Futons are great to have when you need an extra bed for a guest, but they are not always the easiest pieces of furniture to work with. If you have been struggling with your futon, and it does not want to stay up, you have come to the right place.
To find out what the problem could be, and how to fix it, keep reading.
What is a Futon?
First, in order to understand everything else in this post, you need to understand what a futon is. A futon, in the American world, is a sofa that can double as a bed. Futons in Japan are very different things, and not the one we will be discussing today.
The American futons are made using compressed materials in layers, for example wool, organic cotton and latex. These ‘mattresses’ sit on a futon frame, which can be folded up to be a sofa or down to be a bed.
Many futons have extra cushions or a mattress you can use when it is being used as a sofa. Despite futon mattresses being thin compared to the usual bed-only mattresses, they are functional as well as comfortable.
Futons as a whole can be very attractive pieces of furniture, and give a stunning modern and sleek look in any home.
If you have come to this page, you are probably experiencing a problem with your futon, and it just will not stay up when you are trying to use it as a sofa. If this is your problem, you are in the right place.
Why Won’t My Futon Stay Up?
There could be a few reasons why your futon will not stay up when being used as a sofa. There could be something in the way or even a hinge pin that is missing or loose, among other things. We will go through the possible issues in detail below and go through how to alleviate the issue.
Make Sure Nothing is in the Way of the Rollers
Even small objects or debris that are where the rollers need to glide can cause problems with futons. You will need to check around the rollers and the area where they glide and make sure that they are clean. Jamming is a common problem if these areas are not clean.
Missing or Loose Hinge Pins
Another common issue with futons that do not stay in place are the hinge pins. You will need to check where the hinge pins are located on various parts of the futon and make sure that they are not loose or missing.
Sometimes these pins can even be screwed in the wrong way. All of these issues will cause problems with your futon, and it will likely not be able to stay up.
Which checking the hinge pins, you should also check the nuts and bolts in the futon. If the nuts and bolts are loose, they will affect the movement, making it jolt.
Proper Method of Pulling Out the Futon
You might think there is no science behind how you pull out your futon, but there is. This piece of furniture is very precise, and pulling and pushing it the wrong way can cause a lot of frustration.
To pull your futon out correctly, it needs to be lifted upwards, then pulled out. If you do not lift it up enough and try pulling it out, it will jam. Pulling out the frame too hard when it has not been lifted high enough can result in damage being done to the piece of furniture.
Bedding or Other Items Trapped
Possibly the most common problems with futons is bedding in the way. If you are not able to unfold or fold it, or the furniture jams, you should remove everything from the futon. It is possible for parts of the mattress, pillows, or comforters to get in the way of the futon mechanisms.
By removing everything from the futon, you will ensure that there is nothing in the way. Doing this often resolves the issue and there are no further problems to contend with.
Always Read the Manufacturer’s Instructions
This may seem obvious, but many people ignore the instructions given by the company that created the product. If you want to get the best advice, you need to read the manual thoroughly.
Since technology and the furniture industry changes and improves so quickly, there is always the chance that there will be a specific way to approach new pieces of furniture.
So, before even attempting to unfold your futon, consult the manual and see if there are any special procedures you should follow.
Other Common Problems With Futons
Futons come with a number of potential problems, but many issues overlap with other pieces of furniture. Like regular sofas, futons can get saggy after some time of use, and also start to smell. If your futon mattress appears to be sagging, try situating a piece of plywood beneath the sagging area.
For best results, you should rotate the mattress and flip it. Futons with wooden frames are susceptible to damage from water, which can cause the wood to get wet and bend and warp.
This leads to places sinking and becoming saggy over time. If the sagging is especially bad, you can add a pillow beneath the sagging part so that there is another layer between the frame and mattress.
You should regularly air out and clean your futon mattress, too. It is not uncommon for futons to start smelling bad, much like regular sofas or mattresses. They should be cleaned regularly and aired to ensure they do not smell stale.
Final Thoughts On Futons
Futons are stylish and a great space-saver, but they come with their share of nuances and needs. If you have been having problems with your futon staying up while in sofa-mode, hopefully this post helped you solve your problem.
If none of the above steps solved your problem and your futon is older, it is possible that its time has come, and you are simply in need of a new one or a repair.
No piece of furniture will last forever, especially if it is used every day and is gradually damaged over time. Chances are, however, the points mentioned above will solve your problem and your futon will once again be ready to use as a sofa.
