to burn a futon

Timezone LaFontaine · Post by **Timezone LaFontaine** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:07 pm

Listen, this is kind of a difficult dilemma for me. I have my late love's futon, which for a variety of reasons I don't feel can be given away or sold. I also just can't keep it forever though. The frame could certainly be burnt easily or perhaps reconfigured for a new purpose. The mattress itself, I don't feel too great about taking to the landfill. I was wondering if I could burn it but I suspect it would be pretty messy and nasty to burn. I'm not sure what it's stuffed with but I expect it's either unpleasant to burn or could even be fire retardant to some degree. Shit, I don't know, maybe it would be no problem, but somehow I doubt it. Any advice? Maybe I just need to get over the symbolic heaviness of taking it to the landfill.

Post by **Elderberry** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:15 pm

When you say 'late love' should I assume you mean deceased? If so, and the futon has some sentimental memories or other meaning, why not cut a piece of the mattres, save it and bring it to BM and place it in the temple?

You could just set the rest of it out on the street and call large item pickup without feeling as guilty. If it's like our neighborhood, someone will pick it up long before the trash company.

JK

Timezone LaFontaine · Post by **Timezone LaFontaine** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:19 pm

Yes, that's correct. It's been a couple of years now so, you know, it takes a while to let things go.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:51 pm

In a properly ordered universe you could compost it.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:53 pm

do you have an area where you could build a "pyre", from firewood if possible, a stack of pallets if not............

you could make a nice pyre, whatever the material, just so it's a hot, hot fire, and, set the futon on top.
It'd want to be a large fire.
it should burn clean and completely if said structure is put together well.......
and, be fitting and ceremonious.......

just a thought.

Post by **AntiM** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:33 pm

ygmir wrote:do you have an area where you could build a "pyre", from firewood if possible, a stack of pallets if not............

you could make a nice pyre, whatever the material, just so it's a hot, hot fire, and, set the futon on top.
It'd want to be a large fire.
it should burn clean and completely if said structure is put together well.......
and, be fitting and ceremonious.......

just a thought.

No, the mattress is undoubtedly toxic, no matter how hot the pyre, the BLM will slap you with a nasty fine. A small piece in the temple, and the rest to fill throw cushions to gift away. Anyone can sew throw cushions.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 8:02 pm

Are there not cotton futons?
that's what I thought they were made of..........

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 8:54 pm

Some are 100% cotton.
Others, who knows.

There is probably someone who can tell you, if it isn't obvious when you look inside.
I think the cotton ones are quite heavy.
Maybe ask someone who makes the cotton ones.
I know there was a group in Vermont making them.

betrdanevr · Post by **betrdanevr** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:03 pm

They're substantially cotton batting, but I think at least some have some foam in the core. My futon has "springs," too. Probably more like very heavy chicken wire, LOL, but metal still the same.

Yeah, I wouldn't burn it.

And my neighborhood's like jkisha's. If you set it on the street, somebody will have it in their basement rec room by nightfall.

I'm sorry for the pain of your loss, Timezone.

Terri

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:46 pm

Just fall asleep on it with a lit cigarette?

Post by **Elderberry** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:49 pm

Captain Goddammit wrote:Just fall asleep on it with a lit cigarette?

LOL You're starting to sound like Simon!

JK

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:00 am

I'd go with re-purposing.

Or give it to Slavation Army.

Timezone LaFontaine · Post by **Timezone LaFontaine** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:25 pm

Thanks y'all. I like the idea of changing it into throw pillows or something else more than burning it in this case.

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:11 pm

Find out where your homeless are collecting and give it to one of them.

betrdanevr · Post by **betrdanevr** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 6:22 pm

Yeah, I think giving the futon away is your best best. I think if you open it up and try to reuse the stuffing, you're going to be in for a surprise because it's not going to be like a bag of stuffing purchased in a fabric store.

Just my thoughts.

Sage · Post by **Sage** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:38 pm

Its apparently possible to take a futon thats wood apart and then rip it down to make slats for a yurt. If you do that you not only have a great way to constructively rid yourself of the futon but also have a project that may ease the pain of your loss. Then just take it to the playa and dedicate a theme camp in your loved one's memory for people to come and seek refuge if they need it.

here is the link to the whole project-http://www.instructables.com/id/Yurt/

funny too this is the same link that led me to the subject of burningman

Da Mule · Post by **Da Mule** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 4:08 pm

Sage wrote:Its apparently possible to take a futon thats wood apart and then rip it down to make slats for a yurt. If you do that you not only have a great way to constructively rid yourself of the futon but also have a project that may ease the pain of your loss. Then just take it to the playa and dedicate a theme camp in your loved one's memory for people to come and seek refuge if they need it.

here is the link to the whole project-http://www.instructables.com/id/Yurt/

funny too this is the same link that led me to the subject of burningman

I think original poster is looking for something to do with the futon, not the futon frame/platform.