Bean Bag Chair Maintenance: Cleaning, Fluffing, and Longevity Tips

A bean bag chair is one of those pieces of furniture that quietly becomes everyone's favorite spot. It is where the book gets finished, the game gets played, and the movie marathon happens. It is also the piece that tends to pick up crumbs, pet hair, and the occasional spilled drink along the way.

The good news is that keeping one fresh does not take much. In this guide, we walk through cleaning, fluffing, and longevity habits, using the care details listed for the chairs we cover on CozyNextLiving. If you are still choosing a chair, start with our main guide, Best Bean Bag Chairs 2024: Comfort, Size, and Price Compared, then come back here once yours arrives.

A quick note on how we work: we don't test products in person. The tips below come from our research into Amazon product listings and customer feedback, plus common home-care practices. Always follow the care label and instructions that come with your own chair, because they take priority over general advice.

Know What You Are Caring For: Cover and Filling

Every bean bag is really two things: an outer cover and an inner filling. Each needs different care, so it helps to know what yours is made of. Here is what the listings say about the chairs we feature.

One thing worth noticing: most of these have a removable cover and a foam filling. That combination makes upkeep much easier, because you can deal with the cover and the filling separately.

Cleaning Your Bean Bag Chair

Start with a light weekly refresh

The easiest habit is also the most effective. Once a week, or whenever you notice dust or crumbs, go over the cover with a handheld vacuum and a soft brush attachment. Soft fabrics such as velvet and corduroy tend to hold on to lint and pet hair, so a quick pass keeps them looking tidy. If you use a vacuum on your cover, a small canister vacuum like the Eureka WhirlWind Bagless Canister Vacuum is one option for small homes, and the listing is worth a look to confirm it suits your floors and attachments.

Handle spills quickly

1. Blot the spill with a clean, dry cloth. Press instead of rubbing, which can push the stain deeper.
2. Mix a little mild dish soap into lukewarm water.
3. Dab the stain with a cloth dampened in the soapy water, working from the outside in.
4. Go over it with a cloth dampened in plain water to lift any soap.
5. Let the area air dry before sitting on it.

Test any cleaner on a hidden spot first, near the zipper or on the underside, to make sure it doesn't affect the color or texture.

Washing a removable cover

According to their listings, the Homguava, Codi, Hobestluk, and Big Joe Fuf all have removable, machine-washable covers. If yours is one of them, these habits generally help:

• Take the cover off the filling first. Never put a filled bean bag in the washing machine.
• Close the zipper before washing. An open zipper can catch on the fabric. The Codi's listing even notes that its cover zipper can snag if it is pulled too fast, so go slowly.
• Choose a gentle cycle with a mild detergent, and follow the temperature on the care tag.
• Dry according to the tag. Many soft fabrics like velvet and mink-style covers do best with low heat or air drying.

The care tag on your own chair is the final word, since fabrics and instructions can differ by version and size.

Cleaning corduroy and outdoor fabrics

For a corduroy cover like the UODERS, start gently. Vacuum first, then spot clean with mild soap and a soft cloth, and check the listing for the exact cover care instructions. For the Olefin cover on the Hilar outdoor chair, a wipe-down with mild soapy water after outdoor messes is a sensible routine, and the removable cover can be washed as the listing describes.

What about the filling?

Foam filling is not meant to be washed. If it starts to smell a little stale, unzip the cover and let the filling air out in a well-ventilated room. A light sprinkle of baking soda on the cover, left for a short while and then vacuumed off, can also freshen things up.

How to Fluff a Bean Bag Chair

Every bean bag compresses with use. That is normal, and fluffing is how you bring the loft back.

Give it room to expand after unboxing

Many of these chairs ship compressed. The listings for the Codi and Big Joe Fuf mention that they expand within roughly one to two days, and the UODERS is described as arriving vacuum-packed and expanding within a few days. Open the package, let the chair sit in an open space, and give it time before judging how full it looks.

