Futon Covers
101 (scroll down to go directly to measurement guide)
Choosing The Right Futon Cover- Durability Vs.
Looks
There are so many
fabric choices to consider when you buy a futon cover from a futon store
or futon cover web site, that at first it seems confusing and frustrating.
Our Futon Covers 101 Buyer's Guide is designed to make the hunt for your
ultimate futon cover much easier. On our website, www.futoncoversonline.com, the home
page is the best place to start. It's laid out in newspaper style,
offering about 10 basic categories of futon cover fabric categories, and
depending upon your needs and wants, you can save some money, and starting
at around fifty bucks, you can buy one of our premium solid futon covers, considered one of
the best basic futon covers available anywhere. We've been doing this for
10 years, so we've spent a lot of time experimenting with thousands of
fabrics, and our field requirements for a good futon cover are what we
would describe as meeting the highest standards for quality, sewing,
durability, and resistance to color fade.
For example, the premium solid futon cover we sell is
designed for even the harshest high traffic environments, it can be
machine washed, has a nylon zipper guide (you can watch our tutorial video
about our solid covers on premium solid futon cover page). You can buy 19
different colors in our solid program, with matching round bolster pillows
or square pillows, and the fabric is a heavier weighted muslin broadcloth,
which can take any beating that kids, cats, dogs, or wild partying in a
dorm room can dish out. If you want a basic futon cover, and don't want to
make a substantial investment in a pattern or print that might not match
your decorating a year from now, a solid cover will work well and can be
used with a variety of designs and color schemes, just by switching out
the pillows on occasion. It will last longer than any futon mattress you
will ever own.
One popular myth about futon covers is that if you
are searching for a solid futon cover, or even a print, that 100% cotton
is the best way to go. Based on our experience, this is not at all true.
Our solid futon covers are a blend of cotton and polyester, and since a
blend will hold up much longer, and will not shrink, fade, or unravel, we
highly recommend our solid futon cover over the many imported 100% cotton
covers available on other sites which are bed sheet thin, shrink easily,
do not wear well, and can even be faded the minute you open your futon
cover package. Often, the exposed edges of the futon cover may have been
exposed to sunlight sitting in a warehouse or outdoor factory in Pakistan
or India (which is where most imported futon covers are made). Also, the
grade of cotton that is used in these futon covers is often inferior, and
has a lot of husk and debris in the weave that can cause unraveling. Be
careful, and ask specifically regardless of where you buy your futon
cover, if it is imported, or made in the U.S.
Since there is more
cotton than polyester in our American made blend, you still get that nice
organic, raw feel of cotton, reinforced with the durability and strength
of polyester fiber. Our web site does feature many 100 percent solid futon
covers, but you must search the fabric selections and read the description
to find out the exact fabric content, or you can call us at 1-800-231-1651
and we would be happy to assist you.
We sell a variety of futon covers made from wonderfully
popular and inviting materials, including popular microfibers, genuine
denim fabrics, great print covers such as Asian (check out our hugely
popular Sushi Bar futon cover category). We also sell a variety of
reasonably priced faux leather futon covers that look exactly like
leathers and suedes, and even distressed bomber jacket type leathers, that
can machine washed, and since they are made using high tech synthetic
material, they simply cannot be destroyed, and stand up to years of
use.
Which fabric is best for my futon cover
choice?
If you ready to buy a premium futon cover, maybe a great
Southwestern style print, or a contemporary or floral print, or one of our
Weathered Leather futon covers, don't
get too caught up in the fabric content..pay more attention to what you
think is attractive and visually appealing..the reason is simple. We've
already done the work for you to make sure that all of our futon covers
are made with strong, well constructed materials, even down to our
requirement that all of our covers be made using a nylon zipper guide to
minimize damage to the teeth of the zipper over a long period of time.
There are some basic guidelines, though, for choosing just the right futon
cover, especially if you have animals or active kids, or if your futon
cover is being used in a high traffic environment and you would expect
some liquid spills now and then.
