How Often Should You Rotate Your Mattress?

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Here are some basic tips in case you can’t get advice straight from the manufacturer: Mattresses made of memory foam and latex should be turned over one to two times a year. Newer innerspring mattresses should be changed 1-2 times each year. Rotate older innerspring mattresses 2–5 times annually.

Quick Answer

If you take the greatest care of your new mattress after purchase, you may extend its lifespan.

The standard guidelines for caring for your new bed are to wash your bedding once a week, clean your mattress once every three months, and use a mattress protector.

In a similar vein, rotating or flipping your mattress may increase its lifespan.

But not all mattress types can be rotated or flipped.

How often should you turn your mattress if it can? How often should you rotate something if it isn’t dual-sided?

In this post, we’ll go through the distinctions between flipping and rotating, as well as when and why you should perform each.

The Distinction Between Rotating A Mattress And Flipping It

Even out mattress wear by rotating and turning the mattress.

You get to enjoy a restful night’s sleep for longer.

However, mattresses are constructed differently and need different upkeep.

Not every model requires flipping or rotating.

In fact, flipping some of them may hurt them.

Flipping a one-sided mattress may violate the warranty of certain mattress manufacturers.

Turning your mattress over so you may utilize the other side is known as “flipping.” You can sleep on both sides of the mattress by flipping.

Turning your mattress 180 degrees is known as rotating it.

Your feet will now be supported by the area where your head sits, and vice versa.

Flipping a Mattress

Modern-day mattresses feature particular layers tailored with a purpose.

The solid foundation layers provide durability while the upper layers add cushioning.

These mattresses cannot function as intended if they are flipped.

It makes you uncomfortable and harms your mattress.

Mattresses with two sides may also be turned and flipped.

Some double-sided mattresses have different degrees of hardness on each side.

You may select between two stiffness levels by flipping them.

Why Should Your Mattress Be Flipped?

When you spend a lot of time sleeping on one surface, your body ultimately leaves a significant impression.

As you disperse your weight throughout the mattress, flipping or even rotating the mattress might stop these dents from occurring.

But as of the right moment, this theory only applies to mattresses with two-sided innerspring.

Flipping prevents the steel coils from sagging due to early wear and tear.

How Frequently Should a Mattress Be Flipped?

As a general rule, you should turn your mattress once every six months.

Typically, labels with care instructions are included with mattresses.

Otherwise, the warranty brochure for the mattress also mentions similar data.

How Often Should You Flip Your Mattress?
Photo: amerisleep.com

How Should a Mattress Be Flipped?

It is preferable to flip and rotate your mattress at the same time since flippable mattresses often also allow for rotation.

To turn and rotate your mattress without harming it, just follow the directions below.

Get rid of any nearby furniture, including nightstands and lights on the floor.

Accessories like cushions, mattress toppers, pads, and protectors should be taken off.

Turn the mattress 90 degrees in the opposite direction of the headboard so the longer side is parallel.

Place the mattress on its side and raise it.

Vacuum your bed’s mattress, foundation, and any other hard-to-reach places.

Flip the mattress over gently.

Slowly lower it until the face-up side is resting on the foot of the bed.

Once again rotating the bed foundation 90 degrees clockwise, position the mattress such that the head is now at the feet and vice versa.

What Kinds Of Mattresses Shouldn’t Be Turned Over?

Any mattress that isn’t clearly advertised as being double-sided should not be turned over.

Most mattresses made of memory foam, latex, hybrid, pillow top, or Euro top are one-sided.

Flipping a one-sided mattress puts too much strain on the comfort layer, harming the mattress permanently.

It may be uncomfortable to turn memory foam mattresses that aren’t designed to be flipped.

Memory foam is used in the top comfort layer of memory foam mattresses, whereas poly foam is used in the support layers.

You will sleep on the poly-foam core layer if you turn them over.

The core layer is fairly hard since its main function is to support the memory foam layer.

Quick degeneration and suffering will result from the softer layers reaching the core.

Some memory foam mattresses additionally include sleep technologies, including gel, copper, or graphite infusions, in the comfort layer.

There is a cooling impact from these sleep technologies.

These sleep technologies are ineffective if the comfort layer isn’t facing up.

Hybrid mattresses have a coil layer at the base and a comfort layer that is at least 2 inches thick.

These mattresses combine the benefits of innerspring, memory foam, and latex mattresses.

Hybrid mattresses weigh more since they include more components.

Flipping them will destroy the comfort layer by applying too much pressure on it.

Certain latex mattresses can be turned over.

However, because they take many years to exhibit indications of wear, you don’t need to turn them.

Because not all latex mattresses can be flipped, before flipping your new bed, verify with the mattress manufacturer to be sure flipping won’t harm it.

You cannot use the additional layer of padding on the comfort layer if you flip a pillow-top mattress.

