Even though bean bag chairs are made to be fluffy, comfortable, and round, they, unfortunately, cannot stay that way forever.
This happens to bean bag owners all across the world and is most commonly caused by the little polystyrene beans/beads that fill the contents of the bean bag’s exterior.
More specifically, regardless of brand or price point, most bean bags are filled to the brim with expanded polystyrene (which is sometimes referred to as EPS) which is very similar in nature to styrofoam.
However, some of the more premium bean bag chairs on the market are often filled with special beads that have been created exclusively for use in bean bags, which means that they are able to stay fluffy and full for longer periods of time before going flat.
As they are used more and more, these beads will slowly start to become compressed, which means that their size will be reduced. In turn, the bean bag will begin to appear and look smaller and flatter in both appearance and feel.
This will not only mean that the bean bag will look smaller, but it will also mean that it will be unable to offer the same amount of ergonomic support and comfort as it once was when first purchased.
When bean bags become flat, many people choose to simply re-fill the contents of their bean bags to save them from having to purchase a new one. To do this, you will need to purchase a bag or two (depending on the size of the bean bag) of EPS beads.
Then, carefully unzip your bean bag and pour in the beads until you can feel and see that the shape and feel of the bean bag have been restored.
How long do bean bag chairs last?
Though the life of a bean bag can depend on a variety of different factors (such as how often it is used and quality) on average, you can expect your bean bag to offer you a service of around 5 years before it needs to be replaced.
This is mainly because of their lightweight designs and ability to maintain their shape after being sat in for long periods of time.
On top of this, bean bags are also able to withstand exposure to both heat and moisture without being negatively affected, which is one of the main reasons why they are able to last for such a long period of time.
When the time comes for your bean bag to be replaced, there are usually many ways that it can be reused.
If you do not want to get rid of your bean bag for a new one, then you do have the option of refilling it with new beads, which is a clever way of both extending the life of your bean bag and saving money on buying a new one.
On the flip side, you can also choose to reuse your bean bag’s beads for arts and crafts projects, or even as plant pot base fillers.
It’s also worth noting that, if you’ve purchased a high-quality bean bag, then there is a strong chance that it will have come with a lifetime warranty.
We recommend trying to purchase a bean bag that comes with one of these, as it means that, if anything was to go wrong, then your purchase will have been covered and you may be eligible for a replacement or repair free of charge.
If you are simply purchasing a bean bag for a child or for decorative purposes, a lifetime warranty may not be such a priority, though we do recommend purchasing bean bags that have them, if you plan on regularly using one.
Why do bean bag chairs go flat?
Besides gravity, one of the main reasons why bean bag chairs go flat is down to the fact that they are often made of polystyrene beans or beads, though they can sometimes be referred to as EPS beans.
These types of bean bag beads contain multiple tiny pockets of air inside them, which makes them super comfortable and supportive when you sit on them.
However, after regularly sitting on them, these air pockets will begin to empty as time goes by, which can lead to the bean bag becoming flat both in feel and appearance. Though ultimately all bean bags will go flat, it’s important to try and prevent it from occurring for as long as possible.
Generally speaking, if you take care of your bean bag properly then you can expect it to last you for around 5 years, regardless of whether you use it every day or once in a blue moon.
The best preventative method to keep your bean bag from starting to go flat is to regularly carry out the “fluffing” procedure.
The fluffing procedure will help to revitalize your bean bag throughout the week and will prolong the overall life of your bean bag. To do this, you have the option of two methods.
The first fluffing method is to simply give your bean bag a shake once or twice a week in order to help your bean bag keep its shape, and to help make sure all the bean bag beads are evenly distributed throughout the bean bag.
On the other hand, if you want to be extra thorough, the next way that you can carry out the fluffing method is by unzipping your bean bag. This method is ideal for people who are starting to notice that their bean bag is going flat, as it helps to reactivate the air pockets.
To do this, all you need to do is simply unzip the bag and then shake the beads inside it to help stimulate the air pockets to create new air pockets. These methods are super effective and can be performed on all types of bean bags, even those that have already gone flat.
