Tips for Sleeping on a Latex Mattress for the First Time

If you've recently purchased a latex mattress, or are considering purchasing one to replace your old mattress, congratulations, you've made a great decision. Latex mattresses have many health and sleep-related benefits. But, like any other new mattress, it might take some time for you to adjust to the new mattress, and vice versa. That's perfectly normal. Here's everything you need to know about sleeping on a latex mattress for the first time.

What is a Latex Mattress?

A latex mattress is a mattress made with natural latex as the only material, or sometimes mixed with other materials. The latex derives from the sap of a rubber tree, which is then harvested and processed to create the latex mattress.

Benefits of Sleeping on a Latex Mattress

A latex mattress has more benefits than a traditional mattress. The top six benefits include:

Pain Relief

Since latex mattresses are much softer than traditional mattresses, they can help with pain relief. These mattresses are especially great for soothing pressure points, such as the neck, joints, lower back, hips, and shoulders.

Body Contouring

Latex is naturally elastic. This makes it possible for such mattresses to contour your body's shape. As a result, you'll experience proper spinal alignment as you sleep.

Hypoallergenic

Unlike a memory foam mattress, a latex mattress is naturally antimicrobial, meaning it can repel harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses from growing on the mattress. This characteristic makes latex mattresses the ideal choice for sleepers with year-round allergies.

Eco-Friendliness

Given that latex mattresses are comprised of natural materials, they help conserve the environment. For example, there's no need to cut down the rubber trees that provide the natural sap needed to manufacture latex mattresses during harvest. Instead, they can produce sap for up to three decades. In addition, latex mattresses are biodegradable, meaning they decompose into the environment.

Durability

Latex mattresses can last anywhere between 12 to 20 years. This is because natural rubber is resilient to pressure and body weight. It bounces back into its original shape effortlessly, making it possible to maintain its original shape for many years.

Compatibility

Latex mattresses suit side sleepers, stomach sleepers, back sleepers, and other sleeping positions. Regardless of your sleep style, you don't have to worry about waking up with body pain when you sleep on a latex mattress.

Tips for Sleeping on a Latex Mattress for the First Time

If you've recently purchased a new latex mattress, you may not know what to expect when you sleep on it for the first time. Here's what you need to do.

Give it Time to Adjust

You probably know that your mattress might not feel right the first time you lay on it. This doesn't mean you made a mistake buying the mattress — in most cases, you just need time to adjust to it.

Similarly, your mattress also needs time to adjust to you, and it's perfectly okay if it doesn't feel right the first few days. Latex mattresses are designed to contour your body shape and size, cradling every part of your body as you sleep. For this reason, it may take a few days for the mattress to adjust.

Keep Sleeping on It

As mentioned before, the first few days of sleeping on a latex mattress might feel a little bit odd, but that doesn't mean you should stop sleeping on it. On the contrary, the only way your mattress will adjust to your body shape and size is when you constantly sleep on it, even if it feels a little bit uncomfortable the first few days.

Consider napping on your latex mattress, instead of taking your daytime naps on the couch. Every minute you spend sleeping on your mattress gives it one extra opportunity to adjust to your body shape and size.

Take Advantage of the Free Nights’ Trial

One of the common reasons mattresses have a long night's sleep trial is because these products take quite some time to adjust to the sleeper's body. Most standard mattresses take anywhere between 30 to 90 days to contour the sleeper's body.

To provide the ultimate sleep experience, PlushBeds has a 100-night free night's trial for mattresses. However, it's important to note that most latex mattresses adjust to the sleeper's body within the first 14 days, unlike standard mattresses.

Change the Mattress Foundation

The foundation of your mattress has everything to do with how the mattress feels when you sleep on it. If your latex mattress takes longer than usual to adjust to your body, it may be necessary to change the foundation. For instance, box spring foundations don't work well with latex mattresses, but they’re ideal for a traditional innerspring mattress.

Apart from damaging the surface of the mattress, box spring foundations are usually not strong enough to support the weight of a latex mattress. The good thing is that you don't have to guess which foundation works for your mattress and which one won't — PlushBeds has a wide range of mattress foundations to choose from.

Change Your Sleeping Positions Quite Often

Most people sleep at the midsection of the mattress. But when sleeping on a latex mattress, especially a brand new mattress, consider shifting your sleeping positions frequently throughout the night. You don't need to wake up to do this; you can simply roll over from the midsection to the left or right. This is also good for your body because it prevents fatigue and numbness from sleeping on the same side for hours. In addition, shifting your sleeping position helps spread your body weight across the mattress.

Expect a Different Smell

Your new mattress won't smell like your old one. When you sleep on a latex mattress, chances are it will emit a distinctive smell, but that shouldn't worry you. This smell is usually referred to as 'the new mattress smell.'

Traditional mattresses, especially memory foam mattresses, may emit odors the first few days.

A latex mattress releases a vanilla-like smell the first few days. The smell then disappears with time, usually two weeks.

Keep the Room Ventilated

One of the best ways to get rid of the 'new mattress smell' is by keeping the room well ventilated throughout the day. If possible, keep the windows and doors open for a few hours to allow air circulation within the room. The smell will dissolve into the air and become weaker each day. If you plan on sleeping on the mattress at night, consider keeping the room well ventilated throughout the day to get rid of the smell.

Add Sleep Accessories

Although a latex mattress comes with numerous sleep benefits, you can maximize these benefits by adding sleep accessories, such as a pillow, foundation, mattress protector, and mattress topper. You'll find all these sleep accessories at PlushBeds.

