Quick Answer: How Do You Flip a Mattress?
Strip the bed, clear the area, and grab a helper. Rotate the mattress 90 degrees so it hangs over the foot of the bed. Lift the overhanging edge up onto its side, then lower it down with the other side now facing up. Rotate another 90 degrees to align with your frame. The whole process takes about two minutes. But first, check if your mattress is actually flippable. Most modern mattresses are one-sided and should never be flipped.
Before You Flip: Is Your Mattress Actually Flippable?
Here is the thing most articles skip over: about 80% of mattresses sold today should never be flipped. They are designed with the comfort layers on one side only.
If you flip a one-sided mattress, you end up sleeping on the support core. It will feel like sleeping on plywood. Worse, you can damage the comfort layers that are now on the bottom, compressed under your weight and the foundation.
How to Tell If Your Mattress Is Flippable
Look at the sides of your mattress. A flippable (two-sided) mattress looks the same on top and bottom. The quilting pattern matches. Both sides feel similar when you press on them.
A one-sided mattress has a plush, quilted top and a plain, firmer bottom. The bottom often has a different fabric or a non-slip surface. If you see this, do not flip it.
Still not sure? Check the tag or look up your model online. Or just ask us. We have been helping people figure this out since 1987.
Mattress Types and Flipping
- Memory foam: Almost never flippable. The foam layers are in a specific order.
- Latex: Some are flippable, most are not. Check the manufacturer.
- Hybrid: Rarely flippable. The coil system sits under foam layers.
- Pillow top: Never flip. The pillow top goes on one side only.
- Traditional innerspring: Often flippable, especially older models.
- Two-sided mattresses: Specifically designed to be flipped. We sell these.
How to Flip a Mattress: Step by Step
If you have confirmed your mattress is flippable, here is how to do it properly.
Step 1: Clear the Area
Strip off all bedding, sheets, pillows, mattress protector. Move your nightstands back. Take down anything on the wall that could get knocked. Ceiling fans are not your friend during this process.
Step 2: Get a Helper
Queen and king mattresses are heavy and awkward. A queen mattress weighs 60-100 pounds. A king can hit 150 pounds. You can hurt your back trying to wrestle one alone. Get someone to help.
Step 3: Rotate 90 Degrees
Turn the mattress so it sits sideways on your bed frame, with one end hanging over the foot of the bed. This gives you room to work.
Step 4: Lift to Standing
You and your helper grab the overhanging edge. Lift it up so the mattress stands on its side. Keep it balanced.
Step 5: Lower the Other Side Down
Gently lower the mattress so the side that was on the bottom is now facing up. Take your time. Dropping it can damage the mattress or your bed frame.
Step 6: Rotate Back into Position
Turn the mattress another 90 degrees so it lines up with your bed frame properly. Head end at the headboard, foot end at the foot.
Step 7: Check the Fit
Make sure the mattress sits evenly on the foundation. All corners should be supported. No overhang on any side.
The 90-Degree Trick
When you flip, also rotate. This means the area where your shoulders were is now where your hips go, and vice versa. You are spreading the wear across the entire mattress surface, not just flipping it. This extends the life significantly.
How Often Should You Flip Your Mattress?
For flippable mattresses, every 3-6 months works well. Some people flip with the seasons: once in spring, once in fall. Easy to remember.
New mattresses benefit from more frequent flipping in the first year. Every 2-3 months helps the materials break in evenly.
What If Your Mattress Is Not Flippable?
Rotate it instead. Same concept, but you turn it 180 degrees without flipping it over. The head becomes the foot, the foot becomes the head.
This still helps distribute wear. Your hips and shoulders are the heaviest parts. Rotating moves those pressure points to different areas of the mattress.
For one-sided mattresses, rotate every 3-6 months. Same schedule as flipping.
Why Flippable Mattresses Last Longer
A two-sided mattress gives you four sleep surfaces when you combine flipping and rotating. A one-sided mattress gives you two. More surfaces means the wear spreads out over a larger area. This is why two-sided mattresses often last 12-15 years while one-sided mattresses wear out in 7-10. We carry two-sided options specifically because customers who buy them come back less often with complaints.
Signs Your Mattress Needs Flipping Now
Do not wait for the calendar if you notice:
- A visible dip where you usually sleep
- Waking up with back or hip pain that goes away during the day
- Rolling toward the center of the bed
- The mattress feels softer on one side than the other
- You can feel springs or firmness you did not feel before
These are signs that one area is getting more wear than others. Flip or rotate immediately.
Not Sure About Your Mattress?
Bring in your mattress tag or a photo of your mattress. We can tell you if it is flippable, how to maintain it, and whether it has any life left. Sometimes a proper flip and rotate is all you need. Sometimes the mattress has run its course. We will give you an honest answer either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you flip a memory foam mattress?
No. Memory foam mattresses have layers in a specific order, with denser support foam on the bottom and softer comfort foam on top. Flipping puts you on the wrong surface. You should rotate a memory foam mattress 180 degrees every 3-6 months instead, but never flip it over.
How do I flip a mattress by myself?
For a twin or double mattress, you can manage alone with care. Stand the mattress on its side, support it with your body, then lower the opposite side down. For queen or king sizes, get help. The weight and awkward shape make solo flipping risky for both you and the mattress. A dropped king mattress can damage corners or your bed frame.
What happens if you flip a pillow top mattress?
You sleep on the bottom support layer, which is uncomfortable and not designed for direct body contact. The pillow top on the underside gets compressed against the foundation, damaging the cushioning. Pillow top mattresses should only be rotated, never flipped. If your pillow top is sagging, rotation might help briefly, but the pillow top itself cannot be repaired.
Do hotels flip their mattresses?
Hotels that use flippable mattresses typically flip and rotate on a regular schedule, often quarterly. This is why hotel mattresses can last longer despite heavy use. However, many hotels now use one-sided mattresses and rotate them instead. The hospitality industry knows that regular maintenance extends mattress life, which is why they do it consistently.
Will flipping my mattress fix the sagging?
If you have a flippable mattress, flipping gives you a fresh surface while the worn side recovers underneath. This can help with minor body impressions. However, if the sagging is deep (more than 1.5 inches) or the mattress is old, the internal structure has likely failed on both sides. Flipping will not fix structural damage, just delay the inevitable replacement.
Looking for a Flippable Mattress?
We stock two-sided mattresses because they last longer and give you more value. Come try one and see how it feels. We will show you how to flip and rotate it properly so you get the full lifespan out of your investment.
Mattress Miracle
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
519-770-0001
Family owned since 1987