Written by Julia Forbes, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
Bed maintenance goes beyond washing your sheets every week. Another important step in keeping your bed space in pristine condition is rotating your mattress.
However, rotating or flipping a heavy mattress is no joke, especially if you have nobody to help you — believe me, I know from experience as a full-time mattress tester.
But how often should you rotate a bed, and why is it helpful in the first place? Let’s get into the details.
How Often Should You Rotate Your Mattress?
Rotating your mattress might require a little elbow grease, but it helps ensure even wear and tear over long-term use. Our hips are naturally heavier than other areas when we lie down, which is why some beds dip where the hips are. By rotating your bed, you avoid putting all that weight and pressure onto one place all the time.
Some manufacturers may provide guidelines on how often they want you to rotate the mattress, in which case I’d just stick with that. If not, take the safe route of rotating your mattress every three to six months.
Rotating vs. Flipping Your Mattress
Flipping means turning the mattress upside down so that its lower layers are on top. On the other hand, rotating means moving the mattress so that the head of the mattress is now where the feet were and vice versa.
While most mattresses can be rotated, only certain mattresses should be flipped. For example, most mattresses have comfort foams on top with denser foams or coils below. This is a strategic design to get the most out of the mattress, and flipping it could impact the bed’s performance.
Some beds, however, are made to be flippable, in which case either side could work. Flippable mattresses often have different firmness on each side, so you’re getting two feels in one.
What Mattresses Should Be Rotated?
Rotating is encouraged for most mattresses. While the general rule is to rotate every three to six months, you might have to modify this slightly based on the design and whether it’s new or old.
- Rotate your memory foam and latex bed at least once every six months.
- Rotate newer innerspring and hybrid mattresses once or twice a year.
- Rotate an older innerspring or hybrid mattress more frequently, up to five times a year.
Final Word of Advice
Rotating your mattress can make a positive difference in its longevity and performance. It’s a good way of preventing it from denting and breaking down.
As I said earlier, it might be a little difficult to do without any help but don’t let this deter you. You can rotate a mattress yourself — you might just break a sweat. If you have limited physical mobility or pain, though, definitely get some assistance. Either way, I encourage you to do this every few months after you’ve made sure your bed is safe to rotate.
The Advisor Says
The key is to rotate your mattress before any denting happens or else you’re unlikely to get much from this method. If it’s already dented, even rotating it can’t save the day, in which case it could be time to look for a brand new mattress.
Julia Forbes
Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
About Author
Julia is a product tester at Sleep Advisor, specializing in testing out mattresses and sleep accessories – she’s in the right line of work, because she loves to sleep.
Stomach Sleeper
Education & Credentials
- Certified Sleep Science Coach