Super Easy Step-by-Step Guide How to Clean a Futon Mattress

Line the floor with some plastic sheets. Unfold your frame so that your futon mattress is in the bed position (if it’s not already in that position). Remove all the pillows and cover. Unhook your futon mattress from the frame and slide it down towards the awaiting plastic sheets.

Take your vacuum cleaner and attach the upholstery attachment to it. Turn on your vacuum cleaner and press this onto your mattress. Slowly move this across from one side of your mattress to the other. This will help you get rid of all the dust, hair, and other debris from your mattress.

While you are vacuuming your mattress, take the time also to inspect if there are any spots or stains on it. If there aren't, you can skip the next step and continue with step 4.

If you did notice some stains and spots on your mattress, get your upholstery cleaner and spray a small amount directly on the stain or spot. Leave it on for about 15 minutes so that it can bind to the stain. Blot out the stain using a damp cloth or paper kitchen towels.

You may have to repeat this process several times, depending on the kind of stain you’re trying to remove. So you’ll need to be a bit patient here.

Alternatively, you can also use hydrogen peroxide diluted with water to get rid of those tough, dried up stains. Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 1 part water in a spray bottle, and spray this directly onto the stain.

I wouldn’t recommend using pure hydrogen peroxide unless you’ve got a white futon mattress. That’s because hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach. Using this in its pure form can discolor your mattress.

Now, if your pet is the culprit of the stain, use an enzyme cleaner specially designed for pet pee and poo . That's because, in addition to getting rid of the stain and odor, these enzyme cleaners can also help get rid of bacteria and other microbes that transferred from your pet's pee or poo onto your mattress.

I admit that even I find this step a bit difficult because futon mattresses can be quite bulky. But, trust me, this is going to be worth all the effort.

Airing out your futon mattress does more than help dry out the wet areas where you’ve cleaned out the stains. Leaving your futon mattress underneath the sun will kill dust mites, bed bugs and the other microorganisms mentioned in the video below:

You can rest this across the backs of several chairs or, if you live in an apartment, hang this over the balcony railing. Leave this for an hour or two, and then flip this over. Leave this for another hour before bringing this back inside.

Futon, like any mattress, will start to smell funky over time. That is why for our next step on how to clean your mattress, we are going to deodorize it.

To do this, transfer half a cup of baking soda into a sieve and liberally sprinkle this all over your mattress. Leave this for about an hour. Then, using your vacuum cleaner, remove the baking soda. Flip your mattress and use the remaining baking soda on the other side.

I like mixing a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil into the baking soda before sprinkling this over my futon mattress. Not only does this help make my futon smell nice, but it also helps protect from bed mites, sleep better, and keep my cats away from my bed .

Of course, let’s not forget your futon frame. Transfer some distilled white vinegar into a spray bottle. Spray this on your futon’s frame, and then wipe it down with a damp cloth.

When you do this, make sure that you this one small section at a time, and never allow the vinegar to stay on your frame for more than 10 seconds. That’s because vinegar is an acid, and it can eat through your wooden or metal futon frame.

Once you've thoroughly cleaned your futon frame, place back your futon mattress onto the frame, and secure it.

I’d personally recommend cleaning your futon mattress at least once every three months, especially if you got pets at home. That way, you can make sure that your futon mattress is always welcoming to laze and sleep in whenever you want.

Also, it’s a good idea to get yourself a waterproof futon mattress cover . That way, you protect your futon mattress from dirt, spills, and stains. It's also a speedy and easy way to give your futon mattress a bit of a facelift, and look brand new.

Do you know of other ways how to clean a futon mattress that I didn't mention here? If so, why not share your tips and tricks with us in the comments section below? I'd love to read about it.