How Often Should You Flip or Rotate Your Mattress?

Mattresses are an investment, and you want to do everything you can to ensure a new bed lasts. Warranties give you an idea of how long a mattress will last. Mattress protectors and toppers prevent direct wear and tear and shield the bed from spills and stains. Flipping or rotating may also prolong your bed’s life.

Before you get into the process of flipping or rotating your mattress, check to see if your bed requires maintenance like so. While many older mattress models required the occasional rotation, most modern mattresses are one-sided and built with specific layers to promote sleep. Flipping or rotating may not be needed.

If you find your bed can be flipped or rotated, our steps below can help you get this accomplished quickly and easily.

Flipping The Mattress

It’s rare for modern mattresses to need flipping because of their one-sided construction. Still, some mattress companies have two-sided models with dual firmness levels (i.e., the Nolah Signature 12 mattress has a soft and firm side). These mattress types are only flipped to alter the firmness, not out of necessity.

Why Flip My Mattress?

Older models, like some innerspring mattresses, need to be flipped to prevent steel coils from wearing out prematurely. Innersprings last less than seven years—the least durable mattress type. Flipping the mattress ensures even use and consistent support without sagging.

When Should I Flip My Mattress?

You should flip your mattress every six months unless otherwise noted by the manufacturer. Regularly flipping the mattress reduces wear and tear, expanding the life of your bed. It might be a good idea to set a phone alert or mark your calendar when to flip your mattress.

How Do I Flip My Mattress?

It might be a good idea to have another person help you, especially if you have a heavy mattress. Also, clear away any furniture (i.e., nightstands, lamps) and loose objects before flipping the mattress.

As a general rule of thumb, rotate your mattress after flipping it for even use.

• Rotate the bed 90 degrees clockwise on the bed frame and turn it face up, so the longer side is parallel to the headboard
• Raise and prop the bed on its side
• Shift the mattress over, so it has room to lie on the opposite end
• Gently flip the mattress (left over right, or right over left) and lower it face down
• Rotate 90 degrees clockwise again until it’s aligned with the foundation—the foot end should now be at the head

If you’d like, you may want to prop the mattress against the headboard and take this chance to vacuum under and around the mattress. Over time, dust mites, bacteria, and other allergens build up inside and underneath the bed. Breathing in that unclean air may aggravate allergies or make you sick. Taking the time to vacuum the mattress, bed frame, and surrounding area can provide a healthier sleep.

Cleaning under the bed is difficult, but flipping a mattress presents an opportunity to clean this hard-to-reach area.

What Mattress Types Should Not Be Flipped?

Innerspring mattresses without pillow tops need to be flipped regularly to maintain support and spread out wear. Flipping the bed prevents overuse in specific sections.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses, unless they’re dual-sided, shouldn’t be flipped because they have a specific construction, and when flipped, aren’t very comfortable. These beds usually contain a memory foam comfort layer and a poly-foam core, and the core of these beds is usually notably firm.

When you flip a memory foam mattress over and sleep on its core, you’re bound to wake up with aches and pains. It’s also worth mentioning many memory foam mattresses contain sleep technologies that can’t help you get a better sleep when they’re not used correctly.

These mattresses can benefit from regular rotation, but flipping one of these beds could cause irreversible damage.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses contain a comfort layer at least 2 inches thick and a coiled support layer. Due to the number of materials, hybrids are heavier than most mattress types. Flipping this mattress can damage the comfort layers and cause premature sagging in the innerspring coils. Plus, lying directly on the support layer may cause the coils to poke through the cover and create pressure points.

Latex

Latex mattresses can be flipped without a problem, but they don’t need to be because they’re so durable they can take over a decade to show signs of wear and tear.  Some latex mattress models may contain interchangeable latex layers, these are primarily swapped to alter the feel of the bed, but can also be changed around to extend the life of your mattress.

If you want to flip your latex mattress, check with the mattress manufacturer before doing so. You should be able to get away with merely rotating this type of mattress.

Rotating My Mattress

Most mattresses may no longer have to be flipped, but they do need to be turned regularly. Rotating the bed evens out wear and tear and enables steady support from the mattress.

