The Best Questions About Sleeper Couches Answered

There are many names for sleeper couches, from sleeper sofa, futon or sofa bed – the list is endless. However, no matter the name, sleeper couches are a fabulous invention that is the ultimate union of functionality and style for modern-day homes.

IS THERE REALLY A COMFORTABLE SLEEPER COUCH?

 Sleeper couches have been at the forefront of guest room debates for many decades. The question of “what is better, a daybed or a sleeper couch?” often arises and each individual has their preference. We are here to tell you all the reasons why a sleeper couch is a great investment piece for your home, and why a pull-out couch can be just as comfortable as a daybed or normal bed.

WHAT IS A SLEEPER COUCH?

 Perfect for when your in-laws drop by unexpectedly or when your children’s friends have a sleepover, a sleeper couch is your “save-the-day” furniture item. Sleeper couches are the holy grail compared to camping stretchers or air mattresses, they can be placed in your living room, study or guest room and can be pulled out to reveal a comfortable mattress for your guests to sleep on – hence the name sleeper couch.

Sleeper couches are available in a wide array of shapes, styles and sizes. Which style you select is solely based on your personal preferences, whereas the shape and size may be more dependent on the shape and size of the room that you are planning on placing the sleeper couch in. We recommend that you measure your space properly first to endure that not only will the couch fit into the room when it is folded up, but that when the sleeper couch is pulled out that there is enough space to fit both the extended bed but also to be able to walk around the room comfortably.

WHAT YOU NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A SLEEPER COUCH

1 SLEEPER COUCHES ARE GREAT SPACE SAVERS

 Whether your space is big or small, a sleeper couch is a great way to effectively use your space without wasting valuable floor space. One of the main reasons that so many people opt for a sleeper couch is that they save space by performing dual functions. Sleeper couches offer a stylish, comfortable place to sit and a practical place to sleep. Sleeper couches are particularly handy for those individuals that live in smaller apartments or studio lofts where space can be quite limited.

2 SLEEPER COUCHES ARE COST EFFECTIVE

Sleeper couches function as a two-in-one furniture piece as you are essentially getting a couch and a bed in one, and this particular reason is why sleeper couches are so incredibly popular. While they may be a bit more expensive than the average couch, you need to keep in mind that it is not just one piece of furniture, it functions as two. Sleeper couches allow you to save money over time as you can move your sleeper couch from room to room as your family and home grow and expand.

3 SLEEPER COUCHES ARE FUNCTIONAL AND VERSATILE  

While an average couch offers you a place to sit and lounge with your guests, and a bed offers a relaxing place to rest, a sleeper couch is the best of both worlds. A sleeper couch allows you to lounge around during the day and enjoy a comfortable sleep at night by transforming it into a bed. If your apartment is not large enough for a guest room, having a sleeper couch in your living room in place of your couch is the ideal situation. Not only does a sleeper couch provide seating for your guests; but it also provides the benefit of an extra bed, allowing your guests to have a place to stay overnight.

4 SLEEPER COUCHES ARE COMFORTABLE  

Traditional sleeper couches may not have the very best reputation for being very comfortable to sleep on. However, things have changed drastically and with the combination of the materials and technology of today, the design and quality of sleeper couches have drastically improved and are now incredibly comfortable.

5 SLEEPER COUCHES ARE AESTHETICALLY PLEASING

Sleeper couches solve the problem of not having enough room to have a guest bedroom and thus having to have old, ugly mattresses laying around in storage for when family and friends come to stay. Adding a sleeper couch to your space will create an aesthetically pleasing environment in your home, no matter which room you decide to place it in. When choosing which couch you want for your home, you will be spoilt for choice. Available in a wide array of custom leather or fabric colour options, our range of sleeper couches can be completely customised to suit the style and aesthetics.

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Info source: https://bedscapetown.wordpress.com/2022/03/05/the-best-questions-about-sleeper-couches-answered/

Yes, You Should Be Washing Your Pillow - Here’s How!

 Experts say to fluff your pillow every day and wash it four times a year

While you’re probably in the habit of regularly washing your sheets and pillowcases, you might not pay as much attention to what lies beneath - your pillows and mattress. But both need deep cleaning at least twice a year.

“Over time, hair, dead skin cells, sweat, and drool build up on the pillow,” says Neil Kao, MD, an allergist-immunologist in Greenville, S.C. And all that gunk is basically the stuff that dust mites love to munch on, which causes their population to multiply and increases your chances of having an allergic reaction to their presence.

Along with washing your pillow a few times a year - you might also want to invest in a pillow protector to keep a lot of the gross stuff out and extend the life of your pillow.

In this article - the steps of how to keep your pillow fresh, clean, and ready for a good night’s sleep. 

Just one thing before you clean: When washing pillows, always read the label first. Many pillows—though not all—can be machine washed.

Step 1: Air It Out

Give your pillows daily fluffing to restore their shape and remove dust. Then, every month or so, hang them outdoors on a clothesline for a few hours, ideally on a bright, breezy day. If that’s not an option, as with some foam and latex pillows, run them through the dryer on the no-heat cycle.

Step 2: Wash It Gently

“If your pillow can withstand being laundered, you should wash it at least twice a year, or quarterly if you sweat a lot, eat in bed, or have pets sleep in your bed with you,” says Melissa Homer, a chief cleaning officer at MaidPro, a housecleaning franchise in the United States and Canada.

Laundering a pillow isn’t difficult, though it can take a bit of time to dry.

If your pillow has a wet stain that you’re trying to remove, spot treat the pillowcase and pillow with a stain cleaner that targets that type of stain before popping it into the wash. (The same trick works for getting stains out of a mattress.)

