Can You Flip A Pillow Top Mattress?

Last Updated on July 25, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas

Flipping a pillow-top mattress is not recommended. The pillow-top layer is designed to be on one side only, and flipping it can lead to discomfort and reduced support. However, you can rotate the mattress regularly to promote even wear and extend its lifespan.

Can You Flip A Pillow Top Mattress?

No, you should not flip a pillow-top mattress. Pillow-top mattresses are designed with an extra layer of padding sewn onto one side, providing extra comfort and cushioning. The pillow-top layer is meant to be on the top side of the mattress for proper support and pressure relief.

Flipping a pillow-top mattress would result in sleeping on the less comfortable side, which lacks the additional padding. This could lead to discomfort and disrupt your sleep quality. Moreover, the support system of the mattress is typically designed to work in a specific orientation, and flipping it may cause uneven wear, reducing the overall lifespan of the mattress.

Instead of flipping, it is recommended to rotate your pillow-top mattress regularly, typically every three to six months. Rotating the mattress means turning it 180 degrees so that the head end becomes the foot end. This practice helps distribute the wear more evenly across the mattress, prolonging its longevity and maintaining consistent comfort and support. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines for specific care instructions for your mattress model.

Which Other Mattresses Cannot Be Flipped?

Unless a mattress is marketed as double-sided, it should not be flipped. Most hybrid, latex, pillow-top, and foam mattresses are one-sided, meaning you shouldn’t turn them over to avoid damage. 

Memory Foam

Most memory foam mattresses have copper, graphite, or gel in their comfort layer. These Substances (also known as sleep technologies) make the bed comfortable by providing a cooling effect. If you flip the mattress, the comfort layer will be at the bottom, and you miss the benefits of sleep technologies.

Latex Mattress

While you can flip some latex mattresses, it is usually unnecessary since they last long with no signs of wear. Most beds come with care instructions from the manufacturer, and it is essential to check if you can flip yours. Doing this helps prevent damaging your piece. 

Hybrid

These mattresses combine the features of memory foam or latex and innerspring. They include more materials making them heavy, and flipping can damage the comfort layer due to excess pressure.

What is a Pillow Top Mattress?

 A pillow-top mattress is a type of mattress that features an extra layer of soft padding sewn onto the top surface. This layer is usually made of materials like memory foam, latex, or fiberfill, providing additional cushioning and comfort. The pillow top creates a plush and luxurious feel, offering enhanced support and pressure relief for a more comfortable sleep experience.

It is designed to contour to the body’s shape, making it especially popular among those seeking a cozy and cozy sleep surface. Pillow-top mattresses are available in various firmness levels to suit different sleep preferences.

How Can You Fix A Sagging Pillow Top Mattress?

A pillow-top mattress should not be flipped and needs another form of care when it sags. Rotating the bed until you get the right spot is a great option. Doing this may help the sleeper redistribute their weight and flatten out the bed’s top layer. 

You may also try to use a thin wooden board that is an inch thick and place it under the sagging spots and atop your box spring or foundation. While doing this will make the mattress firmer, it will help align your whole body, including the spine. 

Check also your foundation for any problems such as weakened or broken spots. If you notice any issues, you can consider purchasing a new one that gives your bed the desired support. 

How Can You Fix A Sagging Mattress?

A sagging mattress may cause pain and pressure to your spine, head, hips, and neck due to a lack of necessary support. You may also experience hot sleeping, especially if yours is an innerspring mattress. There may be some restricted airflow due to a damaged coil system. 

When your bed is affected by excess weight in the recessed and weakened areas, it will become squeaky. This problem is common with most hybrid and innerspring mattresses, but not with latex and memory foam. The following steps can help fix sagging mattresses;

Frequent Rotation

Rotating your mattress regularly helps prevent sagging and damage, and you should do it from the time of purchase. Turn the bed 180 degrees so that the spot where you place your feet ends up where you put the head. Doing this after every six months helps maintain your mattress’s original shape for a long period. 

