Are you wondering about your memory foam mattress not expanding? Don’t worry. We’ve got it covered!
If your memory foam mattress is not expanding, lay it flat on the floor and raise the temperature to about 20°C (68°F) or more if necessary since memory foam expands more quickly at high temperatures. Wait about 24 to 72 hours for it to expand fully. If the product does not expand, contact the manufacturer.
Let’s take a closer look at this!
Why is my memory foam mattress not expanding?
These days buying a mattress is very convenient. Getting a mattress delivered to your doorstep, especially with the bed-in-a-box option, has made it more manageable to shop for mattresses. However, the problem can be that it might not expand fully or take more time than usual for full expansion.
So, if you’ve purchased a new memory foam mattress for a peaceful sleep but your mattress is not expanding as anticipated. Don’t worry. Memory foam mattresses are compressed in a box to keep them fresh and are also easier for transportation.
The mattress can appear 3x smaller and might take anywhere around 42-74 hours to expand fully. But sometimes, various reasons can prevent the mattress from expanding.
Reasons why your mattress is not expanding
You kept your mattress in the box for a prolonged period.
Yes, this can be the apparent reason. It is because leaving the mattress compressed in a box for a prolonged period can cause expansion issues. Manufacturers recommend their customers unwrap the bed-in-a-box mattress within 72 hours of arrival. However, they can last around three months compressed in a box, according to most manufacturers.
It requires time.
Maybe you were too excited about your new bed and forgot to check the instruction manual. But as mentioned earlier, it can take up to 72 hours for the mattress to fully expand, especially the mattress edges. Some manufacturers might claim that the mattress can expand in a few hours, but often, at times, it might take longer. So, even if your mattress doesn’t expand after a few hours, you have to be patient and wait for it to get fully inflated.
Cold room temperature.
If your room temperature is low, it might take extra time for the mattress to expand because memory foam reacts to temperature. Memory foam expands faster in warm temperatures. Hence, you have to ensure that your room is warm enough. If your room is cold, you can place it in the sun or keep it in a warm room to let it absorb the heat and expand faster. If you notice that your mattress reacts and expands with heat, you can try laying and rolling on it to help it expand.
Your mattress might be too thick.
If your mattress is firm and thick, it will take more time to expand due to its density. It can leave you confused and disappointed, but as mentioned earlier, laying on it or rolling over can help. You can also try sleeping on the mattress for a night, and if there are any positive results, try sleeping for a week for better results. But if this doesn’t prove helpful, maybe it’s time you call the customer service.
Your mattress might be defective.
If the reasons mentioned above are not the case, then maybe you’ve bought a defective mattress. Some low-priced memory foam mattresses might not be appropriately manufactured and won’t expand even after 72 hours. If that’s the case, then you can ask for a replacement or return the product.
How to expand my mattress in a box?
There are tips on expanding your mattress.
Lay your mattress on a flat surface
If your bed frame or box spring is not suitable to lay your memory foam mattress, then you can lay it on the floor. Let it sit for some time, about 24 hours, and ensure that the floor is clean. Ensure that you use your hands to unwrap the mattress. Prevent using sharp objects such as knives or scissors to prevent any damage.
Increase the room temperature
As mentioned above, a memory foam mattress reacts to temperature as it allows the mattress to expand. So, if your mattress is yet to expand, consider increasing the room temperature to soften and make it more flexible. Experts recommend a room temperature of about 20°c to let the mattress expand. Don’t overheat the room. Average room temp works.
Improve the air in your room
Open the windows, ventilation, or using a fan can help improve the air circulation, which can help with the off-gassing smell (which is normal).
Call for a replacement
If your memory foam fails to expand even after trying the abovementioned steps, you might have received a defective product. But luckily, most mattress manufacturers offer a trial period for a return or replacement. So you can try calling the manufacturer for a solution.
How long does it take for a memory foam mattress to expand?
It usually takes about 24-72 hours for the mattress to expand fully. But it also depends on the density of the mattress. Most mattresses will only take a few hours to take shape, but it’s best to leave them 12+ hours before sleeping on them.