How Often Should You Rotate Your Mattress?

It's one of those things that everyone knows you're supposed to do but few people actually accomplish: rotating your mattress regularly. For a variety of reasons, this simple act of maintenance can help keep your mattress in good condition. To better understand why some mattress manufacturers recommend that you rotate and/or flip your mattress, scroll down. We'll also be answering an important question: How often should you rotate your mattress? 

First, it's important to acknowledge that not all mattresses benefit from being rotated and/or flipped. This advice has been commonplace in the mattress industry for decades now, with many manufacturers encouraging consumers to rotate and flip their mattresses regularly to lengthen the products' lifespans and improve their comfort. However, mattresses have changed a lot over the years, in design, material, production, and more. These days, some types of mattresses benefit from being rotated and/or flipped and others do not. So, how often should you rotate your mattress?

How Often Should You Rotate Your Mattress?

To find out, you need to check the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific mattress. All mattresses are different, so general advice won't suffice.

Most mattresses can be rotated, and many mattresses should be rotated in order to extend their lifespan and prevent premature damage. By rotating these types of mattresses, you're helping to spread out the wear-and-tear that occurs over time if you sleep in the same position on your mattress every night. If you fail to rotate a mattress that's designed to function optimally with regular rotation, the areas exposed to the most pressure (typically the areas where your hips and shoulders are located) will sag prematurely. With proper maintenance, a regularly rotated mattress will outlast a non-rotated mattress – sometimes by a year or more.

Although the guidelines for rotatable mattresses vary, the Sleep Foundation lists these general guidelines:

• Memory Foam: 1-2 times per year
• Latex: 1-2 times per year
• Newer Innerspring: 1-2 times per year
• Older Innerspring: 2-5 times per year

What About Flipping Your Mattress?

You might be surprised to learn that these days, most modern mattresses are designed for one-side use. This means they're not designed to be flipped. For example, a manufacturer might design a mattress with a firm, supportive layer of foam or metal springs on the bottom, to ensure the sleeper's body is supported and their spine is properly aligned. But to keep the mattress comfortable, the manufacturer might include a top layer with cushy foam for comfort and contouring. If you were to flip a one-sided mattress like this, the comfort layer wouldn't properly support the mattress from the bottom, and the sleeper wouldn't be comfortable dozing directly on the support core. Plus, the mattress would wear out more quickly.

However, some mattresses are designed to be flipped. For example, some all-foam mattresses are double-sided to offer two different firmness levels. One side is a little firmer than the other, and the sleeper can decide which option they prefer. Other mattresses have one uniform firmless level and flipping them periodically helps extend their longevity.

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How often should you rotate your mattress? Generally, once every 6 to 12 months. For a more specific answer, don't hesitate to contact the mattress store or the manufacturer.

Sweet dreams!

If you’re looking for a new mattress, stop by Beautyrest Sleep Gallery. We provide an extensive selection of top-quality mattresses, including Beautyrest®, Serta iComfort®, Tempur-Pedic®, and Scandinavian Sleep Systems. A family-owned and -operated business that supports local charities, Beautyrest Sleep Gallery offers free local delivery and setup as well as a Best Price Guarantee. Please visit us in store or explore our mattress selection online.