Possible Reasons Why Your New Mattress is Too Firm

So, you finally decided to invest in yourself and your sleep quality and bought a brand-new mattress. Congratulations! You were probably really looking forward to getting a great night’s sleep. But when you go to lie down on that first night, you feel as if your new mattress is too firm. It’s firmer than you remember it being, and you’re worried there was a mistake. 

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. If you purchased your bed from Texas Mattress Makers (as you should), we can assure you there is nothing wrong with your new mattress. Is your mattress too firm for your liking? Don’t worry, it won’t feel this firm forever. 

Our mattress experts are here to explain why your mattress feels firmer than you anticipated and what to expect from your new bed.

My mattress is too firm. What’s going on?

Let’s paint a picture: you visited one of our fabulous Houston showrooms in search of your dream mattress. After trying out a few beds with the help of an expert, you found the one that was just right. We deliver it to your home, set it up in your bedroom for you, and you’re counting down the hours until you can get your first night of restorative rest on your new bed.

But when it’s time to hit the hay and finally climb into bed, something feels different. This feels way firmer than I remember. There are a few reasons why your mattress might feel firmer upon arrival:

1. Your mattress needs to be broken in
2. The store’s mattresses are already broken in
3. You purchased a mattress that is too firm for your preferences

Our mattress experts are here to explain all of the reasons why your mattress is too firm and what you can do and expect from a brand-new mattress.

1. Your mattress needs to be broken in 

When you buy a newly produced mattress at Texas Mattress Makers, the components may initially feel firmer because they are fresh and unused. Unlike other big-name retailers, our mattresses aren’t sitting in a warehouse waiting to be bought — they are made to order with brand-new components. 

Both the supportive base and the top comfort layers are designed to adapt to your body over time, but this adjustment process, also known as “breaking in a mattress,” requires a bit of patience.

How long does it take to break in a mattress? Your mattress should be broken in after sleeping on it consistently for 30-60 nights, depending on the type of mattress you have. Our founder Youvall Meicler and mattress expert Rachael discuss this process in detail.

How do I soften a firm mattress?

Breaking in a mattress is a crucial part of getting the best night’s sleep for years to come, but how do you break in a mattress that is too firm? The answer is pretty simple: keep sleeping on it! If your new mattress is too firm, trust that your bed will feel exactly how you envisioned it after the break-in period. To speed up this process, you can also try walking on it. If you feel that your mattress still isn’t comfortable after 60 nights, contact us to ask about our 90-Night Comfort Guarantee.

Breaking in a mattress can be a lot like breaking in new shoes –– the more they adjust to your body, the more comfortable they feel. Over time, your mattress’s components will adapt to your body, forming a natural body impression. This process helps the mattress support proper spinal alignment while you sleep so you can wake up feeling refreshed and pain-free.

2. The store’s mattresses are already broken in

Why does my mattress feel different than in the store? It’s highly likely that the mattress you tried in-store was already broken in. Why do retailers do this? 

At Texas Mattress Makers, we want to give our customers the most realistic idea of what their new mattress will feel like in the long term. To do this, all of the mattresses on our showroom floors have already broken in so that when our customers try out different models, they can choose the mattress that best aligns with their preferences. 

Our experts make the customers aware of this fact before they start shopping and inform them about the mattress break-in period. Shopping with us means you will be more informed about what to expect from your new mattress.

If you’re looking for answers to how to make a firm mattress softer after purchase, we’ve got you covered. As your mattress adjusts to your body (remember the break-in period), the components will soften over time from consistent pressure. This does not mean that your mattress will alter significantly, but you might find it more comfortable as time goes on. 

3. You purchased a mattress that is too firm for your preferences

If you’re unhappy with how firm your new mattress feels, it is possible that you may have chosen a comfort level that was too firm for your preferences. For example, If you chose a firm mattress, assuming it would provide better support, you might find it too stiff. If this happens, our team is ready to help. Every mattress at Texas Mattress Makers comes with our comfort guarantee, so if you’re not sleeping well after the initial 30-night break-in, give us a call.

The overall feel of your mattress will depend on the comfort level you choose. Here at Texas Mattress Makers, we have six mattress firmness levels that range from ultra-soft to ultra-firm. Note that there is no such thing as a “best mattress firmness” level, because comfort is subjective, and different levels work for different people. It’s best to ask our experts what comfort level would benefit you based on your:

• Body type
• Height and weight
• Preferred sleeping position 
• Health concerns (such as sciatica or arthritis)

Can a too-firm mattress hurt your back?

While it’s normal to experience mild aches as your body and mattress adjust to each other, the discomfort should be minimal and temporary. If your back pain persists after the mattress break-in period, contact the retailer for assistance. 

Most people might think they need a hard mattress for back pain even if this doesn’t align with their comfort preferences; however, this could only hurt your back more over time. If you shop with Texas Mattress Makers, our experts will recommend the best supportive and comfort components to accommodate your body and specific preferences. No more back pain, just soothing comfort.

Keep reading: Is your mattress too soft for your liking?

Our Mattresses are Designed for Lasting Comfort

Do you want to hear a secret? Many customers who feel their new mattress is too firm purchased their bed from a store that did not educate them on the mattress break-in process. When you buy your mattress from Texas Mattress Makers, you leave knowing exactly what to expect from your new bed, especially regarding how it will feel for the first few weeks.

Our customers are more informed, more confident, and more comfortable than most because our experts take the time to explain why a certain mattress will work for you long-term. Whether you prefer soft, medium, firm, or anything in between, we prioritize your unique needs. 

If you want a mattress that will feel perfectly comfortable for life, visit any of our mattress stores in Houston or shop online to see our amazing mattress selection. Say goodbye to aches and pains and hello to restorative, healthy sleep.

More Helpful Articles by Texas Mattress Makers:

• Unpacking the Hype: What is a Bed in a Box?
• Mattress Coils: Do Count and Quality Matter?
• Benefits of Shopping for a Mattress in Person
• Mattress Body Impressions vs. Sagging Mattresses
• What Type of Mattress is Best for Back Pain?