I have been sleeping on a shikibuton and tatami mat because I dont have enough money for a bed. It has been going well, but I so badly want to be able to clean it. It doesn’t smell or anything but I have ocd and it makes me uncomfortable not being able to clean it even though it know it shouldn’t be washed. I’ve seen people sprinkle baking soda on beds and then vacuum it off to clean or make smells go away. Would I ruin it if I did this? Not allowed to hang things on my balcony so I don’t have an option of sunning it except for a few minutes. I fold it up every day but I just want to make it smell and feel fresh every once in a while.
https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/153e9q0/shikibuton_help/
1 comment
The next best thing can be to open windows and sorta prop it up and direct a fan on it. That’s what I do. I also double layer the sheet I sleep on, especially for summer.
Basically, it’s moisture that is the enemy. If you can air it out even with a fan or dry it out, that will help.
Some are designed to have the outer liner removed for cleaning (mine is) but that’s more a personal choice.