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Sofa Bed for Narrowboats
We all need an invigorating night's sleep. For most of us, a full-size bed is often the answer. But have you ever considered a futon?
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Futon maintenance: Tips for keeping your sofa bed in top shape
5 min read |
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Futons are a versatile and space-saving furniture option, ideal for small living spaces, guest rooms, or multifunctional areas. Originally from Japan, they have become popular worldwide due to their practicality, easily converting from a sofa to a bed. Regular maintenance is essential to ensure their longevity and comfort.
Tips for futon maintenance
Without proper care, futon mattresses can lose their shape, become lumpy, or accumulate dust and allergens. Routine cleaning, flipping, and airing out the mattress help maintain its structure and freshness, ensuring a comfortable seating and sleeping experience for years to come. So, without further ado, here are some handy tips to follow to get the best out of your futon sofa bed…
Regular cleaning routine
Regular vacuuming and dusting are essential for keeping a futon clean and free from dirt, crumbs, and pet hair. This helps maintain hygiene and prevents allergens from accumulating in the fabric. For stains, spot-cleaning with a mild detergent or a fabric-safe cleaner can effectively remove spills without damaging the material. Always test any fabric cleaner in a non-conspicuous area to check compatibility with the fabric before applying the cleaner to the main upholstery.
Contemporary sofa beds, which often feature fixed upholstery, also benefit from routine vacuuming to keep them fresh. Additionally, plumping backrest cushions helps maintain their shape and comfort, ensuring the sofa bed remains both stylish and supportive over time.
The fabric on our futon and contemporary sofa beds can be treated with a stain repellant prior to delivery to you. This treatment helps prevent the ingress of dirt and gives some protection against staining from spills.
When you sleep on a futon mattress, the fillings naturally compress over time. To maintain comfort and prolong its lifespan, you may need to periodically fluff the mattress, roll it up, and flip it over. This helps restore its shape and ensures better support.
Rotating and flipping the mattress
Even weight distribution is key to preventing sagging and ensuring a futon mattress retains its shape over time. Regular flipping and rotating help to maintain even wear and prolong comfort. Since futon mattresses are made from layers of fillings, frequent use can lead to compression.
Turning and plumping the mattress helps to restore its loft and support. However, mattresses with foam cores, such as FoamLux mattresses, require less maintenance, as the foam retains its thickness and structure, keeping the mattress comfortable with minimal effort.
Futons made with materials such as polyester (Polylux), foam (Foamlux), or spring coils (Innovation One Room Living futons), are designed to be more resilient to compression. These materials tend to retain their loft and shape better over time, offering consistent comfort with less frequent maintenance.
Protecting the fabric and mattress
Using a futon cover is an effective way to protect the mattress from stains, dust, and everyday wear, helping to extend its lifespan. Removable covers can be machine-washed or dry cleaned, depending on the fabric composition and care instructions, making maintenance simple and convenient.
Regularly washing or replacing the cover keeps the futon fresh and hygienic. Additionally, keeping the futon away from direct sunlight helps prevent fading, preserving its appearance over time. If your futon mattress is looking a little tired or you want to refresh your space, a new removable cover allows you to update both the colour of your futon sofa bed and the overall feel of your room in one easy step.
Seasonal care and storage tips
Proper storage is essential for maintaining a futon mattress when it is not in use. It should be kept in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to mould and mildew. Storing the mattress in a breathable cover or bag can offer protection from dust and pests while allowing air circulation.
Since it’s best to keep your futon away from moisture, it’s highly recommended to give it time to air out. You can do this by keeping it under sunlight for a couple of hours on each side. You can easily achieve this by leaving it near a window or in a room that is exposed to a lot of sunlight.
Caring for a futon mattress
There are some steps you can take to successfully care for your futon mattress. These include:
- Air your mattress out – try to expose it to fresh air or sunlight at least once a week.
- No beating – Simply wipe it clean. It’s best not to jump on it or beat it to release any dust.
- Shake it – To release the fibres, you can simply give it a light shake.
- Dry clean – If your mattress upholstery is made from wool or cotton.
Futon sofa beds at Sit and Sleep…
Futon maintenance is all about taking regular care of your mattress and storing it away appropriately. Here at Sit and Sleep, we manufacture and provide a wide range of quality futon sofa beds to ensure you can maximise space without compromising on style! With over 20 years of superior craftsmanship, we provide futons you can trust for a comfortable alternative to traditional sofa beds.
Visit our showroom today!
