Before we delve into how you clean a futon mattress, it is best to have an idea of what futon mattresses are. In simpler terms, the futon mattress was originally crafted in Japan. Still, over time, the Western world adopted and modified them to serve many purposes.
Futon mattresses are used mostly as beds when they are flattened, even though they can amazingly be converted to a couch. You can do this conversion by folding them right in the middle. Over time, the futon mattress has become a vital part of most homes, and they are no longer used by humans alone but by pets as well.
Like all other mattresses, the futon mattress will need to be taken care of if you want its lifespan to increase. So, cleaning the futon mattress regularly will protect it from stains, mildew, mold, and even accidental spills. Some people have no idea how to clean a futon mattress or keep the futon mattress clean. For this reason, we have created this article.
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Clean a futon mattress
There are different ways to clean futon mattresses, and we will outline them to help you. So, before you ask how you clean a futon mattress, sit back, relax, and keep reading. Some of the ways to clean a futon mattress regularly are:
1. Using a vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner is considered the easiest way to clean a futon mattress. So, if your futon mattress is new and has no spills or stains, you can comfortably clean it with your vacuum. But before we continue, you must note that, before cleaning this mattress, ensure you have an idea of the manufacturer’s guidelines on its maintenance and care.
This is because there are futons out there that have specific cleaning instructions. And it must be followed if you want your warranty to remain valid. Nevertheless, most futon mattresses allow for vacuum cleaning. So, as we begin, you will need to, first of all, flip your mattress and vacuum the other side.
For most people wondering how you clean a futon mattress, it is best if your futon mattress is simply lying flat on your floor and not folded. But if you are not set to spread out the sofa, you can use a brush attachment to clean all the corners.
You should vacuum the futon mattress regularly. Moreover, this can be once a month or twice a month. It will help in maintaining its fresh look. Vacuuming once or twice a month will suffice if you want to get rid of allergens like dust mites and other small debris. It will help keep the mattress clean of those dirt particles like dead skin, pet hairs, and dust.
Some people prefer to vacuum once every week, not once every month. When vacuuming your futon, you must strip the foam bare of all blankets, pillows, bedsheets, futon covers, and the like. All areas will need to be vacuumed to ensure traces of lint and particles are cleared. As stated earlier, use an upholstery brush to flush out debris in the crevices and cracks of your futon.
Doesn’t matter what type of mattress or cover you have you need to follow some key steps when you clean and dry a waterproof mattress cover as you clean a futon mattress.
2. Getting rid of unpleasant smells
Most owners of futon mattresses are deeply concerned about getting rid of unpleasant odors. Note that this active exploitation will make the smells develop, and nobody wants to experience this.
The best way to clean a futon mattress from this smell will be addressed shortly. But first, you should know that barely used futons can have these odors with time, as the futons that are heavily used will be exposed to pet and human sweat.
This is why it is advisable to deodorize your mattress once you are done vacuuming. So, to remove the smell and deodorize your futon mattress, you can begin by sprinkling baking soda all over the entire mattress.
When you sprinkle baking soda, allow the solution to sit for a few hours or about an hour. This will help the baking soda subtly remove the bad odors. When this is done, you will have to vacuum the mattress again. It is advisable to flip the futon mattress and sprinkle baking soda on its side. After some hours, vacuum it again. Understand that baking soda is the easiest way to deodorize the mattress.
And when using it, unfold your futon and sprinkle lots of it. Another way to eliminate unpleasant smells is by using a steam cleaner if you do not want to use baking soda. If the smell is pretty strong and makes you uncomfortable even after you have used baking soda, use a steamer to blow steam through the mattress. As stated earlier, ensure you check the manufacturer’s instructions before doing this.
This is because some brands will not want hot or warm water streams on the product but just cold water. You can finally allow the futon mattress to soak in the fresh air when this is done. With ventilation, the excess moisture from your body will evaporate, and the odor will not bother you. Exposing the mattress to sunlight for a while will kill off dust mites.
More so, you can use essential oils such as lemon juice or peppermint as a quick cleaning solution. This cleaning solution is used to avoid those oily stains. All you need to do is mix some drops of the oil or lemon juice in water, then add them to a pulverizer. You can place this mixture inside a spray bottle and spray it all over the mattress.
3. Cleaning up stains
When you ask, “How do you clean a futon mattress?” be ready for the different methods available. If you want to get rid of stains, be it blood or something else, be prepared to learn the wet methods.
