Can You Machine Wash Bean Bags?

Whether you’ve purchased a bean bag for your children to keep in their playroom or one for yourself to curl up in at the end of a long day at the office, it’s inevitable that at some point or another, your bean bag is going to need a clean!

Whether you’ve accidentally spilled coffee on the slipcover of your bean bag, or a little one has gotten some finger paints on there, the good news is that bean bag covers are usually machine washable. Follow the steps below to machine wash your bean bag and get the best results:

  1. When you are ready to machine wash your bean bag, unzip the cover so that it can be put into your washing machine.

  2. If your polystyrene filler beads are loose, take a large bag and carefully transfer all of the beads temporarily into it. Keep in mind that if your filler is loose, it’s a good idea to ask for assistance during this step, as it’s super easy to make a mess when moving bean bag beads.

  3. After you have successfully removed the bean bag cover, take a moment to inspect it. If you can see any excess dirt or staining that can be removed, wipe all of it off with a cloth.

  4. Pour some liquid stain remover into a bowl of cold water (or baking soda if you do not have any liquid stain remover laying around) and then place your dirty bean bag cover into it for around 5-10 minutes. This will give your bean bag a chance to presoak and begin lifting away the dirt.

  5. After you have allowed your bean bag to soak for around 10 minutes or so, now it will be time to give it a wash in your washing machine. Most bean bag covers will need to be put on a delicate cycle with cold water, otherwise, they may shrink in size. Feel free to add in some detergent if you would like.

  6. After the cycle has completed and the bean bag has been successfully washed, either hang it out to dry or throw it in the tumble dryer.

As a side note, it’s important to keep in mind that if you do need to clean your bean bag after an accidental spill or simply to freshen it up, the best course of action is to first check your owner’s manual.

This is usually a little pamphlet that will have come with your bean bag upon purchase and will contain all of the necessary information regarding ways that your bean bag can be cleaned, as well as what type of wash and temperature if your bean bag is machine washable.

Are bean bags hygienic?

As with all types of furniture, there is always a chance that it could accumulate dirt and dust with extended periods of time left in one spot, or if it is frequently used by many people in the house. 

However, if hygiene is particularly important to you, then there are different types of bean bags on the market that are created to cater to this issue. If you want a bean bag that is going to be able to stay optimally hygienic, then we recommend taking a look at bean bags that contain vegetable-based foam beads and anti-microbial fabric, as these will be able to prevent the growth of bacteria and odors that can be caused from regular use. 

On the flip side, if you already have a bean bag and would like to keep it as clean as possible, then we recommend hoovering it at least once a week. By hoovering the external cover of the bean bag, you will be able to effectively remove any dirt, dust, and debris from the surface of the bean bag, all while ensuring that its appearance stays clean and flawless.

How do you clean a nylon bean bag?

Nylon bean bags are one of the most versatile and resilient types of bean bags on the market, and can usually be used outdoors due to their water-resistant nature, though that doesn’t mean they can’t get dirty!

If your nylon bean bag is in need of a wash, then the good news is that it’s pretty easy to clean, as long as you know what to do. Follow the cleaning instructions below to make sure that your nylon bean bag stays in tip-top condition:

  1. Nylon bean bag covers are usually unable to be totally submerged in water, which means that you’ll have to wash it by hand rather than pop it in the washing machine. Move your nylon bean bag to a spot in the garden or home, where you have enough space to clean it.
  2. Take a soft bristle toothbrush and a cloth, and then add some mild detergent to a bowl of water.
  3. Begin brushing the toothbrush in small, circular motions across all of the stubborn stains, and wipe clean with the cloth.
  4. Keep repeating step 3 until all of the stains have been removed, and your nylon bag is totally clean. 

How do you clean bean bags without removing beans?

The simplest way to clean your bean bag without removing the beans is to spot-treat it. As soon as you notice that a spillage has occurred, or that dirt has gotten on the surface of the bag, then all you will need is some detergent and a cloth! Follow the steps below to spot-clean your bean bag without having to remove the beans:

  1. As soon as you notice that the accident has occurred, take a dry towel to remove the bulk of the stain or dirt.

  2. Pour some mild detergent directly into the stain, and allow it to sit for around half an hour before proceeding with the next step.

  3. After 30 minutes have passed, take a clean washing towel and wet it with cold water (hot water might cause the stain to set in the fabric of your bean bag), and gently begin scrubbing the area.

  4. After the dirt and stain have been removed, rinse once again with cold water, and allow to dry.