Menu
MattressFirm Logo
Bed Basics
Bed Basics

Should You Flip Your Mattress?

A close up of a mattresses texture.
Getty Images

Your grandparents probably flipped their mattresses so does that mean you should also flip your modern mattress? While many things from our grandparents’ era are worth keeping around (hello, best apple pie recipe ever) the notion that we have to flip our mattresses in order to keep them comfortable, prevent uneven wear, and extend their lifespan probably doesn’t apply to your new mattress.

Instead of flipping your mattress, the Sleep Experts™ now recommend that you rotate your mattress to prolong lifespan and get the most out of your bed. To help us dispel the myths about flipping a mattress, Mattress Firm Sleep Expert™ Bradley Campbell gives us the lowdown on what you should know about flipping your mattress versus rotating your mattress.

Why You Should Not Flip Your Mattress

Your weekend might involve flipping pancakes, flipping burgers on the barbecue or flipping out over a new season of your favorite show dropping, but should it involve flipping your mattress? Probably not, and here’s why.

In the past, even the best mattresses were made with one layer of coils wrapped in a fabric cover. These were double-sided mattresses, meaning both sides were identical, regardless of which side was touching the box spring and which was the sleeping surface. This meant you got the same support and sleep (or lack thereof), no matter how you flung your mattress onto the box spring. Thankfully, unless you’ve got a really old mattress, construction has seen plenty of advancement since the days of creaky, pokey coils.

Most of today’s mattress manufacturers (including all mattresses sold at Mattress Firm) are one-sided mattresses, meaning have one dedicated side that's meant to be slept on. This applies to all traditional innerspring mattresses as well as other mattress types. That side is constructed with several layers of support. These layers are designed to form a supportive core with at least one comfort layer above this. Flipping a modern mattress would then result in your sleeping on a base, not the layer designed to optimize sleep for your needs and sleep position.

Why one-sided mattresses work better

Take, for example, one of our best-selling luxury mattresses, the Beautyrest PressureSmart Lux Pillow Top Mattress. The sophisticated design has five layers of support, four of those being foam that sit above pocketed coils. Flip that over and now the coils are the top layer with four layers of foam sitting closest to the mattress foundation.

“Most modern mattresses start off softer on top and get firmer as you go down,” Campbell says. “Those top layers absorb that energy so less and less energy actually makes its way to the coil or dense foam. The fact that we don’t flip them anymore actually opens the door to having mattresses that are built to be so much more comfortable and so much more supportive but also last longer.”

Campbell mentions that anyone concerned that not flipping a mattress means it’ll increase wear and tear can rest soundly. Simply sleeping on it puts pressure on both the surface of the mattress and the bottom.

He does point out that while flipping your mattress isn’t the best, it’s likely you can flip a mattress topper or mattress protector. So long as the foam is one layer thick, you’ll get the same sleeping experience on both sides.

Key takeaways for mattress flipping

  • Modern mattresses are designed to be one sided and shouldn’t be flipped
  • Flipping won’t prolong the life of your mattress if it’s a modern one and especially if you have a new bed
  • It’s recommended to instead rotate your mattress semi-regularly (see below)

Flipping Mattresses by Type of Mattress

While the above applies to all modern innerspring mattresses, is it also the case for other mattress types out there? Here’s a breakdown of a few of the most common types you can find today:

Should You Flip Memory Foam Mattresses?

Even all-foam mattresses like the Tuft & Needle Original mattress are constructed with a correct side to sleep on. The top comfort layer is made with the company’s own foam, Tuft & Needle Adaptive foam, which has a body-contouring feel. It’s also infused with graphite and cooling gel to help sleep at a comfortable temperature. The lower foam layer is a denser foam designed for core support. Flip that over and you’d lose the cooling and cushioned feel.

  • Memory foam mattresses shouldn’t be flipped
  • Flipping a memory foam mattress eliminates the cooling and cushioning effects of the dense lower layer, which you’ll be lying on top of directly

Should you flip hybrid mattresses?

Hybrid mattresses are constructed as one-sided mattresses like innersprings. In fact, hybrids often have more complex combinations of coils and foam (hence the name), which are almost always designed to only provide comfort and support on one side.

  • Hybrid mattresses shouldn’t be flipped
  • Flipping a hybrid mattress could actually cause adverse effects, like back pain and poor sleep quality

How and Why You Should Rotate Your Mattress

Now that we know flipping a modern mattress is a bad idea, what can be done to prolong the life of your bed? Simply rotating it 180 degrees will do the trick.