Why Rotate My Mattress?

Rotating the mattress, so the head is not at the foot end, evens out wear and tear. Rotation allows one area to recover from regular use, providing consistent spinal alignment. Regularly rotating the bed may also prolong the life of your mattress.

When Should I Rotate My Mattress?

How often you rotate your mattress should depend on materials in the bed and the company’s recommendation. Some mattresses need to be rotated every few months while others only need to be rotated once a year. Regular rotations provide even use. Some types of mattresses, like memory foam and innersprings, need to be rotated more often because they may break down sooner.

How Do I Rotate My Mattress?

Schedule a time (whether an alert on your phone or tablet, or marked on your calendar) to rotate your mattress. Clear other furniture, like lamps and nightstands, and loose objects, including plants, from the area around your bed—doing so prevents you from knocking things over and potentially damaging valuables during the rotation process.

Spin the mattress 180 degrees until the foot end is now at the head, paying careful attention if you have a headboard and footboard. It might be a good idea to pause mid-rotation to vacuum under and around the mattress, including the box spring. Over time, box spring accumulates dust mites and allergens—regular cleaning cuts down on dirt buildup for a cleaner sleep.

What Mattress Types Need to Be Rotated?

Most mattress models should be rotated unless specified by the manufacturer—some models shouldn’t be rotated because they contain sleep technologies, like zoned support systems, that may not work effectively if turned.

Types of mattresses that may need routine rotations include memory foam, innerspring, hybrid, and latex.

Both memory foam and innerspring mattresses should be rotated every three months. This ensures the bed wears evenly and lasts longer—routine rotation may even prevent sagging.

Hybrid mattresses need to be rotated every 3 to 6 months. Even though hybrids contain more materials than other mattress types, regular rotation prevents premature wear and tear.

Latex mattresses should be rotated every six months. Latex is more responsive than memory foam but still needs regular rotation to establish even wear, and rotating these beds may prolong their lifespans.

When Should I Replace My Mattress?

You should replace your mattress for a few reasons: one, over time and with regular use, the materials start to break down—the bed begins to lose its shape and develop a visible sag. Two, the mattress may contain cheap materials and may break down prematurely, resulting in a lumpy and uncomfortable bed.

It’s important to note that if you have a warranty, the mattress warranties usually cover defects in materials and workmanship, but not normal wear and tear.

Most high-quality mattresses last between 7 to 9 years and come with a 10-year warranty. If the bed starts to break down during the warranty period, most companies will repair or replace the mattress. If break down occurs outside the warranty, it may be time to buy a new mattress.

Other Things to Consider

Is it good to rotate your mattress?

Rotating your mattress may extend the lifespan of your bed. Regular rotations spread out wear and tear, preventing premature indentations on the surface. A mattress with a visible sag can lead to back pain.

How often should mattresses be flipped?

If you have a two-sided mattress, it is a good idea to flip it every six months. This will keep wear and tear even on both sides of the bed. Older mattresses with more wear may need to be flipped more often for maximum comfort.

Can all mattresses be flipped?

Looking at the mattress may give you an idea of whether it needs to be flipped. A bed with a softer, padded side shouldn’t be flipped. If both sides have the same look and feel, then it may be able to be flipped—always double-check with the manufacturer to make sure.

Can you flip a one-sided mattress?

One-sided mattresses can’t be flipped. Specific layers are strategically placed in these beds to provide comfort and support. Most modern mattresses have a support layer at the bottom, and a comfort layer on top—mattress flipping may cause premature sagging.

Is it OK to fold a mattress in half?

Folding your mattress is half can permanently damage the comfort and support of the bed. Doubling the mattress over breaks down the coils and foam quickly. Although you may be tempted to fold the mattress while moving, this could damage the lifespan of the bed.

Conclusion

Flipping or rotating your mattress may extend its life by evening wear and tear for consistent support. Most beds don’t need to be flipped because of their one-sided construction, like memory foam and pillow-top mattresses, but they do need to be rotated. Check with the manufacturer and know when to flip or rotate the bed for a good night’s sleep.