They protect the futon mattress from stains, dust or dirt. Covers can be replaced when they age. The right material with just the right pattern or design can bring sparkle to your room.  Futon covers come in different fabrics for you to choose from.  They include cotton, nylon, various blends, suede, denim, microfiber and leather upholstery (did someone say “bamboo also”).

Microfiber futon covers

Microfiber futon mattress covers are also known as ultra suede and micro suede.  It’s a man made fiber composed of microscopic fibers that are very thin; much finer than the human hair.  It is very common in modern furniture upholstery.  It is very soft with a plush velvety feel.  It feels just like suede itself, but is much easier to care for.  It is a synthetic fabric that is exceptional for resisting stains since the fibers are so microscopic.  Stain-protecting treatments are not really necessary except under the most severe conditions.  Since when wiped microfiber futon covers do not release much lint.  They are suitable for those with allergies.  It’s also one of the more comfortable of the fabrics.  It resists liquid stains. The only drawbacks are that it collects dust easily (a quick vacuuming remedies that) and do not let water dry on microfiber since the dissolved minerals may leave a discoloration.

Advantages of microfiber futon covers

They are used as a great way of transforming your plain looking futon to a great looking piece of furniture.  Here are some advantages of using a microfiber futon cover to change a futon’s appearance:

1. Appearance:  it looks just like a suede futon cover.  This classy look can be a great way of transforming your living room, your bedroom or any room.
2. Durability: – this is one of the best advantages of having a microfiber futon cover. It’s durable and very easy to clean.  So it’s suitable for places where there are spills since it’s resistant to staining from spills.
3. Maintenance: – due to its minimum maintenance it’s suitable for homes that have kids in them.
4. Weight: – due to their ultra light weight it makes it easier to carry around when moving, that is why this fabric is also used in the sports gear.
5. Soft and velvety: – This cover is very soft and velvety, and makes a futon that looks old and worn out now look fresh and plush.

Disadvantages of microfiber futon covers

The main disadvantage is that it’s an expensive fabric.  The price may go down soon if the technology making the fabric becomes cheaper.

Futons nowadays are one of the modern trends in home décor.  If you want a great look for your futon chair or couch, including the whole room, consider the benefits that come from using microfiber futon covers.  You won’t regret it.

In this article, more emphasis is paid to cheap futon covers made from nylon.  Nylon is a man-made or synthetic fiber that is widely used today.  As a matter of fact, nylon is one of the commonly used fabrics in many textile companies.  One issue we will not explore is the quality of the various nylon fabrics used.  Various additives may enhance nylons sunlight resistance and stain resistance.  Instead of exploring the chemical additives look for labels which state your benefit, such as “stain resistant”.

Why A Cheap Futon Covers Made From Nylon?
Home interior décor is the most significant aspect when it comes to making your home more relaxing, sophisticated and comfortable. Every part of your home needs some attention and this can be achieved through different ways such as painting, light fixtures and good selection of furniture pieces. There is nothing overly complicated about good incorporation of interior design; basically it is the pleasing combination of your creativity, effort and imagination limited by your budget and space.

You will get new ideas to improve your décor using nylon futon covers.  It does not matter whether your room is small or big, cheap futon mattress covers made from nylon are easy to customize.  However, it is best when a futon cover is well integrated with the overall décor in your home.

Another great advantage of cheap futon covers is the fact that it is readily available as well as being relatively inexpensive compared to other fibers; both natural and synthetic.  This cheap fabric helps you buy futon covers for your mattress while still remaining within your budget.

