Bean bag chairs make comfortable, casual seating for any room. However, after periods of heavy use, the fabric covers can accumulate dirt, oils, and grime. Follow this comprehensive guide to learn the ins and outs of how to wash a bean bag chair.
10 Ultimate Steps for How to Wash a Bean Bag Chair
Here are the four steps you need to follow to wash a bean bag chair:
Step 1: Inspect and Vacuum
First, thoroughly vacuum all surfaces of your bean bag using the brush attachment. This lifts debris like crumbs or pet hair so they don’t grind into the fabric during washing. Pay close attention to crevices and seams around piping or near closures.
Step 2: Understand Your Cover Fabric
Check all tags and labels for the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Covers may be machine washable, but others require special treatment like dry cleaning or spot cleaning only. Identify fabric composition and construction. Delicate covers may need extra gentle care. If no care tag exists, assume hand washing in cold water is safest. Test cleaners in inconspicuous areas first.
Step 3: Pre-treat Stains
Inspect for visible stains and use a clean, damp cloth to pre-treat them before washing. For light stains, spot clean with warm water and mild soap only. For tougher stains, apply a gentle upholstery cleaner designed for that fabric type. This helps lift stains rather than setting them by washing them.
Step 4: Remove the Exterior Cover
If possible based on construction, fully unzip and remove the outer fabric cover
from your bean bag. This allows for more vigorous cleaning while keeping interior beads or cushion foam protected inside the inner liner. Set aside filling to wash later if heavily stained. Covers with surface patterns or baffling may not allow full removal.
Step 5: Machine Wash Fabric Covers
If care tags allow, machine wash bean bag covers in cold water on a gentle or delicate cycle. Use a mild detergent without optical brighteners. Vinegar in the rinse water helps remove traces of soap. Do not wash covers in hot water, use bleach or fabric softener, or overload the drum which could damage covers during washing.
Step 6: Hand Wash Delicate Covers
For non-machine washable fabrics, hand wash gently using cool water in a sink, tub, or bucket. Make a solution of cold water and a small amount of mild laundry detergent. Submerge the cover, let soak briefly, then gently move the fabric to loosen dirt. Rinse thoroughly with cool clean water to remove all soap residues which may deteriorate fabrics over time or leave residue on fill materials.
Step 7: Extra Cleaning for Fill Materials
If interior beads, foam, or other filling are heavily stained, remove and clean them separately before returning to the cover. Plastic bead fill can be hand washed in a mesh bag and then air dried. Foam pieces may require vacuuming and then spot treatment with an upholstery cleaner. Add a few drops of lemon essential oil during re-assembly for a natural, fresh scent.
Step 8: Rinse and Drain Thoroughly
Whether machine or hand-washed, rinse bean bag covers thoroughly using cool clean water to remove all traces of detergents or cleaners. Do not wring or twisting to force water out. Instead, move covers gently and drape over a rack or rod to drain naturally.
Step 9: Air Dry Covers Completely
Never machine dry your bean bag cover unless the tag explicitly allows it. Always air dry covers fully before re-stuffing or using. Hang drying outdoors allows fresh air circulation. Indoors, use fans to prevent mold and mildew growth in humid areas. To ease drying time, add a couple of dryer balls or tennis balls to covers to break up interior baffling and allow airflow internally.
Step 10: Re-Assemble Your Bean Bag
Once fully dry, re-stuff your bean bag chair being careful with closures and alignments. Adding a drop of scented oil to interior beads freshens without heavy perfumes. Fluff covers around fill materials to restore shape and enjoy your refreshed bean bag!
You Can Check It Out to Fill a Bean Bag Chair.
5 Maintaining Tips for How to Wash a Bean Bag Chair
Keeping your bean bag chair clean is essential to ensure its longevity and maintain its appearance. Here are some tips for maintaining a clean bean bag chair:
- Vacuum it regularly: Use a hand-held or upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to gently go over the chair’s surface. This will remove any loose dirt or debris that might have accumulated.
