With proper care, your natural fiber futon can be clean and comfortable for many years.
Here are a few tips to help you:
— As the futon itself cannot be washed some protection is advisable. When used as a bed, standard contour sheets will fit most futons and work well for absorbing body oils and perspiration. Wash or dry clean slipcovers are available from SIScovers.com in a variety of colors and styles to protect your futon when used as a couch, and to increase its overall durability. We also carry a breathable cotton/poly protective cover for children’s beds or for use in any situation where there may be possible spills.
— If your futon gets wet, remove the slipcover, and blot; do not remove the tufted case. Then use a hairdryer or heater to dry quickly. If your futon is to remain in the same position for an extended period of time, care should be taken to allow the underside to “breathe”. Most futon frames are constructed with slats for the futon to rest on; this is ideal.
— If you are using the futon directly on the floor or on a solid wood platform (rather than slats) check the bottom side each morning. When the warm moist air in the futon comes in contact with the colder floor, the moisture will condense and lead to mildew.
— Reach under the futon, feeling for dampness. This is especially important if you are using the futon in a cold room. If you feel any dampness on the underside, flip the futon over ASAP!
— The cotton in your futon will compress with use. During the compression period, turn your futon regularly. A level sleeping or sitting surface is the goal. Your futon should be flipped about every seven to ten days for the first 6- 8 months, then once a month. You should flip the futon alternately between end to end and side to side. Some other suggestions to help achieve a level surface are:
- Sleep or sit all over the futon, not just the sides or middle. This is most important when the futon is new.
- For single sleepers, having a tendency to sleep in the middle, place a “body pillow” in the middle for a reminder to sleep on the sides. Then alternate.
- Leave the covers off for an hour or two in the morning so that any moisture can evaporate. Moisture contributes to compression.
We hope you will enjoy your new futon!
Teala and Gerry