Getting these cheap futon covers is now very easy with the advancement of technology and the Internet.  By letting your fingers do the research for you, you will see a wide range of products to select from at a very reasonable cost.  You will certainly get many top brands of futon mattress covers at very low prices plus additional offers (perhaps matching pillows) and free shipping. They say cheap can be expensive, but it is a different story when it comes to nylon. Nylon is very durable, strong and offers high resistance to:

1. Rot
2. Mildew
3. Mold
4. Chemicals
5. Bacteria and fungi

What are The Shortcomings of Nylon Futon Covers?
Although nylon is a very flexible fabric when it comes to interior design and easy to clean; its users have complained of the fabric demanding more attention. Nylon futon mattress covers need good UV stability since it easily fades when exposed to direct sunlight. Like many fabrics it should also be kept away from strong acids and bases as well as oxidizing agents.  Finally, it has very high pick up of moisture which can lead to shrinkage. This is the reason why you sometimes experience dimensional instability in your nylon futon mattress covers.

Overall, nylon is a fabric for cheap futon covers which offer a very easy way to update your décor.

Normally, a mattress cover comes with the futon frame and the mattress.  However, promotional and sale futons may have the cover sold separately.  High-end futons will usually not have a futon cover preselected since this would restrict the selection of the buyer.  The futon cover protects your futon mattress from the daily rigor and abuse; dirt, dust, tear and wear and stains.  A futon mattress cover allows you to use the mattress longer, especially if you use it as a bed.

Factors to Consider When Buying Cheap Futon Covers
Getting the right futon cover can sometimes be overwhelming and confusing.  This is because many covers today come in different sizes, colors, designs and fabrics. You also need to consider certain factors like your budget, material used, washability and warranty.

A few basics to consider:

1. How often do you use your futon covers?  If the futon is your main bed, then you would have high usage while a futon in a guest bedroom may not be used but 1 or 2 times a year as a bed.  However, if the guest bedroom is also a 2nd TV room the mattress may get considerable wear for seating.
2.  How are you going to use your futon covers, as a bed or as a couch influences your selection of the material and the density. A futon cover used as a bed needs to be durable while a sofa futon should be flexible.  Thick Futon covers are best when made from cotton; since it can hold all different body weights.
3.  Size.  The size of your futon mattress covers depend on your mattress size – length, width and thickness. This means you need to get the right dimensions of the futon frame and the mattress.  Pay particular attention to the closures – snaps, laces, Velcro, etc. – and the placement of the closures.
4.  Price.  Probably, the most crucial factor when it comes to selecting cheap futon covers is price. Cheap futon covers are available in many local retail and online stores. The choice of futon cover material also plays an important role.  Cotton and numerous polyester-blends for instance are cheaper compared to other materials.

Before you settle down to sew or purchase new futon covers it is important to make a quick list of how you will use your futon and the mattress cover and the resulting aspects.  To fabricate or buy a cheap futon cover be sure to prioritize your list.  With some quick research, and a prioritized list you should expect to be totally successful in locating a cheap futon cover.

The best place to search for the products is the internet.  There are numerous stores which sell the collections at very good prices.  You can get a wide range of the goods which come in a variety of different shapes, designs and styles.  Customers who use the internet to order the products are able to achieve significant savings by comparing prices offered at different stores.

Another way that one can find a selection that is pleasing is by checking whether there are any sales available at local stores.  After identifying the dealer with the best offer, you can walk in and search for what is suitable for your requirements.  The products should fit in well with the design in the interior of you home.

You do not have to be an expert home interior decorator in order to choose good quality, but cheap futon covers.  Just check the nature of the fabric, the warranty, any pre-treatments and its color to choose the one that matches or complements the interior of your home.

To save some considerable time, you can search on the internet for stores which advertise custom made cheap futon covers.  Later on, you can visit these outlets in person and choose a style and design that suit your needs.  The accessories can last for years if kept in a good condition.  Just because they are sold as cheap futon covers does not mean they have a short lifespan.  It is therefore advisable to take your time and choose nice and quality goods since they can be part of your home for a long time.

A removable cover is what makes this type of furniture so versatile and popular.  Fabric choices include corduroy, vinyl, synthetic materials that mimic leather and even denim.  Soft microfiber options are gaining in popularity due to their durability.

Various color choices make it possible to match, complement or contrast any existing interior design. Consumers can choose from soothing earth tones, versatile neutrals and bright colors which make a bold fashion statement in any setting.

