How can I clean a Japanese futon?

Question

I live in Japan and most people just hang there futons outside for a few hours and then bring them in.

They never use soap or water or anything.

Is there a better way to clean them?

thanks

Answer 1

I asked the same question of my Japanese colleagues. They told me not ever to wash them, or get them wet, because it messes up the padding on the inside. If I really needed them to be cleaned, I should take them to the dry-cleaners who apparently have special machines for cleaning them.

Good luck!

Answer 2

You need to Hosu 干すyour futon, hang it out on a ledge or verandah or porch ベランダat your danchi団地 because its very humid and the futon fabric can take on a musty smell. So what you want is freshness. I bet if you take some febreeze if you couldn't hang your futon out on some verandah it would almost suffice. Things could get mouldy if you don't dry them outdoors. Do this at least once a week to stay bacteria free. Sunny days are sometimes hard to come by so when the sun is out make sure and HOSU them.

Answer 3

I would imagine you could use some diluted bleach just to kill bacteria and such and let it sit for 30 mins then rinse it. Soap would just leave white rings and isnt really doing you any good. Maybe you could try febreeze, im pretty sure they made an odor eliminator with antibacterial qualities??

Answer 4

You forgot about the smacking. You see them smacking the futons to help shake out the dust. Japan is humid and you need to take your futon out of the house now and then for some good sunshine. You don't sleep directly on the futon. It's like a bed mattress and I've never met anyone who cleaned their bed mattress. Wash your bedding instead. Just like mattresses, eventually you have to change futons.