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Should You Flip or Rotate Your Mattress?
Quick Overview
As your mattress becomes well-worn and less comfortable over time, you might decide that it’s time to flip it. This is especially true if you haven’t had the opportunity to start shopping for a new one. But is it a good idea? Well, it depends on the mattress.
In general, mattresses shouldn’t be flipped unless they have a flippable design. In the past, most mattresses could be flipped just fine with little to no loss of comfort. However around the early 2000s, this changed. It became more common to create a one-sided mattress, designed to offer specific benefits to sleeper. Flipping these type of mattresses could result in discomfort and lost sleep.
While flipping your mattress is no longer a universal solution, rotating your mattress every now and then is a good idea. This practice will help you maintain a sleep surface that’s comfortable and supportive.
How Often to Rotate Your Mattress
It’s generally a good idea to rotate your mattress from time to time. Sleeping on your bed night after night in the same position could cause sections of the mattress to wear down more quickly without routine rotation. Of course, how often you rotate a mattress depends on the material.
For instance, memory foam or latex mattresses benefit from rotation one to two times per year. Although a newer innerspring mattress should be rotated one to two times per year, if you’ve had it for awhile, consider rotating it every few months instead.
When rotating, it’s also important to consider the weight of the material. A polyfoam mattress tends to be light enough that you shouldn’t have trouble rotating it on your own. Some mattresses, such as innerspring, latex, or memory foam mattresses are often much too heavy to turn on your own. It’s highly recommended that for these heavier mattresses, you get the help of at least one other person to rotate them safely and avoid bodily strain or injury.
Taking the time to rotate your mattress as recommended can not only extend the life of your mattress, but it can save you money by holding off the need to buy a new bed. You also get to make sure you get as much quality sleep out of your mattress as possible.
Flippable Mattresses
Flippable mattresses are two-sided mattresses designed so that you can sleep on either side. Some such mattresses are dual-sided, providing an equal level of comfort and firmness no matter which side you choose to sleep on. Others are designed to provide different qualities depending on your preferences.
For example, one side might offer a greater level of firmness while the other is more plush and soft. These type of mattresses are appealing because in a way, they represent a two-in-one purchase. By testing both sides, you get to better understand what level of mattress firmness works for you.
What is Mattress Firmness?
Mattress firmness is a phrase used to describe the level of support your sleep surface provides. A softer mattress will cause you to sink while a firmer sleep surface lacks conformability and resists sinking.
To rate mattress firmness, use the following number guide:
- 1 (Extra Soft): These are the softest mattresses you can buy. The material offers very little resistance and will cause most people to sink deep into the mattress.
- 2-3 (Soft): Material contours easily around the body and sinks a reasonable amount. Offers a little support.
- 4 (Medium Soft): Conforms closely while providing stable support. A good option for average-weight side and back sleepers.
- 5 (Medium): Offers a good amount of support while still gently conforming to the body. A nice balance of firmness and softness.
- 6 (Medium Firm): Minimal but noticeable conforming, as well as resilient support. A great option for sleepers who weigh 130 pounds or more.
- 7-8 (Firm): Outstanding support with a reasonable amount of conformability to let you rest comfortably.
- 9-10 (Extra Firm): Very firm sleep surface with almost no cushioning or padding. The material isn’t particularly soft and conforms to a minimal extent.
Flippable Mattresses Sold Today
Below are some of the top flippable mattresses available to buy.
- Layla Mattress: The Layla is a copper-infused memory foam mattress that offers two firmness options. The medium-soft side provides pressure relief and the firm side offers maximum support.
- Latex for Less Mattress: A flippable latex mattress with a medium-firm (5) side and a firm (7.5) side. The medium-firm side conforms to the body to relieve pressure and the firm side offers optimal support for heavy bodied or stomach sleepers.
- Nolah Signature 12: The Noah Signature 12 is a flippable HR polyfoam mattress offering a medium-firm (4) and firm (7) sleep experience. Both sides conform to the body while sleeping cool.
- Plank by Brooklyn Bedding: A mixed foam mattress with one side made up of gel-infused TitanFlex polyfoam and the other, high-density polyfoam. The sides are firm and extra-firm, offering a level of support greater than most mattresses on the market.
- Sleep EZ Roma Latex Mattress: A mattress ideal for sleepers who find that their firmness preferences fluctuate nightly. They tend to sleep cool and comfortable, while also offering great movement isolation.
- Zenhaven: A dual-comfort mattress made from Talalay latex. One side has a medium-soft (4) level of firmness and the other provides a greater level of firm (7) support.
For more information about these and other mattress models, please visit our Best Flippable Mattresses guide. Additional Tuck.com resources are listed below.
Additional Resources
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