How To Clean A Bean Bag Chair (Wash All The Popular Fabrics!)
Last updated on March 5th, 2023 at 04:47 am
Bean bag chairs are a great way to liven up any room. The filler material in a bean bag (usually beans or expanded polystyrene beads) will mold around you when you sit on it. This makes for an incredibly comfortable seat that is easy on the back, neck or other joints!
Bean bag chair covers come in many different fabrics, each requiring their own type of care. In this article, we’re going to take a look at how to clean a bean bag chair depending on its fabric.
How to clean bean bags
If you’re wondering how to clean bean bags, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog, I’m going to walk you through all the steps of cleaning your bean bag chair.
From what materials and tools you’ll need, to easy cleaning techniques and tips I’ll have you sitting in a spotless bean bag in no time. Let’s get started!
Washable cotton covers
One of the easiest ways to keep your bean bag chairs clean is by washing their removable covers in a machine. Unzip the bean bag chair and pull out the lining containing the filling.
If there is no lining (and the filling is loose), you will need to carefully pour the filling into a suitable-sized container. Machine wash any fabric-based material with warm or cool water and a light detergent.
Then air dry flat when complete so it doesn’t shrink during the drying process (which can happen in a dryer!) If you’re not sure, consult your manufacturer’s instructions on how to wash the bean bag chair.
How to clean a vinyl bean bag
Cleaning vinyl fabric is a bit more delicate than cleaning other types of fabrics so it can’t be washed in a machine.
Remove the cover of the bean bag chair (if it is removable). Use a brush or vacuum cleaner to remove any dust or dirt from the seams and corners of your vinyl bean bag chair.
Wipe down your vinyl bean bag with warm soapy water and scrub any stains with a soft brush.
Allow the vinyl to air dry before replacing the cover (or using your bean bag chair again).
How to clean a suede bean bag cover
Suede is a delicate material, so it’s important to clean it gently. It’s less durable than leather and so is harder to care for.
Suede is not machine washable so the best thing to do is use a suede brush to remove any dust or dirt on the surface of the suede. This also restores the nap keeping it looking fresh and smooth.
Suede furnishings should be brushed weekly if possible, or once a month at the absolute minimum.
To keep your suede bean bag cover clean, you should also treat it with a water repelling spray.
This will protect against stains should the suede ever get wet. Repeat this treatment once every 6 months or whenever it looks like your suede is no longer repelling water.
How to clean a velvet bean bag cover
Velvet is a luxurious, stylish fabric, but like some of the others we’ve mentioned, shouldn’t be washed in a machine. Here’s how to clean a velvet bean bag cover:
- Remove the bean bag cover and lay it on a flat surface
- Mix a small amount of dish soap with some warm water in a bucket or sink
- Dip a sponge into the soapy water and scrub the velvet gently in one direction to clean any stains.
- Don’t wring out the velvet when you are done – this will cause streaks on your fabric! Dry off as much excess moisture as possible with a towel before continuing with your next section of velvet.
- Repeat steps 3-4 until any stains have been cleaned thoroughly.
- Let the velvet cover dry for at least 12 hours before putting the beans back into your bean bag. When it’s dry you can brush the cover with a soft brush to make sure the velvet finish looks even.
How to clean a leather bean bag
Leather is durable, stylish and timeless. Not only that, but it’s also easy to clean. No wonder it’s the fabric of choice for many bean bag chair owners!
You can easily vacuum or wipe any excess dirt and grime off your leather bean bag. Just be careful not to scratch the leather.
Next, some warm water and a gentle soap (the gentler the better) can be used to clean the leather. While there are plenty of soaps and products designed specifically to clean leather, these really aren’t necessary a few drops of dish soap in water is sufficient.
If you’re not sure about the soap solution you’re using, just test it on a small inconspicuous area of the bean bag before proceeding. You can do this to test for discoloration.
Once you’ve wiped the leather with a damp cloth dipped in the warm water and soap, it’s now time to dry it. It’s important to dry leather to protect against mold and mildew. This can be done with a dry cloth.
It’s not necessary, but if you want to keep your leather feeling soft and supple, it’s a good idea to apply a leather conditioner or cream once every 6 – 12 months. A good leather conditioner shouldn’t cost more than about $10-$20 on Amazon and will last a long time.
How to clean a plush bean bag chair cover
Plush is soft and cosy and particularly popular for kids’ bean bag chairs. You’ll want to keep it as soft as possible, and that means not using water on it unless absolutely necessary.
For the most part, it’ll be sufficient just to vacuum off any dust using your vacuum brush attachment. A soft bristled brush can be used to remove any crusty stains and smooth out the nap.
