How to Clean a Bean Bag Chair

By
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette 2018
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40 years' experience; writing for over 20 years.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 03/14/23
Reviewed by
Becky Rapinchuk
Becky Rapinchuk headshot, cleaning RB
Reviewed by Becky Rapinchuk
Becky Rapinchuk is a natural cleaning expert, homekeeping expert, and founder of the lifestyle brand, Clean Mama. She has published 4 books.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
View of a faux fur bean bag chair in the corner of a living room

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 15 - 30 mins
  • Total Time: 15 mins - 1 hr, 30 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner

Bean bag chairs have been around since 1969 when the Italian company Zanotta produced the first line of chairs designed by Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini, and Franco Teodoro. Since those first pear-shaped leather bags, bean bag chairs have filled dorm rooms, recreation rooms, and chic living spaces.

Today you can find bean bag chairs covered in suede, fake fur, vinyl, leather, cotton, or microfiber in sizes ranging from those designed for babies to giant bags that can seat multiple adults. The filling is usually expanded polystyrene (EPS), a hard-celled plastic similar to Styrofoam. Since the filler is impervious to water, there are bean bags that are sold for outdoor use.

Since bean bag chairs are often used as footstools, for kids, and in lounge areas, they can get plenty of stains. Cleaning methods depend on the outer covering but most can be cleaned with supplies you probably have on hand.

How Often to Clean a Bean Bag Chair

Just as structured, upholstered furniture should be cleaned regularly, so should bean bag chairs. Frequency of cleaning depends on the amount of use, whether you have pets, and the type of fabric. However, a couple of general rules apply.

  • Spills and stains from food or mud should be cleaned up immediately for the best results.
  • All types of chair coverings should be dusted using a microfiber cloth or a vacuum's upholstery brush weekly.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • 1 Washing machine
  • 1 Dryer or clothesline
  • 1 Soft-bristled brush
  • 1 Microfiber cloth
  • 1 Spray bottle
  • 1 Wide-toothed comb
  • 1 Vacuum with an upholstery tool

Materials

  • 1 Laundry detergent
  • 1 Enzyme-based stain remover
  • 1 Leather soap
  • 1 Leather conditioner
  • 1 Hair conditioner
  • 1 Trash bag
  • 1 Dishwashing liquid

Instructions

Tools needed for cleaning bean bag chairs

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

How to Clean Bean Bag Chairs With Removable Washable Covers

  1. Read the Care Tags

    Every bean bag sold in the United States must have a care tag. Read it carefully to determine the best way to wash the removable cover. Follow those directions for water temperature and drying instructions.

    Reading the care tag on a bean bag chair cover

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  2. Be Prepared

    Before you remove a washable cover, have a trash bag handy just in case the inner sac filled with pellets is ripped or torn. If the "beans" are leaking out, place the inner sac in the trash bag until you can repair the rip or dispose of the chair. Scooping up millions of tiny pellets is not simple.

    Placing the inner cover of a bean bag into a trash bag

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  3. Pretreat Stains and Wash

    Before tossing the cover in the washer, pretreat visible stains with an enzyme-based stain remover or a dab of heavy-duty laundry detergent. Use your fingers or a soft-bristled brush to work the cleaner into the fabric. Set the cover aside and let the cleaner work for at least 15 minutes and then wash as directed.

    Pretreating stains on a bean bag cover

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  4. Dry and Reassemble

    Follow the care instructions for drying. If you are unsure, air-dry on a clothesline to help prevent shrinkage from overheating in the dryer. Reassemble the bean bag chair.

    Line drying the bean bag cover

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

How to Clean Leather Bean Bag Chairs

Whether the outer covering is removable or not, leather should not be tossed in the washer. If you have a faux-leather or vinyl bean bag, it can be cleaned with just a damp cloth and a bit of dishwashing liquid.

  1. Mix a Cleaning Solution

    In a small bowl, mix a solution of warm water and a saddle or Castile soap.

    Mixing a cleaning solution in a glass bowl

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  2. Wipe Down the Leather

    Dip a microfiber cloth in the soapy solution and wring until just damp. Start at the top and wipe down the leather cover. Rinse the cloth frequently to remove accumulated soil.

    Wiping down a leather bean bag chair with a soft cloth

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  3. Dry and Condition

    Allow the leather to air-dry, then, following the product directions, apply a leather conditioner to keep the leather soft and supple.

    Conditioning the leather

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

How to Clean a Faux Fur Bean Bag Chair

Most faux fur covers are removable and washable. Always read and follow the care tag guidelines.

  1. Use the Gentle Cycle

    Set the washer on the gentle cycle and the lowest spin cycle setting. This will help prevent excessive tangling from too much agitation.

    Using the washer on a gentle cycle

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  2. Air-Dry and Fluff

    Never place faux fur in a hot dryer. It can melt! Allow the cover to air dry. If it is tangled, use a wide-toothed comb to loosen up stubborn fur.

    Smooth the fibers by mixing one teaspoon of hair conditioner with two cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Spritz a small area of the fur and use the comb to gently untangle the fur. Work in a small area and comb slowly. If fibers come out, then you are combing too hard. When the faux fur is smooth, wipe down the cover with a clean, damp white cloth and allow to air-dry.

    Combing out a faux fur bean bag

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

How to Clean a Suede Bean Bag Chair

Microfiber, velour, or velvet mimic the soft, plush finish of real suede but can be cleaned more easily. Most microfiber covers are machine-washable. Again, read the care label. Natural suede leather needs much different care.

  1. Vacuum or Brush

    Real suede cannot withstand wet cleaning. Begin by vacuuming the suede covering with an upholstery tool or brush thoroughly with a soft-bristled brush.

    Vacuuming the outside of a suede bean bag chair

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  2. Treat Stains

    For oily stains, sprinkle the area with cornstarch or talcum powder. Let it sit for at least four hours to help draw the oil out of the suede. Brush or vacuum away the powder and repeat until the stain is gone.

    For wet stains, blot the suede with a clean white cloth and allow the area to dry. Use a brush to lift any pile that has been flattened.

    For mud stains, allow the mud to dry for easier removal. Brush it away and vacuum well.

    Tip

    Use a stain and water repellant product to treat suede bean bag chairs when they are new for easier cleaning.

    Cleaning off a suede bean bag chair

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee