How Often Should You Flip Your Mattress?

You spend one-third of your life sleeping. According to the National Institutes of Health, a good night's sleep helps to enhance our immune system and brain health. It also reduces the risk of many chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure.  

Investing in a good mattress is crucial for a night of quality sleep. Although mattresses are durable, experts say you should expect to replace your mattress after 7 to 10 years of regular use. Many mattresses will last even longer if they are flipped or rotated regularly. But there are some mattresses that should not be rotated or flipped at all. 

One way to keep your mattress supportive is to follow the manufacturer's recommendations, which may include flipping or rotating your mattress regularly.

Is it better to flip or rotate your mattress?

First, let’s distinguish between flipping and rotating a mattress. The two terms are very different.

• Flipping: You turn the mattress completely over so that you are now sleeping on the other side of the mattress.

• Rotating: This means you rotate or turn your mattress so what was previously where your head would rest is now at the foot of the bed, and vice-versa. 

In the past, all mattresses were designed to be flipped over. However, many of today’s newer models should not be flipped — only rotated. This is because of the way they are constructed. The bottom of the mattress is a firm supportive layer that is made of dense foam or metal springs. The top of the mattress has several foam layers that make up the “comfort system.” Mattresses then often have an additional comfort layer on top, made up of sewn-in foams. If you flip it over, you will be sleeping on the hard support layer, instead of the intended soft comfort layer. This can be uncomfortable to sleep on and can also damage the mattress.

The Sleep Foundation says that most types of mattress can benefit from being rotated (but not flipped) regularly. These include:

• Memory foam

• Latex

• Innerspring

• Hybrid (have both foam and innerspring components)

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Some mattresses, however, are designed to be flipped over so you can sleep on either side. They are usually clearly labeled as flippable, dual-sided, or reversible mattresses. They sometimes have different firmness levels on each side. 

Some mattresses should not be rotated or flipped at all. These often have zoned comfort systems or are made with special materials. 

Check the instructions for your mattress to find out the best way to care for your bed.

How often should you rotate your mattress? 

How often you should rotate your mattress depends on the material it is made from. The Sleep Foundation gives some guidelines for rotating your mattress.

The following mattress types should be rotated every 6 months:

• Memory foam

• Latex 

• Hybrid 

• Newer innerspring 

Older innerspring mattresses should be rotated every 2 to 3 months.

Make sure you follow the instructions for your specific mattress. Some mattresses recommend rotating every 3 months. If you notice impression marks or uneven wear from rotating every 6 months, you can increase the frequency.

To further minimize uneven wear on your bed, the National Bed Federation says to rotate a new mattress weekly for the first 3 months after purchasing it. After that, you can rotate it every 6 months. 

Why should you rotate your mattress?

There are several benefits to regularly rotating your mattress:

• Extends the life of your mattress: Because regular rotation helps prevent wear, the Sleep Foundation says you can extend the life of your mattress by a year or more.

• Prevents sagging and uneven wear: Mattresses tend to sag in the areas that have more weight, such as around your hips and shoulders. If you share a bed with someone, differences in weight can also cause uneven wear. Rotation helps protect against uneven sagging, lumping, and wear.

• Prevents allergens: Rotating your mattress can let it air out and prevent areas of moisture from sweat from forming. This can prevent allergens such as dust mites and mold.

When should you flip your mattress? 

If you have a flippable mattress, experts say you should flip it every 3 to 6 months to prevent wear and tear. Be on the lookout for signs of wear, such as sagging or indentions, to determine if you need to flip it more frequently.

If you purchased a dual-firm flippable mattress (one side is softer than the other) and you prefer one side over the other, you don’t have to flip it. Just make sure you are rotating it regularly (every 3 to 6 months) to prevent uneven wear.

The benefits of regularly flipping your mattress are the same as rotating it regularly. This includes extending the life of your mattress, maintaining its support, and preventing allergens from forming.

Keep in mind that flippable mattresses are often heavier than other types of mattresses. Make sure you have someone help you to avoid injuries.

What will happen if you never flip or rotate your mattress?

Some mattresses are made in a way that doesn’t require regular rotating or flipping. Most mattresses, however, will show premature signs of wear if you don’t take care of them.

Mattresses will start showing signs such as uneven wear, sagging, lumping, and hammocking (sagging in the middle). Those that have innerspring coils may have coils that break due to uneven weight distribution. Flipping and rotating fluffs your mattress, helps to air it out, and may help prevent the buildup of allergens. 

Your mattress may also break down earlier than it should and not provide needed support if it’s not rotated or flipped. Research has also found that mattresses that provide medium-firm support reduce back pain by 48% and improve sleep quality by 55%. If you are having difficulty getting comfortable at night or are waking up with back pain or feeling stiff and achy, it may be a sign that you need to rotate or flip your mattress.

If your mattress is 7 years old or older, you may need to replace it. A study found that those who had mattresses older than 9 years and replaced them had improved back pain and sleep quality.

Lastly, you may void or cut your warranty short if you don’t maintain the mattress by rotating or flipping it as instructed.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Kim Grundy, PT

Kim Grundy, PT, is a licensed physical therapist and an experienced writer and editor. She worked at an outpatient orthopedic facility, where she treated patients with chronic conditions and post-surgical athletes working towards recovery.

Edited by:

Lauren Savage, MA

Lauren Savage, MA, is a health editor at GoodRx, where she focuses on movement, exercise, and healthy aging. She aims to provide readers with the information they need to live healthier, more active lifestyles.

Reviewed by:

Christina Palmer, MD

Christina Palmer, MD, is a board-certified family physician with a special interest in chronic care management, women’s health, mental health, and preventive care. She has over 10 years of experience in primary care research, innovation, and practice.

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