Accidents happen. They can be very unfortunate and you might feel like the world has ended. Fear not. You are not the first person to have spilled something, vomited or gotten urine on the futon bed from a human or pet …

Pet advice and accident prevention

Most accidents involving pets occur within the first few days of having your futon. We believe this is because you are introducing something new that has a strong smell, initially. Likely, your pet is trying to mark their territory. Perhaps wait a few days to introduce your pet to your futon, this way it has your scent on it. And of course, keep an eye on the pet to prevent any accidents when introducing them to the futon.

Babies and toddlers

If you are sleeping with a baby or toddler on your futon, we advise purchasing a plastic/vinyl mattress protector designed to prevent urine and fluids soaking through to the mattress. You can easily find these in department stores and online.

Action advice and steps

Firstly, the sooner you take action, the better. If you have urine or vomit on your futon from a pet or person, take care of it as quickly as possible. Soak up as much wetness as possible with a towel using a gentle blotting/pressing method.

·      Blood

If you have blood on your futon, try using an ice cube to lift it up from the surface, gently rubbing it over the stained area.

·      Urine/vomit

You need to get not only the wetness but the smell out of the futon. The best method is to use an enzymatic pet urine stain/odour remover. These come in spray and granule forms and are available online or in pet stores. There are at-home natural remedies you can also search for online.

The sprays and granules work to breakdown, neutralise and remove the proteins found in urine and they will also help with staining.

If the washable futon protective cover is contaminated, you will first want to soak it in the odour remover before washing to completely remove any smell. Washing alone may not remove it completely.

After using the enzyme granules/spray to get rid of the smell, the best method is to use a wet towel to spot clean the affected area and remove the cleaning agents. You might have to do this repeatedly, especially if the area is large and really soaked through.

Dry cleaning

An alternative method is to contact a local dry cleaner and see if they have a process to clean your futon WITHOUT immersing it in water.

Important points

·      Gently press to remove moisture. Do NOT twist, wring or strongly rub/agitate your futon. The inner cotton might tear or shift which can lead to lumpiness. When wet, the interior cotton might feel lumpy, but once it dries completely it will return to normal.

·      Ensure the futon is 100% dry through and through before storing away or using it again. Depending on how much of the futon was affected, this may take a lot of airing time in the sun – possibly days or even weeks. You might also want to introduce a fan to circulate air around the futon to speed up drying time.

·      In terms of temperature, we’ve come to understand hot water might set stains more, so it is best to use cold water, unless your enzyme remover indicates otherwise.

·      Finally, take proper action to prevent further accidents.