Written by Michele
Last Updated

Hi, I’m Michele, and I am a pseudo-interior designer with a passion for re-decorating homes. My main purpose is to make refurbishing your homes a whole lot easier by sharing some buying tips when choosing furniture items. At the same time, I want to share some of the design tips I’ve learned along the way.

Since futons get used regularly, they can easily accumulate dust and dirt. The last thing you want is sitting and sleeping on a dirty futon so regular care and maintenance are essential. If you’ve ever wondered how to clean a futon, this guide will help you keep your futon looking new and squeaky clean.

Here are the steps on how to clean a futon:

Remove surface stains

Surface stains and marks on futons are inevitable and they are bound to happen the more you use it. It can be pretty challenging to remove these stains especially if strong liquids like coffee or tea get spilled and the last thing you want is to let the stain dry before attempting to clean it because it’ll make the cleaning process much harder. As soon as your futon gets splattered, treat it immediately by following the instructions below.

  • 1. Use a clean cloth, preferably a microfiber cloth to blot the spill and absorb it. Grab a new cloth that’s been damped with water and apply a small amount of laundry detergent on the stain. Gently rub the damp cloth on the spill marks in a circular motion, working thoroughly to remove as much of the stain as possible.

  • 2. Rinse the detergent with another clean cloth that’s been damped with lukewarm water. Repeat the process if necessary until all of the stains have been lifted off the futon’s surface. 

  • 3. If the stains remain stubborn, you can use a commercial laundry stain remover to treat the marks. Spray the spill with the stain remover and grab a microfiber cloth to wipe it off in a circular motion.

  • 4. When cleaning your futon, avoid heavily soaking the stains with water and make sure to dry it off as much as possible to avoid mildew build-up.

Treat foul-smelling odors on your futon

Over time, your futon will start to smell a bit funky especially if there are pets in your house and your kids are constantly sitting and sleeping on them. Once you notice an odor build-up in your futon, follow these simple instructions to help keep it smelling nice and fresh.

  • 1. To deodorize a smelly futon, grab a box of baking soda and generously sprinkle all over the surface. Grab a soft-haired brush and gently brush the futon in a circular motion and let the baking soda work its way in by leaving it on the futon for about 30 minutes.

  • 2. Grab a vacuum cleaner and vacuum off the baking soda from the futon’s surface. You can repeat the process if you wish to fully deodorize the futon. Make sure to vacuum the surface of the futon thoroughly by passing on it twice.   

  • 3. Flip the futon around and repeat the entire process to completely eliminate any unwanted odors.

Disinfect your futon

Keeping your futon virus-free is also important if you plan on using it regularly. After cleaning your futon, you will want to disinfect it to prevent the spread of unwanted germs and viruses. To do this, follow the instructions below:

  • 1. Wear a pair of gloves and a face mask before disinfecting your futon to avoid inhaling unwanted dust and dirt particles.

  • 2. Grab a spray bottle and mix one cup of lemon juice or white vinegar with three cups of lukewarm water. Spritz the mixture all over the futon and let it dry for an hour or more before flipping it around and spraying the other side.  

  • 3. Be careful not to drench your futon with the disinfectant mixture to avoid mildew build-up. As soon as you’re done spraying the futon, press on it gently to remove the moisture and grab a towel to wipe off any excess.

  • 4. Dry the futon completely before vacuuming it off to remove dust and dirt particles completely.

Quick tips on how to maintain your futon:

Maintaining your futon is equally important as cleaning it to prolong its lifespan. Here are some simple, quick tips to get the most out of your futon and make it last for longer:

  • 1. Rotate your futon every once in a while. Flipping it around and rotating it will help avoid sink spots especially if you’re using it on couches and sofas. Ideally, you would want to do this every month to evenly distribute the weight across its surface.

  • 2. Airing out your futon is a great way of keeping it fresh and fluffy. Moist futons are the perfect breeding ground for odor and fungus build-up so it’s a good idea to leave it uncovered and let it air out. You can also use a fan to speed up the process.   

  • 3. Regularly vacuum your futon especially if you have pets inside your home. This will prevent dust build-up and remove any pet fur that might trigger allergies in your children. .

Wrapping up

Cleaning and maintaining your futon is important if you want it to last for a long time. A clean and fresh futon is a comfortable futon to sit and sleep on so make sure to follow these steps to properly care for it.

If you’ve ever wondered how to clean a futon, this guide will help make your futon look and feel as good as new! May you find this guide on how to clean a futon helpful.

Social Share

Related Reads
Types of Futons
Types of Futons
See More
What Size Sheets for a Futon?
What Size Sheets for a Futon?
See More
Choosing Between a Futon, Sofa Bed and Daybed
Choosing Between a Futon, Sofa Bed and Daybed
See More
How to Assemble a Basic Bi-fold Futon Frame
How to Assemble a Basic Bi-fold Futon Frame
See More
How to Turn a Futon Into a Bed
How to Turn a Futon Into a Bed
See More
How to Choose the Right Futon
How to Choose the Right Futon
See More