Futon dryers are very useful in Japan, where humidity is high throughout the year, but there are many different types of futon dryers, some with hoses and some with mats. Which type is most effective? Let's take a closer look to find out for a comfortable night's sleep!
- Measures against ticks
- Which is recommended, with or without matte?
- Other Functions
- Product Comparison Chart
Measures against ticks
Dust mites are most likely to be generated when the temperature is 20~30℃ and the humidity is above 60%, with the peak of the outbreak occurring during the hot and humid months of June~September. On the other hand, since mites are killed when the temperature exceeds 50°C for 20 to 30 minutes, many futon dryers have an anti-mite mode in addition to the standard operation. However, some manufacturers do not mention the temperature at which mites are killed, but only claim to be "anti-mite," and as far as I could find, the following manufacturers clearly state that temperatures above 50°C are used.
ZOJIRUSHI
Anti-dust mite course Adjusts warm air to keep futons at 50°C or higher as an anti-dust mite measure. *3...Ticks can escape and may not be countered.
futon dryer RF-FA
Mitsubishi Electric
When you want to keep your futon clean, let's take firm measures against mites with warm air at about 60°C.
*3...The futon mattresses are available in sizes ranging from single to double. Comforters are available in sizes up to single; based on JIS L4403 standards, the single size mattress futon is 90cm wide x 195cm long, the double size mattress futon is 135cm wide x 210cm long, and the single size comforter is 135cm wide x 195cm long.
*4...at a room temperature of 20°C.
Mitsubishi Electric Futon Dryer AD-X80
Panasonic
It can also be used to prevent ticks.
Warm air at 50°C or higher can be used to control dust mites.*4...It takes about 6 hours per pair of futons for dust mites when using FD-F06X2 and F06S2; it takes about 5 hours when using FD-F06J7 and F06A7. Dead mites and feces should be vacuumed up.
FD-F06S2 futon dryer Panasonic
BRUNO
Warm air is spread over the entire futon in approximately 30 minutes of operation to warm it thoroughly. High-temperature airflow of up to approximately 75°C is effective in combating dust mites.
*...Maximum temperature near the air vent (room temperature was approximately 25°C during the test)
BRUNO Multi Futon Dryer
However, according to the website of KAJITAKU, an Aeon Group company, the heat resistance temperature of feathers is said to be 70℃. In other words, the temperature of 75°C at the BRUNO's air vent is too high. We recommend a product that can maintain a temperature of 50°C or higher by the strength of the wind, not by the high temperature of the wind.
The heat resistance temperature of down quilts is generally said to be about 70℃. When exposed to heat above this temperature, the feathers will crack and will not be able to hold air. Down is composed of fibrous proteins. Proteins are very sensitive to heat, so exposing them to high-temperature air will destroy them.
Points to keep in mind when putting down quilts in the dryer! Explanation of precautions and storage methods - | Kajitaku (Aeon Group)
Which is recommended, with or without matte?
As you can easily imagine, with mats, while hot air can be spread evenly, it takes time to set up. In the case of the anti-dust mite course, it is also necessary to vacuum the room after the course is over, so we recommend products without mats for those who are not confident about continuing the course.
In terms of mite control, once a product with a mat has killed 99% of the mites in the bedding, it will return to the optimal environment for mites again in daily life. Therefore, it is important to continue to maintain some degree of perfection by doing regular mite control courses with products that do not have easy mats.
Rather, as mentioned at the beginning, mites are more likely to occur at humidity levels above 60%, and the comfortable humidity for humans is also considered to be 40 ~ 60%. Use a dehumidifier in combination with a dehumidifier to lower the humidity below 60% to comfortably control mites. Mites feed on human dander, dirt, and hair, so don't forget to vacuum your home.
Other Functions
Clothes drying and shoe drying are included in many models, so I will not explain them.
Regarding air purifiers, details are written in the following article, but the paper states that Plasmacluster/Nano-e had no sterilizing effect as a result of experiments. Therefore, we would like to omit Panasonic and Sharp products with these functions from the comparison, but if we do so, only Zojirushi will be included for reference, as described below.
Product Comparison Chart
Based on the above, the following futon dryers are recommended.
- Produces warm air at 50 ~ 70°C
- Unmatted type
The following table shows the results of the comparison of applicable products. Mitsubishi Electric was omitted because it was a product with mats. (You can scroll to the right.)
| Manufacturer | ZOJIRUSHI | Panasonic |
|---|---|---|
| model number | RF-FA20 | FD-F06S2 |
| Power consumption | 905W(50Hz), 910W(60Hz) | 445W(50Hz), 460W(60Hz) |
| size | 23 × 15 × 36cm | 30 × 14 × 39.8cm |
| weight | 3.8kg | 3.2kg |
| Price*1 | 12,400 yen | 14,274 yen |
*1...Prices on Amazon as of April 8, 2023.
Zojirushi and Panasonic, the price is about the same, but the power consumption is twice as different. So we compared the images on the manufacturers' product pages.
ZOJIRUSHI
Futon dryer Model RF-FA ZOJIRUSHI
Panasonic
●Thermography with the comforter turned up. Effects will vary depending on the environment of use.
●After operation is stopped, airflow operation is performed to cool the main unit (nozzles and hoses).
FD-F06S2 Futon Dryer Panasonic
The Zojirushi product seems to be the one without a hose, and the Panasonic product seems to be the one with a hose, but the thermography shows that the Zojirushi RF-FA20 spreads the heat more evenly throughout the futon.
In addition, the respective instruction manuals indicate that in the case of the Zojirushi RF-FA20, the dust mite control mode is completed with a single operation. However, in the case of Panasonic's FD-F06S2, it seems that the hose must be moved twice, once for each half of the futon. Indeed, compared to the product without a hose, the product with a hose may be difficult to deliver hot air to a wide area because the area of the part that emits hot air is small (it is the cross-sectional area of the hose).
I would like to paste an image of the corresponding page of the instruction manual, but it would violate the terms and conditions for downloading the instruction manual, so I will only post a link.
RF-FA20User's Manual for Futon Dryer Customer Support
Instruction Manual for Futon Dryer FD-F06S2 Panasonic
Based on the above results, this blog recommends Zojirushi's RF-FA20.
I hope the above is helpful.
See also!