A variety of print options offer even more possibilities for creating an inviting room.  An animal print works well with any tropical theme while geometric prints are perfect for people who are into retro styles.  The choices are as varied as the fabrics found in any craft or sewing store.

Whimsical designs are available to match the theme of any child’s room.  Most of these products are machine washable making them easy to keep clean.  The homeowner simply unzips, unsnaps or pulls-apart the Velcro holding the futon cover and removes the mattress on laundry day.  The cover can be replaced with something different when the child gets older and it is time to redecorate the room.

Consumers will find many local and online retailers with large inventories of futon covers in many styles and colors suited to any room in the house.  Price will depend on the material used and the pre-treatments applied but there are many futon covers cheap for people on a budget.

Material Selection
One of the key decisions that will have to be addressed when selecting a futon cover will be the material used in its fabrication.  A poor decision here or lack of thought about this selection can result in a purchase that will inevitably disappoint.  Choosing the wrong material for the futon’s intended use can lead to premature wear, shrinkage, or increase the likelihood of damage such as rips, tears and seam failures.

For a good durable, long lasting and cheap futon cover a consumer would be best served by selecting from an upholstery grade fabric designed to survive frequent use.  For example, seating furniture that is used regularly would probably benefit from an upholstery grade fabric.  Such fabrics are usually always machine-washable – a primary requirement for seating areas that suffer heavy use, ground in dirt and spillage.

For other areas where a futon cover is for occasional use or more decorative than functional there are many fabric choices.  Many consumers prefer natural fabrics for their futon covers, and there are five main natural fabrics to select from:

1. Cotton
2. Cotton-blend
3. Linen
4. Wool and wool-blend
5. Silk

Cotton and Cotton-Blend
Where the risk of soiling and wrinkling associated with heavy use is fairly low to moderate cotton is always a good futon cover option.  Offering good resistance against general wear, fading and pilling cotton is a comfortable natural option for a futon cover.  Where there is a desirability to purchase a particular cotton cover, but a worry that it may not be durable enough to survive its purpose, then there are a couple of options.

The cotton can be treated with an agent that will provide additional durability and protection against stains, wear and damage, or the cotton can be blended with other fibers to introduce strength where it may otherwise have been weak.  Some popular options therefore are a damask weave for formal occasions, or where a more casual use is intended a canvas weave such as sailcloth or duck might be more applicable.

A cotton blend does tend to be a more sturdy cover than 100% cotton and is therefore preferred for everyday use.   Of the natural fabics a cotton-blend, with the ease of maintenance and good life expectancy is perceived as the ‘king’ of cheap futon covers.

Linen
For rooms that benefit from lots of natural light the house owner must consider the effect of ultra-violet rays on the futon cover fabric, i.e. fading.  For furniture that is placed next to a window for example, a poor choice of fabric can see one arm of the chair noticeably fade in comparison to the rest of the chair.

One fabric suitable to resist such fading is linen.  Linen has a natural tendency to resist fading, and also pilling.  The trade off is that it will not hold up well under heavy wear, so this should be taken into consideration.  Also, for maintenance, linen should be professionally cleaned to avoid shrinkage.

Wool and wool-blend
Another fabric that will resist fading is wool.  Usually blended with a synthetic fiber to increase durability and ease of cleaning, a good wool futon cover will provide excellent resistance to fading, pilling and wrinkling.  A wool-blend in fact may be in the category of cheap futon covers when one considers the anticipated life.  One precaution, even wool-blends may require professional cleaning.  Read that small tag which describes the care-of, carefully!

Silk
Finally, for the most beautiful and delicate of fabrics, people may look to silk futon covers.  Usually the average consumer would not consider a silk fabric to fall in the category of cheap futon covers.  So delicate that it requires professional cleaning and only suitable for occasional use, a silk futon cover can enhance any room with its stunning finish.

