When we replaced our old mattress a couple of years ago, we purchased a pillow top mattress but kept our box spring. We instantly fell in love with the additional layer of comfort.
Within the last 20 years or so pillow tops have become the new mattresses that are widely available.
However, we were surprised to find out that we couldn’t flip our new mattress. Flipping a mattress helps extend the life of your mattress and keeps the mattress from premature sagging.
I have always flipped our traditional mattresses at the beginning of each season to keep them in good shape.
However, having a top layer of extra padding means that it can’t be flipped. Instead we can only rotate this type of mattress.
So let’s get into all the details to find out if you have a flippable mattress or not.
What is a pillow top mattress?
Pillow top mattress (affiliate link) have an extra layer of cushion on the top of the mattress that provides extra comfort. However the bottom of the mattress does not have any extra comfort layers.
There are some double sided pillow top mattresses on the market today. That means both the top and bottom of the mattress have a pillow layer and the support is located in between.
If the opposite side of the mattress has a pillow layer as well, you can turn the mattress over since there is an extra layer of padding on both sides. However, that is not the kind of mattress I’m referring to in this post.
Can you flip a pillow top mattress?
No you can’t flip a traditional pillow top mattress. The pillow is on one side and is the sleep surface. But you do want to avoid having a sagging mattress.
So instead of flipping the mattress over like you would with a two-sided mattress, you should rotate your pillow top mattress from the head of the bed to the foot of the bed.
Doing this is an easy way to avoid uneven wear on your mattress. I like to do this at the beginning of every season. It’s an easy way for me to remember to rotate my mattress.
Care Instructions for a Pillow Top Mattress
1. Rotate your mattress.
You should rotate your mattress every 3-6 months or at the least once a year. To rotate a one-sided pillow top mattress, move the mattress from the top of your bed to the foot of your bed.
You are basically turning your mattress 180 degrees, keeping the cushioned side of the mattress on top.
I can usually do this on my own, but if you have a second person to help, that would be best.
2. Vacuum your mattress.
Besides rotating your mattress, you should also vacuum it to remove dust and dead skin cells about once a year.
First, take off all blankets and sheets. Then sprinkle the mattress with baking soda. Allow the baking soda to sit on the top of the mattress for about 20 minutes. This will help with orders.
Finally using the hose attachment to your vacuum, suck up the baking soda and make sure your mattress has been throughly vacuumed.
If you have any stains on your mattress, use a damp rag to wipe clean.
3. Protect your mattress.
Finally, the best way to protect the top of your mattress is to add a mattress protector. (affiliate link) These can be purchased from a mattress company or ordered online.
A mattress protector will help extend your mattress’s life.