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Can You Flip a Pillow Top Mattress [ANSWERED]

Can You Flip a Pillow Top Mattress [ANSWERED]

Pillow top mattresses are renowned for offering 'cloud-like' comfort sleeping experiences. The soft, plush mattress is designed to suit every type of sleeper. But are pillow top mattresses durable? Can you rotate or flip a pillow top mattress? If your mattress is flippable, then how often can pillow-top mattresses be flipped?

Since Pillow Top Mattresses have a denser bottom layer that advances into softer and softer foaming at the top, they are generally not designed to be flipped or reversed. However, they can be easily rotated to lengthen the lifespan of the mattress. Choosing modern hybrid pillow-top mattresses improves the lifespan while still providing that plush feel. 

With the right mattress choice, diligent care, and basic maintenance, you can help extend the lifespan of your new mattress. Keep on reading to find out more about the correct way of flipping and rotating pillow-top mattresses.

comfortable pillow woman sleep

What Is A Pillow Top Mattress?

Pillow top mattresses are distinguished for their soft layer of luxurious plush padding on the top and a strong support layer at the bottom. A standard pillow top mattress has a bottom part with a thick and firm support layer of dense foam or metal springs, the middle part with more layers of foam or other cushioning materials, and the top part with sew-in foams, cover, and other materials. The design does not compromise on providing good back support, especially if it is made from memory foam.

Here are some of the benefits of using pillow-top mattresses:

  • There is extra padding in the quilt layer.
  • They are known to evenly distribute weight and hence reduce potential discomfort.
  • Pillow-top mattresses do not retain heat depending on the type of material used (like cotton, memory foam, fiberfill, or latex foam).
  • They are relatively inexpensive, even though they provide good comfort and support.
  • Suitable for side sleepers.

A pillow top mattress is different from a euro-top, which is sewn in the mattresses for a more uniform appearance.

Can You Reverse Pillow Top Mattresses?

Flipping a mattress means turning it over so that the side where you slept now faces the bed frame. Unless the manufacturer specifically recommends, most modern-day mattresses need not be flipped. In fact, they are designed to be one-sided. As such, pillow-top designs are not conducive to flipping.

When you flip a pillow-top mattress, your back will rest on the less comfortable solid support layer. Thus, you will seemingly lose the plush feel of the mattress. Moreover, since the padded side will try to support everything, it will soon flatten and lose its softness, making it almost unusable after one flip.

Because pillow-top mattresses cannot be flipped, they have a shorter shelf-life than double-sided mattresses. Once the padding is lost, pillow-top mattresses lose their credibility of providing comfort and back support. Depending upon the quality, such one-sided mattresses should be replaced once in 6-7 years.

However, there are a few types of pillow-top mattresses that can be flipped. These have pillow tops on both sides. The hybrid versions enhance the life span of the mattresses and may come up with a lifetime replacement warranty.

Why Should You Flip Your Mattress?

Mattresses should be flipped at regular intervals to prevent indentations and sagging. When you continue sleeping for months at the same spot, the mattress wears and loses its evenness. Over time, this could lead to sleep discomfort and back pain. Every time you flip the mattress, you also get the chance to vacuum and clean it and get rid of dirt and germs.

As mentioned above, not all mattresses are meant to be rotated or flipped. Some brands can even void the warranty if there are signs of flipping.

two pillows bed mess

How Often Should You Rotate Your Mattress?

Rotating a mattress simply means turning it by 180 degrees. Unlike flipping, a pillow-top mattress can be rotated every 3 to 6 months. Though it may not be as good as flipping, regular rotation makes it last longer and keeps the mattress in a better shape.

Rotating mattresses spread out the wear and tear or the pressure points and potentially increase the lifespan by a year or two. While newer innerspring mattresses, memory foam mattresses, and latex mattresses can be rotated 1-2 times a year, older spring mattresses need to be rotated 2-5 times a year.

The Best Pillow Top Mattresses

Since most pillow-top mattresses cannot be flipped and have a shorter lifespan, many companies have come up with the idea of providing a lifetime replacement warranty. If you love pillow-top mattresses and want them as a long-term investment, it is best to buy the modern hybrid versions or those that come with such replacement options. The hybrid versions have the feel of an innerspring and the plush feel of a pillow top. Here are some of the good options to consider:

  1. The Winkbed Mattress

The mattress is engineered with a Euro-pillow top gel-induced foam and a breathable Tencel cover. It is suitable for sleepers with lower back pain and shoulder pain. The Winkbed Mattress comes with a full replacement lifetime warranty.

  1. Saatva Classic Mattress

The mattress is specifically designed for those who want maximum lower back support in any sleep position. It comes with a breathable cotton fabric and a 15 years warranty. There is also the option of free foundation and mattress removal, so you don't have to worry about disposing of your old mattress.

  1. Dreamcloud Premier Rest Mattress

The mattress comes with seven layers of memory foam support, soft foams, and responsive wrapped coils for optimal spinal alignment. The hybrid mattress comes with a lifetime warranty.

  1. Birch Luxe Natural Mattress

It is the new generation organic mattress made with cashmere and high-quality comfort and design with natural breathable layers. The company gives 25 years of warranty on this mattress.

  1. Nutan Double Sided Pillow Top Mattress

With a plush pillow top on both sides and an innerspring foundation, this double-sided pillow top mattress guarantees to give comfort and support without worrying about the durability. It works well with all types of bed sets, including traditional bed frames, box springs, platform beds, or divan bases. The 13-inch high mattress is made with premium quality materials and can be flipped and rotated.

Also read: Do Platform Beds Need Box Springs? [ANSWERED]

Can You Fix An Old Pillow Top Mattress?

It is not advisable to try fixing a failed or sagged pillow-top mattress. This is because the cost of removal, re-gluing, and sewing-in can be quite high. The integrity of the mattress is also lost, making it unusable.

What Is An Alternative To Pillow Top Mattresses?

Since double-sided pillow-top mattresses are not easy to find, we recommend buying a two-sided mattress and a separate 2-3 inch plush topper. These mattresses can be flipped and rotated like any other mattress. Once the topper loses its shape, you can easily replace it without having to spend it on the main mattress. Therefore, you not only reduce the replacement cost, but the mattresses last considerably longer.

It is quite disheartening when the plush feeling of your new pillow top mattress withers away in a few years. After a long tiring day, all you need is a good night's sleep. But your old and malformed mattress not only contributes significantly to poor quality of sleep but also affects your posture alignment. Flipping and rotating mattresses are a few of the options that can nominally increase the lifespan of a mattress. For a mattress to last for a lifetime, you should not only look for comfort, but it is also crucial to check the quality, guarantee, and durability of the product.

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