How Often Should You Rotate Your Mattress + When To Flip It

Key Takeaways

• You can (and usually should) rotate mattresses every three to six months to extend their lifespans. 
• You should only flip two-sided innerspring mattresses, in which case, flip it every six months. 
• Purple mattresses don’t need to be rotated or flipped. 

High-quality mattresses are an investment, so boosting longevity is key. Periodically turning a mattress maintains its condition and delays how often you should replace it. But how often should you rotate your mattress? And should you flip it while you’re at it?

Flipping a mattress is largely a thing of the past. When two-sided innerspring mattresses were more popular, flipping was key. But mattresses have evolved since then. Newer memory foam, latex, and GelFlex® Grid mattresses with layers and targeted support don’t need to be flipped, and doing so can negatively affect their level of support. You can rotate them to extend their lifespans, but this is rarely necessary.

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While you’ll want to check with your mattress’s manufacturer for specifics, we’ll walk you through the basics, beginning with learning the types of mattresses that should be flipped and rotated, when to do so, and the benefits of both. 

Rotating vs. Flipping A Mattress

After breaking in a new mattress, you should think about when to rotate or flip it. But what’s the difference? Here’s a quick reminder:

• Rotating a mattress means turning it around so that the head becomes the foot. 
• Flipping a mattress means swapping the sides facing up and down. 

Most mattresses can be rotated, but not all should be flipped. If you flip a mattress that isn’t meant to be upside down, you could cause damage.  

Whether you flip or rotate your mattress will depend on its make and material. Consider the following guidelines:

One-Sided Mattress

Recommendation: Rotate only

One-sided mattresses only have one sleepable surface. If you have a one-sided mattress, it is likely a hybrid, memory foam, latex, or GelFlex® Grid mattress. You should only rotate a one-sided mattress, as flipping can cause quicker wear-and-tear.

Two-Sided Mattress

Recommendation: Flip and rotate

Because two-sided mattresses have two sleepable surfaces and padding on all sides, you can flip and rotate them without causing damage. Most two-sided mattresses are made with cotton, polyester, or wool, so flipping them can help fluff fibers to prevent sagging.

Pillow-Top Mattress

Recommendation: Rotate only

Pillow-top mattresses are often one-sided, so flipping them can damage their inner construction. Plus, pillow tops don’t use flexible fibers. Instead, they contain foam cells that break down over time and can’t be reinvigorated by fluffing.

Should You Rotate Your Mattress?

Usually, yes. Most modern mattresses will benefit from regular rotations. Rotating your mattress is much easier than flipping and can prevent sagging by encouraging even wear.

How often you rotate your mattress will depend on its make and materials. Generally, you should rotate hybrid mattresses once every three to six months. Innerspring, memory foam, and latex mattresses only require rotation once or twice a year. 

Types of Mattresses You Should Rotate

Unless your manufacturer specifies otherwise, most types of mattresses can benefit from the occasional rotation. Here’s a guide to each mattress type and their ideal rotation schedules:

• Innerspring: Rotate your innerspring mattress every six to twelve months to prevent sagging and keep coil structures elastic. If it’s an old mattress, rotate it more frequently, up to five times per year. 
• Memory Foam: Rotate a memory foam mattress every six to twelve months.
• Latex: Rotate latex mattresses twice a year for even wear. While more responsive than memory foam, regular rotation can prolong latex’s lifespan.
• Hybrid: Rotate hybrid mattresses every three to six months. While they are typically more durable than most mattresses, regular rotation can prevent wear and tear with hybrid mattresses.
• GelFlex® Grid: Purple’s GelFlex® Grid does not require regular rotation. It’s made with a super-durable Hyper-Elastic Polymer, designed for years of low-maintenance comfort. However, even though it’s optional, rotating it can prevent wear and tear and help extend its lifespan.

Do Purple Mattresses Need To Be Rotated?

They do not! You can rotate your Purple mattress if you would like, although it’s not necessary.

While you don’t need to rotate a Purple mattress, doing so will not cause damage. If you choose to rotate your Purple, opt for once every three to six months. This can help preserve its longevity through even weight distribution.

The technology in a Purple mattress is specifically meant to give you the long-lasting comfort and support you need. Unlike memory foam that slowly molds to your body’s shape over time with nightly warmth and pressure, the instantly adaptive GelFlex® Grid stretches and springs back to shape with minimal maintenance.

Benefits of Rotating a Mattress

As described above, regularly rotating your mattress can extend its lifespan. Below are a few more benefits of rotating your mattress regularly. 

Smooths Out Lumps

People who tend to toss and turn in their sleep are likely to cause bunching in a mattress’s internal structure. If you’re waking up sore and achey, it may be a sign you’re sleeping on a lumpy mattress. By rotating your mattress, you distribute weight evenly, preventing lumps and bumps from forming and keeping your mattress smooth and comfortable. 

Prevents Sagging and Hammocking

If you tend to roll over into the middle of your bed when you sleep, your mattress might be hammocking. Over time, this can reduce a mattress’s ability to provide hip and spinal support. Rotating the mattress can prevent sagging and hammocking. 

Reduces Dust and Wear

Mattresses can gather dust, mites, dirt, and other bedroom allergy irritants that can disrupt sleep. Rotating your mattress allows it to “breathe” and prevents mold from developing. It also gives you an opportunity to vacuum and dust the hard-to-reach parts of your bed frame. 

