You and your family love your bean bag chair, and so do your guests. It’s the most comfortable, sought-after seat in the entire house. In fact, it rarely ever gets any downtime. From adults to kids, and even pets, your bean bag serves your family and friends well. As such, it’s easy to understand it can get dirty pretty easily.
The problem is, how do you clean it? Can you wash the outside of it? Can you wash the inside? What exactly is inside? You want to make sure your bean bag looks as pristine as the day you got it, but that can seem like an impossible task if you don't know how to properly clean it. Here's everything you need to know about how to wash a bean bag.
When Should You Clean a Bean Bag?
Knowing exactly when to clean your bean bag can help extend its life and keep it looking its best. The timing can generally fall into two categories: reactive cleaning (accidents) and proactive care (regular maintenance). For sudden accidents, visible spills, and fresh stains should be addressed right away before they set in and become permanent on your favorite lounging spot.
Aside from accidents, regular use can lead to gradual wear and tear that suggests it’s time for a clean:
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Visible dirt buildup or discoloration (think dark spots where heads and hands frequently rest)
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Unpleasant and persistent odors
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Before storing away for long periods of time
Even if there are no signs of wear, you’ll still want to stay on top of maintenance cleaning to keep it smelling fresh and looking like new. A good rule of thumb is to wash your bean bag cover every 3 to 6 months, depending on how often you use it.
NEW Can You Wash a Bean Bag in a Washing Machine?
The short answer? It depends on your bean bag chair. Before tossing anything into your washing machine, always check the care label to avoid a laundry disaster.
If you own a cordaroys bean bag, you’re already ahead of the game. From velvety chenille to luxurious faux fur, we offer 200+ outer cover styles and patterns, most of which are machine washable and dryer friendly. There’s no place like foam, especially when that foam is wrapped in a freshly laundered cover!
NEW Steps to Washing a Bean Bag Chair
Washing your bean bag chair doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re tackling that mysterious stain from last week’s family movie night or just giving your bean bag its seasonal cleaning, we’ve broken it down into three simple steps anyone can follow.
Step 1: Spot Clean Stains
Quick action is your best friend when it comes to keeping your bean bag looking its best. Stay on top of those inevitable snack spills and coffee splashes by spot cleaning them right away. Most everyday stains can be tackled with a simple spot treatment and a clean or terry cloth.
Choose your cleaning tools wisely based on the material of your bean bag. For instance, you wouldn't want to use a hard-bristled brush, like a toothbrush, on a suede-covered bean bag - it would ruin the fabric. If your bean bag is made from suede, you may need to use a gentle brush to remove any stubborn dirt or stains.
The same goes for using a metal bristle brush on a vinyl bean bag. Instead, wiping down a vinyl bean bag with a damp cloth is usually enough to remove any dirt or stains. You also need to ensure that you aren’t using a cleaning solution that contains bleach or any other chemical that could damage the coloring or integrity of the outer shell fabric.
Not sure if a cleaning method is safe? When in doubt, leave it out! A simple, mild detergent and warm water on a damp cloth using light, circular motions can typically remove a stain without the use of hard scrubbing or harsh chemicals that could negatively impact your health or ruin your bean bag. You can also look for specialized spot removers available for certain fabrics (i.e., leather spot stain remover or a leather conditioner).
Once you’ve got your products in hand, just shake the shredded foam inside of your bean bag down and out of the way from the spot that needs to be cleaned. This will keep the foam inside dry while you work your cleaning magic.
Step 2: Throw the Cover in the Washing Machine
Once spot cleaning no longer cuts it, it’s time to give your cover the whole washing machine treatment. For a cordaroys’ cover, just unzip it, take out the inner bed, and your cover is ready for its spa day!
Pre-treat any stubborn stains before washing for best results. Then zip the cover closed to prevent damage to the zipper during the wash cycle. Use cold water on a gentle cycle with mild detergent, but skip the fabric softeners as they can break down certain fabrics over time.
For king-sized and giant bean bags, you may need to visit a laundromat with commercial-sized machines to ensure they 1) fit properly in the washing machine and 2) get thoroughly cleaned.
Step 3: Dry Your Bean Bag
The finish line is finally in sight! Thankfully, our covers are not only machine washable, but they’re also dryer-friendly, making this step hassle-free.
Tumble dry your cover on low heat, as high temperatures can shrink or damage fabrics. For delicate materials, or if you want to prolong your cover’s life, air drying might be your safest bet by laying it flat in a well-ventilated area.
Before putting your freshly washed cover back on, make sure it’s completely dry. Any lingering moisture could lead to mildew. Once thoroughly dry, slip the cover back over the inner bed, zip it up, and your favorite spot is officially refreshed and ready for some relaxation.
Pro Tip: Toss a few wool dryer balls or clean tennis balls into the dryer with your cover. These little helpers will bounce around with your cover, softening the fabric while preventing it from clumping or drying unevenly.
How to Clean the Inside of a Bean Bag
At cordaroy’s, our bean bags each contain a bed inside. When you need additional bedding, you simply unzip the outer cover of everyone’s favorite seat in the house and pull out everyone’s new favorite mattress. No tiny white pellets here. Only top-of-the-line, incredibly comfortable mattresses that will give any fancy mattress store mattress a run for its money.
The best way to clean the inside of your bean bag is to spot-clean it with water and mild soap, if necessary. You can also use your own sheets or blankets for protection, but we highly recommend a bed protector for added protection. cordaroy's bed protectors protect the inner bed from stains, dirt, and other pollutants.
As with any mattress, the mattress itself cannot be cleaned, nor can the polyurethane foam contents. But we think you’ll find you never need to clean the mattress itself, especially if you cover it with a protector when it is in use. Our bean bag chair mattress protectors are also waterproof, which is great for hosting small children and keeping your mattress clean and dry.
Finally, we recommend fluffing your bean bag regularly to keep the foam fill in good condition. Fluffing will also help keep your bean bag looking full and plump, just like new! And if you ever need to replace it or simply add more, you can purchase a foam booster pack or a replacement bed with liner and foam right here on our website.
Conclusion
So there you have it! Everything you need to know about how to wash a bean bag chair. It’s not as hard as it seems, and with a little bit of effort, your bean bag can look and feel like new again. Just remember to regularly spot clean and choose a bean bag with a removable cover for easy cleaning.
Now that you know all of our top tips, it should be a breeze! Be sure to check out our selection of stylish and comfortable bean bags, perfect for any room in your home. And if you still have questions about cleaning or just want some advice on the best style for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re always happy to help!
Sources:
Dangerous & Highly Toxic Chemicals | MIT
Why You Should Put Wool Dryer Balls or Tennis Balls In Your Dryer | Real Simple
