Dear Futon Owner,
I’m worried about you. I’m worried that you haven’t been taking care of your futon mattress. You’ve spent so much time looking for the perfect mattress to fit your comfort level and budget. You were so excited when it arrived. Yet, you haven’t been rotating and flipping your mattress. I can let that slide.
However, you haven’t given your mattress some sunlight. I can’t let that one slide.
Dust mites are a common cause of allergy symptoms which are attracted to minute organic matter such as hair and skin flakes for food. Where ever this organic matter may lay, you can count on dust mites to be there. According to this article, dust mites love pillows and mattresses. So you can be certain they are living in your futon mattresses.
You can’t see dust mites as they are microscopic. The mites themselves are not harmful, however it is their droppings that can cause allergy symptoms such as itchiness, sneezing, eczema, watery eyes, hay fever, even conjunctivitis, commonly known as pinkeye. Dust mites do not have stomachs and instead secrete enzymes which deposit fungus on to dust particles. These are the dust particles that live in your mattress, pillows, carpet, car seats, etc.
One the best methods to get rid of dust mites is direct sunlight. Take your mattress off your futon, uncover it and place it outside in the sun. Certainly do not forget to take it back in after a few hours, especially to avoid the rain.
Another protective measure that you may take is to add a protective vinyl cover to your mattress. This protective cover also prevents spills and other matter from soaking into your mattress and completely ruining it.
All these measures are important in providing long term use out of your futon mattress. Your health and rest is an important factor in your day-to-day activities. One allergy attack could keep you from performing to your potential for school or work. Even if you use your futon only for guests, taking care of your mattress could increase the longevity of your mattress and provide a warm and inviting place for your guests to stay.
For more information on dust mites, check out these sites:
Wikipedia’s article on Dust Mites
Environment, Health and Safety Online entry on Dust Mites
Posted on June 16th, 2008 by aaron
Filed under: Futon Mattresses, Futon News
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