When Consumers Have Questions…
…We Have Answers!

It’s one of those things that you know you have to do but you are not sure why. Intuitively I knew when (Dave) Buechner said it was going to be big that it was going to be big. I knew I had to get “online” but I didn’t have all the details. Fortunately it was one of those impulses that turned out to be fruitful.

Yeah, almost all the huge furniture dotcoms have gone over the falls, but we smaller fish are ready to shoot the next set of rapids and it will be a kinder, gentler (and hopefully) wiser bunch for the second and third rounds. Our website, www.futonlife.com is a case in point.

One of the special pleasures of being the number one (and possibly only) independent futon furniture information site is the huge amount of consumer interest we generate. With almost fifteen thousand unique visitors per month we get all kinds of questions about the people and products we all know and love. Most of those questions fall into one of the following categories:

1. I have one and its broken or dirty, help!
2. Someone gave me one and I can’t put it together.
3. I’m going to buy one like this or that and where can I get it.
4. I’m going to buy one and I want to know what to buy, either what kind, how much should it cost, which wood is best, or whatever.

We have already addressed some of the more frequent questions on the web site directly. We have added a set of “How to build your own futon frame plans,” and have also directed consumers to appropriate sections of the Futon Primer™ to address some others.

Why are we sharing all this with you? As manufacturers and retailers of futon furniture we thought forwarding some of this intelligence would be valuable to you. Consumer shopping and buying statistics and information is valuable stuff. And since we are telling consumers what would be the best course of action for their particular situation, and since some of those answers tell them to call or go see your local retailer, we thought it would be prudent to pass it on to you. Following here are some of the classic questions and answers of the past four years.

The Dirty Futon Mattress

These come in two categories: The simple and the complex.

The simple: My pet, child, or husband has soiled my futon mattress. How can I clean it?

The complex: I purchased a futon bed about 1 year ago for my daughter’s bedroom. It’s the kind with a bunkbed and couch. The problem I have is getting the futon couch clean. It’s black and is treated with a fire protector on it. I have tried to spot clean it and it leaves water rings when dried. What do I do? I like the bunkbed and couch because it fits so well in such a small area, but hate to think what is on that futon after a year. Please let me know how to clean it.

Thanks, Diane

FL Response

Hi Diane (et al):

The best idea for this problem is protection before it happens. Use a mattress pad and/or a vinyl sheet between the futon mattress and the fitted/bottom sheet. This should help solve any future problems with dogs, kids, and the occasional coffee or iced tea stain.

You could clean the mattress with some rug cleaner and then add a plain futon cover and try that. If you are in a dry climate and can hang the mattress outside in the sun, try using some warm water with laundry detergent in it and a scrub brush to clean the spots, or the whole mattress. If you don’t get it too wet it will dry out nicely in a day or so of warm sunlight.

What kind of futon mattress is best? (two similar questions)

Q1. I would like to ask a question concerning the everyday use of a futon. I live in an efficiency apartment. I would like to know if the futon could be used for everyday to sleep on. If the futon could be used for everyday use could you give me information on the type of futon (mattress) to buy, and also the model or price range. Which would hold up and not get uncomfortable after a couple of weeks or months?

Thank you for the information,
Ray

Q2. I am looking for a new futon. I already have a frame. The primary use of the futon will be for a guest bed. What should I look for in a futon: quality, thickness, components (cotton, foam, wool...), etc? I went to a shop and they said six inches is a good thickness for my purpose, is that true? I am probably going to get an innerspring futon.

Thank you.

FL Response

Hi Ray (et al):

Check out the futon primer on our web site: http://futonlife.com/primer/fprimer.html.
We recommend a premium, eight inch thick, cotton/foam or cotton/polyester futon for everyday sitting and sleeping. When you consider the highest end of the futon mattress market is about $349.00 to $499.00, with many quality futons selling for much less, you can invest wisely and still get a great value that delivers awesome comfort. There are probably, pound for pound, more quality raw materials in a premium futon mattress than anything you could buy for twice the price from the Four S’s.

Innerspring, latex foam, and other configurations are available too, and are also very good for daily sitting and sleeping. Sit down, lie down and do a serious butt test. Ask your retailer if they are a member of the Futon Association, and look at the following boilerplate issues we use for overall questions.

Look for quality. As a consumer you owe it to yourself to look at these issues: the quality and straightness of the stitching; the quality of the ticking fabric; the tufting and general overall cleanliness and uniformity of the mattress; the mattress should not be lumpy or irregular and the tufts should be neat and placed orderly over the entire surface of the mattress. It should have a law tag that states what it is made of, and you should ask the retailer if they have the written assurance from the manufacturer that the mattress meets the Federal and State flammability regulations. We also recommend that you look for a label that clearly states the name and possibly the address of the manufacturer. Be a wise consumer and the best will be yours, comfort, value and all.

What can I do to rejuvenate my old futon (mattress)?

FL Response

It is not an easy task to rejuvenate a flattened or depressed cotton or cotton and foam futon (mattress). Some people will open the casing and take out the cotton and have it garnetted again. In Japan this is actually what they regularly do, but this is rare in the US.

My suggestion is as follows. Buy new mattresses. A premium futon mattress should cost you less than $400. Most are in the $225 to $295 range. Use your old futon as a play mat in front of your TV or roll it up for use as a guest sleeper if you want to keep it.