Once again, check the instructions and tips provided by the manufacturer before you commence with this method. Understand that the general solution for removing stains and those accidental spills are warm water with either mild detergent or liquid dishwashing soap.
Some people use laundry powder or dish soap for their oily stains. However, it is advisable that once the stain occurs, you do everything humanly possible to remove it quickly.
This is because there are liquids like berry juice or coffee that will be almost impossible to get rid of if not removed as soon as they spill. To get stains off as you clean a futon mattress, you will have to test the cleaning solutions you want to use.
This is because some dishwashing detergents will bleach your fabric. It is best to pick a spot that is not noticeable and try the solution there if it works.
Remember, do not get the futon mattress soaked. If you did not know, excess liquid contributes to mildew growth. So, gently scrub or apply blotting movements, so the cleaning solution does not spread far from the stain spot.
However, if the futon mattress gets soaked accidentally, use a blow dryer to evaporate the liquid. When this is done, leave it to dry completely naturally. As you remove stains, note that futons are crafted from cotton and some natural fabrics.
These fabrics are known to absorb moisture swiftly and even attract dirt. So, to remove those visible stains, begin with any mild detergent as stated above.
Due to some acidic considerations, people will prefer white vinegar. It is known to assist in breaking harsh chemicals or ingredients down and leave no harm done. Some other products that you can add to your cleaning method to remove stains are:
• Hydrogen Peroxide
You can use hydrogen peroxide to get rid of those food stains that get dried up on your mattress. It can remove anything that has dried and is hard to clean off. Hydrogen Peroxide is a cleaning solution that can help to loosen dirt stuck on the surface. Then you can use your vacuum cleaner to take it off easily.
• White vinegar
This is a natural cleaner that helps in removing mildew and even mold from affected areas. It has a potent acidic effect that will not only kill mildew but eliminate stains from your futon mattress. While it gives off an odor, do not worry; your mattress will be odor-free in no time.
• Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is used as a cleaning solution when you need to get rid of mildew and mold stains. You just need to pour some of the stains over the affected area to hide them. But you can use an enzyme cleaner instead of rubbing alcohol to get rid of pee stains on the futon mattress.
• Home bleach
Do you have rats in your home? If so, you will need a highly potent disinfectant for your cleaning method. The disinfectant will sterilize and clean a futon mattress. To avoid breathing in poisonous fumes, it is ideal for wearing rubber gloves and a face mask when cleaning using bleach.
4. Removal of urine stains
When it comes to getting rid of urine, it does not matter if it is a pet or human urine. Since the likelihood of getting any of them increases if your home is filled with kids and pets.
If you want to remove urine from the futon mattress, you will have to find out if it is wet or dried up. If the urine stain is wet, you can apply baking soda or vinegar. But, if it is dry, you will need a powerful hydrogen peroxide solution.
As for the wet stains, you just need to blot out as much urine as possible with paper towels. Then for the dry stains, sprinkle baking soda on the affected area. Ensure you do not put in excess baking soda. The baking soda will assist in removing the stain and smell. After this, you can pour vinegar with or without water into the urine area. Use a spray bottle when doing this, as it will help.
Vinegar has a powerful smell, though it reduces over time. The solution should be left on the stain for roughly five minutes. Then, some people also use an enzyme cleaner rather than vinegar. But if you use the enzyme cleaner, spray it all over the stain and let it settle for ten minutes. When all these are done, you can use your paper towel to blot up the excess moisture.
Note that using paper towels will blot as much moisture as possible before you allow the drying process to commence. Once these are done, sprinkle some more baking soda on the stain again and on the entire mattress to remove unpleasant odors.
Finally, allow the mattress to air dry for a full day. If you leave it inside the room, open your windows and use a fan to make the process faster and for better air circulation. But if it is outside, allow it to sit in the sun when the weather is warm or on a sunny day.
Before removing the baking soda, ensure the mattress is completely dry, and then vacuum it.
5. Spot clean a futon mattress
Sometimes your vacuum cleaner will not be capable of removing stains, and that is where spot cleaning comes into the picture. You will need mild laundry detergent, warm water, and a damp washcloth. Simply dip your washcloth inside the water and mild detergent solution to get it damp but not totally wet.
