Your grandma and grandpa did it, and mom and dad probably did, too. The likelihood that others gave you similar advice about taking care of your mattress—routinely flipping or rotating it—is perhaps pretty plausible. But why is mattress maintenance still so important these days? Mattress shoppers are often on the hunt for clarity about the right approach to their mattress: should they flip or rotate it, and does rotating a mattress help?

Keep reading for expert insight from mattress and sleep experts at Mattress Express, one of the best mattress stores, on the proper approach to mattress care, including when to flip versus rotate a mattress, how often to rotate, and whether rotating a mattress actually helps.

The Evolution of Flippable, Double-Sided Mattresses

Before the early 2000s, mattresses were often paired with a boxspring, one with actual springs that 'sprung.' That said, most mattresses produced were intentionally double-sided for use with the box spring foundation. This traditional bed setup style made it more necessary to rotate and flip the mattress to protect the layers and the overall integrity of the support structure. Flipping mattresses for care and maintenance began during the era of double-sided mattresses, which have comfort layers on both sides; the top and the bottom. Mattress styles like these are designed to work well with traditional boxsprings while prolonging the mattress's lifespan by reducing compression of the comfort layers through regular flipping and rotation.

Modern mattresses, especially like the Beautyrest Black Hybrid or those with a pillowtop design, such as the Avocado Luxury Organic Ultra Plush, are often constructed with a single-sided composition. Today's mattress styles have evolved from being double-sided to single-sided. Now mattresses have premium layers on one side and an ultra-rigid base layer on the other. Single-sided mattresses complement contemporary furniture options, including simpler platform bed frames and advanced foundations with innovative features, such as adjustable beds.

Flippable, double-sided mattresses, though somewhat outdated, let you sleep on both sides. When caring for and maintaining a flippable mattress, you should flip it upside down, then rotate or spin it approximately 180 degrees. After performing a flip and rotate, the area where your shoulders and torso would rest before now becomes the support area for your feet, or vice versa. 

Historically, this was a recommendation to perform a flip and rotate every 3 to 6 months, or about once or twice per year. Flipping and rotating mattresses were generally known to extend mattress life and improve comfort for the sleeper.

Fast forward through the evolution of mattresses—from flippable, double-sided designs, to single-sided non-flip versions, and from boxspring foundations with springs to those without. Nowadays, most modern mattresses do not require flipping; instead, they demand a more frequent, but easy, rotation.

Now, you can effortlessly avoid the laborious task of mattress flipping with a modern, single-sided mattress. Instead of the flip-and-rotate, you can perform a rotation-only or mattress 'do-si-do,' by simply spinning the mattress from head to foot on its foundation. Since the availability of double-sided mattresses has dwindled significantly, many have happily eliminated the 'flip' from the 'flip and rotate' process, making care and maintenance for your mattress much easier.

Flippable v. Rotational Mattress Designs

After the initial transition period, as your new mattress supports and adapts to your body's shape, you should think about how to care for and maintain its comfort. Truly, that is what rotating a mattress does: prolong your comfort and extend the mattress's life. Rotating any mattress really helps, and if you haven't experienced the benefits of regular mattress rotation, the chances are you just haven't been rotating it enough.

Next, consider how often you should rotate the single-sided mattress, rather than how frequently you used to flip your old double-sided mattress.

Are you currently rotating your mattress only about twice a year?

While this schedule might have been sufficient for flipping the mattress, it is not frequent enough for rotations alone. If you’re still unsure about the differences and when to perform each task based on the type of mattress you have, here’s a simplified recap:

• Rotating a mattress means spinning it on its foundation, placing the foot at the head of the bed or vice versa.
• Flipping a mattress involves turning it over so that the side facing up becomes the bottom, or vice versa. 

In summary, most mattresses should be rotated regularly, but not all are designed to be flipped. Flipping a mattress that is not intended to be used upside down can damage its support system or base foam, so it is not advised to sleep on the underside, even if you are inclined to try it out.

