You know you should be rotating your mattress, but how do you do it?
Following the right maintenance practices and manufacturer recommendations, like putting your mattress on a box spring and using mattress protectors, can help your mattress last longer. All the same, when you sleep in the same spot for several nights, your body will leave an impression in your mattress.
Whether it is a pillow top, innerspring, or memory foam mattress, rotating it once every few months can extend its lifespan while ensuring healthy performance. It gives that used area of your mattress time to recover as another spot supports the body weight. You might want to look at comparisons between the Sleep number vs isense mattress if you are on the lookout for a new mattress.
In this guide, you will learn more about rotating your mattress and whether you need to flip or rotate it to extend its lifespan.
Rotating a mattress
Even with advancements in mattress technology, most mattresses can still benefit from rotation. Most likely, the manufacturer will specify whether a mattress needs to be rotated or not.
But what does rotating the mattress regularly mean? By rotation, it means moving your mattress 180 degrees so that the portion that was at the head is now at the foot of the bed. Keep in mind that rotating does not include or involve flipping the mattress.
Rotating your mattress not only extends its lifespan but also helps you get a good quality night’s sleep by keeping the spine in neutral alignment.
How do you rotate your mattress?
When you buy a new mattress, you are investing in your shuteye for the next 8-10 years or even more. Therefore, it makes sense to do all that you can to ensure the mattress lasts longer. Rotation is one of the maintenance practices that will keep your mattress plush in good condition so that it remains comfortable for longer.
Remember that rotating mattresses can be difficult and cumbersome, especially if you have a queen or king size double sided mattress. So you might need the help of your partner, especially when rotating large mattresses. Here are recommendations on how to rotate your mattress.
Plan bed rotation in advance
You can use your phone, tablet, computer, or even a printed calendar to set reminders on when to rotate your latex or hybrid mattress. For most mattresses, you need to rotate after three months which can be easy to plan. For instance, you can rotate your mattress at the start of the year, then next do it on April Fool’s Day, perform the third rotation as we celebrate Independence Day on July Fourth, and keep a reminder to rotate it on October First. Continue the process for about eight years as long as your mattress does not begin to sag.
Prepare the space
Rotating your mattress can be an awkward job. You can even lose hold of it when trying to reposition it, so it is a good idea to prepare the room. Ideally, you need to clear the area of breakable items like bedside lamps, clocks, and other items on nightstands. It is also a good idea to move other objects that might disrupt the process. The final prep work is removing all bedding.
Rotate the mattress
The difficulty of this job varies depending on your bed frame, size and, design. Rotating a mattress that sits on a box spring or a foundation with a headboard only is more manageable than rotating a mattress sitting within the fancier frames of larger beds. Watch out for heavier beds because rotating on your own can cause you to hurt your back. In most cases, you should seek help from your partner or friend with rotating responsibilities. Plan whether to move clockwise or counter-clockwise, then have one person lift the mattress from each side.
Center the mattress
Double-check to ensure the mattress is centered on the bed frame, then replace the bedding.
When rotating your mattress, it is obvious that you should remove all the bedding first. Think of this as a great occasion to start fresh by cleaning the area around your bed. You can vacuum under and around your bed, then make up the bed with fresh sheets. This may feel as if you have a brand new mattress.
How often should you rotate your mattress?
Mattresses are crafted from different materials and combinations of materials. There is no one-size-fits-all answer as to how frequently you should rotate your mattress.
Nevertheless, mattress manufacturers recommend that customers should rotate their mattresses every three months to at least once a year. Rotating your mattress and practicing the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations will keep your mattress warranty in good standing.
What mattresses need to be rotated?
Before rotating your mattress, it is good to check what the mattress company or manufacturer says. For instance, some mattresses have unique features like zones support, which means you won’t enjoy these special features once you rotate them.
Unless the folks who make the mattress specify otherwise, it is a good idea to rotate your mattress. The most common mattress types that will benefit from rotation are:
- Innerspring mattresses
- Pillow-top innerspring mattresses
- Hybrid mattresses
- Memory foam mattresses
- Air beds with foam toppers
If you have an innerspring mattress, it is a good idea to flip it over then rotate. All other types do not need to be flipped. If you have a latex mattress or a pillow top mattress, all you need to do is rotate it as often as advised by the mattress manufacturer. Most mattresses need to be rotated to wear evenly. This ensures they will have a longer lifespan.
Unlike double-sided mattresses, most modern mattresses like memory foam mattresses are designed with unique layers - support layer, transition layer, and comfort layer - which means rotating them will prolong their days. Remember that these are non-flippable mattresses are one-sided and should not be flipped, as it would result in an uncomfortable memory foam layer surface to sleep on.
Bottom line: Why should you rotate your mattress?
Rotating mattresses is a necessity that most of us have to go through. Because we tend to sleep in the same spot in our beds, failing to rotate your mattress could result in uneven wear, which won’t provide the necessary support for good quality sleep.
Rotating your mattress will not only keep it around for longer but also reduce the risks of sagging while providing consistent comfort. With that said, keep in mind that, even with the most diligent care and maintenance, most mattresses need to be replaced after 6-8 years.