“The bulk of our weight is carried in our midsection,” Campbell says. “Most humans are built that way so the most amount of pressure on the mattress is always going to fall in the upper third or the lower third of the mattress, depending on you rotating it.”

Rotating a mattress will help with using the entire surface on the mattress, rather than just a few spots.

While rotating your mattress, Campbell also recommends putting on socks and gently walking around on the ends of the mattress. Since those areas don’t support much weight, it can be helpful to add some pressure so the mattress breaks in evenly on all sections.

If you have a king-size bed, which is 76”x80”, you can even rotate your bed 90 degrees (or a quarter-turn). If done evenly, the long side will only hang off by two inches on either side, which is a small enough overhang that it won't be noticeable for you sleeping on it, and won't diminish the support layers within the mattress itself.

Modern Mattress Care: How Often Should You Rotate Your Mattress?

For the first few years of ownership, Campbell says regular rotation on your bed frame once per quarter, as a rule of thumb, will make the most out of the layers of comfort and support. After that you can switch to rotating it twice per year as a general rule.

Key mattress rotation takeaways

  • Rotate once per quarter for first few years of ownership
  • Rotate twice per year after those first few years

What to Do When Nothing Feels Comfortable

Rotating your mattress can help keep it comfortable and supportive, but all mattresses have a lifespan. Regardless of the mattress company, the average mattress lasts from 7 to 10 years, so if you’re approaching those years, it could be time to break up with your current mattress. If it’s noticeably sagging, no longer comfortable, or doesn’t feel like it used to, it could be time for an upgrade.

The Sleep Experts™ at Mattress Firm are always available to find the right mattress for your sleeping style, whether you prefer to shop online in your pajamas or in store.

You Might Also Like

An illustration of a small bedroom with a well optimized set up.
Bed Basics
Small Bedroom? Here’s Your Guide to Maximizing SpaceFrom single dorm rooms to first apartments and historic homes, many bedrooms are smaller than we’d like. While we don’t always get a say in the size of our room, we (fortunately) do get to decide what to do with it.
A woman sitting on her made bed, stretching her arms out in front of her.
Bed Basics
What Exactly Is Mattress Support?Perhaps one of the most common—albeit vague—pieces of advice you’ll often hear when you’re in the market for a new mattress is to find one with “good support.” But what does that even mean? And is mattress support the same as mattress firmness? If you’ve ever wondered what good mattress support actually implies and what the right support can do for your sleep, you’ve come to the right place.
Matty against a blue background. Text reads: Matty Asks Mattress Sizess
Bed Basics
Matty Asks: Mattress SizesGot questions about buying a new bed? We’ve heard ‘em all. Our Sleep Experts® are here to help with all the answers. Whether you’re curious about bed fillings, accessories, pillow lofts, under-bed options, or anything else in your bedroom, we’ve got answers. And there’s no question too small or too silly.
Two people laughing on a Sleepys by Sealy memory foam mattress.
Bed Basics
Why We Love the New Sleepy’s by Sealy Memory Foam MattressesWhen it comes to pressure relief and customized support, memory foam mattresses are a customer favorite for a reason.
An illustration Sleep Expert® and a customer talking in store next to a mattress.
Bed Basics
Should I Shop for a Mattress In-Store or Online?If you’re short on time, buying a mattress online may seem like the best option. But before we give you our expert-approved mattress shopping tips, keep in mind there are pros and cons to each. The biggest perk of shopping in-store is getting the help of our Sleep Experts®, who are trained to make your mattress shopping experience quick and easy. Plus, we have thousands of stores across the nation, so you won’t have to go far!
A woman with the Sleepy's Storage Base with Reversible Headboard base open putting pillows into the under bed storage.
Bed Basics
New Alternatives to the Classic Box SpringChoosing the best alternative to the traditional box springs can depend on several factors, including your personal preference, budget and lifestyle.
A couple laying on an adjustable bed looking at a tablet.
Bed Basics
Tips and Tricks for Styling an Adjustable BedYour bedroom should reflect your style and taste in a way that helps you to de-stress and get into a relaxed state before bedtime. Of all the elements in your bedroom, the most important is the mattress that enables you to get great sleep each night, and many people have further optimized their rest with an adjustable bed.
5Budget-FriendlyWays_Facebook_blog_1200x628
Bed Basics
Best Budget Mattresses for Every Price RangeBest Mattresses for Every Budget: Under $500, $1000 & $2000