We've been told (correctly) that flipping your mattress is often the key to its health and long life. When we sleep in the same place every night, our weight leaves an impression there. If we don't rotate our mattress and give that space a chance to recover, we may need a new mattress due to its sagging.
Today, with a new generation of mattresses in a box made with specific and custom layers, spinning and flipping may no longer be necessary. That being said, here is a general guide to rotating and flipping a mattress to help answer the following questions:
Why do I need to rotate my mattress?
Should my mattress be turned or flipped?
How do we do it?
How often should you rotate your mattress?
Why should I rotate my mattress?
First, let's clarify what we mean by “rotate”. When we talk about rotating a mattress, we mean moving the mattress 180 degrees, so the part that was at the head of the bed is now at the foot of the bed.
As we mentioned above, some mattresses need to be rotated as this lessens overall wear and extends the life of the mattress. It also helps keep the spine in neutral alignment, which is crucial for getting a good night's sleep and waking up pain-free.
Sleeping in the same place every night, night after night, will lead to uneven bed wear over time. It can also lead to sagging, which will lead to spinal misalignment and could ultimately cause people pain and potentially needing their mattress replaced. By rotating it, people give an area a chance to recover and a cooler place to gain new weight.
Rotating your mattress is one of the best ways to make your mattress last longer. Also, check out our list of the best mattresses that don't sag.
How often should I rotate my mattress?
There are so many different materials and combinations of materials used in the construction of new mattresses that there is no single answer to how often people should rotate their mattress.
Typically, mattress brands that recommend rotating suggest doing it every three months to once a year. The main point seems to be that people follow and try to be consistent in their rotations.
How do I rotate my mattress?
Here are some recommendations on how to rotate a mattress in the most stressful and hopefully pain-free way possible.
People should use a phone, laptop, or printed calendar to remind themselves to change their mattresses periodically throughout the year.
Some mattress brands may recommend every three months, in which case they could use the start/end of a business quarter to rotate. The 4th of July holiday is also a good midway time to rotate the bed. And it's never a bad idea to start the new year sleeping on a cool side of the bed, either.
Nothing is more frustrating than lifting a heavy mattress and holding it while people make decisions. People should spare themselves by moving bedside tables away from the bed, removing all bedding, and deciding whether to turn the bed clockwise or counterclockwise first. 'a watch.
If people have a bed with a headboard, they will want to lift the mattress slightly away from the top of the bed before rotating it. If it also has a footboard, people can lift the mattress and lay it on the footboard for easy rotation.
Depending on the mattress and bed configuration, it may be helpful to pause mid-rotation to vacuum and get into hard-to-reach places under and around the bed and mattress. Adding clean, fresh linens to the newly turned bed can make people feel like they have a whole new bed.
Which mattresses should be rotated?
Unless the mattress company someone buys their bed from says otherwise, it's almost always a good idea to rotate the mattress regularly.
Here is a list of mattress types that would benefit from rotation:
- Memory foam
- latex foam
- inner spring
- Hybrid (a mix of more than one material - usually a combination of foam and springs)
- In some cases, air mattresses with foam toppers will also benefit from rotation.
Some mattresses should not be turned because they are only meant to face in one direction. For example, the Level Sleep mattress features an exclusive zoned construction and the lumbar area will not be in the correct position if the mattress is rotated.
Why should I flip my mattress?
The truth is, most modern mattresses aren't meant to be flipped. For the most part, they are designed with specific layers and will not work properly if flipped. As a rule, only old mattresses and spring mattresses without a built-in pillow should be switched.
The steel coil springs inside a spring mattress will wear out over time if someone sleeps in the same spot on the same side every night for the life of their mattress. To help remedy this, it is recommended to not only flip their spring mattresses, but also rotate them.
How do I return my mattress?
It's a good idea to rotate a mattress when you turn it over, as this will help with even wear and increase the longevity of any mattress.
During the spinning process, take the opportunity to flip the mattress upside down and continue spinning until it has completed its 180 degree turn. It may be possible to do this alone, but for larger or heavier mattresses, it may be best to have a friend help you.
Pillowless spring mattresses tend to be the type of mattress that will always need to be flipped, but foam mattresses designed with specific layers do not need to be flipped. If people have a hybrid spring mattress or a traditional spring mattress, it would be wise to consult the manufacturer of their mattress before rotating or flipping it.
FAQ
Is it good to rotate your mattress?
It's a very good idea to rotate a mattress as it will even out the wear and indentations that form over time. Rotating the mattress every 3-6 months should ensure it will last longer.
Do you need to rotate a hybrid mattress?
Most hybrid mattresses need to be rotated so they wear evenly over time. Just be sure to check with the manufacturer when the best time to rotate is.
Can you flip a mattress to one side?
No, you cannot flip a mattress to one side. A single-sided mattress is designed to lie in one direction, with the support layer at the bottom, the transition layer in the middle, and the comfort layer at the top. Flipping the mattress will make it very uncomfortable to sleep on.
When should I rotate my mattress?
It depends on the mattress, but most companies recommend changing the mattress every 3-6 months.