Leather is mentioned here not as a fabric-choice but as a natural-choice.  Many people consider leather to be one of the better all round upholstery choices; it feels good, matures with age and is very strong and durable.  It is easy to clean, but does require regular cleaning and treatment to ensure a long life and avoid difficult defects such as cracking.  Most leather futon covers are used only on bi-fold mattresses since leather is usually not flexible enough for a tri-fold mattress.

Totally and 100% natural
Some consumers may require a totally natural futon cover, void of borate, chemicals and synthetics.  This is usually for medical reasons where a hypo-allergenic material has perhaps been prescribed by a doctor.  A truly hypo-allergenic material carries some risk due mostly to a fire hazard so care should be taken where hypo-allergenic is being considered.

Synthetic  materials
In addition to these five natural fibres, there are eight synthetic fibres that can also make splendid cheap futon covers.

Nylon is probably the most well known of synthetic fibres, but for futon covers it is usually blended with other fibers to provide one of the most durable and strong covers possible.  After blending, a nylon futon cover provides a very resilient surface that will resist soiling and wrinkling.  Care should be taken to avoid fading and pilling however.

Another popular synthetic fabric is of course polyester.  However polyester on its own in not suitable for a futon cover and should only be selected if blended with other fibres.

For users looking to have their space benefit from the beauty of a silk cover, but at a lower price point, acetate might be a good option.  Developed to be a substitute for silk, acetate can look beautiful however it does have shortcomings.  It can wrinkle quite badly, fade under exposure to sunlight and it will shrink if not cared for properly.   Probably not a good idea for every day furniture therefore, however,  a nice cheap option for silk.

Other synthetics that can be used for futons include acrylic, microfiber, rayon, olefin and vinyl. Each of these can provide good value and durability for a futon cover.

Construction – Seams
Once the fabric is selected paying due attention to the above guides, the manufacture is equally as important in deciding how durable and long lasting the cover will be; in particular the construction of the seams.  Double stitched seams offer the best protection against easy defects or wear.  Also known as a reinforced seam a double stitched seam will be required for frequent and heavy use futons.

Construction – Closures
Some futon covers come with a zipper flap in the back seam as standard, which offers a good practical option.  The fasteners will largely be a choice of preference, selected from drawstrings, Velcro or plastic snaps.

Warranty
After taking so much care to select your futon cover it is important that due attention is given to the manufacturer warranty.  Often it will be explicitly stated which cleaners should or should not be used, and the frequency of cleaning.  Consumers will ignore these warnings at their peril.

A Few Minutes of Consideration
Finding a cheap futon cover is not hard if you have some idea of the use, the preferred material and the amount of cleaning and care you want to invest keeping the cover looking as nice as possible.  Frequently the cheapest price may not lead to the cheapest cost as use, wear and tear and cleaning will add to the original price.  A few minutes of consideration can really help you find that cheap futon cover!

You’ll want to choose a reputable futon shop and be armed with the knowledge of how much futons should cost as well as what accessories you are interested in purchasing.

Once you’ve decided to buy a futon, you will want to shop at a store (bricks and mortar or online) that has a good reputation. A reputable futon shop should have a large selection of a variety of futons and futon accessories in an organized manner with sales people who are helpful and not too pushy.

They will have a good return policy that lets you get a full refund with at least 30 days to make the return. And they will have a warranty of at least 5 years.

These prices are benchmarks with a 10% plus-or-minus range. A futon should include the futon frame, futon mattress, and standard cheap futon cover(*).

Once you find a shop with the above features, you will want to make sure you are getting quality for your money. A chair futon should cost around $530.00, a twin lounger futon should cost around $580.00, a loveseat lounger futon should cost around $610.00, a full size futon should cost around $650.00
and a queen size futon should cost around $700.

Other coordinating accessories should be available to you, these will be an additional price and can include futon pillows; rolling storage drawers that fit under the futon; coffee tables, side tables, end tables, or lamp tables; futon ottomans or futon foot stools; lamps; and privacy screens to complete your room’s décor.

