Rotating or flipping your mattress can help extend its life and improve your quality of sleep, but the frequency with which you do so depends on the type of mattress you have. If you’ve ever wondered how often you should rotate your mattress, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we explore types of mattresses and when to flip them so you can maximize the longevity and comfort of your mattress.

Should You Rotate or Flip Your Mattress?

Should You Rotate Your Mattress?

To determine if you should rotate your mattress, consider its material and design. Many new model mattresses are one-sided and should not be flipped because they’re often designed with extra padding and specific layers to provide targeted support and maximum comfort. One-sided mattresses should only be rotated to ensure you are always sleeping on the intended surface. Here are some one-sided mattress types that should be rotated, not flipped:

• Hybrid
• Latex
• Pillow-/Euro-Top

Should You Flip Your Mattress?

Double-sided mattresses, on the other hand, can benefit from both flipping and rotating. Double-sided mattresses are designed with core support and padding on all sides, and are often made with a fiber filling like cotton, wool, or polyester that is prone to settling over time. The only mattress types that require both flipping and rotating are:

• Innerspring
• Double-sided

While determining if your mattress is single or double-sided is a general rule of thumb to follow when deciding if you should flip your mattress, it can vary on a case by case basis. For instance, while you typically shouldn’t flip memory foam mattresses, some newer models are designed to tolerate flipping. When in doubt, check the brand and model of your mattress to confirm its care instructions.

Tip!

Curious to learn more about the types of mattress? Check out some of the following guides:
What Is a Hybrid Mattress?
What Is a Latex Mattress?
What Is a Euro-Top Mattress?
What Is an Innerspring Mattress?

How Often Should You Rotate or Flip Your Mattress?

Once you determine the care requirements of your mattress, rotating and flipping it on a regular cadence can help prolong its life. In general, here is the frequency with which you should rotate or flip your mattress depending on its type:

• Pillow-Top: rotate every 3 months
• Hybrid: rotate every 3–6 months
• Memory Foam: rotate every 3–6 months
• Latex: rotate every 6–12 months
• New Innerspring: flip and rotate every 6–12 months
• Old Innerspring: flip and rotate every 3–6 months

For brand-new mattresses, it is recommended that you rotate or flip your mattress more frequently – about once a month for the first few months – while it settles out of its initial packaging. Don’t forget to check the care instructions to determine if flipping is suitable for your mattress.

Tip!

If you’re interested in upgrading to a new mattress, read our comprehensive Mattress Buying Guide to help you find the perfect fit.

Benefits of Flipping & Rotating Your Mattress

Flipping a mattress can seem like a daunting task, but it’s worth it! For double-sided mattresses, flipping them can help redistribute the fiber filling that settles over time to ensure proper comfort and support. Rotating mattresses can also help prevent sagging and the development bumps that can disrupt your sleep and lead to inadequate back support.

In addition to ensuring the structural integrity of your mattress, flipping and rotating it can help reduce normal wear and tear on your mattress. Sleeping in one place too long can cause a build up of skin cells, dust mites, and sweat in your mattress that contribute to allergies, so rotating your mattress gives it (and you) a chance to breathe.

Tip!

Want to protect your mattress even further? Read our guides How to Clean a Mattress and What Is a Mattress Pad? for more simple solutions.

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