Purchase a new mattress for sleeping and/or sitting as you would with a conventional product with the same problem. Spending a little more now should help. An all cotton futon will always tend to be hard and flat after time because of the nature of the cotton fibers. Adding GOOD, higher density (1.8 psf to 2.0 psf) foam will help, and be sure your dealer guarantees the product against this problem for a reasonable length of time.

Not all futon mattresses are created equal. In fact some of the newer products on the market are awesome when it comes to comfort and long lasting resilience.

Broken stretcher. What do I do?

I know this probably is not a Frequently Asked Question. I applied too much pressure in one instance (falling onto the frame), and my stretcher bar broke. My futon retailer no longer carries my futon frame (the Manhattan), and it is made of maple. I am having a terrible time finding a replacement beam. Perhaps you could help lead me !!! I know it was made in Canada by a company with the initials W.C.

Any help would be appreciated!! My local hardware stores say they only carry oak (in hardwoods) and they do not drill holes. I have a matching living room suite, so I cannot easily replace the futon frame! I really need to find a replacement stretcher bar!!!

Thanks in advance,
Jenni

FL Response

Dear Jenni:

One solution is to use the stretcher from the back of the frame in front and replace the broken one with one made from oak or some other wood. Your retailer should be able to help you with another stretcher of similar size and design. If not, you may want to take your old/broken stretcher to another futon furniture store nearby and see if someone else can help with a similar stretcher.

Another solution may be to find a woodworker or finish carpenter who can make you another maple stretcher. You can use the broken one as a model or you may even have to give them the good one so they can duplicate it. You should be able to find someone in the yellow pages, or through the local lumber yard or Home Depot store.

Let us know how you make out.

What about Rubberwood?

I am in the market for a nice quality futon (my first) and have decided, based on your futon primer and other sources, to go with a hardwood frame. The sales people at the local stores are pushing “rubberwood”. 1) Is this a hardwood? 2) How is the durability compared to more common hardwoods? ie: oak, ash, maple, teak. 3) Should I just stay away from “rubberwood”, it honestly does not instill the confidence of “oak” or “ash” as a viable “hard” wood. 4) Any idea where it grows? Any help you could provide would be appreciated.

Don

FL Response

Hi Don:

After this article was printed I had several people in the import business complain about my not including “rubber wood” in my story. I challenged them to find me any technical data on “rubber wood” and I never got a response.

As far as I know it is a catchall name for species of wood that are misidentified or unknown by the seller.

If I do get better information I will add it to the site.

Note: I recently revisited this issue and this time around did find some information on the species referred to as “rubberwood”. It seems to refer to a group of imported woods that are of the rubber tree family. The technical information is as follows: Hevea brasillensis (plantation) Para Rubbertree Family: Euphorbiaceae; Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) 0.46 to 0.52; air-dry density 35 to 40 pcf. Ed.- What this means is that true rubberwood falls right in line with most of the better woods used in imported futon frames. It also seems to offer at least as good as, if not better than characteristics than several domestic softwoods.

What is better, wood or metal?

I am thinking about buying a futon and I like the all wood oak frames, but I’m not sure if they are as strong as the wood and metal or all metal frames, can you help?

Thanks, Tom

FL Response

Hi Tom:

There are too many manufacturers and suppliers out there for me to give you a yes or no answer. Many of the all oak or ash frames use a “slider” mechanism that works fine. You can read about the details in the Futon Primer™ on our web site: http://www.futonlife.com.
Many of the all metal frames are poorly designed and constructed, with a couple of exceptions. I am personally a fan of the Innovation line from Denmark, which is an excellent all metal construction.

There are several wood frame with metal mechanism designs out there that have really impressed me lately too.

Check the construction. Is the joinery good? Are there any obvious design flaws like screw points sticking out of the wood? When you try the frame does it creak and moan or does it just open and close easily? Look at the mechanism itself. Does it lock? Is it bolted to the frame through the arm? Is the grain in the wood in that arm running parallel top to bottom or side to side? If the grain runs side to side only then you are looking at the possibility of the wood splitting. This could be resolved several ways. Applying a second ply of wood running top to bottom would help, or affixing a metal plate to the arm that will support the mechanism is another solution. You could do this yourself or it could be there already as part of the original design.

Let the buyer beware!

Can you help me find some directions? I can’t put this together!

My sister gave me a beautiful futon frame when she moved but I can’t find the directions on how it goes together. Can you help me out?

Thanks, Cindy

FL Response

Hi Cindy:

The best thing to do in this situation is to find your local futon furniture specialty retailer and ask them for some help. If they are quick and smart they will give you the best customer service they offer so you leave happy.

Most of the frames have very similar hardware and construction schemes. And a good retailer can probably make you a copy of some simple directions they have so you can set up your new frame, and then head right back to their store to buy a new mattress, futon cover, and a couple of pillows to finish off your décor. (This advice is also what we give consumers looking for spare parts or replacement hardware.)

Epilogue: Most consumers respond with a thank you, and even send us tales of victory after they take our advice into the real world. Our apparent role as oracle seems to benefit everyone, consumer and retailer alike. To address many of the FAQs we receive, we often direct consumers to our “Find A Local Retailer” section or suggest they visit the Futon Association’s “Member Retailer” page. We’re here, we have answers. You’re out there, we’ll keep sending consumers your way.

And by the way, when you think you are ready to go online or tell consumers you are there remember to sign up for our free find a retailer search engine on the site.

FAQs will continue to be a regular feature in every issue. FL

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