are individual, Arand says. “There’s quite a bit of variability between individuals in terms of what type of surface — whether it’s firm, hard, or soft — they prefer when they’re sleeping,” she says. “As far as we know, there is no rhyme or reason for that.”
Try To Use A Mattress Protector
Just like a topper, a mattress protector sits on top of a mattress and comes in different styles and materials .
It is always recommended to use a mattress protector on a mattress from the very beginning. The reason is that a protector helps any bed from sagging and wear and tear.
A mattress protector lends protection from spillage and stains as well as free from dust, mites, and any bacteria. Thus, the firmness of memory foam mattresses is intact for a much more extended period. A mattress protector is a critical component to increase the life of any mattress.
Step by Step Process:
- Step 1: Strip all the beddings from your mattress.
- Step 2: Remove the protector from its packaging.
- Step 3: Unbox and stretch your mattress protector on top of your mattress just like a fitted sheet.
- Step 4: Pull the elasticized band under the mattress on all corners so that there is an evenness on the sleeping surface.
- Step 5: Finally, add a flat sheet in line with your memory foam mattress
Tip: opt for quarterly laundering of the protector using low heat and gentle wash cycle settings.
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How To Make A Memory Foam Mattress Softer
The best way to make a memory foam mattress softer is to sleep on it every night for up to 60 nights, keep the room warm ), and apply controlled pressure to the memory foam using your hands or by rolling on the mattress for 10-30 minutes daily for up to 30-60 days because this will help the fibers to loosen up.
See below for a full guide on how to soften and break in your new memory foam mattress in 5 steps:
Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper
Price:
- Sleepers who weigh at least 130 pounds
- People who tend to sleep hot
- Individuals who want a firmer feel without sacrificing pressure relief
Highlights:
- Memory foam core adjusts to the sleepers shape to relieve pressure
- Supportive build limits sinkage and promotes healthy sleep posture
- Mesh panel and ventilated core enhance cooling air circulation
SF customers receive 25% off + free shipping
The ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper balances support and pressure relief.
This topper rates around a 5 on the 10-point firmness scale, giving it a medium feel. However, most sleepers who are looking for a firm mattress topper want support, which the ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper delivers.
This topper measures 3 inches. It is made up of memory foam that adjusts to the shape of the sleepers body to relieve pressure while supporting the spine. Memory foam often retains heat because of its close hug and unique composition, but the ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper is infused with gel to wick heat away rather than trapping it against the body.
A breathable hypoallergenic bamboo-rayon cover adds to the temperature regulation. A mesh bottom panel further optimizes airflow, while no-slip straps ensure a secure fit. The cover is also removable and washable.
The ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper comes with a 60-day guarantee and a 3-year limited warranty.
Firmness:
Who it’s best for:
Highlights:
Best for Side Sleepers
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How To Make Your Memory Foam Bed Softer
It might come as a surprise for some who sleep on a memory foam bed for the first time to discover that it feels very different from a traditional mattress.
Meaning the bed may feel a lot harder than what youre used to. However, this is normal, so dont panic.
If it didnt feel different, that would be strange. The truth is, memory foam beds are not like traditional mattresses. While all new beds require some getting used to, memory foam mattresses especially require a break-in period.
Here are a few tips that might help in breaking in your new mattress a little quicker.
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
- Materials: gel memory foam
- Mattress height: 11 inches
Nectar memory foam is designed to relieve common pressure points beneath your shoulders, hips, and legs. This supports better spinal alignment for those who sleep on their back and sides.
This mattress from Nectar is constructed with different layers of memory foam, including adaptive, gel, and base layers.
Customers report that it sits somewhere in the middle between firm and soft, with some describing a slightly firmer feel.
Nectar offers a 365-night sleep trial and an impressive lifetime warranty that covers defects in construction, materials, and quality.
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#reason : Your Mattress Is Too Soft Or Too Firm
If you are using a mattress, you know the common factor firmness. It determines how soft or hard the mattress is. Mainly, two common types of firmness are available on the market such as soft and firm. Some people like soft mattresses and some prefer firm mattresses. Sometimes, the firmness may be one of the major reasons for causing your lower back pain.
If you are using a too firm mattress, it does not sink enough and you feel discomfort and pain on the hips, back, spine, neck, and shoulder. On the other hand, if your mattress is too soft, it cant hold your spine perfectly and aligned it in a wrong position which may cause your lower back pain.
Solution 1: Pick The Right Firmness of Your Mattress
So, you have to choose the right firmness while buying a new mattress. Here are some helpful tips for you to choose the perfect firmness of your mattress.
