Articles
Can You Flip A Tempurpedic Mattress?
Sep
Tempurpedic mattresses have soared in popularity thanks to their ability to conform specifically to people’s bodies. Although they are lauded for their durability, people still often wonder if they can be, or need to be flipped?
Tempurpedic mattresses should not be flipped as only one side has been designed to sleep on. The top side of your Temperpedia mattress has layers of memory foam which gives the mattress it’s benefits, while the bottom is poly foam like a regular mattress.
You could sleep on the bottom side of a tempurpedic mattress if the top side was completely worn out and you had no other options, but you should not flip it for longevity reasons like a regular mattress because there is no memory foam on the bottom side.
Tempurpedic mattresses feature certain qualities that make caring for them different than regular mattresses, keep reading to find out more about these differences and care instructions.
Table of Contents
Why Don’t Tempurpedic Mattresses Need Flipping?
The reason why you don’t have to flip or rotate a Tempurpedic mattress is because of its one-sided design and material composition. The manufacturers have designed the mattress with the idea that owners will only be sleeping on one side of it. Adding to that is a viscoelastic polyurethane foam material composition.
Viscoelastic polyurethane foam (also known as memory foam) is known for its ability to slowly conform to objects placed on top of it. Once your body is on top of the mattress, you may feel it sink at first, but then the foam will gradually adjust to it and offer a comfortable fit.
Flipping or rotating may not be much of a concern with Tempurpedic mattresses, but there are still important things to know about its maintenance requirements. I’ll tell you more about those important maintenance tips while also clueing you in to the other need-to-know facts about these particular mattresses.
What Makes Tempurpedic Different than Regular Mattresses?
There are qualities that distinguish Tempurpedic mattresses from other mattress options. Those distinguishing qualities can be both good and bad.
On the plus side, Tempurpedic mattresses pair well with different body types. The material used distributes the weight evenly across the surface to ensure that adequate support is provided at all times. Your full body is cradled carefully by the mattress.
Where the Tempurpedic mattresses struggle more is heat retention. They tend to hold on to more of your body heat and that can result in less comfortable nights of sleep during the summer.
Tempurpedic mattresses are also picky when it comes to accessories. They do not pair well with many comforting accessories people like to use in bed, especially the ones that generate heat like an electric blanket.
You may also be limited in terms of the types of covers you can use for Tempurpedic mattresses. The manufacturers indicate that other covers will affect the level of comfort that the mattress provides.
How Long Does a Tempurpedic Mattress Last?
The longevity of your Tempurpedic mattress will have a lot to do with how you maintain and use it. Assuming that you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, you can expect it to remain in good condition for about 10 to 15 years. That puts it right in line with the expected lifespan of other memory foam mattresses.
An older Tempurpedic mattress may not offer that same level of comfort as when it was new. Most people will start to think about upgrading to a new mattress when their Tempurpedic is 10 years old.
How Should You Maintain a Tempurpedic Mattress?
An important thing to know if you’re contemplating a Tempurpedic mattress purchase is that you’ll probably need to buy more than just the mattress itself. In order to keep it protected, it’s a good idea to also get a cover.
Tempurpedic mattresses do not mesh well with liquids of any kind. Once the liquid seeps into the mattress, it could compromise the quality of the viscoelastic polyurethane foam and ultimately prevent it from acting as intended. It won’t be able to offer the same kind of support it used to.
The manufacturers clearly state that you should never wash your Tempurpedic mattress.
A cover is strongly recommended because it will absorb any spills that may otherwise necessitate washing. Instead of washing the mattress, you can just focus on cleaning the cover. Unfortunately, relying only on the cover likely won’t be enough in some scenarios.
In the case of a bad spill, your best bet is to soak up any liquid in the mattress using a towel and then pointing a fan at the mattress to let it dry. The mark and smell of the spill may still be on the mattress after that, but it may be a better option than taking the risk of washing.
Prevention is better than cure here so avoid taking any drinks to bed if you can.
What Are the Other Precautionary Measures for Using a Tempurpedic Mattress?
Apart from keeping drinks in the kitchen, there are some other things you should remember for the purposes of preserving your Tempurpedic mattress.
The manufacturers want consumers to know that electric blankets and heating pads are not recommended for their mattresses. Since the mattress makes use of temperature-sensitive material, the heat radiating from the blanket or pad can have an adverse effect on it. You could potentially end up with a mattress that no longer conforms to your body if you use an electric blanket or heating pad.
You should also avoid folding the mattress as much as possible. The concern again here is with the material composition.
If folding cannot be avoided, make sure that the top side is the one going in. Make a mental note of when you folded the mattress and get it out of that position whenever the first opportunity arises.
After folding, you should also give the mattress time to return to its original form. Just leave it on top of the bed frame and let it unfold on its own. The unfolding process may take longer if the mattress was kept in a cool location.
One more thing to remember is to use the handles carefully. Instinctively, you may want to use the handles to move the mattress around, but that’s not a good idea. You should only use the handles to position the mattress correctly over the bed frame.
If you do need to move the mattress for whatever reason, lift it carefully without pulling on any of its sides too much.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Should You Store a Tempurpedic Mattress?
Tempurpedic mattresses should remain flat if they will be stored for a long time. That’s the best way to ensure that the mattress remains intact. Because of that though, you’ll probably need to rent a moving van with a space big enough to accommodate the mattress.
Why Does the Tempurpedic Mattress Have a Strong Odor?
Similar to many other memory foam mattresses, the ones made by Tempurpedic usually feature a very strong odor when new. The strong smell is a byproduct of the manufacturing process and the materials used in the mattress itself. It comes part and parcel with the whole package of a new memory foam mattress, but it will fade over time.
Some people may be put off by the odor, but should not experience any ill effects from it. Try to let the mattress air out when you first get it. You should also consider placing a cover on top of it to help weaken the odor. The good news is that the smell will fade over time.
What Are the Warranties on Tempurpedic Mattresses?
For the first 10 years of owning the mattress, the manufacturers give their customers full coverage. Thanks to that, expect to get your mattress repaired or replaced at no additional cost if it’s found to be defective. You will only have to answer for transportation costs.
You still have prorated coverage from years 11 to 25. During that time, the manufacturer will repair the mattress, but they will charge you handling and transportation fees. Replacing the mattress is also an option, but you’ll have to pay a prorated charge.