Best Futon Covers For Pet
Owners And For Families With Active Children
We get calls and inquires every day from discouraged pet
owners whose cats or dogs have either scratched through, unraveled, eaten,
or soiled their futon cover. First of all, we're going to assume that you
manicure your pets well, otherwise, you may have a difficult time finding
any material that will suit your needs. Also, it just so happens that the
futon covers we recommend for pet owners have been purchased by families
with kids, like ours, and it all comes down to two things: how easy it is
to clean, and how it feels to the touch.
Leather Look Vinyl Futon
Covers Offers many colors in our marine grade vinyl futon cover
category. This material is perfect for pets and kids, because you can wipe
them clean with Windex and paper towels. It looks and feels exactly like
leather, but is easy to maintain. Matching bolsters and pillows are
available.
Microfibers And Faux Suedes
Wonderfully soft and inviting, by far our most popular category of futon
covers, because these velvety soft fabrics are far more durable than most
people think, and they feel extraordinary to the touch. Because of the
extreme high density of the weave, these fabrics wear well, and appeal to
humans as much as they do pets! We sell about 40 different colors and some
of them are even piped, an embellishment where a cord of matching fabric
is sewn to the perimeter of the futon cover to add an extra, luxurious
touch. Washable and dryable, but there is a down side: If you have an
animal that sheds, a microfiber futon cover can be like a giant lint
brush, but you can use an actual lint brush to solve this problem (or some
3" packing tape which is what Marc, our owner, uses to keep his microfiber
futon cover neat and tidy, even though his 2 Siamese cats have claimed his
futon as their own). Marc's two young boys love microfiber materials, and
all of the futons in his house have either microfiber pillows, futon
covers, and even throws and comforters made from these materials.
Denim Our Denim offers a wide
variety of genuine 100% Denim (not printed materials that look like denim)
in both 100% cotton and durable blends. These futon covers are casual in
look and feel, and are ideal for media rooms, play areas, and for pet beds
and pet futons! You can dress them up or down, and almost everyone feels
at home on anything that is made from Denim. Visit our Denim page to
explore this American classic..what a great material for a futon
cover!
One really good idea: When you visit any of
our futon cover pages, on the order page below the price grid, you will
see an option to purchase our medical grade mattress protector, which goes
on your futon mattress before you put on the futon cover, just like a
fitted sheet. It is one of the most amazing products we have ever seen,
because it is totally waterproof, hypoallergenic, dust mite proof, yet it
still ventilates, allowing air to pass through to keep your futon mattress
cool and dry, and to prevent mold and mildew from growing inside the
cotton batting of your futon mattress. Click
here to go to our Protect-A-Bed Mattress Protector page. If you've got
kids who are drinking juice boxes, or tend to spill drinks on your
furniture, or even your bed mattress, we highly recommend this product.
When an accident does happen, you can quickly remove the futon cover or
sheet, take off the Protector and carry it to your wash room and throw it
into your washing machine.
We've got lots of fun fabrics
for children in our Premium Cover
categories, so poke around in these areas on our site as well to find some
unusual and themed futon covers. Chenille fabrics, while having a
lot more texture, much thicker than a microfiber or velour material, makes
a wonderful futon cover if you are looking for style, elegance, and
something with a little more weight, but hold off if you've got cats or
dogs with claws, because they have small loops that are easily caught and
the material is a bit more delicate, even though it is durable.
Measuring Your Futon Mattress For The Correct Loft
Size:
How To Order A Futon Cover That Fits Right
And Looks Tailor Made!
Most futon cover web sites have a "one size fits all" mind
set, so that when you order a futon cover and your mattress isn't thick or
thin enough to allow the futon cover to fit snugly, you end up with a bean
bag nightmare, a cover that swims all over the mattress with baggy
wrinkles, or you end up with a futon cover that will not fit on your
mattress because it is too tight. Unlike many other web sites where you
can order a futon cover, Futon Covers Online asks you for more
information... to help you get a futon cover that fits correctly. We'll
provide you with a futon cover that looks neat, tailored, and snug. The
end result is a futon couch that looks like an upholstered sofa and not a
bag full of laundry or a knapsack! We are the only website that offers
this feature (well, along with a few other things like pictures of our
futon covers on a futon couch, wholesale pricing, free samples, and free
shipping).
