Flipping your mattress used to be a pain and caused frequent complaints. Mattress Firm remembers the struggle -- you had to remove all the pillows and sheets, wrestle it to the ground, flip it over, then hoist it back on top of the bed. It was hard enough to do with two people, and nearly impossible to do by yourself.

But we have good news — the days of turning your mattress every couple of months are now behind us!

The Old Days

Mattresses used to be made double-sided, which means that users could sleep comfortably no matter which side of the mattress was facing up. Flipping the mattress was intended to even out the use and thus, to make the bed more comfortable.

If users chose not to flip the mattress regularly, the pressure from the weight of a human body could put too much regular pressure on some of the mattress springs and cause the mattress to sag over time. People could increase the lifespan of their mattress by flipping it or rotating the mattress regularly.

Changing the Way Mattresses are Made

Around 2000, mattress manufacturers began to introduce single-sided mattresses. Customer feedback suggested that bed owners were rarely, if ever, flipping their mattresses. This change in mattress design eliminates the need to flip mattresses entirely, allowing the mattress to stay right where it was delivered.

Owners who aren't sure if their mattress is single sided or double sided need do nothing more than take a quick peek under the sheets. If one side is padded while the other isn't, it is a single sided mattress. If both sides of the mattress are padded, it's a double sided mattress.

If you look and see that your mattress is double sided, there's a solid chance it's more than eight years old, and it's time to replace.

For more info on replacing your mattress, visit your local Mattress Firm location and talk with Mattress Firm employees or read more here, on The Daily Doze.