Flipping or Rotating a Mattress: How Often Should You Do It?

If you want your mattress to last a long time, you must take proper care of it. 

That involves cleaning it, trying not to damage it, and rotating or flipping it. 

But how often should you rotate your mattress? And how often should you flip a mattress? Do you even need to do it at all? 

Keep reading to learn everything you need about mattress rotation and flipping mattresses! 

How Often Should You Rotate or Flip Your Mattress?

Well, there’s no correct answer to either of these questions.

Most people would tell you to flip or rotate a mattress once every three to six months, depending on the materials and the mattress type. 

Some beds must be flipped or rotated every three months, while others are good to go for a year without rotating or flipping them. 

And finally, not all beds can be flipped, but almost all can be rotated. 

The best thing you can do is check the instructions the mattress manufacturer provides. 

When it comes to flipping, it’s crucial to follow the instructions. Flipping a one-sided mattress can cause damage. However, a two-sided mattress usually needs to be flipped once every three months to once a year. 

But how often should you rotate your mattress? The instructions should also state how often you should rotate your mattress, but if they don’t, here are some tips. You can rotate memory foam, latex, and new innerspring beds once or twice a year, but older ones should be rotated more.  

The Difference Between Flipping and Rotating a Mattress

First, let’s clear up these two terms, so no one’s confused. 

When you flip a mattress, you’re turning the entire thing around so that the side facing the floor is now facing up. 

On the other hand, rotating means turning your bed 180 degrees, so the part where you put your head is now in the place where you put your feet. 

Flipping or Rotating – What’s Better?

Flipping or rotating a mattress depends on its construction.

You should flip your mattress regularly for maintenance. It can’t handle the pressure on just one side and needs time to recuperate. 

But not all beds can be flipped. In fact, flipping some beds can cause extensive damage to a perfect mattress. 

You don’t want to do that to your bed! 

The good news is that most mattresses can be rotated, so you can still change how you put pressure on the material, at least a little bit. 

However, you shouldn’t rotate your mattress if it has zoned support. These mattresses provide extra support in certain areas, and when you rotate them, they lose that.

Why Should You Rotate or Flip a Mattress?

Mattress rotation and flipping are two essential parts of mattress maintenance. 

If we want our beds to last, we must take care of them. You can’t skip cleaning, flipping, or rotating!

We spend hours sleeping, putting a lot of pressure on our mattress. This can cause wear and tear, affecting the mattress’s life.

Sagging in certain spots where we put the most pressure is normal, even for the highest-quality mattress. But when we flip or rotate your mattress, we can change those pressure points and not cause any more damage. 

Sagging can also impact support and comfort, causing back pain and other issues. If you sleep on a lumpy mattress, you can’t get a good night’s sleep. 

There are more benefits to flipping and rotating mattresses. Here’s what you should know.  

Benefits of Rotating Your Mattress

When you rotate your mattress, it lives longer. Remember that sometimes older mattresses can’t be saved, and it’s time to invest in a new one. 

Rotating your mattress can help improve support, but only a little. If you wake up in pain or feel like you haven’t slept, it might be time to get a new mattress. This one can’t keep your spine in neutral alignment.

Here’s what mattress rotation will help you get rid of:

• Sagging and lumps – A sagging mattress will start to deteriorate in places where we put the most pressure, especially around hips and shoulders. When you rotate your mattress, you change up those pressure points and prevent premature sagging. 
• Hammocking – Do you lie on your bed and involuntarily roll to the middle? This is called hammocking, which happens when the materials deteriorate in the middle of the mattress because that’s where you sleep the most. Rotate your mattress from time to time to avoid this. 
• Cleaning – rotating your mattress helps keep it clean. Beds collect dust, dead skin cells, dust mites, and all the other stuff over time. So when you rotate a bed, you let it breathe and prevent mattress wear. 

Benefits of Flipping Your Mattress

Flipping a mattress might be challenging, but it’s the best thing you can do for yourself and for your mattress. 

When you flip your mattress, you make it last longer. But you can also improve its support. And proper support is crucial for a good night’s sleep. 

