Various looks at the hemp before it is made into the cover fabric.

hundreds of years. Even our founding fathers knew about and used hemp rope and hemp oil. What is called “industrial hemp” has many uses.

So why would anyone use hemp to cover a futon mattress?  Hemp is green.  Meaning, it is environmentally friendly and is making a comeback, especially in the clothing industry. This also means that hemp fabric is now much more available for other uses.  It used to be a rather expensive material to purchase, but the cost has been coming down and there are assorted vocal celebrities who are touting and supporting their love of hemp and hemp clothing to a few award shows. Did you ever think to see a tuxedo made out of hemp?

Why would hemp be the fabric of choice for anything, let alone futon covers?  Industrial hemp containing less than 0.3 percent THC does not have the same drug-like properties as its cousin the joint and really is meant for common household use.  It is often blended with some other conventional fabric ingredient to make a smoother and softer piece of material. This means that hemp and cotton may be spun together to make smooth, comfortable, and breathable fabrics that wear like iron. Hemp is grown and used all over the world because it is so easy to cultivate.

Some folks swear by “organic.” Hemp – being organic – is also hearty. It can tolerate harsh growing conditions, without the need for chemicals to keep the crop profitable and “durability” is hemp’s middle name. You can abuse it and even mistreat it without actually harming it. That is what makes it a great fabric for futons.  And it grows really fast. Bamboo fast.  It can be planted, grown and harvested in a never ending cycle making it a very “sustainable resource.” Oh yes, hemp is green all right.

If you like the wear of denim – which is cotton, then you are likely to enjoy the wear of hemp – especially if it is mixed with cotton.  The usual ratio is 55 percent hemp and 45 percent cotton. They both age very gracefully. The feel of hemp when it is new is slightly stiffer than cotton but with wear and use it softens up becoming very comfortable, just like your favorite denim jeans do. Except that hemp is not blue, it usually comes in its own natural tan color and its own highly organic texture. Pair this type of cover with your organic cotton futon and you’ve got the makings of a healthy and organic ‘sleep system’ – next, the sheets!  You can throw this in the laundry just like any cotton item, too. So when your organic hemp futon cover “ripens” you can toss it in the wash without fear. Give hemp a chance. You may find you like it better than plain ordinary cotton for a futon cover.

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all know how that went for them – remember those clear plastic furniture covers?  Their sofas never aged, but you had to bear the uncomfortable feeling of sitting on plastic stuff that had the tendency of sticking or sliding during the summers months.

The brand new covers are far from being like those old plastic ones grandma used to have.  Your search on the internet will yield various types of sites depending upon the method in which you are searching and the specific accessories you are looking for regarding your futon.  You must decide how you will place the cover on the item, find out what it is manufactured from, and discover what style of frame you are using now. There are so many different choices available for your selection. You may never experience boredom with your sofa-sleeper again.  There are also chaise lounge futons, futon mattresses, and futon chairs that have different types of patterns, colors, styles, and covering materials.

How You Will Use Your Mattress Will Have An Influence On The Style of Futon Cover You Select

Now, we will cover different topics and address some questions that surface when owning a convertible sleeper-sofa, home decor, and entertaining overnight guests. Consider this brief article your entrance to the spectrum of how a futon cover can provide you with its vital benefits.

Normal tear and wear is expected with your futon.  Your futon sofa may not need that extra protection.  It mostly depends on its usage.  Are you constantly entertaining guests?  Do you only have guests come over periodically?  The answer to these questions will determine if you need that extra protection.  Protecting your futon should not be strictly related to what function it serves, but also how fashionable it is.  You can add a flair and your personality to this aspect of the bedding accessories.

Futon slipcovers are available in different patterns that is suitable for a variety of tastes.  You can easily use the cover to improve the appearance of the room without being too overbearing. Covers are available from  solid colors that are related to primary colors, muted colors, and eighties colors such as neon or pink. Patterns are also available with flower designs, animal prints, and more sophisticated styles as well.