- Spot clean stains immediately: When you notice a stain, clean it with a clean white cloth and a mild cleaning solution. The longer a stain sits, the more difficult it will be to remove.
- Use a stain and water-repellant product: To make cleaning your bean bag chair easier, apply a stain and water-repellant product when the chair is new. This will help to protect it against spills and stains.
- Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight: Direct sunlight can fade the color of your bean bag chair, so it’s best to keep it away from windows or other sources of direct sunlight.
- Refrain from overloading the chair: Overfilling your bean bag chair can cause the seams to stretch and weaken, making it more prone to tearing or bursting.
Following these tips can help keep your bean bag chair clean and looking its best for years. Remember to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintaining your specific bean bag chair.
FAQs About How to Wash a Bean Bag Chair
What Do You Do After Washing the Bean?
After washing beans, it is recommended to soak them in cold water for 8 hours or overnight. Then, the beans should be cooked by adding 6 cups of water for every 2 cups, bringing them to a boil, and simmering for 2 to 3 minutes. Adding a pinch of salt to the cooking water is also suggested to improve flavor and increase nutrient availability. It is discarding the soaking water and cooking the beans in fresh water to maximize nutrient bioavailability and minimize the presence of certain chemicals that can inhibit nutrient uptake.
Can I Wash a Bean Bag With Balls in?
Yes, you can wash a bean bag with balls in it, depending on the type of balls used as filling. You can wash bean bag balls made with polystyrene, microform, Styrofoam, plastic, PVC pellets, or memory foam. However, you should avoid washing bean bags with natural fillings like beans, rice, or corn, as they can expand and cause damage to the bean bag. Additionally, you should avoid washing bean bags with electronic components like speakers or lights, as water can damage them.
What Happens if Bean Bag Beans Get Wet?
Wet bean bag beans may cause mold and mildew growth, leading to a musty smell and potential health hazards. It is best to keep bean bag beans dry and clean by wiping them with a dry and clean towel or vacuuming the bag’s surface.
Is It Ok to Wash Bean Bag?
Yes, it is generally okay to wash a bean bag as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning. You should check the label on your bean bag to see if it is machine washable or needs spot cleaning. If the bean bag cover is machine washable, you should remove the cover, zip it closed, and wash it in cold water with mild detergent. You should avoid using bleach or fabric softener and tumble dry the cover on low heat or air dry it. If the bean bag cover is not machine washable, you can spot-clean it with a damp cloth and mild detergent. However, you should avoid getting the bean bag filling wet, as this can cause damage or mold.
Can You Wash a Bean Bag Chair in the Washing Machine?
Yes, You can wash certain bean bag chairs in the washing machine, but only if the manufacturer explicitly states machine washing is allowed based on the materials used. Typically, removable outer covers can be tossed in the washer gently and air-dried after, but the inner filling like beads or foam cannot. For non-removable covers, check for a “machine washable” tag before attempting to clean in a washing machine. If no indications, spot clean only with a damp cloth instead of fully submerging. Harsh chemicals and high heat should also be avoided to prevent damage. Always defer to the included care instructions, and if unsure, go the more gentle route when cleaning to maintain the integrity of the bean bag.
Can Bean Bags Get Wet?
Yes, Bean bags can get wet, but their water resistance depends on the materials used and intended usage. Outdoor bean bags are designed to withstand some moisture from rain or being left outside. Indoor bean bags have less tolerance for getting wet and require quick drying to prevent mold growth. For frequent moisture exposure near pools or spills, choose bean bags made with water-resistant fabrics like vinyl or olefin. With proper preventative care like spot cleaning and immediate drying, if soaked, most bean bags can handle occasional light wetness. For heavy soaking, however, the filling and seams may be damaged, so it’s best to keep bean bags dry when possible based on their construction.
Conclusion
With proper care methods, you can easily wash most bean bag covers right at home. Review fabric composition and construction first, then follow these guidelines for clean, fresh chair filling and covers. Happy lounging!