Since the surface of a standard innerspring bed may not provide much in the way of pressure relief, many innerspring mattresses feature a pillow top layer for further cushioning.

Rotating a Mattress

Unless specifically stated by mattress makers, most mattresses may be rotated.

Even though flipping contemporary mattresses damages them, rotating them nevertheless extends the life of the mattress.

It is simpler to rotate a mattress than to flip one.

Why Should Your Mattress Be Rotated?

Your mattress sags when particular sections are overused.

The neutral posture of your spine is disturbed when you sleep on a sinking mattress.

Muscle stiffness, neck pains, and back discomfort are brought on by spinal misalignment.

By turning your mattress, you may give one region time to recuperate from routine usage while another receives used.

It stops mattress deterioration, increasing usefulness.

How Frequently Should a Mattress Be Rotated?

Your mattress’s components will determine how often it is rotated.

How often each kind of mattress should be turned is advised by various manufacturers.

Mattresses made of memory foam and innerspring should typically be changed every three months.

Latex mattresses should be changed every six months and hybrids every three to six months.

How Exactly Should Your Mattress Be Rotated?

It’s ideal to set a reminder on your phone or calendar once you are aware of how often you must rotate your new bed.

To rotate your mattress without harming it, follow these instructions.

Remove all furniture near your bed, including lamps, nightstands, and chairs.

Turn the mattress 180 degrees gently (clockwise or counterclockwise).

Now, the feet side should be on the side of the head, and vice versa.

Vacuum the accumulation of dust mites, bacteria, and allergens under your mattress every time you turn.

Symptoms like an itchy throat, a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, or skin irritability may be brought on by accumulated allergens.

Which Kinds Of Mattresses Shouldn’t Be Rotated?

Zoned support is one of the unique qualities certain mattresses provide.

They provide your hips and shoulders with individualized support.

You cannot use the zonal support function of these mattresses if you rotate them.

Before rotating, it is preferable to verify with the mattress manufacturer.

FAQs

Is rotating your mattress a good idea?

A mattress should be rotated since it avoids dents.

Sagging is a result of indentations.

Your mattress’s lifespan is impacted by sagging.

Your mattress will last longer if you rotate it every three to six months.

How often should a mattress be rotated?

We advise contacting the mattress manufacturer.

Materials used in different mattress kinds vary.

Some of them may be changed out more regularly than others.

Innerspring and memory foam beds are typically changed every three months.

Hybrids are changed every three to six months, and latex mattresses every six months.

Increase the frequency of mattress rotation if you find dents.

Can you flip every mattress?

No.

Nowadays, most mattresses cannot be turned.

They are one-sided mattresses having distinct purposes for each layer.

Double-sided mattresses can be turned over.

Should your box spring be rotated?

Rotate your flexible box spring 180 degrees if you have one.

Box springs can wear out owing to abuse in some places.

Rotating a boxspring provides even wear.

Your mattress and box spring have a longer lifespan as a result.

Can a memory foam mattress be turned over?

Most memory foam mattresses are constructed from the top down.

Accordingly, the comfort layer is on top of the mattress, while the support layer is at the bottom.

You will be forced to sleep on the unpleasant support layer if you flip a memory foam mattress.

The mattress also sags earlier than intended when used upside down.

If a memory foam mattress isn’t advertised as flippable or dual-sided, don’t flip it.

Why is the center of my bed sinking?

Because our weight is focused on our hips, the layers of mattresses eventually get compressed, causing the center to sink.

By rotating it, we may avoid using the same spot too often.

It could stave off sagging and indentation by a few years.

Will my back hurt if my mattress is sagging?

Back pain may result from a sinking mattress.

Your spine’s neutral posture cannot be supported by it.

Muscle stiffness, neck discomfort, and back pain are all caused by spinal misalignment.

Should a hybrid mattress be rotated?

Almost all hybrid mattresses can be turned.

It encourages uniform clothing.

Different hybrids are created in various ways.

They may be rotated at different intervals.

Hybrids are typically switched out every three to six months.

However, it’s advisable to confirm with the mattress manufacturer.

Conclusion

When you wish to rotate your mattress, have a plan.

It’s preferable to ask a buddy or partner for assistance.

It could be difficult to rotate bigger mattresses, such as queen or king sizes.

If you are not cautious, you risk hurting yourself or damaging the mattress.

The lifespan of a mattress may be increased by rotating or flipping it.

But nowadays, one-sided beds are the norm.

They don’t need to be turned over.

One-sided mattresses may get damaged and lose their guarantee if they are turned over.

You may get a good night’s sleep and increase the life of your mattress by rotating it.

This will also stop severe sags from occurring.

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Ryan is a RV product expert with nearly a decade of experience researching, developing, and testing RV products.

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