The proper way to clean a futon
September 14, 2010 3:33 PM Subscribe
Moving and I need to clean my futon VERY WELL! It's been sitting in the garage for 4 months now. The outside looks clean but I don't know about any inside pests. It has a soft removable cover on it. How can I make sure there aren't any creepy crawlies when I move? Any chemicals? Sprays that will get the job done?
I meant to say that there shouldn't be any creepy crawlies on it because things like ticks and fleas prefer a food source.
posted by KokuRyu at 4:29 PM on September 14, 2010
posted by KokuRyu at 4:29 PM on September 14, 2010
Response by poster: Ok, how about bed bugs? IF it has it. I don't know.
posted by InterestedInKnowing at 4:45 PM on September 14, 2010
posted by InterestedInKnowing at 4:45 PM on September 14, 2010
If you're concerned, you can take it to be professionally cleaned.
You may also want to take this opportunity to replace the inner mattress (everything the cover zips open). Which is often about the same cost as having the whole thing cleaned, the last time I priced it out.
posted by ErikaB at 6:17 PM on September 14, 2010
You may also want to take this opportunity to replace the inner mattress (everything the cover zips open). Which is often about the same cost as having the whole thing cleaned, the last time I priced it out.
posted by ErikaB at 6:17 PM on September 14, 2010
Best answer: The futon most likely won't have bed bugs, because they prefer to be close to food, which does not exist in your garage. For example, a common strategy to mitigate the effects of a bed bug infestation is for one person to sleep in the infested room and act as a lure or "sacrifice". Other members of the household will move out of the room, and bed bugs will stay in one location in the dwelling. Besides, where would the bed bugs in your garage come from in the first place? Most bed bug infestations are picked up in clothing, usually when traveling.
Anyway, any furniture that has been exposed to bed bugs needs to be thrown out, not cleaned.
posted by KokuRyu at 11:54 AM on September 15, 2010
Anyway, any furniture that has been exposed to bed bugs needs to be thrown out, not cleaned.
posted by KokuRyu at 11:54 AM on September 15, 2010
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Make sure both sides are exposed to sunlight, and that should at least air the futon out.
However, if the futon is indeed actually moldy, you need to throw it out.
posted by KokuRyu at 4:28 PM on September 14, 2010