Mattresses and Sleep
From memory foam to gel to traditional springs, there are so many choices when it comes to mattresses. How do you know which mattress is right for you? Will you sleep better on a memory foam mattress or traditional springs? Which one will help you wake up without aches and pains?
Don’t worry—here at Leesa, helping you get your best rest is kind of our thing. We have two great memory foam mattresses to help you get better sleep. Obviously, we love our beds (and we think you will, too), but let’s break it down. Yep, we’re talking about the good, the bad and the ugly of memory foam mattresses so you can find the perfect mattress for you.
What’s the Difference Between Memory Foam and Gel?
First, let’s talk about the difference between a memory foam and a gel mattress. Their make-up is pretty easy to figure out based on their names: a memory foam mattress is made with layers of foam, while a gel mattress is foam material made from gel. Each type of mattress has its own pros and cons.
At Leesa, we have two awesome (if we do say so ourselves) mattresses that feature memory foam: the Leesa all-foam mattress and the Leesa hybrid mattress. The Leesa mattress is a memory foam mattress with three layers of premium foam for body contouring and pressure relief, engineered to promote airflow and keep you cool all night long. The Leesa Hybrid mattress is a combination of premium foam support layers and individually-wrapped pocket springs for a luxury feel.
If you’re mattress shopping, we’re here to help. Start with our Mattress Buying Guide to finding out what type of mattress is right for you.
Pros of a Memory Foam Mattress
Fun fact: memory foam was originally invented by NASA to make space travel more comfortable for astronauts.
So, it makes sense that memory foam makes a great place to rest your head at night. As a mattress, memory foam has many benefits, including:
pressure and pain relief
excellent spinal alignment
low motion transfer
hypo-allergenic
overall high durability
easy to care for
Sound like heaven? Just wait. Let’s dive deeper into some of memory foam’s benefits.
Pressure and Pain Relief
One of the best things about a memory foam mattress is the pressure-relief it provides, especially on your shoulders and hips. Memory foam adapts to your specific body shape while you sleep. So instead of being stuck in a valley or rolling over lumps while you sleep, your memory foam mattress will move with you, doing away with your aches and pains so you wake up well-rested. At Leesa, we call that Universal Adaptive Feel®, which makes our beds great for any body shape and sleeping style. Stomach sleeper? Meet Leesa. Prefer your side or back? Meet Leesa.
Spinal Alignment
Because memory foam provides superior support and adapts to your sleeping style, it will keep your spine and neck aligned while you sleep. If you’re tired of waking up with neck kinks and back aches, this probably sounds great to you. (That’s because it is.) Our mattresses give you the support and comfort you need to sleep better and wake up pain-free.
Low Motion Transfer
Waking up when your partner (or child or fur-child) gets in or out of bed is annoying and keeps you from getting the sleep you need. That’s what great about a memory foam mattress—there is little to no motion transfer. Our mattresses pass the Wine Glass Test. When you put a glass of wine on the bed, you can climb in, roll around and jump on the bed without spilling the wine. That means you can truly tune out the world around you, stay asleep longer and sleep better.
Cons of a Memory Foam Mattress
One of the only complaints about memory foam mattresses is that they sleep warmer than gel or traditional spring mattresses. Many memory foam mattresses trap heat between the layers of foam, so your body heat has nowhere to escape while you’re sleeping. So, Leesa said no more sweaty sleep: our mattresses are made with a premium, cooling layer of top foam that was engineered to promote airflow while you snooze. Plus, it’s super comfy, so you get the pressure-relieving and body contouring benefits of memory foam and stay cool all night long.
Another complaint that often comes with memory foam mattresses is their price tag. Once again, Leesa set out to combat this. We offer two quality memory foam mattress options that won’t break the bank. (We also offer financing through Affirm.) We strive to produce excellent products, from our mattresses to our pillow to our foundations, so when you buy a Leesa, you know you are getting a quality, durable product and your best rest.
The Pros and Cons of a Memory Foam Mattress
Are you aware that newly purchased mattresses emit “off gassing”? This term refers to the chemical-based odor that emanates from a newly purchased mattress. An example of this is walking down the cleaning product aisle at a store. Although all the bleach and cleaning supplies are sealed, you can still smell it. That is the “off gassing” also referred to as “out gassing”. In effect, the wrong mattress can potentially harm users every time they get under the covers.
I. Pros1. The main reason memory foam mattresses have become so popular is because of their comfort factor. It conforms to your body and reduces pressure on your spine, which means you get the best rest possible.
2. Memory foam mattresses respond to heat and pressure to reduce pressure point problems. This means that your spine, neck and hips are realigned, evenly distributing body weight and effectively correcting a poor sleeping posture.
3. Long-term use has been shown to reduce chronic back and neck pain.
4. It also has a positive effect on chronic respiratory problems as it eases breathing during sleep.
5. Memory foam mattresses are made from materials that promote good health, they are hypoallergenic and dust mite-resistant - great for people who have respiratory problems or who are allergy sensitive.
6. It is quiet, no squeaks or creaks, and is perfect for those who sleep next to a restless partner because there is no transfer of movement so you can have a night of uninterrupted sleep.
7. There is very little maintenance needed for a memory foam mattress. You never need to turn or flip them and there is no sagging. Most good quality mattresses also come with a very generous warranty with anything between 10 and 25 years.
II. Cons1. Memory foam mattresses can be quite heavy. However, because you don't need to turn them this should not pose a huge problem.
2. They have been known to be hotter than normal mattresses because they cradle your body and the dense foam retains heat. But with new cooler open cell and gel technologies, people are experiencing less and less of this.
3. In hot climates the mattress may be softer than expected and in cold climates it may be harder than expected. However, thanks to central heating and cooling systems, most households run at a temperature perfect for the mattress to be neither too soft nor too hard.
4. Some people have complained of an odor from the mattresses. This problem occurs when they haven't been aired properly.
5. The price of name brand memory foam mattresses may put many people off. On the other hand, the price of the mattress is usually directly related to its quality. A memory foam mattress may be more expensive than a regular mattress but it is better for your body and it lasts a lot longer.
6. Some people complain that they don't feel the support they need from their mattress. This could be due to two things - either they purchased a low quality memory foam mattress or the other underlying materials that should offer the support are of inferior quality. This is why it is important that you know all the specifications of the mattress (such as the rebound rate, density, certifications, and all materials used).
What Happens if You Sleep on a Memory Foam Mattress Before 24 Hours?
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.