Ultimately, whether you should initiate a flip or rotate depends on the mattress's materials and design, for example, hybrid, pillowtop, or all-foam, single or double-sided. For an ideal mattress maintenance schedule, you should check your mattress manufacturer's warranty instructions, and keep the following guidelines in mind:

Single-Sided Mattress Maintenance

Recommendation: Rotate only

Single-sided mattresses are the more modernized version, designed for use on only one side, providing a single sleeping surface. If you purchased your mattress in the last ten years, it's likely a single-sided design—such as a pillowtop, hybrid, natural latex, or Purple GelFlex® Grid mattress. It is recommended to rotate a one-sided mattress once every 2 weeks for the first 90 days of use, and once a month or every other month thereafter.

Double-Sided Mattress Maintenance

Recommendation: Flip + Rotate

Today, double-sided mattresses are relatively rare and are not typically available to purchase in retail mattress stores. But because they have surfaces and padding on all sides, you can flip and rotate them without damaging them, as long as you use the proper type of foundation. Many of the 'old school' double-sided mattresses were composed of cotton, horsehair, or wool, so flipping them over gave the fibers a chance to refluff and prevent overall body impressions in the mattress's surface. For double-sided mattresses, perform a flip and rotate once every 3 to 6 months.

Pillowtop Mattress Care

Recommendation: Depends on the mattress

Pillowtop mattresses are often one-sided, but not always. Flipping over a single-sided pillowtop could damage its comfort layers or support structure. If you have a single-sided pillowtop mattress, rotate it once every 2 weeks for the first 90 days of use, and once a month thereafter. If you have a rarer double-sided pillowtop mattress, you should perform the flip+rotate method.

Split Head & Flex-Head Mattress Maintenance

Recommendation: No Flipping or Rotating

A flex-head mattress is the evolved version of a split mattress, such as a split King sleep system with an adjustable bed. They’re also called split-head mattresses or split-head mattress systems. Instead of a Queen or King mattress split all the way down the middle, a flex or split-head design splits the mattress only down the top third. The flex-head split gives the sleepers independent firmness choices via Instant Comfort SmartBeds and dual position adjustability without fully dividing the mattress.

So, instead of two mattresses that create one, such as a split King bed, you have one King mattress that can articulate into two different positions, and sometimes firmnesses, on either side of the bed. For flex-head mattresses, you do not flip or rotate them, as doing so would compromise the functional features and benefits of dual-position adjustability with the flex-head size.

Split Mattress Care

Recommendation: Depends on the mattress, double or single-sided?

If you have a split bed, such as a split King sleep system with an adjustable bed frame, you'll want to determine if your split mattresses are single or double-sided. As mentioned above, if you purchased your mattress in the last 10 years, it's likely a one-sided variety, a more modernized version that does not require flipping.

Still, for single-sided split mattresses, you should rotate them once every 2 weeks for the first 90 days of use, and once a month thereafter. For double-sided split mattresses, you should flip and rotate them simultaneously about once or twice per year.

SmartBed Mattress Maintenance

Recommendation: Depends on the mattress, flex head, or regular size?

• If you have an adjustable firmness mattress, such as an Instant Comfort SmartBed Luxe, it is generally recommended to keep it in its original position. Moving it less will help to avoid damage to the system's tubes, cords, or other advanced technology that works harmoniously to allow you to adjust the ideal firmness. Smartbeds often feature a design that lets you unzip the top cover to access the mattress interior. That said, some smart bed brands advise rotating the foam comfort pad from head to foot every 6 months to help reduce compression or excessive wear. You should not rotate the entire mattress, just the padding layer inside. Though not required, this approach can help prolong the comfort layers in the mattress.

Keep in mind: If your Smartbed mattress has a flex head design with a split in the top third, you do not need to rotate the inside padding layer, as it is not possible to do so. Attempting to rotate the layers will prevent the mattress from zipping back up with the padding inside. For flex-head SmartBed mattresses, sleep experts recommend keeping the mattress in its original setup position for as long as possible.

Discover Ideal Sleep Solutions at Mattress Express

Now that you understand the essential care and maintenance strategies for various mattress types, you are well-equipped to care for yours! You have all the guidance you need to properly maintain your sleeping surface for years to come. 

Next, consider exploring mattress protectors at local mattress companies, such as Mattress Express in upstate New York. Sleep products like waterproof, breathable mattress protectors can help extend the life of your beloved mattress while enhancing hygiene and promoting optimal sleep quality! So, the sooner, the better: visit the online shop or a Mattress Express showroom, furnished with relaxation-inducing massage chairs and other sleep solutions, helping you fulfill your destiny of a good night's sleep!