Futons-Origins and Care

Futons are beds that originated in Japan. They are portable and can be folded in the morning for easy storage. Since traditional Japanese houses are very small, they usually use the space in the daytime for other purposes such as receiving guests or as a living room.

Traditionally, a futon consists of a lower portion made from a padded matter called a shikibuton and a quilted bed cover known as a kakebuton. Sometimes, it also includes a pillow, which is called a makura, and is oftentimes filled with beads or beans. The mattress is made from different materials like cotton or polyester and is specifically designed for flexibility to enable folding and storage.

During the day, when the futons are folded, they are stored in a closet called oshiire. It has sliding doors and is divided with two shelves. The mattress is usually placed on the top shelf to protect it from getting soiled. Occasionally, they are put out under the sun to dry and are beaten using a tataki to get rid of the dusts and mites.

Nowadays, Western culture has adapted the use of the futons. However, they are utilized in a more unconventional way from the Japanese viewpoint. Western futons are not only used as beds, but they also transform into couches during the day. They have been widely used because they can perform dual purposes. The mattress is designed to be folded twice or three times in order to make it into a chair or a couch. This makes it a perfect space saver and that can be put in the living room or the guest room.

Like the traditional Japanese futons, these Western futons are also made of different materials. Mattresses that are made from 100 percent cotton are usually heavier but are very firm and flexible. However, they tend to be less rigid because of the softness of the material. When cotton is mixed with foam, it tends to become lighter, and it enables the mattress to be more rigid and withstand more weight. Futons that are made from 100 percent polyester, on the other hand, are much lighter when compared to other materials and are very firm and flexible as well.

Taking care of futons is easy. When used often, the best thing to do is to buy a protective covering for the mattress. This protects it from stains and spills. It is also advisable to vacuum it about once a week to get all the dust out of the mattress. Washing futons at least once every six months can be a good idea when taking care of the mattress. Scrub it with a detergent and let it dry under the sun to sterilize it. Make sure to get it completely dries so that it will not produce any molds and mildews. If there are any holes on the mattress, it is wise to have them sewn immediately. In this way, damage is minimized and quality can be maintained for a much longer period.