Consider The Function When Choosing Certain Fabrics For Your Futon Mattress Cover

Choices on fabric will also play a role when you are selecting your style of covers. It is wise if you go with a fabric that blends well with its most common uses. For example, going with a linen type or microfiber suede cover is not a good idea when you have kids and animals in the home.  This is where common sense should start to kick in. You will probably be better off with leather as it will bear the pressure and force of kids and pets.  Cotton blends and cottons with a patterned print is a favorable selection that will stand the test of time in a play area for children.

A recent surge has taken place with the popularity of futons in homes.  A shift towards contemporary and even that traditional Japanese look is currently taking place globally.  Basic frames and futon beds are very popular for collegiate dorms and provide a more utilitarian purpose versus a fashion cause. However, in more expensive residences, futon sofa-sleepers provide the perfect answer for singles and newlyweds that seldom entertain or have house guests. They function extremely well in a home, office, and guest room.  The futon is great if you happen to use yours to seat extra guests in a room that is used for entertaining.

Putting your slip cover on the futon gives you some options that you have never thought of.  Planning ahead should encourage you to purchase several covers.  You can change them whenever the mood hits you.  Select the cover with a bold color, patterns, and animal prints when you are looking for more spark in your home.  Selecting an elegant pattern or muted color is great when you are attempting to create a more subdued or intimate feel.

Covers for your favorite futon can be a reflection of your personality or creativity.  Home owners that are green conscious can choose from natural organic materials such as hemp as an option for a futon cover.  One’s personality will influence their creativity when its time to make a final decision for covering a couch or sofa.  Using covers is less expensive and less frustrating than painting the room or purchasing new furniture. You can easily order your cover, have it shipped expediently to your home, clean it, and start using it within one week.

Whatever your tastes are, you can shop confidently knowing that there are futon covers that will work perfectly for you.  Wishing you well!  Happy shopping!

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Whether it is for your own personal sleeping arrangements, for your company in a guest room, or a convertible sleeping/lounging unit a futon mattress could fit the bill perfectly.  Often, the choice of what to use in a small space or designated area can get confusing and downright frustrating if you don’t have the know-how or financial resources to drop a serious dime on a designer or to simply buy the most modern furniture set as it comes out each season.

That’s Why Today’s Modern Futon Mattress Might Be Your Best Choice

A futon mattress with frame in a contemporary modern room decor.

In the event that you actually want your space to be appealing and functional, then you’ll need to consider some specific choices that you will encounter.  How large do you make the sitting area?  In most cases, you don’t need a designer (though one could be helpful if you are clueless about such things) to determine this.  It is basically a pleasing to the eye sort of gut feeling.  If you feel crammed into the space with a king size futon mattress, then this is not the right choice.  Similarly, if you feel like you’re miles away from your company teetering on a too small twin futon mattress, then that won’t work either.  In most cases, it comes down to proportion.  In the other cases, it comes down to positioning.  Often, just moving the objects about in your room can dramatically change the overall feel it has as you enter it.  Sometimes, in lieu of a designer you can ‘employ’ a friend.  Go in another room and have your friend (or friends when you are talking about moving furniture) move things around for you.  Then, when you come back into the room, you can look upon it with fresh eyes.  Maybe they will have come up with the best futon mattress placement for you – and the price was right, too!

What About Firmness of the Futon Mattress?

This is something to consider, especially depending upon where you will be using it.   If you go with some of the more traditional infill materials like cotton/poly blends, you may find that they get too soft or sag prematurely.  A wool futon mattress will also have a bit of flattening occur but appears to hold up because of its natural firmness.  Also, remember that an organic futon mattress is really the safest bet if you are concerned about chemical off gassing in your sleeping quarters.  Finally, if you want to add that modern flair to the age old futon of yours,  get yourself a futon cover worthy of the times.  Your futon mattress can serve a very valuable function in your entertaining plans, just make sure that you take of it and it will continue to take care of you – in this era and beyond.

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