Did you wake up feeling as if you were sleeping in a hammock, and your back aches? The question of how often to turn the mattress is important not only for your comfort, but also for the durability of the mattress. Even the highest quality models can lose their shape over time if you do not monitor their condition.
Fact: Turning your mattress over regularly increases its lifespan.
Experts do not advise waiting until the mattress begins to lose elasticity and becomes uncomfortable. In the article, you will find simple and useful tips that will help maintain its shape and increase its service life.
Why Flip The Mattress?
Is it really necessary? This should be done in order for the sleep to be of high quality, and for the mattress to retain its shape and properties for a long time. If the mattress is not turned over, then over time, when using it, there is a feeling of sagging in the places where you most often lie or sit, unevenness and the service life of the mattress decreases.
When Is It Worth Turning A Mattress Over?
We have identified 5 main signs that it’s time to turn the mattress over:
- Sagging – you feel a “dip” when you lie on your side
- Lumps and irregularities – the filler has lost and formed seals
- Discomfort – pain in the neck or lower back in the morning
- Extraneous odor is the accumulation of dust and moisture inside the mattress
- Six months have passed – even if at first glance everything is fine
Let’s analyze below how to care for different types of mattresses.
How Often Should I Turn My Mattress?
If you do not turn the mattress, it will sag faster, and too frequent overturns can spoil the filler. Therefore, it is important to understand how to properly care for different types of mattresses in order for them to retain their properties longer.
For Spring Mattresses: Once Every 3 Months
Springs in such models are compared to shock absorbers in a car: if the load falls on only one place, wear occurs faster.
What Happens If You Do Not Turn Over Such A Mattress?
- The springs in the shoulder and hip area will weaken – “pits” will appear
- The mattress will begin to creak and stop supporting the spine
What To Do:
It is recommended to turn the mattress every 3 months (for example, at the beginning of each season). Also, it is advised to change the sides of the mattress: if you sleep on one side now, turn over to the other after 3 months.
Tip: Write down the date of the flip on a sticker and attach it to the mattress – you will definitely not forget it!
For Springless Models: Once Every 2 Months
Mattresses made of memory foam, latex or foam require more frequent turning. This is due to the fact that soft fillers adapt faster to the shape of the body and can deform over time, dents and bumps may appear on them.
How To Care For Mattresses In This Case:
It is recommended to turn them over every 2-4 months and, if the mattress is heavy or one-sided, we advise you to rotate the model by 180 (swap the headboard and footboard). Otherwise, if you do not turn over the mattress with memory foam filling, the material may deform after a year and the mattress will become uneven.
Seasonal Models (Winter-Summer): A Once-In-Season Flip
Some models have two sides: one is summer, which provides coolness, and winter, which provides warmth.
How To Care:
Such a model should be turned over depending on the season. The summer side provides better air circulation and pleasant coolness, while the winter side retains excellent heat. Turning such a model extends its service life. We advise you to turn the mattress over every 6 months – in spring and autumn.
Advantages Of Such Care:
- In summer – sleep on the cool side, in winter – on the warm side
- The filler wears evenly
How To Turn A Mattress Correctly?
Without proper care, the material inside the mattress can change shape over time, which will reduce its level of support and comfort. We have prepared simple instructions and useful tips so that everyone can cope with it even without help.
Method 1: Turn 180 (Head → Legs)
- Remove bedding from the mattress
- Stand at his head
- Rotate the mattress so that its upper part is at the feet (180 turn)
Method 2: Flipping To The Other Side
Gently lift the mattress and turn it over to the other side. If the model is intended to be used only on one side, skip this step. Do not forget that for convenience, the case has special handles that simplify the process of turning over.
“Schedule” Of Mattress Turning By Month
- March – turn to 180
- June – a coup to the other side
- September – Turn 180 again
- December – Coup
How To Turn A Mattress Alone: Life Hacks
It can be difficult to turn the mattress alone, especially if it is heavy.
- Move the mattress closer to the edge of the bed for easier lifting
- Use the handles on the cover, if they are provided, – this will make it easier to hold the mattress
- Roll it in stages: first put it on its side, then gently lower it to the other side
- If the mattress is too large, you can lean it on the headboard or wall, and then smoothly turn it over, reducing the load on the back
Features Of Caring For Different Types Of Mattresses
Each mattress has its own characteristics, and caring for it requires a careful approach. If used incorrectly, the materials of memory foam mattresses can lose their ability to adapt to the body. Let’s analyze how to properly care for different types of mattresses so that they last a long time and remain comfortable.
Orthopedic Mattress
Models with an orthopedic effect often have zones of different hardness: more rigid under the lower back and softer in the shoulder area.
What Is Important To Consider:
The best option is to periodically change the position, turning the mattress 180 (head → legs). This way there will be no premature wear and comfort will remain for many years.
How Often To Flip:
- Once every 3-4 months for models with independent springs
- Once every 6 months for springless orthopedic mattresses
Mattresses: Tips From The Manufacturer
Recommends:
- If the model is double-sided, it should be turned over every 2-3 months
- Dry cleaning can damage the filler, so it is better to refuse it
- Once every six months, air the mattress, leaving it in the fresh air for 2-3 hours
Memory Foam Mattresses: Can They Be Turned Over?
Memory foam models require careful handling.
How To Take Care Of It:
If the mattress is one-sided, it must not be turned over. Manufacturers advise turning the product over 180 every 2 months to avoid dents.
What Is Important To Consider?
- The memory foam mattress filler regains its shape gradually, so it is not recommended to sit in one place for a long time, especially on the edge
- For quality ventilation, remove the cover and leave the mattress in a well-ventilated area for 1-2 hours
Life hack: If the mattress seems too soft, you can put a solid base under it – this will maintain its shape.
Frequent Mistakes And Non-Standard Situations
If you leave the mattress with the summer side up in winter, it will become significantly colder in your bedroom. Refusal to flip the mattress as a whole will also lead to squeaks and irregularities. Let’s figure out what mistakes are made when caring for a mattress and what nuances need to be taken into account.