Maybe you just bought a new mattress and you’re wondering how to maintain it. Did you know that sleeping on a mattress every day can leave your body impression on it?
If your mattress is not offering the comfort you need or you can see a slight sag, then you should rotate it. Rotating means what used to be the head is now the foot area and vice versa. This will make the mattress feel like new again.
Rotation keeps the spine aligned and extends the life of a mattress. Also, it allows the mattress to take a new spot on the weight and gives the previous one a break.
How often to rotate mattress
In general, you should rotate the mattress once every three months. Older mattresses need to be rotated frequently for optimal care. With occasional rotation, a good mattress can last up to 10 years.
The best indicator to tell whether the mattress needs rotation is looking at the care instructions. For the vast majority of mattresses, you should rotate them regularly. This applies to latex, foam, hybrid, and innerspring mattresses. However, the frequency depends on several factors.
01.Is the mattress double-sided?
To start with, you should understand the different materials used in construction. A double-sided mattress should be rotated every quarter of a year. For other types, you may need to do this more regularly.
02.Who is sleeping on the mattress?
If you’re the only person who sleeps on the mattress, you may be using the same position to sleep at night. It’s no surprise the mattress is sagging on one side of the bed if you don’t make any changes to the position. Rotation ensures balanced wear and tear.
03.How often do you use the mattress?
Your mattress will lose support if you use it every night. This is not the case for those who use it occasionally. If you only use the mattress when guests come to your home, then you don’t have to rotate it once every three months. Perhaps, you can rotate the mattress twice a year.
You must follow the manufacturer’s manual before you make this crucial change. To rotate the mattress, you should complete a 180-degree rotation.
04.What mattresses need to be rotated and how often
Pillow-Top Innerspring Mattress
This mattress has a pillow-like pad on the top. To keep the mattress in tip-top shape, you should rotate it season-to-season. One way of telling it’s time to rotate is the wear and tear on the pillow. A general rule of thumb is to rotate a pillow-top innerspring mattress once a month or so.
Innerspring Mattress
A typical innerspring mattress is made up of identical materials at the top and bottom. While these mattresses are hard to find, you should rotate them every season to increase the lifespan.
Innerspring and Memory Foam Mattress
This hybrid mattress is newer in the market. It consists of a latex topper and an innerspring coil system. Because this mattress combines two into one, you should rotate it quarterly. It’s worth mentioning that a hybrid mattress is heavier than the traditional counterparts, so you may need assistance when rotating.
Memory Foam Mattress
While some companies suggest that you don’t have to rotate a foam mattress, this is not always the case. Some will have labels like `no rotation required’ or `no need to rotate’.
But just like the traditional mattress, memory foam requires rotation once or twice a year. You’ll surely benefit from this little task. Sometimes, the fact that a mattress can be rotated is a sign of quality.
Tips on how to rotate a mattress
Some mattresses don’t require rotation because they are constructed to face one position. So as you make the rotation, you should not interfere with the lumbar position. Here are some tips to ensure the process is pain-free as possible.
01. Prepare the space
There’s nothing more frustrating than holding a big mattress as the other people watch you. It can even be confusing if you don’t know whether to turn the mattress clockwise or anticlockwise first. Before you make the rotation, you may want to remove the bedding first.
Besides that, you should remove any furniture around the bed. Then, you should rotate the mattress at 90 degrees, raise it on the side, and lower it so that the top is now the bottom. Finally, you should rotate 90 degrees back into the bed. By doing this, you’ll have rotated the mattress at 180 degrees.
02. Plan the rotations
You don’t just make rotations through guesswork. You must have a set schedule that you should follow religiously. Of course, you can set alerts on your phone to ensure you don’t make the changes before the time is due. For those brands that recommend a rotation every 3 months, you may want to set the alerts before the beginning of a quarter.
03. Strategize the rotation
This will depend on the type and position of the bed. If a mattress rests on the foot table, you may need some assistance. If your bed has a headboard, the rotation can be a little easier. Because heavier models are tough to rotate, they could hurt your back if you do this on your own. It gets worse if you’re not in a good physical position.
Invest in a mattress topper
A topper will not only add a layer of bedding but also increases comfort and luxury. Of course, this reduces the pressure on the mattress.
The bed rotation will affect the frequency of rotation
Did you know the base of the bed will affect the lifespan of a mattress? If your bed has strong frame support, the mattress won’t bow or sag. This is because the pressure of the body is distributed frequently.
A sprung slatted base will deliver natural springiness and avoid the sagging of the mattress. Nevertheless, rotation is important if you want to get the most from your bed.
Can you rotate a one-side mattress?
A one-sided mattress is designed to lie in a certain way. It comes with additional support at the top and bottom, so rotation can make it comfortable to sleep on.
Final thoughts
Regardless of the type of mattress you use, you should rotate it accordingly for a good night’s sleep. This also keeps the spine in neutral alignment. Keep in mind that if you don’t rotate your mattress and give it some space to recover, you’ll soon need a new one. If you’re not sure how often you should rotate the mattress, you should check the manufacturer’s label.