Then, apply the damp cloth to a small area of the futon to ensure your cleaning solution will not get discolored. Immediately after you get your confirmation, gently scrub the stains out and increase force when it becomes necessary.
6. Getting rid of moldy futon mattress
A difficult part of cleaning your mattress is getting rid of a moldy futon mattress. If you do not clean it on time and appropriately, the filthy foam will likely cause serious health issues for you and your family. When cleaning such a mattress, you must vacuum it before washing it with soap and water. Note that this mold happens when you leave the mattress damp and spores begin germinating.
Vacuuming the mattress first will remove the spores, then soap and water will remove the mold. And if it does not work, you can use water and bleach. It will be one cup of bleach added to a gallon of water.
Once you clean a futon mattress and cover you will need to know how to put on a mattress cover which we have talked about already.
Disinfecting your futon mattress
To prevent bacteria and all other contaminants from stopping growing on your mattress, disinfecting it will be the solution. And to do this, you will need to have a bleach solution sprayed on the mattress.
In gaining answers on how do you clean a futon mattress, note that disinfecting involves some steps. However, you need to protect yourself first. As you begin, open all the windows, and get your gloves and masks to prevent inhaling the contaminants.
Then prepare the bleach solution, though an alternative to using bleach is Lysol spray or vodka. Your bleach solution will be sprayed all over the mattress. Then wipe it clean using paper towels or any clean cloth. If you are serious about killing germs and bacteria, you must run your steamer all over both sides of the mattress. After this is done, allow your futon mattress dry by taking it outside.
Note that deep cleaning is ideal when you live in a rodent-infested area. With deep cleaning, you can effectively disinfect your mattress. Ensure you spray your cleaning solutions all over the mattress, including the futon cover and frame.
The futon cover will need to be cleaned thoroughly using a steam cleaner with disinfectant. The whole futon mattress will be moistened to remove dirt and dust.
When you are finished flipping the futon mattress for a deep clean, prop it back up and place it in the metal frames once you have let the mattress dry. All the things used in cleaning must be disposed of in a trash bag, including paper towels.
Afterward, remove your gloves and wash your hands cautiously with antibacterial soap. Those items that bleach can spoil should be placed in your washing machine and washed with hot water and dishwashing detergent.
Note that you should not vacuum carpets because they will only redistribute viruses into the air. And, if you are unsure whether you can deep clean properly, ask for professional help.
Proper futon mattress maintenance
Ok, so you have learned how to clean a futon mattress, but now what? Are you just going to wait for the mattress to get dirty, or can you perhaps maintain its clean look? The answer should, of course, be that you will keep it clean for as long as possible by maintaining its clean look.
Therefore, now you will need to learn how to maintain a clean futon mattress. We have created a simple but effective four-step process for futon mattress maintenance. The four steps are:
- 1. Cover the futon mattress
- 2. Air out the mattress.
- 3. Don’t place it on the ground.
- 4. Turn over the mattress.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
How can I deep clean a futon mattress?
Understand that deep cleaning your futon mattress depends on the items you have at hand to clean. However, you first have to remove the fabric from your foam and use a vacuum or brush to eliminate dust and dirt.
Spray your cleaning soap solution on the foam and leave it to fry for a minimum of twenty-four hours.
Is there a way to deodorize my futon?
Yes, there are plenty of ways to get it done. You can choose to use baking soda, steam, or even vinegar.
Can I dry clean a futon mattress?
Yes, you can dry clean a futon mattress, though it is never advisable to use a machine for washing a bed. However, you will need to remove the futon cover or blanket. If your bed has separate sections, you can loosen them before beginning the process.
Are futons machine washable?
The futons themselves aren’t machine washable. For most people just hanging the futon dry on sunny days is more than enough. However, you can machine wash and clean a futon mattress cover if they are machine washable. To check if they are so all you need to do is read the care instructions on the covers or visit their brand website. But do wash them in a gentle cycle and with warm water since hot water tends to damage the cover. You need to know some factors if you want to choose a hypoallergenic mattress cover that is best for you futon.
Conclusion
Hopefully, our detailed instructions helped you to learn how to clean a futon mattress. The method to do so is rather simple and takes a short amount of time. Start with using a vacuum cleaner and deodorize your mattress.
If there are stains use stain removers or something like bleach or white vinegar. To spot clean a futon mattress warm water and mild detergent solution is more than enough. To disinfect your futon mattress you will be needing something like Lysol or maybe even vodka.
