A futon mattress is a great choice. After all its 100% pure cotton which means is allergy and environmentally friendly. Cotton has natural ventilation qualities and your futon will also form to your body providing support. But before you buy here are 15 futon mattress tips.

1. Life Expectancy - expect your futon to last about 7 years. It will last about the same length of time as a traditional mattress.

2. Care - roll and turn at least once a month.

3. Try Before You Buy - as with any traditional mattress you need to try before you buy. Relax, enjoy, and find the thickness that's right for you.

4. Protection - your mattress is going to need a cover. If it's going to be in a child's room or somewhere where there's a risk of accidents then use a vinyl cover underneath the cover. You can also use a mattress pad to absorb dirt and sweat.

5. Flip It - flip and rotate your mattress at least once a month. This ensures even wear. If you have one of those mattresses you can't flip, then at least be sure to rotate it.

6. Handles - don't use the handles to pick up the mattress. They are only designed for sliding the mattress around slightly.

7. Don't Jump - the kids might think jumping on the bed is fun but it can damage the futon mattress so don't allow it. If they want to jump buy them a trampoline.

8. Refresh - use baking soda to freshen your mattress. Sprinkle, let it sit for a day and then vacuum off.

9. Warranty - find out what the frame warranty is. It should be at least 5 years.

10. Thickness - your mattress should be a minimum of 6 inches if you are going to use your futon as a mattress.

11. Material - your futon should be made of cotton, cotton and foam, or cotton polyester. Cotton and foam weighs less than other combinations and it doesn't sag.

12. Inter spring - An inter spring mattress is made of a spring unit that has a layer of foam and cotton on each side. A good choice for additional firmness.

13. Frame Type - you can choose between a bi-fold or tri-fold frame. A bi-fold folds once and uses the mattress length as the couch for more seating. The tri-fold folds twice and uses the width of the mattress for the couch.

14. Wood - pine is the most affordable and durable wood option for the frame. There are also metal frames that are fairly reasonable in price.

15. Mattress Size - a King measures 76 x 80 inches, a queen is 60 x 80 inches, a double is 54 x 75 inches, and a single is 39 x 75 inches.

A futon mattress is a great investment offering you affordability, durability, and comfort. It's a great choice for a master bedroom or a guest room. These 15 futon mattress tips will help you choose the correct mattress for your needs. So are you ready to start shopping?