If it’s necessary to use water (sometimes it will be if you get a particularly bad stain) just use a damp cloth to rub the stain until removed.
How to clean a faux fur bean bag chair
While faux fur is the bean bag fabric of choice for many, it’s one of the more difficult to wash. If it’s just a stain, you may be able to spot clean. However, to wash it properly, handwashing is usually the best option for cleaning any faux fur item.
Unzip the cover and remove the bean bag filler. If your bean bag cover is big you can wash it in any large plastic storage container or even in the bathtub.
Use cool water and 1 or 2 teaspoons of a mild detergent (one suitable for handwashing). Submerge your bean bag cover and swish the faux fur around in the water for around 10-15 minutes.
Don’t wring it dry! Squeeze as much of the excess soapy water out as you can and refill your tub with clean water. Rinse until no suds remain, then remove the cover and squeeze out the water. You can roll it in a bathtowel to get even more water out.
Allow it to drip dry flat on a drying rack (you can put this in a bathtub to catch the drips of water). It will probably take as much as 24-48 hours to dry properly. You can then put the filling back in your bean bag cover and brush the fur using a soft bristled brush to lift the fibers and untangle any matted fur.
How to wash bean bag conclusion
As you can see, there are a number of different ways to clean a bean bag. It all depends on the kind of fabric the cover is made from. The best way to clean your bean bag is according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If don’t have those, then the tips above should be enough to help you get your bean bag looking clean, fresh and new. Just make sure you clean your bean bag regularly or spot clean whenever you notice a stain.
If you’re reading this article to learn more about how to clean a bean bag chair before you buy, make sure you buy a fabric that you don’t mind cleaning! Some people opt for machine-washable, removable covers as these are usually the most convenient (particularly if you have kids or pets and need to clean regularly!).
Leather is also very easy to clean with just a wipe of a damp cloth. While it’s not difficult, you have to put a bit more effort into cleaning delicate fabrics such as velvet or suede.
How do you wash a bean bag chair without removing beans?
To wash a bean bag chair without removing beans firstly;
1. Place the bean bag chair in an open, well-ventilated space. This will help to protect against any potential mold or mildew that may occur during the washing process.
Vacuum up any dirt and dust that may have accumulated on the fabric of the bean bag chair. If necessary, use a bristle brush attachment to remove any stubborn particles stuck to the fabric thoroughly.
2. Create a mixture of two parts cold water and one part mild laundry detergent in a large bucket or basin. Alternatively, you can use warm water if desired; however, it is important not to expose the fabric of the bean bag chair to hot water as this could cause damage or fade over time.
3. Submerge a soft cloth into the detergent solution and wring out any excess liquid before wiping down all surfaces of the bean bag chair with gentle pressure. Take extra care to make sure that every nook and cranny is addressed properly so as to avoid leaving any traces of dirt behind after drying.
4. Rinse off all remaining detergent from the bean bag chair using a spray bottle filled with cold water (or warm water if preferred). Ensure all areas are thoroughly rinsed off so as not to leave any residue after drying, which could attract more dirt later on down the line.
5. Towel dry each area of fabric with a clean and dry towel once rinsing is completed in order to absorb any leftover moisture left behind by rinsing away soap suds and other things alike. Be sure not to rub too harshly on delicate material as this could cause damage over time due to friction wear-and-tear when drying out naturally in open air later on down the line!
6. For added protection, sprinkle baking soda onto each surface of fabric where possible before allowing your bean bag chair to dry out naturally in an open and well-ventilated space for at least 24 hours – this will help reduce any odor associated with wet material!
7. Once dried sufficiently, fluff up each section of your bean bag chair by hand using gentle motions so that beans start returning back into their original position inside their pockets; pay special attention here so you don’t end up making your bean bag chair look lumpy or bumpy instead!
8. Finally, vacuum up excess lint left behind after drying fully using your bristle brush attachment if needed – this should help keep your beloved furniture looking nice and tidy for years ahead without worrying about dirt accumulation!
Can polystyrene beads be washed?
Yes, you can wash polystyrene beads on a gentle wash. To properly clean polystyrene beads, a front loader washing machine is highly recommended to ensure they look their best. When washing micro bead pillows, set the machine on a gentle cycle with lukewarm water and place the bean bag cover inside of a tied-up pillow case before putting it in the washer. This will help keep the beads from shifting around too much and potentially breaking apart. Ensure you don’t overload the washing machine, as this will make it difficult for the pillow to get properly cleaned. After cleaning, be sure to thoroughly dry your micro bead pillow by placing it back into its bean bag cover and allowing it to air dry for at least 24 hours; using a tumble dryer may cause damage and should be avoided. Taking good care of your micro bead pillows will ensure they stay clean and comfortable for years to come!