Everyone seems like to love the “top list” kind of posts, so I thought I’d join the bandwagon and write something like that about futon mattress covers. So turn up the drum roll in your head while reading these words out loud as if you were an announcer at a 4H fair…”Without further ado, I present to you, my list of 5 great futon mattress covers!”

First off, we have “Bamboo Island” futon cover. I’m pretty much a fanatic of any kind of bamboo furniture, be it bamboo lamps, bamboo rugs, or a printed cover for the futon showing bamboo style art. This set comes with the slip cover as well as a two pillow set. It currently sells online for $70 – not a bad deal. Check out Bamboo Island for a high quality, good looking futon cover set made of cotton and polyester with a 3 sided zipper to secure it correctly to the futon mattress and futon frame. For the ambitious amongst you, there’s also a cool Bamboo Island matching chair set from Target as well.

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Next off we have a very elegant, classical looking cover that can absolutely transform a less than stellar mattress into a great looking sofa futon. This is the “Brushed Cotton Twill Futon Cover”. Take a look at the photo here showing the khaki model and tell me you don’t like it – I dare you! Just from looking at this full futon cover, I can imagine how soft and nice it would feel to the touch of my fingertips. This is a very soft, beautiful cover to slip nicely over your futon – and the good news is it costs less than $50.

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Here we have a very cool take on the futon cover – faux leather! If you’re looking for some cool leather furniture mock ups,  check out the Faux Leather Futon Cover from Loft New York. This is a full size cover and will transform any futon into a leather couch! Can’t be that cheap right? It runs about $60, a modest price for a high quality cover if I do say so. Note that this is made of polyurethane. It’s also a good style to use if you’re worried about cleaning up any spills or messes – just wipe it clean and you should be OK for the most part. This also has a zipper (of course) for easy fastening.

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Take a look here at this nice set from Southern Textiles. Here we have full size Beige futon cover and matching 2 pillow set to boot, all for under $100. This is the most expensive item on this list, but, you get what you pay for – and in this case, you get a great looking futon slip cover and matching beige pillows. The cover has a solid zipper for securely fastening itself to futon mattresses, and it’s made of cotton and polyester.

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Last we have one for those who just have to get something tacky. I’m including it on this list to mock you. It’s a futon cover showing a boat scene. I guess this would work for the boating enthusiast, beach house, summer home, or someone with just bad taste, eh? It costs a mere $25 bucks and… yea. I’d go with something from one through four if I were you!

Even though most futon covers are very durable, some like those manufactured using cotton jersey and micro-suede fabrics tend to be more prone to wear than those made from a thick, cotton twill or tightly woven fabric.

A benefit of having a lighter-weight cover is its ability, when washed, to dry faster than one that is heavier.

Regardless of the type of cover purchased, all users need to take steps to ensure their futon cover’s life is prolonged and it remains looking the same as the day it was purchased.

One of the most important things customers can do to maximize a futon cover’s life expectancy is to read the manufacturer’s care and laundering instructions.

By not cleaning the cover properly, a breakdown of fibers, shrinkage or other type of problem can occur.Only wash a cover as recommended and for spot cleanings, use a damp sponge or portable garment steamer, if allowed by manufacturer.

Another problem, that can prematurely wear-out a cover but can be avoided, is the use of shoes.

No matter how durable a futon cover is, by putting your feet up on the futon shoed, allows for the possibility of dirt and sediment to become stained and embedded in the cover’s fabric.

Moreover, shoes can also wear a hole in the fabric or make it weak in an area. This constant wear of a cover in one spot will cause discoloration and make the area vulnerable to tears.

When sitting or lying on a futon, make sure there are no protruding rivets or sharp objects that could get snagged on the cover. Wearing jeans is fine but if having a belt that is sharp and could get caught on the material; remove it before using any type of futon.

Finally, if allowing a pet to use the futon as a place to rest or visit with human companions, be sure to put a towel or other protective item down to eliminate the possibility of dirt and pet hair coming in contact with your futon’s cover.

By now, most people are familiar with futon covers. Designed to protect and prolong the life of a futon mattress, covers can range from the very makeshift, by using a full or queen sized fitted sheet, to designer covers manufactured by well-known furniture, mattress and home-décor manufacturers. Once only appropriate for a child’s bedroom or young adult’s first apartment, the original black metal futons have undergone many upgrades that have allowed today’s futons to become showcases of any room. Of course, futons manufactured of quality woods require their mattresses to be covered using a piece that enhances, and not detracts from, the furniture. That is where upscale covers work best, as these pieces combine the past of traditional sofas and chairs with the conveniences of owning a modern-day futon.

If looking to purchase a formal futon cover suitable for living room use, consider buying one made of upholstery fabric. These futon covers feature all of the benefits of owning a futon cover, as they are able to be changed, removed and washed, but they are formal enough to dress-up a traditional wooden futon. While a cover with children’s prints may be acceptable for a futon bunk bed or a metal futon, if looking to still enjoy all of the benefits of owning a futon yet still display a polished look consider purchasing an ensemble package. Similar to a bed’s comforter set, these packages include a formal-looking futon cover and matching or coordinating throw pillows. Suitable for an adult bedroom or living area, these sets feature solid or printed covers and may have a combination of one, two or three washable pillows.

While upholstery fabrics can vary, most used as futon covers are one, solid color and have some type of design pattern throughout the fabric. This can be a ribbed, swirled, woven or another type of design process. If considering purchasing one of these formal pieces, make sure the cover coordinates well with your futon as well as other design elements and accessories used throughout the room.