Your mother did it. Your grandmother did it too. And chances are, you've been given the same tried and tested advice - regularly flip your mattress. Many people think that periodically flipping and rotating a mattress prolongs the lifespan of their bed. Where that used to be the case for almost all mattresses, the design of modern mattresses today has changed that cardinal rule.
Flipping a one-sided mattress can be tedious work, and it's not highly advisable. There's the lifting, flipping, and positioning of your heavy mattress. Don't get us started on possibly throwing out your back! Most modern mattresses are built with your comfort and convenience in mind. Thanks to modern mattress technology, you can leave the flipping to your Saturday morning pancakes with our excellent non-flip foam and hybrid mattresses.
What is The Difference Between Flipping and Rotating a Mattress?
While rotating and flipping your mattress will result in even mattress wear, some mattresses can only be rotated and not flipped and vice versa. Even though flipping and rotating a mattress will generate the same result, even distribution and wear, their processes are different.
Flipping a mattress means turning one side to the other so you will eventually sleep on both sides. Rotating your mattress means pivoting it 180 degrees, so the space where your head rests becomes the support for your feet and vice versa.
The majority of modern mattresses should not be flipped; however, double-sided mattresses should be. Occasionally, the firmness of the double-sided mattress varies from side to side, giving you the option to choose the firmness. However, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions before rotating or flipping your mattress.
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Flipping a mattress means
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Turning your mattress completely over to see its other side
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Often required for innerspring mattresses
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Two-sided newer innerspring mattresses can commonly be flipped every six to twelve months
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Two-sided older innerspring mattresses usually require flipping two to five times a year
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Rotating a mattress means
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Spinning your mattress clockwise 180 degrees
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Only one-sided mattresses, especially memory foam, latex, hybrid, and pillow top mattresses should be rotated. Flipping these mattresses can cause discomfort and may cause irreversible damage
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Generally, memory foam and latex mattresses can be rotated every six to twelve months
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Hybrid mattresses are normally rotated every three to six months
Flipping A Mattress
Flipping a mattress means turning it over so that you sleep on the opposite side. It has been common to flip a mattress at least once every three to four months. Older mattress models require flipping to avoid premature sagging. A sagging mattress is anything but comfortable, and flipping was believed to keep your mattress new for a longer time.
This act of flipping a mattress is supposed to give even mattress wear on all sides. Not all mattresses, however, need to be flipped. Most hybrid mattresses have been designed to be one-sided and have to be positioned precisely as recommended by the manufacturer. Unless it is a two-sided mattress and has been factory recommended to flip your mattress regularly, your new mattress may not need to be flipped at all.
How Often Should You Flip Your Mattress?
If you have a double-sided mattress or are recommended by the mattress manufacturer to flip your mattress regularly, it is advisable to do this once every four months. Check with your manufacturer first before flipping your mattress because some specifications may be affected if you opt to flip your mattress.
Why Should I Flip My Mattress?
There are different reasons why you may be advised to flip your mattress:
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To promote even mattress wear - Flipping your mattress helps to distribute weight evenly throughout the entire mattress rather than only on one side. As a result, the coils will wear out evenly throughout the mattress, and the bed will last longer.
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For hygienic purposes - As we sleep on our mattresses, dust, moisture, and debris accumulate, causing dust mites to multiply and allergies to develop. You can reduce dust and bacteria from collecting on each side of your mattress by flipping it.
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Improve the mattress' lifespan - A mattress will wear out and begin to sag more quickly on the side that is frequently used. When you flip the mattress, you give one side time to even out and recover while the other side takes a turn supporting your body.
What Mattress Types Should Not Be Flipped?
Most modern mattresses do not need to be flipped, especially with multiple layers that serve specific functions.
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Memory foam mattress
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One-sided mattress
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Latex mattress
Before deciding whether it's time to flip your mattress, check with your manufacturer's specifications regarding flipping. The Leesa mattresses require no flipping at all; just set it up on your bed frame, and it's good to go for years to come.