Everyday fluffing

• Roll and shake. The Codi listing suggests rolling and shaking the chair now and then to redistribute the foam.
• Rotate it. Flip or turn the chair so the same spot doesn't take all the pressure.
• Press from the sides. Gentle pressing can break up clumped filling and reshape the chair.

When the chair stays flat

If fluffing no longer helps, the filling has probably settled. Check the product page to see whether the manufacturer offers a recommended refill. Some chairs keep their filling in a separate inner liner, and the Homguava listing describes its memory foam as supplied in a separate bag, which can make handling easier.

If you open an inner liner to top up the filling, do it in a quiet room, keep children and pets away, and close everything fully afterward. Loose filling is not something small children should be near.

Habits That Help a Bean Bag Last

• Mind the sun and heat. Direct sunlight can fade fabric over time. If your chair sits near a bright window, rotate it or move it during the sunniest hours. Outdoor-rated fabrics like the Hilar's Olefin are designed to handle more sun, but shade still helps any chair.
• Keep moisture away from indoor chairs. A damp floor or a spilled drink left too long can lead to musty smells. Make sure any washed cover is completely dry before it goes back on the filling.
• Use the handle properly. Most of these chairs have a built-in carry handle. Lift with it instead of dragging the chair across rough floors.
• Watch the zipper. Zip slowly and don't force it. A snagged zipper is the most common way a cover ends up damaged.
• Check the seams now and then. Catching a loose stitch early is far easier than repairing a torn seam.
• Stay within the intended size. A chair made for one or two people can wear out faster if it is regularly used by more. Check the dimensions listed on the product page.
• Store it well. If you put a chair away for a season, make sure it is clean and dry, and avoid squeezing it into a tight space for months.

Care Tips for Specific Situations

Homes with kids

Choose a cover you can remove and wash, and use a zipper kids can't easily open. The Big Joe Classic kids' chair, for example, is described as having double-stitched dual zippers and a stain-resistant fabric. Our kids' bean bag chair guide covers safety features in more detail.

Small apartments

In a compact space, a chair that stays plump takes up less room than one that sags and spreads. Regular fluffing is the easiest way to keep the footprint tidy. For more ideas, see bean bag chairs for small apartments.

Patios and balconies

Not every chair is meant to live outside. If you want one for outdoor use, look for a fabric the listing describes as weather-resistant, then bring it in during heavy rain. Our outdoor bean bag chair guide explains what to look for in the fabric and fill.

Corduroy and velvet covers

Soft textures look cozy but can hold on to pet hair. Brushing or vacuuming regularly keeps them looking fresh. If you are comparing fabrics, you can read more about the corduroy option in our UODERS floor sofa article.

Quick Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean my bean bag chair?

A quick vacuum or wipe once a week is plenty for most homes, and spills are best handled as soon as they happen. A full cover wash can be done as often as the care label allows, depending on how much the chair is used.

Can I put the whole bean bag in the washing machine?

No. Only the removable cover, and only if the care label or listing says it is machine washable. Remove the filling first.

How do I make a flat bean bag fluffy again?

Roll, shake, and rotate it first. If it stays flat, the filling has likely compressed, and adding the manufacturer's recommended refill is usually the next step.

Why does my new bean bag look small?

Many chairs ship compressed. According to the listings, some take a day or two, and some a few days, to reach full size, so give it time before deciding.

Can I use an indoor bean bag outside?

It is best to choose a chair whose listing describes an outdoor-ready or weather-resistant fabric. Indoor covers can fade or hold on to moisture.

Final Thoughts

You don't need a complicated routine to keep a bean bag chair feeling great. A weekly refresh, quick spill care, regular fluffing, and a little protection from sun and moisture go a long way. Choose a chair with a removable cover, treat the zipper gently, and follow the care label, and your chair should stay a comfortable spot for a long time.

Still comparing chairs? See our full guide: Best Bean Bag Chairs 2024: Comfort, Size, and Price Compared.

Product details come from Amazon listings and may change. Check the current listing for exact materials, sizes, and care instructions before you buy.