#Soft Mattress
Soft mattresses are perfect for side sleepers because it removes the pressure on the hips and shoulders while sleeping on the side. This is why a side sleeper can get more comfort and perfect support to the back & spine in the side sleeping position. The lightweight sleepers and slim sleepers can use the soft mattress for better pressure relief, ultimate comfort, and great back support. Do not use soft mattresses if you are a heavy sleeper like over 200 lbs. It may sink more and aligns your spine incorrectly and cause lower back pain.
#Medium Firm Mattress
#Firm Mattress
Solution 2: Make Your Firm Mattress Soft
Check Your Mattress Base
A mattress base can impact how firm your mattress feels. If you choose a poor quality base, it can limit the benefits of even the most high-quality mattress.
Placing your mattress on a wooden frame with slats no more than 2 3 inches apart can cause your mattress to feel softer when compared to a solid platform base, a metal, or the floor because the small gaps combined with the give of the wood can allow for more sinkage.
Slatted frames make for some of the best types of frames to use with a memory foam mattress.
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Fit For Adjustable Beds
Adjustable beds have grown in popularity recently. They allow sleepers to adjust their positions to help with sleep apnea and theyre great for watching television or reading in bed. Many newer models also have electronic integrations and massage capabilities!
Sometimes, its hard to fit a bed to an adjustable base because the compressing and bending that happen can ruin a mattress or at least decrease its lifespan. Memory foam beds are flexible enough that they can sit on nearly any surface without compromising the bed itself.
What Is The Best Type Of Memory
In general, a mattresss firmness level will determine how comfortable you feel sleeping in a particular position. The idea is to keep your spine aligned , and your pressure points cushioned.
Most side-sleepers should do well with a mattress thats medium-soft to medium-firm. You should be able to draw a straight line connecting the midpoints of your ears, shoulders, and hips. Your shoulders and hips should feel some give, as opposed to feeling pressed by the bed.
Back-sleepers tend to gravitate toward medium-firm mattresses. Lie on your back and try to slide your hand under your lower back. If you can just fit your hand through, the mattress is probably a good fit. If its too snug, the bed is probably too soft. If theres too much space, the mattress may be too firm.
Stomach-sleepers may prefer a mattress thats on the firmer side of medium-firm. If you feel an exaggerated pull, causing your back to over-arch, then the mattress may be too soft. If you feel the mattress pressing against your ribs, its probably too firm.
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Your Room Is Too Humid
Although memory foam mattresses are very porous, they wont absorb too much humidity. Still, if youre living in a house or environment that is too humid, you should consider lowering the humidity to allow your mattress to expand properly. One of those ways to lower the humidity is to ventilate regularly, or use an air conditioner with a dry mode. Air purifiers can also come in handy.
Also Read: Where to Place Humidifier in Bedroom?
Editors notes:
- Make sure that your memory foam mattress doesnt absorb too much foam by keeping it in a well-ventilated room.
- Cover your mattress with a breathable material that will soak in the humidity instead.
- Try laying on your mattress for a bit to speed up how fast its inflating.
Buy A Mattress With A Great Warranty
Mattress warranties protect a customer from a sagging mattress by outlining the companys responsibility to repair or replace a defective mattress. Warranties cover only structural defects, and not damage caused by misuse and mishandling.
Many mattress companies wont repair or replace a saggy mattress unless the indentations are more than an inch thick. The best mattresses come with warranties covering sagging over one inch, as a guarantee of their quality.
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How To Make Your Mattress Firmer
A broken-down or sagging mattress can keep you up at night because you cant find a comfortable sleeping position. This can leave you low on energy and in really bad shape come morning.
However, a common problem that people encounter with a new mattress is that it becomes too soft or becomes softer after a few months of usage. In such cases, knowing how to make mattress firmer should be a priority.
How Long Does It Take For Memory Foam Mattress To Expand
Want to find out how long does it take for memory foam mattress to expand? This article shares you insights on what to expect & what to do with new foam mattress.
Excited? Lets continue.
So your new memory foam mattress has already arrived at your doorstep? What now? The first thing you should do is pull the mattress out of the box and expand it. Memory foam mattresses are not readily available to use as they take some time before they fully expand. So, how long before you can sleep on your newly bought bed?
Jump To…
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Layla Memory Foam Mattress
- Materials: copper foam
- Mattress height: 10 inches
Layla uses copper-infused gel foam to make this mattress a material that helps carry heat away from your body.
The mattress is flippable, offering both a soft and firm side. This enables sleepers to try multiple options at home and decide which one feels better to them.
Layla describes the soft as a 4 out of 10 and the firm as a 7 out of 10. A few reviewers report that even the soft side is a bit too firm for their liking, but most are pleased with the supportive feel of both sides.
Layla offers a 120-night trial and a lifetime warranty. This covers issues like sagging of more than 1 inch , loss of shape, splitting or cracking of the foam, and loss of mattress height.