Keeps Your Warranty

Some manufacturers will void their warranty if you fail to properly maintain your mattress. Regularly rotating it and keeping it in good shape will help you keep your warranty valid.

Be sure to refer to your mattress warranty for specific care requirements related to your mattress.

Extends Your Mattress’ Lifespan

Rotating your mattress can help reduce wear and tear over time, helping your mattress last longer. This can keep you from having to replace your mattress and save you money in the long run.

How To Rotate a Mattress

Follow these steps to rotate your mattress:

1. Strip the bed of all pillows, sheets, and bedding.
2. Move nearby lamps, nightstands, and other furniture away from the bed to avoid knocking them over. 
3. Lift the corners at the head of the mattress. If you have the help of a partner, each of you can lift one corner. 
4. Rotate the entire mattress 180 degrees so that the head of the bed is now at the foot.
5. Done! Make sure the rotated mattress is fully aligned with the bed frame, re-make the bed, and put your furniture back in place. 

Should You Flip Your Mattress?

You should not flip most mattresses.

The exceptions are innerspring and two-sided mattresses. While these mattresses used to be quite popular, they are not as common today. If you have a double-sided mattress and can’t get comfortable in bed, it may be time to flip the mattress. Flipping an innerspring mattress prevents coils from wearing out too quickly and ensures even use. You should also flip your innerspring mattress if you notice indents or lumps or if it starts to become squeaky. 

Always check with the mattress manufacturer’s instructions, but as a general rule of thumb, you should flip innerspring and double-sided mattresses every six months. 

Types of Mattresses You Should Flip

• Innerspring: Older innerspring mattresses have springy, metal coils. They have two-sided designs that are meant to be flipped, which helps maintain the coils and keeps the mattress soft instead of stiff. 
• Two-sided mattresses: Any other mattress with a two-sided design can likely be flipped. Check your manufacturer to be sure. 

Types of Mattresses You Shouldn’t Flip

You should never flip one-sided mattresses. These include the following mattress types:

• Memory foam: Unlike a spring mattress, memory foam beds are one-sided. Memory foam is only present in your mattress’ top comfort layer, so flipping it can cause extreme discomfort and irreversible damage. Placing too much pressure on this soft layer will force it to deteriorate quickly. Below your memory foam mattress’s top comfort layer is its poly-foam core layer, which is firm and not meant for use as a sleep surface.
• Latex: While some latex technologies are flippable, many traditional latex products don’t require flipping. Latex is more durable than most materials, so like memory foam, flipping them is often unnecessary. 
• Hybrid: Like memory foam mattresses, hybrid products consist of a top comfort layer and a coil-based core layer. But unlike innerspring beds, hybrids have specific layers. Because hybrid mattresses are heavy, flipping them over can put too much pressure on the comfort layer, causing irreversible damage.
• GelFlex® Grid: Like memory foam, Purple’s GelFlex® Grid should not be flipped. This layered design delivers pressure-relieving cushioning and comfort while adapting to your body and moving as you move. 

Do Purple Mattresses Need To Be Flipped?

Luckily, Purple mattresses are made with premium materials that are designed to last for years with no flipping necessary. Each mattress comes with a 10-year warranty as a testament to its quality. All Purple mattresses are one-sided and should not be flipped. You can rotate them every three months or so if you like, although not necessary.

The technology in a Purple is specifically meant to give you the comfort and support you need for years to come. Whether you love a soft, firm, or somewhere-in-between feel, the universal comfort of the GelFlex® Grid offers excellent support for all body types and sleep styles.

Instantly Adapts To Your Body

The GelFlex® Grid in every Purple mattress cradles your pressure points and supports your back — without needing to be flipped or rotated.

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Benefits of Flipping a Mattress

While most modern mattresses don’t require flipping, there are many benefits to flipping traditional ones.

Keeps Coils Intact

Unlike hybrid mattresses, innersprings have a core support of coils surrounded by comfort layers on either side. The best way to protect the integrity of your innerspring mattress is to maintain its coil system. Flipping your mattress can prevent coils from breaking and ensure even weight distribution.

Prevents Sagging

Over time, mattresses tend to sag in the middle, negatively impacting your spinal alignment. Luckily, flipping your mattress can remedy this problem by preventing sagging.

Extends Mattress Life

Consistently sleeping on one side of your mattress can wear out a flippable mattress faster. Flip it occasionally to allow each side to recover evenly, increasing your mattress’s lifespan.

How To Flip a Mattress

Follow these steps when flipping your mattress.

1. Strip the bed of all pillows, sheets, and bedding.
2. Move furniture away from the bed.
3. Carefully rotate your mattress 90 degrees, keeping the longer side parallel to the headboard. 
4. Gently raise your mattress to prop it up on its side. Remember that mattresses are heavy, and enlisting the help of a friend is most likely in your best interest.
5. Lower your mattress so the bottom side now faces up. 
6. Rotate it another 90 degrees so that the head of the bed now faces the foot.

Rejuvenate Your Sleep Quality With Purple

Learning how often you should rotate your mattress is one way to improve mattress maintenance and sleep quality. Routinely rotating and flipping your mattress can increase its longevity and prevent uncomfortable lumps, bumps, and sagging. 

If you want to choose a new mattress that’s low maintenance and durable, Purple has you covered. Because of our revolutionary GelFlexⓇ Grid, Purple mattresses eliminate the stress of remembering if, when, why, and how to flip and rotate.. We offer a 100-night trial so you can feel as confident as possible in your choice.