How to Flip a Bed

Regularly flipping a mattress can increase its lifespan.

Whether your bed just doesn't feel as comfortable as it once did, or you are looking for a better night's sleep, most bed manufacturers recommend that you flip your mattress once every three months. This can help extend the life of the mattress and reduce pressure points that can occur from sleeping in the same spot day after day. In addition to regularly flipping a bed, it should also be rotated end to end to help further extend its usefulness and to increase the overall level of comfort you enjoy from the bed.

Instructions

1. Remove all the bedding from the bed and clear out any obstacles in the room. In order to flip a bed, you'll need plenty of space to move around the room and the mattress. Place the bedding aside and move any large furniture pieces that are in the way out of the room temporarily.

2. Ask a friend for help. Even if you are very strong, it is all too easy to be injured while flipping a mattress unless it is a very small size. Mattresses are heavy and cumbersome and can flop back over on top of you while you are trying to flip them if you don't have help.

3. Stand on one side of the mattress and grip the edge. You should both be standing on the same side for this step. Do not use the cord handles that may be present on the mattress; they will not be strong enough to support its weight. Grip the mattress under the edge and pull it upward to upend it so that the bottom is now facing you.

4. Lean the mattress against the wall. Once the mattress has been upended, lean it against the wall so that you can get a grip on the bottom of the mattress. Have your friend stand at the bottom while you stand at the top once it's leaning against the wall.

5. Pick the mattress up from the bottom and slide it back onto the bed. This will require some upper arm strength and it may take a few tries to get the mattress back up on the bed. Once the edge is back on the bed frame, simply slide it into place.

6. If your mattress needs to be rotated as well as flipped, after you have the new side up, rotate it around so that the head of the mattress is now at the foot of the bed. Your room will need to be large enough to allow for this operation. If it is not, moving the entire mattress out of the room, turning it and bringing it back in may be necessary.

References

• Sleep Country: Questions About Mattresses
• PennLive.com; Flipping a Pillowtop Mattress; Peter Cancelli; June 2009