Should I Flip my Leesa or Hybrid Mattress?
No! You don't have to worry about flipping your Leesa mattress. Traditionally, mattress companies recommend flipping your innerspring mattress to get even wear on both sides (and both ends) of your mattress over time. They advise that you flip or rotate your traditional mattress at least four times a year. With Leesa, you don't have to stress about a mattress-flipping schedule because you don't have to flip your mattress, just set it up once, and you're good to go for the years to come.
Our mattresses are designed from the bottom up, with layers in a specific order, to help you get better rest. If you flipped your Leesa mattress, you would compromise its entire performance design. If your Leesa mattress is not positioned correctly, you won't receive the benefits of the multilayer foam design.
This state-of-the-art foam design is intended to help your body recover and recharge during the night by providing support and cushioning right where you need them. In addition, the two-inch top layer of our beds allows for airflow, so you get a cooler night's rest. Flipping that layer on the bottom won't give you a good night's sleep as you would expect from a Leesa.
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Base Layer - A supportive core foam and quick response steel coils provide you with extra support and stability.
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Relief and Stability Layer- A layer of dense foam sandwiches dense micro coils gives extra cushioning and support.
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Memory foam recovery layer- A layer of memory foam provides relief to pressure points and promotes better sleep.
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Comfort Layer- This foam layer is exclusive to Leesa. Most mattresses don't have this feature, making your Leesa mattress breathable, lessening the need to be rotated regularly.
Are you worried about the life of your mattress? Don't be. We only use the highest quality materials and craftsmanship to ensure the Leesa mattresses outlive the lifespan of older innerspring mattresses without the need for flipping.
Just because you don't have to flip your Leesa or Sapira Hybrid mattress, it doesn't mean your mattress will have a shorter life span. Our beds are built to last and are guaranteed to be durable, so you can rest on your new mattress for years to come.
Rotating A Mattress
Rotating a mattress is different from flipping. When you rotate your mattress, you are just transferring the area of the foot of the bed to the head of the bed, or vise-versa. It is simply rotating 180 degrees; rotating is much easier than flipping a mattress.
How Often Should You Rotate Your Mattress?
You can rotate your mattress once every three months. You can rotate your Leesa mattress to ensure even mattress wear on all sides.
Why Rotate My Mattress?
Although Leesa mattresses do not require to be constantly rotated, you may want to rotate your Leesa mattress for the following reasons:
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Promote even mattress wear - Rotating your mattress helps evenly distribute wear and tear, particularly on areas such as our hips and shoulders that receive the most pressure during the night.
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Avoid premature mattress sagging - The regular rotation of your mattress improves its capacity to withstand stress over time so that pressure points are spread out, and premature sagging will be minimized.
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Promote better cleaning to rid your mattress of dust mites - Mattresses are prone to accumulating sweat, dander, dust mites, and mold in humid environments over time. For those who have allergies, this can be especially harmful. By switching positions while you sleep, you fluff up the mattress and prevent your body from being exposed to the same spots for an extended period of time.
When to Rotate a Mattress?
Your mattress's material composition affects how frequently it should be rotated. Generally, to get the best out of your mattress, you can rotate it once every three to six months.
What Mattress Types Should Not Be Rotated?
Unless your mattress has integrity issues like tears or holes that threaten it from falling apart, there are no specific mattress types on the market that you should not rotate. However, some particular mattresses have specialized functionality support for the head area. To be sure, ask your mattress manufacturer for specific instructions if you intend to regularly rotate your mattress.
How to Rotate your Foam or Hybrid Mattress
If you decide to rotate your Leesa or Sapira mattress, it's pretty easy. The Leesa mattresses come printed with stripes that help you identify which side is which. Simply rotate the mattress 180 degrees so that the stripes are on the opposite side to where they were initially. Start at the bottom left corner and rotate the mattress clockwise until the bottom left corner is at the top right. If your Leesa or Sapira stripes started at the foot of your bed, they would now be at the head. Then that's it; you're ready to climb in and experience the best sleep night after night.
