What Are Futon Mattresses Made From?
26 Jul
If you’ve ever wondered what it is you’re sitting and sleeping on, then read on! Futons come in all shapes and sizes with a wide variety of covers, storage solutions, and headboards, but what about the stuff you can’t see? The inside of futon mattresses are made with different materials which does affect their overall feel, weight, function, and price.
Many futon mattresses are made from cotton. Cotton is the one of the mostly widely used materials to stuff futon mattresses. Cotton mattresses absorb moisture and will compress over time, so they work best for owners who won’t regularly move the futon. Using just cotton can make the futon firm and dense, which can be great for consumers who prefer a firmer mattress.
Then there are those futons made with cotton and foam. The cotton and foam blend is probably the most popular, as the foam lends a softness and comfort to the futon mattress. The cotton and foam mattresses are lighter than all-cotton futons but still hold their shape as long as they have at least four inches of foam. They are among the best futons for everyday use.
Next there are the cotton and polyester futons. This blend is another excellent choice for everyday use, as it makes for a light and flexible mattress. The foam really lends the softness to the firm polyester.
Then there are the cotton and wool (or felt) futons. Cotton and wool futons are ultra soft, but are rather rare and not very flexible. Sometimes, the wool blend is mixed with cedar woodchips to repel pests. There are some people who are allergic to wool (like me!) so that’s always something to keep in mind.
Next there are innerspring futons. Innerspring mattresses combine cotton, foam, and springs like a traditional mattress. They feel more like a traditional mattress and a lot of consumers really like that, however they are also more expensive than traditional futon mattresses.
Since futon mattresses have to be very flexible for the mattress to bend manufacturers use 2 general solutions:
- A bend crease where there are no innerspings. Usually about the width of one (1) row of springs. Since this area takes a tremendous amount of wear, the bend crease should be well sewn and preferably reinforced.
- Separately enclosing each spring in a casing – think of a very small pillowcase enveloping each spring independently.
Remember, no matter what kind of futon mattress you decide on, it should measure a minimum of six inches in depth to provide adequate cushioning between you and your futon’s frame. The thicker the mattress the more muscle it will require to convert from sleeper to seated position.
Test them all out and find the perfect futon mattress for you!