Once you find the shop you are interested in patronizing look for sales and coupons online and in the paper. Call or visit the store to see if they have a newsletter or mailing list and when their next sale will be. Sale price reductions of 10 to 15% were frequently found, with an occasional 20% or more on selected models. Assembly and delivery were not included.

The most common DEEP sale structure found was a frame that was offered with a lesser-expensive mattress cover and sometimes no cover. Of course, this would allow for an up-sell on the mattress and definitely a (smaller amount) up-sell on a mattress cover.

Compare and ask questions! In the end, you will have a futon you love for a fair price and you will be able to enjoy your new furniture for years to come!

(*)This aggregation was compiled during the last 10 days of July, 2011 from 3 cities of the top 20 Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSA) in the USA and using 3 online price-aggregators. Temporary sale prices were not included in the market pricing above.

It’s too small and kind of lumpy and way too firm. I think the real reason I don’t like it is because I had no input during the purchase (otherwise it would be larger, not lumpy, and softer).

My husband bought it and he didn’t do any of the research that I would have done had I been the purchasing party. He bought our futon and mattress before we were married. I’m not even sure I knew him at the time he bought it.

I’m more of a ‘research it to death’ sort of person. I work hard for every dollar I make and with two kids in diapers, it seems as though cash just flies out the door. Don’t get me wrong, my husband works really hard too, but he just is not into researching. I would have definitely checked customer reviews!

After we married I purchased the futon cover and did all the research, checking reviews, fabrics, warranties, etc. I am very happy with the mattress cover and coordinating futon pillows! It’s gorgeous and machine washable. My nephew had an ‘accident’ on it and it was no problem to simply machine wash and hang-to-dry at all! The one point I was really concerned about was shrinking. I just followed the directions on the small tag; absolutely no problem. I stretched the fabric some to loosen it up before putting it back on – fit like a dream.

I started looking at mattress covers that were on sale. To my surprise, a few cheap futon covers were stain-resistant and machine-washable. But none had that designer look I needed to make our guest room snap and pop. With two small-ones crawling around it simply had to be machine-washable and stain-resistant. I fell in love with a designer tapestry fabric which also met every one of my list criteria. It cost about $190.00. Of course, I had to also look at matching futon pillows which are the same washable tapestry fabric. The pillows cost about $38.00 each.

Our futon is a double bed, bi-fold, and there is plenty of room underneath for storage, but as I mention, I have two little ones who tend to get into everything, so I never purchased the under futon bed storage boxes. In the future, I am thinking about purchasing the storage boxes that fit underneath and look really nice. They would be great for guests to use when they visit us.

Learn your lesson the easy way (by learning from my mistake) and really do your research so you are happy with what you purchase! Even though I don’t like it, I know we are going to have this cheap futon cover for a long time; and my only solace is a gorgeous mattress cover which is also very, very practical!

The flame-retardant mandate from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission became effective July 1, 2007. It requires all modern futon mattresses and mattress foundation sets sold in the United States to withstand an open flame blowtorch test for 70 seconds. Now that’s safety!

Besides keeping us and our families safe, it’s important to make our resting time as comfortable as possible. After all, a well rested person is a happier person! A great way to sleep well is to have a modern futon mattress that is hypo-allergenic to prevent any allergies. The most common types of allergens are dust mites, mold, and mildew. A hypoallergenic futon mattress is tightly sealed to prevent dead skin and body oils from penetrating the futon mattress and attracting allergens, along with other microscopic organisms that can cause allergic reactions.

A less costly alternative to a hypoallergenic futon mattress is a futon mattress wrap, which seals the futon mattress in a layer of protective material to keep allergens away.

Being free of allergens isn’t the only thing people need for a good night’s rest. A well supported and innovative futon mattress that is comfortable and properly supports the body is paramount. Memory foam and high-density foam are great choices in the comfort department.

