Care of Your Futon

You have just purchased a beautiful, inexpensive futon and futon mattress or are thinking of such a purchase and are wondering how to take proper care of them. This is a large purchase, probably a couple of hundred dollars or more, and its care is very important to ensure the futon lasts many years.

First, make sure you buy a quality futon frame and futon mattress from a reliable dealer. Cheap ones will not last as long and replacing them may make the total purchase end up being more than a quality, affordable futon would have cost.

Whether from a store or online, you will most likely have to assemble the futon frame, whether or not it is a full metal futon frame, wooden futon frame, or single unit convertible lounger type. Two to three weeks after assembly, go back and re-tighten all the connections as the unit will have "settled" and the connections may have loosened. Then, make a schedule to re-check the connections every few months for looseness and re-tighten as needed. If you are converting the futon every night from sofa or chair to bed, you may need to check the connections more often. Futons used as guest beds and not converted back and forth as much may not loosen as much.

After assembling your futon frame, move it to the sitting-up position and place the futon mattress on it in that position and leave it in place for a couple of days. This way, the mattress can begin to "remember" its bend in this position. This is extremely important if you have bought a mattress with innerspring coils, but also do this if you purchase a memory foam futon mattress. With the memory foam futon mattresses, rotate your mattress every six months to ensure even wear of the mattress. Innerspring coil mattresses do not need to be rotated.

A word of warning: Do Not take your futon mattress apart to wash it. If it is soiled, spot clean the problem areas. Taking apart a futon mattress will ruin it. Do not wash the cover unless it is a washable futon cover or the cover may shrink and not fit the mattress anymore. And, as will all beds, do not run and jump onto the futon as that may break the wooden portions and bend the metal frame.

With just a little care, affordable futons can last many years and keep their looks and comfort during that time.