What Is A Futon Dryer? (Explained For Beginners)

If you have a futon or thinking of buying one, you will need a futon dryer.

Simply because as you use it the fabric will get dirty and will need something to clean it.

Let’s find out what exactly a futon dryer is.

Here’s What A Futon Dryer Actually Is And Works

By forcing warm air through a futon, a futon dryer warms and dries it. Using an electric fan, a futon dryer draws air into a large cloth pouch, heats it, and then forces it out again. For about an hour, hot air is forced through the pouch between the futon mattress and the comforter. After the timer reaches zero, the dryer shuts off when cold air is blown.

mattress pillow floor

Approximately 600 watts of electricity are used by a futon drier, similar to that of a hair dryer


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Can You Only Use A Futon Dryer To Keep Your Futon Clean?

Futon dryers are just one of the ways to clean your futon.

Other options may be more suitable for you. Make sure to dry your futon thoroughly after cleaning it, regardless of the method you use.

These are some options you should consider when cleaning and drying.

Vacuum

Give the futon mattress a good shake after removing it from the frame. The palm can be used to beat it as well.

If you have keys or coins stuck in your futon, you can use this method to remove them. 

You do not want to try to vacuum up these large objects as they could get stuck in your hose or cause problems with the motor.

Then, use a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt, hair, and other debris from your futon once you’ve removed any heavier dirt.

You can clean your futon with your vacuum cleaner every day if you choose.

Cracks and crevices should be checked for dirt. The upholstery brush may not be capable of reaching stubborn dirt when vacuuming it.

Clean the other side of your futon by turning it over.

Deodorize

The futon should be deodorized after it has been cleaned. Over time, futons can begin to smell.

Spilled drinks, sweat, and moisture can leave a foul odor on your futon.

If possible, let your futon sit with baking soda for at least an hour.

Cleans and deodorizes your futon and removes any unpleasant odors it may emit. Your vacuum cleaner can assist you in removing baking soda.

Remove Stains

Any stains on your futon can be removed with a damp washcloth. Rinse the stain with warm water after the detergent has worked on it for a few seconds. Mildew can be caused by excessive moisture, so make sure not to use too much water.

Do a small test on the futon before using your laundry detergent. In order to prevent color changes caused by detergent.

This will prevent your futon from being damaged or faded.

Surface Clean

Sometimes you just have to clean small areas of your futon.

If you spill something or drip something on the futon, you won’t have to clean the whole thing.

You should also clean the frame of the futon, including hard surfaces. Using a damp cloth, wipe the frame clean after dusting.

Drying Options

While a futon dryer is a great way to get your futon dry after cleaning, you can also try some of these options.

Option 1

If you want to cover your futon with a washable fabric, you could purchase one. It is still advisable to air out the futon outside, but as long as you wash the bed pad regularly, you can go longer without airing out the futon.

You won’t have to dry your futon out as much if you flip it over every now and then or switch which end you lie on.

Nevertheless, this is clearly not ideal. According to one website, you can lay out the futon indoors and let the wind through a window when no sun is visible. In spite of the fact that drying the futon outside is preferable, there are times when the weather can be cloudy for days at a time.

Option 2

When drying your futon inside, you can also use the air conditioner. You can find insider futon drying racks, at home-goods stores.

You just need to put your futon on the rack in front of the air conditioner.

The air will blow on the futon and eventually help to dry it. This can take some time though and may not be the most efficient way to get the futon dry.

Option 3

Taking your futon to the cleaners would also be another option for drying it inside.

When drying futons outside, people are more likely to find particles and allergens on them.

Allowing a professional to clean your futon will ensure it is done properly and that it gets completely dry.

How Often Do You Need To Wash The Futon And Use The Futon Dryer?

You should clean your futon’s surface at least once a month. This includes removing stains and spot cleaning.

You may also vacuum it anytime it appears to be dusty or if you have spilled something on it.

Futons should be deep cleaned at least once a year.

If you spend a lot of time in your futon bed you may need to clean it every six months.

You can clean one side and then flip the futon mattress over.

When you are ready to flip it again, you will need to clean the opposite side.

This allows you to come up with a regular cleaning routine that works best for you and how you use your futon.

While you may not need to use a futon dryer to dry your futon every time you clean it, you do need to make sure the futon is dried thoroughly any time you get it wet or wash it.

Even if you are only spot cleaning, you should still dry the futon.

Failing to dry it could result in bad odors and mildew or mold growth.

Can You Use Your Regular Washing Machine And Dryer Instead?

machine washer dryer

Futon mattresses usually do not fit in a standard or even commercial washing machine or dryer.

They are too bulky and large.

If your futon mattress has a cover on it, you can remove it and wash and dry it in your regular machines.

If your futon does not have a removable cover, you can buy them online or in many department stores.

The futon covers come in different colors and they easily slip over your mattress to protect it from dirt and stains.

When the cover becomes dirty, you can remove it and wash it easily.

This makes it easy to keep your futon clean and doesn’t require you to fight with the bulky futon mattress but rather a small fabric cover instead.

The cover is easier to manage, will dry much faster than the actual futon, and can be washed or changed often to allow you to keep your futon clean and comfortable.

Final Thoughts

Futon dryers are very handy to have around if you own a futon and use it often.

It is important to clean your futon regularly and that means getting it completely dry as well.

There are other methods that you can use to dry your futon, but a futon dryer seems to be the most efficient and effective.

Futon covers can be used to help reduce the frequency that you need to wash and dry the actual futon mattress and to make cleaning the mattress easier.

Sources

Are Futon Covers Washable? We Find Out! – Furnishing Tips

How to Dry Your Futon Inside | Wander Tokyo