If your washing machine is large enough, wash two pillows at a time. That will help balance the load, allowing the water and detergent to circulate more effectively. Because the agitator on conventional top-loaders can be tough on pillows, it’s best to agitate on the gentle cycle only for a few minutes (or the shortest possible setting, if you can’t control the time). 

Alternatively, you could make a special trip to the laundromat to use its front-loaders.

Follow these directions for specific types of pillow fills:

• Down or feather: Most down pillows can be put in the washing machine. But use cool water and a mild detergent, then dry on low heat. (High temperatures can damage the down.)

• Memory foam or latex: Washer agitation can break up foam, so these pillows will probably need to be hand-washed. Vacuum dust off of the pillow, then spot clean with a damp cloth and a small amount of mild detergent. Lay the pillow flat to air dry.

• Polyester: Wash with warm water on the gentle cycle, preferably a few pillows at a time to balance the load. Be sparing with the detergent—use about 1 tablespoon of liquid soap.

• Buckwheat hulls: Empty the buckwheat filling onto a large cookie sheet or wide, shallow bowl. Set the buckwheat out in the sun, which will eliminate odours, and wash the shell casing using cold water and a mild detergent.

Step 3: Dry It Thoroughly

It’s crucial to get the pillow completely dry—otherwise, you risk mildew. Skip the auto-dry setting on your clothes dryer, because the sensors will detect only surface moisture, leaving you with a pillow that’s still damp on the inside.

Instead, many pillows can be dried for a good hour on moderate heat. Adding a couple of dry towels will speed things up. Toss in two fresh tennis balls or dryer balls and they’ll keep the filling from clumping as they bounce around the drum.

When drying down or feather pillows, however, use the no-heat air-dry setting (it will take a while) and dryer balls or tennis balls to break up clumps.

If the weather is mild, you can hang most pillows on the clothesline until they’re dried all the way through. Whichever drying technique you use, you still need to check for moisture inside the pillow. If none remains, it’s time to make the bed.

It is recommended to use pillow covers to protect pillows from substances such as sweat, body oils, and face cream. Launder both the pillow cover and the pillowcase regularly—say, once a week—along with your sheets. If you need pillow protectors - we recommend taking a look at the great range offered by Bed King.

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Info sourced from https://www.consumerreports.org/

Washing Your Pillows: How To Do It In The Washing Machine And By Hand

 

Since you rest your head on your pillow every night, you want to make sure that it's as clean and germ-free as possible. And no, we're not just talking about the pillowcase itself. In addition to regularly cleaning your sheets and comforter, you should also be caring for your pillows, mattress, and mattress topper. Pillows, especially, should be washed at least two to four times a year (say, every four months) to help them last longer. But not all types of pillows — down, fiberfill, and solid foam — should be treated in the same way.

While most styles are machine washable, some are dry-clean only, have front-loading washing machine restrictions or advise only spot-treating. And the last thing you want is one that’s a hassle to keep clean. The content and care tag on the pillow is the best place to start, but if you can't find step-by-step instructions or need further guidance, follow this guide by Carolyn Forte, Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, how to wash pillows, no matter the size, shape, or fill.

How to Wash Down and Fiberfill Pillows in the Washer

You're in luck: Most down and fiberfill pillows are machine-friendly, which means you can just toss them in the washing machine for a refresh. Be sure to wash two pillows at a time to keep the washer balanced, ensuring an all-around clean. While any washing machine will do, front- or top-loading machines without an agitator (a.k.a. the large spindle in the middle of some machines) is your best bet. If an agitator-style top loader is your only option, place the pillows in the tub vertically to lessen the chance of them getting damaged by the agitator.

It goes without saying that you should always read your pillow's care label and follow the directions accordingly. If you clipped off the tag or can't find the instructions, use this step-by-step as your guide:

1. Select the gentle cycle and use warm water, then add on an extra cold water rinse and spin cycle.
2. Add a small amount of detergent.
3. Tumble the pillows dry on low heat, fluffing and turning them often. To help keep pillows plump, toss in a few dryer balls from Nellie's. Stop the dryer a few times throughout the cycle to fluff them and break up lumps by hand.

How to Wash Solid Foam Pillows

Unfortunately, you can't put your latex or memory foam pillows straight in the washing machine. While foam pillows are resistant to dust mites, it's still important to clean them on a regular basis. As always, you should check the washing instructions on the pillow's tag, or follow Forte's cleaning method outlined here:

1. Remove pillow covers or pillowcases and wash according to the care tag. If you cut off the care tag, stick the pillowcases and covers in the washing machine, select the normal or casual cycle, and wash in warm or hot water. Add detergent.
2. To get rid of dust or dirt on the pillow, vacuum both sides, or tumble in the dryer on the no-heat or air-only cycle for 20 minutes.
3. Spot clean any soiled areas with a cloth dipped in a mild sudsy soap solution. Lightly rinse with a damp cloth. (FYI, wet foam tears easily, so be gentle with the water and soap solution.)
4. Allow the pillow to air dry completely before putting it back on the bed or couch.

How to Know When You Should Replace Your Pillows

No matter how diligent you are about cleaning your pillows, you'll need to buy new ones eventually. The foolproof way to know when to toss 'em: "If you fold the pillow in half, and it doesn't spring back into shape, plan for a shopping trip," Forte explains. If your pillows have a funny odour even after you give them a good wash, it's also a good idea to replace them. To help lengthen your pillow's life, use liners under your pillowcases and wash pillows every four to six months.

Need new pillows? Shop the great selection of pillow types at Bed King for superior quality and affordable prices.

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Article sourced from https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/