Does your futon seem like it is about to reach the end of its usefulness? Do you feel camel bumps here and there when all you wanted is to feel comfortable when you lay down on it? Could it be tilting or making creaking sounds when you sit on it?
If any of this is happening to your futon, it is only natural to think it is time to say goodbye.
But if you are willing to put in some time and effort, you can get your futon looking nice and feeling comfy in no time by following the tips and tricks we have in store for you.
When and why do futons become uncomfortable?
So, when do we say a futon is uncomfortable, and what causes it?
- Normal wear and tear can cause a futon to sag or sink in the middle making it uneven and uncomfortable to sit or lie down on.
- Your sleeping habits, as well as how you fold the futon, all contribute to the formation of lumps on the mattress. If you are using a spring coil futon mattress, the spring could also tear the mattress covering and poke you all over.
- Exceeding manufacturers’ recommended weight limit can also cause lumps and bumps on the mattress due to uneven weight distribution. Going over the limit could also cause cracks and damage to the frame, making it wobbly.
- Out-of-position slats are also one of the reasons for uneven weight distribution, leading to the mattress forming lumps, and giving you utter discomfort.
- Loose or broken hinges, glides, and fasteners leave the frame unstable, uneven, and lean sideways.
How to keep your new futon stay comfortable?
With prolonged use, it is impossible to prevent your futon from sagging due to normal wear and tear. But just because your futon is past its glory days, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to replace it.
Here are some tricks you can do to make your old futon cozy even when the mattress structure is no longer intact.
- Use thick mattress toppers made with dense material that can provide more comfort for a long time. Toppers are available in various sizes and thicknesses. You can choose toppers made from cotton, foam, wool, down, or feathers.
- Add layers of comforters or pillows underneath or atop the futon mattress to give it height and additional structure. It will also serve as another layer of fluff, making the futon feel softer and more comfortable.
- If you have the budget, you can also put another futon mattress on top of an old one to make it cushier and a tad higher.
When creaking and swaying get in the way of your comfort
A noisy futon is an annoying futon!
How can you stay comfortable when every move you make is accompanied by creaking as if the futon is groaning from your weight?
What’s more, a swaying futon is a bad futon. Remember, you bought a stable couch-bed-in-one, not a rocking chair.
So, what do you do when you hear creaking sounds or feel the futon leaning to the side when you sit or lie down on it?
The first thing to do is to find out the cause of the unwanted sound or movement and then follow our tips on how to fix them.
Slats
Check if the slats moved, causing an imbalance in weight distribution. Do this by removing the futon mattress and examining the slats underneath. If they are out of place, push them back to their right spots, and then check if the sound goes away.
Fasteners
If the slats are not the problem, the next thing to check is the fasteners holding the joints and pieces of wood or metal frame together.
If the fasteners are loose, simply tighten the screws.
If broken, you can buy a replacement online, at hardware stores, or in furniture shops.
Glides and Hinges
Glides are part of the futon responsible for the gentle unfolding of the frame. On the other hand, hinges keep the frame in place when it is folded or unfolded.
If these parts are not sliding smoothly, getting stuck, or are damaged, you can easily replace them by buying a pair of slides and hinges online or from hardware stores.
Add support to the middle
Sometimes futons creak because you are overloading them and going above the weight limit they can carry.
To better distribute weight or make the futon carry additional weight without creaking, bucking, or breaking, we highly recommend that you add another leg in the middle or prop it up with cinder blocks for more support.
If you think the futon is too low for you, you may want to read our article on how to make a futon taller.