Memory foam futon mattresses, sometimes referred to as visco-elastic foam mattresses, are usually denser than other foam futon mattresses; this makes it more supportive, but also heavier. Higher-density memory foam reacts to a sleeper’s body heat by slowly softening. In just a few minutes a higher  density visco-elastic will mold to a sleeper’s body. A lower-density memory foam is still pressure and heat sensitive, molding within minutes to the sleeper and then springing back to original when the pressure is removed.

It is often seen as a good compromise between the comfort of a soft modern futon mattress and the solidness of a firm one, and can range in firmness from super soft to semi-rigid to firm. Because of the materials used, innovative memory foam futon mattresses often sell for more than traditional futon mattresses.

On the other side, some visco-elastic mattresses exhude a smell when first unpacked. Since they are a polyurethane foam the smell is sometimes likened to a paint-odor. Manufactureers recommend an airing out time immediately after unpacking. Since people vary tremendously with their sensitivity to the odor checking product reviews is very important!

Due to the indentation resiliency of memory foam mattresses manufacturers strongly advise against leaving babies and small children unattended since they may find it more difficult to turn over – causing suffocation!

Now let’s not forget that when we rest our bodies, we also want to have piece of mind. Thankfully, contemporary futon mattress manufactures have found a way to make modern futons with environmentally sensitive materials. Some innovative futon mattresses are filled with fibers made from recycled plastic bottles called elastomeric fibers. Other innovative futon mattresses use High Density Support Bases comprised of soy.

Then, there is the Talalay latex futon mattress which uses a method of producing molded pieces of natural latex foam rubber. And innovative futon ticking can be made with bamboo, coolmax (a fabric which wicks away moisture better than any other natural fiber using activated carbon), and aloe-vera which are all 100% biological. Many contemporary production processes enhance the innovation by avoiding and not using substances, chemicals, etc that could damage the environment.

The best way to get a good night’s sleep is to be comfortable in both body and mind. With today’s amazing technology, modern futon mattresses are making it easier than ever to rest assured!

Comprising of three separate elements, the Japanese futon is used on the floor, usually with a tatami (mat). The proper minimalist traditional futon as mentioned earlier is called a shikibuton, the comforter is called kakebuton, and finally the pillow is called the makura. In Japan the futon is changed for each season, to provide a heavier one during the winter months and a lighter, more breathable futon in the summer months.

The shikibuton is quite slim compared to what people would normally expect from a futon, but this is one of the advantages as it allows the futon to be rolled up and stored away without taking up too much space. This small footprint means it is also feasible to take a shikibuton with you on your travels. A shikibuton also ticks the environmental box as it is entirely made out of natural fibers. The other pro for this traditional futon is that it is relatively  inexpensive because it is quite thin. Unfortunately this last advantage can also be a disadvantage as the lack of depth to a shikibuton means that not everybody will find it very comfortable. It is worth bearing in mind however that a good Japanese Futon is known for helping with common back issues, so sufferers may like to persevere with a shikibuton and see if it helps with their ailment.

The West picked up on the idea of the Japanese Futon around 1940, when a cotton filled version became popular in dorms and guest rooms. American futons tend to be thicker than a traditional futon mattress, on average around 200mm (7.8 inches) thick. There is a larger selection of materials available for a modern futon mattress, consumers can select from latex, various foams, and even sprung mattresses. Of course in the West we do not prefer to sleep on the floor as a traditional futon would be used, but rather in a bed-frame. For this reason western futons can be purchased with a folding wooden or metal frame which converts to a sofa, lounger or chair.

Amazon reviews of a premier futon mattress – NATURAL

When used as a sofa the mattress is usually protected with a mattress cover. Futon mattress covers are available in a number of different materials and styles to match demand as more and more western consumers find the flexibility offered by a futon to be a big advantage, especially in situations where space is at a premium. For example, guest rooms where the bedding is removed during the day to make space for seating benefit greatly from the multi-purpose futon, or from the small area required for storage.

The one difference that remains between the two cultures is that for westerners rarely is a futon the primary sleeping arrangement, where as in Japan this is still very much the traditional sleeping arrangement.