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Do you want to clean your futon mattress but you’re not sure how? We’re here to tell you everything you need to know. After hours of research, we’ve come up with a step-by-step guide on how to clean a futon mattress. Read the full article below to get a clean futon that looks as though you just bought it yesterday.
How to clean your futon mattress
Follow these steps to clean your futon mattress:
- Vacuum
- Spot clean dirty spots
- Let it dry
I’ll go into more detail on each of the steps below.
1. Vacuum
First, you should vacuum your futon to get rid of accumulated dust and potential allergens. If your futon is in the couch position, unfold it and remove it from its frame. Run a vacuum cleaner over the mattress to remove dust, hair, crumbs, and other debris.
Use a nozzle to get into the corners, or use an upholstery brush to remove debris from small gaps. After vacuuming the top side, flip the futon and do the same to the other side.
Bonus tip: Make sure to clean the futon frame as well to avoid dust and mold buildup underneath the futon. If you’re looking to replace your bed frame, check out our best Japanese bed frame list.
2. Spot-clean as necessary
Next, spot-clean dirty spots with a damp washcloth and mild laundry detergent. If it’s a spill that just happened, lay paper towels over the spot first to remove as much of the stain as possible. See our guide on how to clean a mattress for more information.
For older stains, use a mixture of warm water and mild detergent and gently scrub the stain with a damp cloth.
3. Let it dry
After vacuuming and spot-cleaning your futon mattress, let it dry to prevent mold growth. You can air it out in a well-ventilated room, or you can take it outside to dry in the sun. We recommend the latter if it’s sunny outside. It’s how Japanese people dry their futon mattresses.
Disinfecting a futon mattress
You’re done cleaning your futon mattress but you want to take it a step further? Go ahead and follow these steps to disinfect your futon. This is especially beneficial if you are prone to allergies and you want to get rid of bacteria and dust mites.
1. Open windows to air out the room
Before anything else, make sure to open your windows for proper ventilation. Disinfecting solutions can can cause irritation and toxic symptoms especially if you have a sensitive nose. Opening the windows provides more airflow through and out of the room.
2. Spray with bleach
First, put rubber gloves on to protect your hands. Then, mix the bleach with water and transfer the liquid into a spray bottle. Wear a mask (if you have one) and spray your futon mattress with the solution.
After spraying, get rid of excess moisture by gently wiping the surface of the mattress with paper towels. If possible, we recommend taking the mattress out in the sun to let it dry completely. If you can’t move it outside for whatever reason, move the mattress near a window for extra air circulation.
3. Optional: Use a steam cleaner
If you have one, you can use it once in a while to disinfect and keep your futon mattress clean.
How to wash a futon in a washing machine
Another way of cleaning your futon mattress is by simply machine-washing it. If your mattress is machine-washable, follow these steps to do it.
1. Inspect the tag
It’s important to read the tag first to determine the recommended temperature, washing cycle, and drying options for your futon mattress.
2. Vacuum the mattress
Vacuum the mattress first before washing it to get rid of any debris.
3. Put the mattress in the machine
Put your futon mattress in the machine to wash. Although, we do recommend washing your futon mattress on a sunny day, or if you have dryer that’s big enough for it.
It’s crucial that you have the means to dry out your mattress completely after washing or else mold buildup can occur.
4. Wash the cover separately
If it’s removable, wash the cover separately from your mattress. Most futon covers usually a require different temperature and washing settings.
How to remove urine stains from a futon
This section is for those who have toddlers or pets that sometimes can’t control their urges. Follow these steps to make your futon clean and fresh again.
1. Blot up the excess urine
If the stain is still fresh, blot it out as much as possible with paper towels before using baking soda to get rid of the smell.
2. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain
Sprinkle the area generously and leave it for a couple of minutes. You can also spray a small amount of vinegar on top of that and let the solution sit for another few minutes.
If the stain is older and tougher to remove, use a mixture of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dishwashing detergent.
3. Blot up the excess moisture
Then, you should get rid of any excess moisture using paper towels and get the mattress dry.
4. Add baking soda again
Sprinkle baking soda over the stain again and all over the mattress. This will eliminate any unpleasant odors and keep your mattress fresh.
5. Let the mattress dry
Leave the mattress to dry for a day. Again, it can be indoors in a well-ventilated room, or outside in the sun. Make sure that your futon mattress is completely dry before removing the baking soda and cleaning it with a vacuum.
How to get rid of mold
If your mattress is a bit old and has already developed mold, you should vacuum the mattress and clean it with soap and water. Follow the step-by-step guide below.
1. Take the futon mattress outside
This is important to prevent mold particles from spreading all over your room.
2. Vacuum the futon
Vacuum the mattress to get rid of any dust or debris.
3. Use soap and water
Mix soap and water and dip a washcloth into the solution. Clean the moldy spot with the washcloth. If the stain is stubborn, add a solution of lemon juice and salt on the affected area and let it dry out in the sun.
FAQs
Yes, you can steam clean a futon mattress. Steam cleaning is a non-toxic way to deep clean and disinfect your futon mattress.
You should wash your futon cover at least once a month to keep it clean.
Conclusion
Futons and mattresses in general should be cleaned regularly. The methods we mentioned above are not only effective, but also very easy to do in the comfort of your home. We hope this article helped you clean your futon mattress and keep it free of mold and dust mites.
Next step: Read our guide to the best Japanese futon mattresses. Japanese futons differ significantly from Western-style futons: they’re placed directly on the ground. If you want to try out a different type of futon, this is the list to read.
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