It is very important that you measure your mattress
correctly so that all three dimensions can be checked: length, width, and
height (we use another term, called loft, that refers to the measurement
of the side panel sewn into a futon cover, which when you vary the
thickness of it, allows it to accommodate either a thinner or thicker
mattress more precisely). Also, a lot of folks think they have a queen,
when in reality it is a full size futon cover. 88 percent of all futon
mattresses are full size, so you want to make sure! This accounts for many
shipping errors, so the only way to be sure of your correct size is to
physically measure it. Also remember that futon mattresses settle over
time, so if you bought an 8" thick mattress 4 years ago, you might be
surprised to find that it is only 6" thick today! Our illustrated
measurement flow chart helps you accurately measure your futon mattress.
Begin by clearing out an area on your
floor, so that you can drop the mattress (plop it down) and measure
all three dimensions, length, width, and height (thickness).
Remember that the term "loft size" which you will determine to order
the right fit for your futon cover, will be explained easily below.
If you have questions, feel free to call us at anytime 9-5 CST
during the week at 1-800-231-1651, and we will be glad to assist you
with choosing the correct size.
Using a tape measure, measure the
longest dimension (length) as accurately as you can. Then measure
the width as accurately as possible. This process is a bit easier if
two people are doing the measuring.
Just be as accurate as you can, but realize
that measuring a futon is a bit like measuring a marshmallow...it's only
so accurate! Using the following chart, you can accurately determine the
size of your mattress:(all measurements shown are in inches) Simply plug
in your measurement to the charts below.
Mattress Size
Width (short side)
Length (long side)
Twin
36-41
72-76
Full
52-55
72-76
Queen
58-62
78-82
If your dimensions fall inside the ranges shown, you would
be able to accurately determine your size... the industry standard sizes
in the U.S., just for reference, are as follows for futon and conventional
bedding mattresses:
Twin
39x75 inches
Full
54x75 inches
Queen
60x80 inches
Measuring the Height Or Thickness Of Your
Mattress To Help Determine Correct Cover Fit
Using a yardstick or lightweight board,
measure the thickness (height) of the mattress by placing the board
across the mattress, allowing it to dangle beyond the mattress, so
that you can measure the distance from top of mattress to the floor,
as shown at right. Don't press down on the yardstick or board. You
want a measurement that is as accurate as possible, while applying
little or no pressure to push down the mattress. When you order your
cover, you will be asked to indicate the loft of the futon mattress.
You will be required to select a loft size to order a cover from us.
The "loft size" refers to how the manufacturer needs to cut the
sides of a futon cover. Let's say your mattress measures 6" tall
when you do the yardstick measurement as we have described. The
manufacturer uses a side panel along the edge of each of the 4 sides
that make the cover "box-like". This is where the manufacturer can
make the side panel taller to accommodate poofier, or thicker
mattresses. The side panel is usually 4" tall or 6" tall. Then you
must factor in the 1" roll of material over the top edge, and the 1"
roll over the bottom edge. This gets you your total height..so, if
your mattress is really 6" tall in your field measurement, you need
to order a 4" loft (4" side panel + 1" top edge and 1" bottom edge =
6" total height). If your mattress is lets say 8" tall, then you
need to order a 6" loft (6" higher cut side panel + 1" top edge and
1" bottom edge = 8" total height ). Look at your mattress and you
can see how the side panels kind of fit in the center area of each
side wall of your mattress, and have about a 1" border top and
bottom to make up the total thickness. Your measurement will get you
a futon cover made like a "mirror image" of your mattress for
precise, neat and tidy fitting! No other futon cover store anywhere
offers this kind of precision fit!
If your fabric selection gives you the option of choosing
from different loft sizes to accommodate different thickness mattresses,
use the following chart. Please note that not all fabric choices are
available in different thicknesses, and that many of our covers are
offered in only one loft size, 6" loft, which will comfortably fit
mattresses roughly 7-9" thick, and more loosely on a mattress that is 6"
thick. Just remember that a "6" loft" cut futon cover does not fit a 6"
thick futon! A 4" loft cut cover does! Read the chart below and it easily
tells you which loft to select when prompted on our site.
