Do Mattresses Need a Break-in Period?

Mattresses

• When you purchase a new mattress, you must choose from different types, like traditional, latex and memory foam. Traditional mattresses contain metal coils wrapped in cushioning fabrics like cotton, linen or wool. Latex mattresses are formed from either synthetic or natural latex that has been vulcanized. The latex core is covered by a cotton sheath. Memory foam mattresses are constructed to mold to your body while still providing support.

Break-in

• Mattresses don't require a break-in period to make them comfortable for you to sleep on. To protect your health, you don't want to use a new mattress on the same day it is delivered. Mattresses are treated with chemical fire retardants, which cause them to off -gas Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Exposure to VOCs can cause headaches, nausea and respiratory problems. Leave a new mattress in an empty room with a fan running and an open window for a few days. It will release VOCs, which dissipate in the air and are less likely to affect your health than they would be if you were sleeping on the mattress while they off-gassed.

Wear

• Rather than breaking in a new mattress, you need to be concerned about preventing wear on it. When you sleep on a mattress, the weight of your body compresses the material beneath you. Over time, the material breaks down under the pressure, sagging and providing less support. To prevent this, rotate your mattress once a month during the first year you own it and every three months in the years that follow. Flip it every six months to spread wear out over the total area of the mattress, extending the time it keeps you comfortable.

Considerations

• Organic traditional mattresses and all natural latex mattresses are more expensive than regular synthetic options, but you can use them the same day you purchase them. They are not treated with chemical fire retardants and don't off-gas VOCs. If you have a pillow-top mattress, you cannot flip it over. Instead, to keep the material inside of it from breaking down, rotate it every two months.