How often should you flip a mattress? Extend your mattresses lifespan with these experts advice

Mattresses are big investments but few people consider how to extend their lifespan. Flipping your mattress can not only prolong its life but also provide you with a better night's sleep for longer. So, how often should you flip a mattress? 

After you have spent time finding and buying a mattress, it is important to know that even the best mattresses need to be flipped or rotated occasionally, although how often you should do this depends on your mattress type. ‘On average, we spend a third of every day asleep, so it is important that our mattress provides us with a level of comfort suited to our preference and good overall support whilst we sleep,’ says Steve Adams, CEO of Mattress Online. Beds with the best mattress toppers need to be rotated and flipped too, despite the illusion of protection the topper seems to provide. 

Here, experts have explained how often you should flip your mattress depending on its makeup, and why it is so important. 

How often should you flip a mattress?  

‘Whether you need to flip your mattress or not is dependent on the type of mattress you have,’ explains Martin Gill, managing director of luxury mattress and bed retailer And So To Bed. 

'Double-sided mattresses can be flipped and, for the first three months after purchase, should be turned over once a week. After that, once a month will suffice.’ 

Single-sided mattresses (such as those with memory foam on top) should be rotated head to toe once a week for the first three months after purchase in order to prevent dips and lumps in the mattress. After that, rotate it just once a month. 

‘For natural fiber mattresses, it is recommended that you turn your mattress over twice a week for the first three months and every few months after this. This is to encourage natural and even settlement of the mattress fillings, extending the life of the mattress.’

Why should you flip your mattress?  

‘Flipping the mattress over, and rotating it regularly, will keep the comfort fillings evenly distributed, reducing sagging and dips, and you’ll use each side equally, which will keep its supportive properties performing well for longer,’ says Steve. 

‘Getting into the routine of flipping your mattress multiple times a year and spot cleaning any stains will improve the lifespan of the mattress. You should ideally replace your mattress every seven years for good hygiene and improved sleep quality.’

Flipping or rotating your mattress frequently, along with learning how to clean a mattress, can help keep it comfortable and supportive night after night. It is good to know how often you should change your mattress, however, for both comfort and hygiene reasons.   

How do I flip my mattress?  

Flipping a mattress can be relatively easy, but larger mattresses such as king sized mattresses should be flipped by two people.

1. Remove your duvet or comforter, pillows, sheets, and toppers from your bed and move any furniture such as bedside tables away from the bed.

2. If your mattress has handles, use these. If not, slide your hands under the edge of the mattress and gain a firm grip. 

3. Start by rotating the mattress 180 degrees (top to tail) 

4. Gently drag the mattress over the side of the bed partially, until the far edge is in the middle of the bed frame, lift the mattress onto its side, and ease back down so the mattress has been turned over. It helps to have more than one person for this. 

‘It is important to make sure that you get someone to help you move your mattress,’ adds Martin, ‘whether that is flipping or rotating it to avoid bending it and to of course avoid injury.’

Take additional steps to make your mattress last longer

Alongside flipping your mattress, you can extend your mattress's lifespan by taking other protective measures.

'A great way to keep your mattress looking as good as the day you bought it is to use a mattress protector,' explains Rhiannon Johns, interior designer, and brand manager at Piglet in Bed. 'This will shield against unwanted stains and yet also provide extra support and coziness.  Piglet’s mattress toppers are filled with 100% Merino wool and encased in organic cotton - both of which help to regulate temperature and aid a night of deep, restful sleep. 

'Good quality fitted sheets made from 100% natural materials including linen and cotton will also add a layer of protection to your mattress.  Letting your mattress breathe once a week while you wash and change your sheets will help to air it out. Wash your bedding once a week with good quality detergent to keep it smelling and looking fresh, after all there’s nothing like the feeling of getting in freshly laundered bedsheets!'

Is it better to flip or rotate your mattress? 

While rotating your mattress will help prevent wear, flipping your mattress is preferred. If you have a mattress that should not be flipped as per manufacturers' instructions, rotating should help to even out wear and tear and extend the lifespan of your mattress.  

Should I flip my memory foam mattress over?  

Memory foam mattresses should not be flipped over, unlike other mattress types. Memory foam mattresses only have a foam layer on one side of the mattress, so flipping it over means you will not enjoy the benefits of the memory foam. Instead, consider rotating the mattress 180 degrees regularly to ensure even wear and prolong its lifespan.