When you have a futon, the odds are that you also have a futon cover. Futon covers are great ways to preserve the futon mattress, and they are also great ways to add a nice aesthetic to a room. However, as with any fabric, it will need to be cleaned from time to time.
You may wonder if you can machine wash your futon cover or if you can wash it yourself. Luckily, regardless of how your futon cover is cleaned, it can be done easily. Read on to discover what you need to know about futon covers and these steps to machine wash your futon cover.
Futon Cover and Washing Machine
There are a few reasons you may decide to wash your futon cover yourself using the washing machine (or by hand). Some of the reasons you will want to clean your futon cover manually include:
- The care tag says you cannot dry clean.
- The stains are more intensive and require more care.
- You want to have a deep cleaning.
- You do not want to spend the money on dry cleaning the cover.
If the care tag sewn onto the futon cover says you cannot bring the cover in to be dry cleaned, then you will have to wash it yourself.
You can opt for spot cleaning, but there are times when you will want to remove the futon cover and wash it entirely with water and detergent. This is not a difficult process, but it will require your attention to make sure it is done properly.
You must be careful, however, because futon covers can shrink if not washed properly. You do not want this to happen because then you will need a new futon cover. Pay close attention to the care tag in case there are any special instructions you need to follow.
Removing the Futon Cover
Whether you are going to clean the futon cover yourself, or you are going to bring it to a dry cleaner, you will need to remove it from the futon mattress. This is not difficult. Follow a few simple steps, and you can remove it easily.
- Remove the entire mattress from the futon’s frame. This is the first step in removing the futon cover. By removing the entire mattress from the frame, it will make it far easier to remove the cover.
- Locate the zipper. Futon covers, for the most part, are secured with a zipper. It is usually located on the backside of the futon. To remove the futon cover, make sure to unzip the zipper all the way.
- Gently remove the futon cover. Once the futon cover is unzipped, you can remove it from the mattress, but you should do this gently. By taking the futon cover off gently, you will maintain the quality of the mattress without twisting it and potentially damaging it. Moreover, it will help preserve the cover itself.
It is important to note that some futon covers are not secured via a zipper but, rather, via buttons. Unbuttoning a futon cover can be a bit awkward, so it is best to take your time with this step if it is secured via buttons. Once the buttons are unfastened, however, you will remove the cover as you would with a zipper.
Now that you have removed the futon cover you can begin washing it.
Use Cold Water and Mild Detergent
To clean a futon cover yourself, you can choose to do it with a washing machine or by hand. Either way, you will need to make sure you use cold water and a mild detergent, which should not have bleach.
Bleach will ruin the futon cover, and warm water will potentially cause the cover to shrink. To clean the futon cover in a washing machine, follow these steps:
- Put the cover in the washing machine. Make sure that the cover fits comfortably in the washing machine. You do not want it to feel “cramped” inside.
- Use mild detergent. Make sure to reference the care tag in case it mentions a specific detergent to use. Otherwise, a mild one is best. A small amount of detergent is all that is needed to wash the futon cover.
- Set the washing machine to cold water. You do not want to wash your futon cover with warm water (unless the tag says you can).
- Use the gentle cycle. You do not want the washing machine to be on a high spin level when you are washing the futon cover. Instead, opt for a gentle cycle.
Washing the Futon Cover By Hand
You may also decide to wash the futon cover by hand. This can be beneficial because it will be gentler on the fabric.
You will still use cold water and a mild detergent, but you will have to wash it by scrubbing the fabric together gently. You can also let it soak in the water and detergent mixture before washing it.
You may also use a brush or other cleaning cloth made for delicate fabrics.
Drying a Futon Cover After Washing
The last step in cleaning your futon cover is drying it. There are a few things to consider when drying it.
- Use a “low heat” setting. You do not want to expose your futon cover to high temperatures at any point during cleaning, including the drying phase. You can also opt for a “no heat” setting.
- Use a “low tumble” setting. You also want the spin cycle to be low. You do not want the futon cover to be rapidly moving within the dryer.
- Consider air-drying. You do not have to dry it via a dryer, you can always air dry it, though it will take a considerably longer time.
- Reference the care tag. Whenever you are in doubt, you should reference the care instructions that came with the futon cover.
Once the futon cover is completely dry, you can put it back on the mattress. Now your futon mattress will be completely clean and ready to use once more.