Watch: How to Unbox Your Avocado Mattress (1-minute video demonstrating the unboxing process.)
Your mattress begins expanding as soon as the inner vacuum seal is cut.
You can usually sleep on it within about 30 minutes.
Most mattresses reach full expansion within 3–5 hours.
Minor settling of the cover or materials may continue for a few days.
Before You Begin
Because we use natural materials, your mattress may be heavier than you expect.
We ship mattresses compressed because they:
Protects the mattress during transport
Makes it easier to move through stairways and hallways
Reduces the chance of marking walls or corners
Your mattress may arrive via UPS® or through our optional in-home delivery and setup service.
Tip: Move the box to the room where the mattress will live before unboxing. For Queen, King, and California King sizes, two people are recommended.
Unboxing Steps
Please open your mattress within 30 days of delivery to ensure it expands properly and your warranty remains valid.
Open the shipping box at the top.
Lay the box on its side and slide the mattress out.
Most mattresses ship vacuum-sealed and wrapped in upcycled Kraft paper, or white plastic when Kraft paper is unavailable. Carefully remove the outer wrap first.
Under the outer wrap, the mattress will still be vacuum-sealed and compressed within a second layer of plastic. Do not cut the inner plastic yet.
Unroll the mattress and place it on your bed frame, foundation, adjustable base, platform bed, or on the floor. Make sure it has room to fully expand.
Carefully cut and remove the inner transparent vacuum-seal layer. Once cut, the mattress will immediately begin expanding — this is normal (and fun to watch).
What to Expect
Within 30 minutes: The mattress will be close to full size and ready to sleep on.
Within 3–5 hours: The mattress should reach full expansion. To help speed things up, lift each corner slightly and give the mattress a gentle shake.
Within a few days: Any wrinkles in the cover will naturally smooth out as the materials settle.
Within 30 days: Subtle size variations, if any, will typically resolve as the organic cotton cover relaxes and the latex expands naturally. Because Avocado mattresses are handmade with natural materials, minor variations are normal and not considered defects.
Care & Support
Use Proper Support
Your mattress must be placed on a rigid, supportive surface capable of supporting the combined weight of the mattress and its users. Without proper support, your mattress may appear to sag over time, which can affect warranty coverage.
For third-party frames not purchased from Avocado:
Slats must be no more than 5 inches apart
Slats must be at least 2.5 inches wide
Queen, King, and California King sizes require at least one center support leg
All Avocado-sold foundations, bunkie boards, and bed frames are designed to meet the warranty's structural requirements.
Rotate Your Mattress Regularly
Rotate your mattress head-to-toe:
Once a month for the first six months
Every other month after that
Regular rotation promotes even wear and helps maintain comfort and support over time. Skipping rotations may affect warranty eligibility.
→ See: What Is Avocado's Warranty?
A Few Things to Know
Some Mattresses Ship Flat
Not all Avocado mattresses ship compressed. The following models ship flat in a freight box and do not require expansion:
→ Setup instructions differ. See: What Type of Box Is the Luxury Organic Mattress Shipped In?
Natural Scent
You may notice a scent when you first open your mattress. This is not off-gassing. Avocado mattresses are GREENGUARD Gold Certified, meaning they are independently tested for VOC emissions and meet strict indoor air quality standards. What you're smelling is the natural product scent from latex, wool, and cotton — or the plastic vacuum seal. The scent is harmless and will dissipate within a few days.
Cotton Flecks
Small flecks of cotton shell husk may be visible inside the cover. This is not dirt or mold — it is a natural characteristic of organic cotton.
Corners Expanding Slowly
Because we do not use polyurethane foam, the corners may be the last areas to fully expand. This is expected. You can gently lift or shake the mattress to help it settle, or allow a few hours for it to fully expand.
Do Not Flip Your Mattress
Avocado mattresses are single-sided. We recommend rotating the mattress head-to-toe, but do not flip it.
Mattress Handles
Your mattress includes reinforced side handles for repositioning. Use them only for short adjustments, not for carrying the mattress long distances.
Protect Your Mattress (and Your Trial)
We recommend using a mattress protector from the first night. Stains and unsanitary conditions can void your warranty and sleep trial, regardless of when they occur. A protector keeps your mattress clean and eligible for a return, subject to our return policy, or warranty claim if you ever need one.
Avocado offers two certified organic options:
Packaging & Recycling
To support our environmental commitments and 1% for the Planet® giving initiatives, we ship mattresses in plain brown boxes with minimal branding. The savings help fund our nonprofit partners.
Please recycle the cardboard box and the upcycled paper wrap. The inner plastic wrap is LDPE #4, recyclable where accepted.