Wondering how to clean a futon mattress? Or how about maintaining your futon mattress to keep it looking clean, smelling fresh, and to extend its usefulness?

Futons are a great, versatile furniture choice, especially for tight spaces and multi-purpose rooms. Because many people use their futons both as sofas and beds, they can get dirty and worn more quickly than other pieces of furniture. Use these six simple steps to get your futon mattress clean and keep it that way! 

Photo by Filios Sazeides

1. Rotate regularly- Rotating your futon mattress helps keep from collecting dust and cobwebs on the bottom. It also prevents the mattress from becoming misshapen from overuse on one side. You should turn your futon mattress over about once a month to extend its life.
2. Freshen- Once every two or three months, take the cover or bedding off of the futon mattress and allow it to air out, using fans for extra air circulation. You can also deodorize your mattress at this time by sprinkling baking soda on the surface, letting it sit for an hour, and then vacuuming.
3. Vacuum- To give your mattress a thorough cleaning, start by rotating and/or airing it out, then vacuum it to remove lint, dead skin, and pet hair.
4. Spot Clean- If you have an accidental spill and get a stain on your futon mattress, try to tackle it quickly—before the stain dries, if possible. You can use a small bowl of water with just a drop or two of liquid dishwashing soap to remove most types of stains. After the stain is removed, be sure to sponge the area with clear water to get rid of any soap residue. Then blot dry with a clean cloth or towel.
5. Clean and Maintain the Frame- Your futon frame may be made of wood or metal. Either way, to keep your futon looking its best, you should dust the frame every month or so, paying special attention to the parts beneath the futon mattress, where cobwebs and dust bunnies tend to gather. Take the time to tighten any loose screws while you’re at it. If you have a wooden frame, you might want to oil the wood.
6. Protect Your Futon Mattress- The best investment you can make to extend the life of your futon mattress is to purchase a quality futon cover. Keeping the mattress covered will prevent dirt, crumbs, and spills from reaching the mattress itself. Futon covers are thick and durable, and they zipper up one side to make taking them off and putting them back on easy. They are usually machine washable. You should launder your futon cover about once a month if you use the futon frequently.
7. Professional Cleaning- If your futon mattress has stains that won’t come out with regular spot cleaning, or if it has been sitting for awhile in a dank or musty environment, you might want to consider having it professionally cleaned. A professional upholstery cleaner will come to your home and clean the futon for you. With their specialized equipment, they are sure to get it much cleaner than you could do yourself.

If you live in the Asheville, NC area and are in need of friendly, professional upholstery cleaners for your futon or any other furniture, call Five Step Carpet Care at 828.237.3237 today or get in touch using our contact form.