Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This is a very attractive, comfortable, traditional, Japanese-style, shiki futon, which is made in Japan. The outer fabric is 100% cotton, and the inner stuffing is polyester. I got the XL Twin size. Its dimensions are: 3 inches thick, 39 inches (3’3”) wide, and 83 inches (6’11”) long. This futon is delivered, compressed, in a vacuum-sealed bag. When the plastic bag is opened, the futon mattress springs out and, within very short order, regains it’s original dimensions. I did not notice any chemical odor coming off this mattress when I first unpacked it. In order to roll up this mattress and store it when not in use, you will have to purchase separately a means of keeping it rolled up. You could use a bungee cord, a 6-foot length of thick, cotton, cord/rope, or do what I have done: I have an inexpensive, plastic laundry basket that I can stuff this mattress into when I am not using it, and it holds it rolled up very well. Though, currently, since I have enough available space to be able to leave my futon mattress unrolled during the day, I do not have to roll it up and store it away every morning. Note that this futon does not come with a removable, washable cover. You have to purchase that separately. If you want to obtain one from this same manufacturer, this is its product listing here on Amazon: ASIN B074TXBH1N. Without a cover like that, it is important to not place this mattress directly onto the floor, in order to prevent it from becoming soiled. I don’t own a cover for my futon mattress, so I place a sheet between it and the floor. In Japan, a complete, traditional futon set consists of a mattress like this one (shikibuton, “spreading futon”), a duvet type cover (kakebuton, “covering futon”), and a mat on which the mattress lies (tatami). It is possible to use a similarly sized yoga mat as a tatami for this particular futon mattress, if so desired. Futons and their covers must be aired regularly to prevent mold and dust mites from developing within the mattress. In this regard, all over Japan it is typical to see futons and their covers hanging over balcony railings in the sun to air out, because the sun has disinfectant capabilities. It is also possible to use a futon dryer device instead of placing this mattress outdoors in the sunshine. A futon dryer uses hot air to dry sweat moisture from the futon. It takes about an hour to complete the job. Here are a few examples of those devices available here on Amazon: ASIN B01JIVV25S, ASIN B074V3RCV8, ASIN B075ZQWX5W, ASIN B01F4M8HKI. Unfortunately, they are all rather expensive. Another possibility is to lay this futon mattress across the top of a sturdy clothes drying rack such as this one listed here on Amazon: ASIN B088DP6FLT. You could also use a twin-size mattress pad to protect this futon mattress such as this one listed here on Amazon: ASIN B01KBKHX4E. Or you could use a twin-size waterproof mattress protector such as this one listed here on Amazon: ASIN B00SVHTFPU. Currently I am using a double layer of sturdy, 100% cotton, flannel, flat sheets on top of this futon mattress in order to protect it instead of purchasing a mattress pad. I put the sheet I sleep on, on top of the protective layer of the flannel sheets. In addition, I flip this mattress over every night which, in and of itself, allows each side to regularly air out during the 16 hours I’m not lying on this mattress. This approach only works, however, if you don’t need to roll up your futon every morning in order to get it out of the way.