As the easiest way to improve a mattress’ comfort level with minimal cost and hassle, mattress toppers have never been more popular than they are now. Available in a wide range of materials and sizes, a mattress topper can help remedy sleep issues, whether you have an extra firm mattress for back pain that isn’t as comfortable as you’d like, or you want to extend the life of your older mattress while saving to upgrade to a more contemporary bedroom.

After purchasing a mattress topper, people are often so excited to get home and try it out, they tear it out of its packaging, throw it on the bed and climb on immediately. However, there are a few steps to take before jumping into bed that can help you maximize its benefits, so here are a few tips:

1. Allow it to expand! The majority of mattress toppers are made from traditional foam, latex foam or memory foam, resulting in a packaging process requiring vacuum sealing to minimize size for shipping. When you first remove a new topper from its packaging, spread the firm mattress pad out in a spare room or open area and let it expand fully before use. Using a topper before it fully expands may cause the foam to never reach its original fullness, reducing its strength and comfort.

2. Be gentle with it! A topper’s job is to hold and support your body’s weight, a testament to its strength, but that shouldn’t imply it has no weaknesses. When putting a foam topper on the bed or adjusting its positioning, avoid grabbing corners or pulling from edges. Given the weight of the topper and the friction that sliding it over a mattress can create, a topper is prone to tearing when adjusted in such a way. Do your best to roll or fold the foam to gently situate it.

3. Keep it covered! Some people may think that to get the full mattress topper experience, they should sleep directly on it without a cover. This is one of the worst things you can do to a topper. Sleeping directly on the topper leaves it open to messes and dirt. It will also lack the durability a well-made cover offers. Either covering the topper on its own or putting it directly on the mattress under the sheets is key to keeping it clean and in top shape for a long time.