If you
are not sure what to do, and are thinking "ok, this is WAY too
complicated, and I just want to get my futon cover", then go with
a 6" loft cover, which will fit almost any thicker futon mattress out
there being 7-9" thick...if you have a mattress taller than 9.5", you need
to call us at 1-800-231-1651 to order a special custom fit, or your cover
will be too tight. So, if your cover is:
this thick:
Then, order a cover with a
loft of:
Attention: Please note that covers ordered with 4" lofts are
considered custom sizes and cannot be returned or
exchanged. If you want to have the option to return
the cover for some reason, simply choose the 6" loft option
when you purchase your cover. There is a modest $12.
charge to custom sew your futon cover with the 4" loft
option.
For a tighter fit, such as futon mattresses that
are 6" thick or thinner, the 4" loft is the best fit, so if
you're not sure, get a free sample of the fabric to help you feel
more comfortable about your purchase. Order any sample online at orderfutoncover@aol.com,
and provide your name and address and the fabric name. Futons
measuring more than 6" thick, up to 9" thick, should be ordered with
a 6" loft. Only covers made with 6" lofts, or covers purchased with
no loft option are returnable. If your mattress is thicker than 9",
give us a call to discuss measuring details and extra thick loft
size options.
Remember, the loft size refers to how the futon cover is
constructed and to the height of the side panel that is sewn in the cover
that forms the sides of the cover. Varying the height of this panel or
side allows us to adjust the fit of the cover to be correctly tailored to
your mattress, for a neat, tidy, snug look. So, the loft size refers to
the panel or side height, whereas the thickness of your mattress is
different, being the overall height of your futon mattress. Be as accurate
as you can, but even a good guess will probably get you a good fit. Once
you have measured your futon mattress, and you know precisely what size
you have, you can proceed to shop our fabric inventory to purchase the
ultimate futon cover. If you followed our measurement instructions
carefully, you'll get a cover that fits!
Remember, you are the only one who'll know what size
you'll need, so do it right! Our fabrics are produced in many
configurations. This means that some prints are sewn up with borders to
either save cost on the futon cover or to enable the fabric to be
increased to a length required by a full or queen couch.
Currently,
almost all our solid futon covers and our premium futon covers are all
around covers (see illustration below). This means that the entire futon
cover, including the front, back, top, bottom, and sides, will all be made
using the fabric, and that it will be a continuous pattern on all
dimensions of the cover. There are a few covers on our site that have
endcap borders, and you can view the futon cover couch picture to see what
this effect looks like.
Please note that all of our patterned futon
covers are done for bifold or couch configuration futons, as shown in the
diagram below. If you have a trifold couch, (the mattress usually drapes
over the back of the frame, and you would pull the frame out form the
front, the user would sleep on the futon from head to foot rather than
side to side as in a standard couch style or "bifold" futon frame. We
advise calling us if you have further questions about this at
1-800-231-1651, unless it's a solid color or a pattern with no "read",
since fabric with copy or upright images will be turned sideways 90
degrees when you put it on your mattress. We can adjust most fabrics that
read to accommodate your trifold application. We are not responsible for
print futon covers ordered for trifold couches without proper notification
in advance of your order placement. A trifold couch is configured so that
the long end of the mattress is parallel with the arms; a standard bifold
couch is configured so that the long edge of the mattress is perpendicular
to the arms, running side to side, like a typical couch.
How To Put On A Futon Cover
Most
of our futon covers are constructed with a 2 sided or 3 sided zipper which
runs the full lengths of either 2 or 3 edges of our covers, always at
least one long side. There are a few styles which are sewn with one full
running length of zipper, that goes down half way on either end, or
short side. In any event, this makes it easy to put on or remove any of
our covers. The best way to learn how to put on your new futon cover is to
tune in to our Futon TV page (accessible from
the TV monitor link on the homepage) and watch our owner, Marc Anderson
give you the best demonstration ever, on how to install a futon cover by
yourself!
Congratulations! You are now graduated and are fully
certified to order a futon cover that will fit your futon mattress
professionally and neatly! Believe it or not, you probably know more now
about measuring for a futon cover than most salespeople who work in the
industry! Trust us, we know!
If you would like more information on
purchasing a futon and understanding how futons work, follow this link: www.futonlife.com!
