Futon Covers Are Similar To Sunscreen
There are always those things of which people know they should be doing but just don’t get around to. Things like neglecting the use of sunscreen or fixing that dripping sink can cause more damage the longer it is ignored. Futon covers are also one of those things which people should be using but often put off purchasing. With proper care, a quality futon mattress can last for 10 years or more. However, if a futon cover is not an integrated part of the futon system, you can expect to lose half of the regular lifespan.
The make up of the futon mattress is usually composed of cotton and various kinds of foam. The main source of long term damage is often from liquids that have found their way into the mattress. The futon covers act as a means to protect the mattress from spills, sweat, bed wetting, vomit or anything other contaminants which might soil the mattress. Compared to a standard coil mattress, there is much less air space in the futon mattress to allow adequate evaporation to occur. Of course, this means that mold or mildew can easily end up developing inside the futon mattress.
Mold and mildew are not the only problem with moisture build up however. While mold and mildew are grounds for immediate discard, small amounts of moisture buildup will also cause the inside of the mattress to compact and sag. In either the case of mildew, mold, or mattress sagging there is little that can be done to bring the mattress back to life. In addition to a futon cover to protect the futon from moisture, other techniques can be used to properly sustain the life of the mattress. However, these will not be discussed in this article but can be found on the attached website.
All these apparent problems with moisture doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy a futon mattress. Relative to other mattresses on the market, they retain a high bang for your buck. It is however important to ensure you add a futon cover into your costs. These typically range in price from around $30-$100 USD, with the higher quality models having better materials for shedding liquids without feeling like you are sleeping on a garbage bag.
There are many different futon covers available with a near infinite amount of colors, textures, materials and designs. If you have a futon sofa bed in your living room, it is easy to blend sofa into your existing decor. However, if you have a futon mattress solely for a bedroom mattress which will have bedding over top of it anyways, you should be able to save a few dollars by purchasing a white/plain cover.
Remember, an ounce of prevention is a pound of cure!