Consider Switching Firmness Levels

Some latex mattresses, such as the Botanical Bliss Mattress from PlushBeds, come with two different firmness levels: firm and medium-firm mattresses. This allows you to choose the firmness level that feels most comfortable for you. In addition, with a double-sided mattress, it almost feels like having two mattresses for the price of one. If you don't like how one side of the mattress feels, you can simply flip it over to the other side.

FAQs: First-Time Latex Mattress Sleepers

We've answered some frequently asked questions about sleeping on a latex mattress for the first time.

How Long Does it Take to Get Used to a Latex Mattress?

Mattresses have different break-in periods. For example, a latex mattress has a break-in period of 14 days on average. However, this break-in period for the mattress depends on how frequently you use the mattress. For best results, consider sleeping on the mattress frequently.

The 14-day period is one of the fastest in the mattress industry. On average, standard mattresses have a break-in period of up to four weeks. 

Do You Have to Break in a Latex Mattress?

Like most mattresses, latex mattresses will need a brief break-in period to adjust to your body, usually the first 14 days. However, as mentioned before, you can speed up this process by regularly sleeping on the mattress. And, if you purchase your mattress from PlusBeds, you'll have a 100-night sleep trial period, giving you all the time you need to get used to the new mattress.

Why do Mattresses Have a Break-In Period?

Mattresses need a break-in period because the mattress materials need some time to conform to your body. A new mattress is like a new shoe; even though it may fit perfectly, it will still need more time to conform to the shape of your foot.

The same applies to mattresses. For instance, natural latex mattresses are made from pure latex, a naturally elastic material. But the only way to test its elasticity is when you sleep on it. The mattress will stretch to a certain level required to provide proper support for your weight when you sleep on it for the first time. After a couple of days of constantly sleeping on the mattress, the mattress will memorize your body shape and weight, adjusting itself to the right firmness level every time you sleep on it.

How do Sleep Trials Work?

A sleep trial is a specific period set by a mattress manufacturer to allow sleepers to sleep on their mattress, and decide whether it's the right fit for them. The sleep trial period usually lasts longer if you purchase the mattress online.

This is because purchasing a mattress online doesn't give you the chance to test whether the mattress is right for you. The only way to find out is when you sleep on the mattress. Traditional brick-and-mortar stores offer shorter sleep trial periods, because sleepers can test the mattress at the store before deciding if it's the right choice for them. Nevertheless, the difference between the sleep trials offered by online mattress vendors and those offered at brick-and-mortar stores isn't that huge.

Can You Sleep on a Latex Mattress Right Away?

Yes, you can sleep on a latex mattress when it arrives in your room. This is because, unlike other mattresses, latex mattresses don't contain harmful chemicals or synthetic fillers. As a result, you don't need to air it out for days before sleeping on it.

The only time you may need to air out a latex mattress is when you want to get rid of the 'new mattress smell.' Even so, this mattress doesn't emit odors as other standard mattresses do. As mentioned earlier, a latex mattress usually emits a vanilla-like smell.

What's the Difference Between Talalay and Dunlop Latex?

The main difference between Talalay and Dunlop latex is in their firmness levels. Dunlop latex is usually firmer and denser than Talalay latex. For this reason, Dunlop is often used for the support core of a latex mattress, while Talalay comes in handy to provide extra comfort.

However, this doesn't necessarily mean that you can't customize these two types of latex. You can adjust the firmness levels of both Talalay and Dunlop latex to suit the sleeper's specific needs. 

PlushBeds is Always Here to Help!

Gone are the days when you'd spend hours at a mattress store trying to find the right mattress for you. Nowadays, with just a few clicks of a button, you can choose a mattress that suits your needs at PlushBeds.

We make the process of purchasing a latex mattress much easier and faster. Here's a quick look at some of our top latex mattresses:

The Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress

Handcrafted in the USA, this organic mattress compromises organic latex, wool and cotton certified by the Global Organic Latex Standard. This certified organic latex mattress is the best mattress for sleepers looking for customized comfort, superior support, and pressure relief.

The Botanical Bliss (along with The Natural Bliss mattress described below) includes a free comfort exchange during your trial period. These latex mattresses are specially crafted with latex layers and that can be removed and exchanged for a different firmness level,  And, you can swap out your existing top layer at home.

The Natural Bliss Vegan Mattress

Made of 100% natural latex, the Natural Bliss mattress from PlushBeds doesn't contain synthetics or any harmful chemicals. This GOTS-certified organic mattress is hypoallergenic, wool-free, and animal-free. In addition, if you're looking for a vegan mattress, the Natural Bliss mattress is what you need.

The Luxury Bliss Hybrid Latex Mattress

You can add a sense of luxury to your sleep experience while still enjoying the benefits of sleeping on a latex mattress, thanks to the Luxury Bliss Organic Hybrid Mattress. This mattress comes with a plush top comfort layer of 100% organic latex for added luxury, and buoyant support needed for sleeping comfortably.

The Eco Bliss Eco Mattress

You'll love the Eco Bliss Hybrid Latex Mattress. Also handcrafted in the USA, this mattress is made of 100% organic latex, and a layer of CertiPUR-certified organic latex foam to blend the best from both worlds, and guarantee affordability.

When looking for a mattress that will last over a decade, and still look and feel as good as new, a latex mattress fits the description. In addition, this type of mattress comes with numerous health and sleep-related benefits, guaranteeing a good night’s sleep.

When you order your latex mattress from PlushBeds, you’ll enjoy free shipping within the continental US. At PlushBeds, we also offer white glove delivery at affordable rates. Not sure what works best for you? Give us a call today at 1-888-405-2448 to speak to an expert!

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