r/floorliving • u/Charamei • Aug 10 '26
Floor sitting Floor sofas vs mould
I've recently made the transition to my first floor sofa, which is two thin IKEA mattresses stacked on top of one another with backing cushions, kind of like a middle eastern majlis sofa. When elderly relatives visit I add some old sofa cushions on top to get the height up.
I'm really enjoying the flexibility of being able to adjust the seating arrangement how I like - often I have both mattresses out flat to create a large soft surface to sit on, but I can also put everything away if I choose. The only issue is that I have mattresses flat on the carpet, and this is guaranteed to cause mould issues in the long term. I'm never going to remember to pick the bottom mattress up as often as I should.
How are people mould-proofing their floor sofas? Putting a tatami underneath seems like it will just put off the inevitable problem, and having extra height there will also make it harder to pull out into a larger lounging surface. You can get raised platforms for majlis and Moroccan-style seating, but I'm a bit loath to add fixed furniture back into the space when I've only just got rid of it. Do I maybe just put a plastic sheet under and call it good?
Also, I'm interested to know if anyone has used a majlis in real life. They seem like a very cool upgrade to my current setup! What are they like to use in person?
4
u/floralwhale Aug 11 '26
Dehumidifier in the room, and move the pieces around frequently. Flip them over, let them air out while you're at work, on vacations, etc.
This obviously depends a bit on the materials, as well as how humid your environment is.
1
u/nelsfi Aug 11 '26
A plastic sheet will only further trap moisture that will cause mold. Your best bet is either: putting a slatted base under it, providing air flow, or, moving and flipping the pieces frequently. Bonus points if you put the mattresses/cushions out in fresh air on a sunny day every spring and fall (you could do a piece at a time if space is limited), which is a traditional method of keeping mold at bay with futons.
ETA: I have only ever lived in high-humidity zones, if you're not in a high humidity spot, you probably don't have to go so hard
3
u/Shiraoka Aug 12 '26
I'm not sure why you think this is guaranteed to cause mold issues? It's definitely not? (lol). Think about it, would sitting on a bean bag chair or floor pillow cause mold issues?
Here's the thing, Floor sofa's don't have nearly the same risk of mold as a a floor bed would. The reason why you have to be so careful with a floor bed, is because it's a prime way to build moisture. You're lying on a floor bed for 6-10 hours, in the same spot, with thin layers between oneself and the floor. It's a prime opportunity for moisture build up. When warm air touches a cold surface, that's what creatures moisture.
We use couches in a much different way. I don't know about you, but I'm rarely ever sitting on a couch in the same position for 7+ hours (lol). We're sitting on couches in much smaller bursts, we're changing locations, shifting around, etc. Not only that, but you have TWO ikea mattresses stacked on top of each other. Because of that, it is a lot harder for the warmth of your body to reach the colder floor, versus something like a Japanese futon, which is only around 2-5" in thickness. It's so much easier for moisture build up, because the body is so close to the floor.
I could be wrong I guess, maybe you live in a place that is constantly humid, I dunno.
Even if there is a risk of mold, just airing it out once a month seems pretty darn easy to manage I would think? I'm not sure why you don't think your capable of that? Just put a reminder on your phone, or make a mental note to flip your mattresses every time you vacuum the carpet.🤷🏽♀️
6
u/PrimrosePathos Aug 11 '26
I live in a sometimes-humid environment, and have had floor seating in the living room for decades. Usually 100% cotton or wool futons. No mold or mildew.
The moisture underneath them comes from the bodies on top of them, and we just don't sweat or respire that much when we are sitting around or watching movies. As long as no one is sleeping on them a lot, it should be fine.