Should I Rotate my Leesa or Sapira Hybrid Mattress?
When it comes to rotating your mattress, many Leesa sleepers like to periodically rotate their foam or hybrid mattress to promote even wear. This is especially important if you share your bed with a partner or a furry friend. Even if you regularly sleep alone, you can rotate your Leesa mattress to promote even wear on both sides, especially if you prefer sleeping on one side more than the other. Rotating your mattress can extend the life of your mattress so that you can expect quality rest every night for longer.
We recommend that you rotate your Leesa or Sapira Hybrid mattress 180 degrees every 3-6 months. That means positioning the stripes at the bottom of your bed for a few months and then at the top of your bed after that. When you rotate your mattress, it may also be a good time to do some seasonal mattress cleaning, including vacuuming your mattress, keeping it in top shape, and getting rid of those pesky dust mites.
The Right Bed Base Makes a Difference with Leesa
On top of rotating your Leesa or Sapira Hybrid mattress a few times every year, having a suitable bed base can significantly extend the life of your mattress. A good bed base prevents your mattress from sagging and helps distribute the pressure of your mattress more evenly (so that it wears more evenly, too). So, what kind of bed base is best for your foam or hybrid mattress?
There are so many options for a bed base that it can be hard to choose the best one to partner with your new mattress. Your Leesa or Sapira Hybrid mattress needs a firm, sturdy base to not only give you the best rest but to ensure your mattress lasts a long time. Here are a few options that we recommend for your foam or hybrid mattress:
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Bunkie board
Pro tip: You would want to opt for a solid bed foundation, not a box spring. A box spring will not give your mattress the support it needs. It's not built to be sturdy enough, and over time, your mattress will sag through the gaps in a box spring, ruining it in the process.
If you're ready to get better rest, Leesa has your back. We've got great mattresses, pillows, bases, and a complete range of sleep accessories for the best sleep experience.
Visit us today to experience the best sleep. The right bed makes the difference. The right mattress is a Leesa.
FAQs
Should All Mattresses Be Flipped?
Nope! It is not recommended to flip a memory foam or pillow-top mattress; only double-sided mattresses can be flipped. If you flip a mattress designed for rotation, you could damage the cushion, making it wear out faster, and have an uncomfortable night's sleep. You should speak with your mattress company to find out what is best for your particular mattress.
How Often Should You Flip Your Mattress?
Depending on your mattress manufacturer, you may have specific instructions on how to flip the mattress, but ideally, you should flip new mattresses every three to four months. The older the bed, the more often you should flip it to keep it in healthy shape. By flipping it repeatedly, the filling will remain evenly distributed. Also, if you feel your mattress isn't providing comfort or support, you can flip your mattress more frequently.
How Often Should You Rotate Your Mattress?
The frequency at which you should rotate your mattress depends on its material. Some mattresses need to be rotated every few months, while others only need to be rotated yearly. There are even mattresses that do not require rotation due to technologies integrated within them. However, as a general rule, the rotation should be performed once every three to six months to achieve even wear and tear.
Can a Sagging Mattress Cause Back Pain?
It's true! If your back pain is at its height after waking up, it may be time to examine your mattress to see if it is sagging. Most mattresses begin to sag under the lower back, disrupting your spine's delicate alignment and requiring your muscles to work overtime to support your body.
Should I Rotate my Leesa or Sapira Hybrid Mattress?
Definitely! We believe you should rotate your mattress periodically to ensure even wear across both foam and hybrid mattresses. This is especially important if you sleep with a partner or have pets. However, it is also beneficial to rotate your mattress even if you usually sleep alone and prefer sleeping on one side over another. We recommend rotating your Leesa or Sapira mattress every three to six months. With Leesa mattresses, stripes enable you to easily differentiate between one side and the other, so each time you rotate your bed, the stripes should be opposite.