Use Of A Mattress Topper

A mattress topper comes in handy when fixing a sagging bed. You can purchase this bed layer and place it on the sagged area to adjust its firmness. A thicker topper is preferable for a bumpy mattress since it helps create an even sleeping surface and fill the sag gaps. These pieces come in different forms, such as latex, wool, memory foam, feather fillings, or convoluted polyfoam, and they are ideal for your back. 

Adding Support Using Plywood

A piece of plywood under your mattress can help enhance support and minimize sagging. You can easily cut a piece of plywood and ensure it is an inch shorter than a foundation. Place this piece on top of the platted base and position it correctly. However, this method may be temporary since it can prevent airflow and lead to an increase in mattress temperature at night. 

Buying A New Foundation

Sometimes the sagging of your mattress may be due to insufficient support. If you use a large queen or king mattress and the foundation does not have enough legs, it could lead to sagging. An adequate foundation should have at least six legs to prevent huge gaps between them and the base. You can replace the foundation to ensure that it offers enough support to the sleeper. 

Use A Pillow

A pillow is another item that helps to support sagging spots and make your sleep comfortable. You can purchase memory foam or latex pillows since they have excellent shape retention abilities. You can also place the items under your stomach/back or between the knees to align your spine. 

Filing A Warranty Claim

If your mattress had a warranty cover at the time of purchase, you could initiate a claim. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s notes to know what is required of you. You can then contact them and do everything they tell you. While there is no guarantee that your claim will be successful, it is good to try. 

Differences Between Flipping And Rotating.

Flipping	Rotating
Turning over the mattress to use the other side	You sleep on the same side of the mattress but in different spots.
Allows you to sleep on both sides of the mattress	You sleep on the same side of the mattress but on different spots.

Steps To Follow When Flipping A Mattress

Following the proper steps when flipping your mattress prevents it from getting damaged. Proceed as follows;

• Remove any nearby furniture such as floor lamps and nightstands
• Ensure that the bed has no other accessories like mattress toppers, pads, pillows, or protectors
• Turn the mattress clockwise (90 degrees) for the longer side to be parallel to the headboard
• Raise the bed and prop it on its side
• Vacuum the bed base, bed, and other areas below it
• Flip it gently
• Rotate the mattress again (90 degrees clockwise) to align it with the bed base. Ensure the feet are at the head area and vice-versa. 

How To Rotate A Mattress

• Remove any accessories near the bed like lamps, nightstands, or furniture
• Turn the mattress gently clockwise or anticlockwise (180 degrees) for the feet side to be on the head side and vice versa
• Ensure that you vacuum the bed and beneath it to get rid of germs, mites, and any allergen that may have built up. Doing this will prevent sneezing, coughing, itchy throat, runny nose, and skin irritation. 

Importance Of Flipping Or Rotating A Mattress

Both flipping and rotating a mattress is an essential care routine. They help the bed to wear evenly and prolong its life as well as comfort. The practices also help to prevent body impressions caused by pressure on the same spots. When you flip or rotate the mattress, you redistribute the body pressure to different points and thus maintain a consistent feel. They help use more space on both sides of the bed. 

How Often Should You Rotate And Flip Your Mattress?

You should rotate and flip your mattress at least four times a year (after every three months). You can start by flipping the mattress and wait for three months before rotating it. Repeat this process every three months. If your mattress is one-sided, you can turn it with the same cadence. But, flipping and rotating should not be done as often for a bed that is not frequently used. 

Conclusion

Before you can decide on flipping a mattress, check the manufacturer’s instructions to know if it is okay. For one-sided mattresses, it is better to rotate them to avoid damaging them. It will also help to retain its comfortable feel as one sleeps.

References:

https://becausemomsays.com/can-you-flip-pillow-top-mattresses/
https://theroundup.org/can-you-flip-a-pillowtop-mattress/