Here are some of the benefits you’ll get from flipping your mattress:

• Better support – when you flip a mattress, you change the areas where you put pressure on the mattress. The materials in these parts deteriorate because of the force, so when you flip a mattress, you give them time to rest. And this is better for you, the sleeper. 
• Longer mattress lifespan – similar to that, your mattress lasts longer when you protect it. Clean it, use a mattress protector, and flip it! That’s taking care of your investment! 

Mattress Types – Which Ones Need Rotating or Flipping?

As mentioned before, not all mattress models can be flipped. 

This is because most of them are one-sided mattresses. They have the support on the bottom and the comfort layer on top, with some specific layers used for extra cushioning in between. 

So, when you flip them, you’re not getting the comfort you need and can ruin the comfort layer completely. There are so many different materials to make mattresses from, and not all of them are that durable.

Only double-sided mattresses can be flipped. The support is in the middle of the two comfort layers, which can sometimes have different firmness levels. 

This means you can switch up the mattress’s firmness by flipping it. But most modern mattresses aren’t flippable. 

They can be rotated, though! As long as they don’t have zoned support, because mattresses like that won’t give you maximum comfort if you rotate them. 

Let’s look at which mattress types can be flipped or rotated. 

Innerspring Mattresses

Remember to flip your innerspring mattress regularly, as most traditional ones need to be flipped.

These mattresses are structured with a coil support layer and a thin comfort layer on top. That means that they’re generally double-sided and can be flipped. 

A new mattress should be flipped once or twice per year, while older innerspring mattresses need to be flipped two to five times a year. And they also need to be rotated.

Also, keep in mind that not all innerspring mattresses are flippable. A pillow top mattress cannot be flipped. Pillow top mattresses have a thick pillow top layer that can get damaged when flipped.

If you have a box spring as the bed base for your innerspring mattress, know that it shouldn’t be flipped. However, because it is subjected to the same pressure as your mattress, you should rotate it on a regular basis.

Memory Foam Mattresses

Most memory foam mattresses aren’t flippable. 

They have a thick and firm support core made from polyfoam and a comfort layer on top. If you flip this mattress, you’ll sleep on a firm and uncomfortable surface and likely ruin the memory foam layer. 

However, memory foam beds need to be rotated for maintenance.

Hybrid Mattresses

A hybrid mattress is usually built with a coil support layer and a couple of comfort layers made from foam. It’s very supportive, durable, and heavy. 

However, even though they’re similar to innerspring beds, most hybrid mattresses aren’t flippable. Unless stated otherwise. Even then, these are generally heavier and larger mattresses, so watch out.

If you flip a hybrid mattress, you’ll sleep on a firm surface; the steel coils could even poke through. And you’ll damage the comfort layers. But you can rotate these beds!

Latex Mattresses 

Many latex mattresses can be flipped, but they might not need it. 

A latex mattress, mainly made from natural latex, is highly durable. It’ll take this particular mattress years to show signs of sagging or deterioration. 

If the mattress company says so, you could flip this mattress. Otherwise, you can rotate it occasionally, just in case. 

How Do I Flip My Mattress?

Flipping a mattress is pretty simple. You need to pick it up and flip it so that the side facing the ceiling is now facing the floor, and then place it back on the bed frame.

But in practice, it’s a bit harder. Mainly because mattresses can weigh a lot.

Remember to get someone to help if you have a heavy mattress.

How Do I Rotate My Mattress?

Rotating your mattress is more manageable than flipping it. Still, it would be best if you remembered to move your nightstand, furniture, or other things you could knock over. 

You need to rotate it 180 degrees and put it on the bed base without flipping it. If you’re having trouble, get some help!

Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Should a Single Sleeper Rotate a Mattress?

You must rotate your mattress once every three months to prevent dipping, sagging, and other issues. 

Can I Flip My Memory Foam Mattress?

You can only flip a memory foam mattress if it’s a flippable or double-sided mattress. Flipping it will ruin the comfort layers, and you’ll sleep worse if it’s not. It’s better to rotate it. 

Can All Mattresses Be Flipped?

No, not all beds are flippable. Flippable mattresses need to have comfort layers on both sides of the mattress and be more durable. 

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, it’s crucial to remember that not all mattresses can be flipped; even rotating them depends on the model. 

And always listen to the mattress company if you don’t want to void the warranty and ruin an excellent mattress! 

Good luck, and get somebody to help if you have a heavy mattress!