Whether you bought a bean bag chair for your pup to sleep comfortably, for your kids to use in the playroom, or for yourself to relax and watch movies on the telly, it will take a lot of wear and need cleaning at some point. Do you know how to clean it properly? Worry not! I will spill the beans with this helpful guide on cleaning a bean bag chair.
Spot the Little Stuff
If you're lounging around, watching reruns of Doctor Who, and drip a speck of brown sauce from your sausage sandwich, merely spot-treat the mess! Here's how:
- Use dry doweling to wipe away the spill, only leaving the stain
- Pour a dab of Fairy or Palmolive washing-up soap directly onto the stain
- Let it sit for half an hour
- Dampen a clean wash rag with cold water as hot water may set the stain
- Scrub the area and then rinse with cold water and let it dry
Because of the degreaser in the product, it works marvellously as a stain lifter!
Can I Put a Bean Bag in the Washing Machine?
You left your little one for a minute, and you thought he/she was reading a book. When you return, you discover them with finger paint on their new bean bag chair! Luckily, you opted for a chair with a removable cover that you can throw in the wash! Cotton and Polyester bean bags can usually be machine washed. Check the cleaning instruction label on the product or consult the instructions provided with the product. For optimal results:
- Unzip the cover, remove beans from bean bag
- If the filler is loose, pour it into a large bag for safe storage; if not, pull it out
- Wipe off any excess paint globs
- Presoak the cover, for 5-10 minutes, in a bucket of cold water and liquid stain remover or 32 grams of baking soda
- Wash in cold or warm water, on the delicate cycle, with a small amount of detergent and no liquid fabric softener
- Hang to dry in fresh air where possible
In less than two hours, your seat will look brand new! So can I put bean bags in dryer?
Wash the Big Stuff
If you notice that your bean bag chair requires a washing from normal wear, you may need to wash the entire bag. You may see that the cover does not separate. To keep the floor dry, place a sheet larger than the chair beneath it, like a plastic tarp. Follow this process to clean your bean bag chair:
- Spot treat dark stains with sparkling water
- Spot treat greasy stains with a mild detergent
- Wet a cloth and use a dab of carpet cleaner
- Gently scrub the entire surface area
- Use a clean, wet towel to wipe off the cleanser and repeat until it comes off completely
- Fan dry the chair
The rinse step may seem tedious, but you should never dump water directly onto the chair, as it may ruin the stuffing inside. Before placing a filled bean bag in a tumble dryer, read this article Can you put bean bags in the dryer?
How to Clean Bean Bag Chairs that Require Special Treatment
Certain materials or situations may require special treatment. Let's look at a few.
Suede
Using the wash methods above on a suede bag will destroy it. Instead:
- Rub messes with a damp terry towelling
- For persistent stains, use two parts water, and one part vinegar cleaning solution
- Use circular motions to clean with a metal suede brush
- Spray on a water-resistant protective spray
You should use the protective spray on your chair when you bring it home to make cleaning simpler and safer for your chair. Find everything you need to know about cleaning suede furniture here.
Vinyl
Though vinyl provides durability, it also can make stain removal extra tricky. Try this:
- Create a paste using a spoonful of baking soda and drops of warm water until it the powder is all wet and pasty
- Dab it on the spot
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub out the stain gently
- Wipe away the paste with a damp cloth
Your chair will always look spectacular! But beware vinyl bean bags contain toxic and deadly chemicals.
Plush
Everybody loves snuggling into the softness of plush, and under no circumstances do you want to clean that softness away. To keep your plush lush:
- Remove dust with dry paper towelling
- Vacuum regularly with a brush attachment
- Gently use a soft-bristled hairbrush to remove any crusty stains
Unless necessary, skip the soap and water. Find out How to Clean Corduroy bean bags here.
Faux Fur
Faux fur bean bags look and feel luxurious! You do not want to wash them incorrectly to leave them looking like a wet kitty. Wash them like this:
- Vacuum out dirt with an attachment brush
- Use a professional-grade upholstery cleaner to spot clean.
- Hand wash, like hair, with cold water and a few pumps of mild, liquid hand soap.
- Let it soak in for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly using a damp cloth and ringing it out
- Apply a mixture of cold water and fabric softener
- Soak 10 minutes
- Rinse carefully using a clean damp cloth
- Towel dry and then fan dry
- Once dry, brush the fur gently with a wide-toothed comb.
Lice Exposure
School-aged children often come home at one point in their life with a case of head lice. And typically, you do not know right away. But the creatures can live for a few days on non-living things, like your bean chair. If this happens to your family:
- Vacuum the bean bag chair
- Fill a small spray bottle with warm water and several drops of tea tree oil and spritz the entire chair, top to bottom, but do not soak it.
- Cover the chair in plastic (large bags if you can find any that fit) for two days
Your chair will come through this ordeal like nothing ever happened. You may even love the oil, and it is safe for the whole family, pets included! You can also spray it on the hair to help treat and prevent head lice.
How to Clean Outdoor Bean Bag Covers
Once you discover the fantastic comfort and aesthetic value of our stylish outdoor bean bag covers, you'll want to keep them looking their best for life. Fortunately, keeping them clean and new is easy because they withstand weather, moisture and temperature extremes. Unlike other types of outdoor furniture, bean bags won't require treatment with particular products or elaborate storage preparations. A little preventative maintenance and light cleaning are all they need. Here are our top five cleaning tips to help you keep your beautiful bean bags looking great year after year.
Maintenance and Cleaning Tips for Outdoor Bean Bag Covers
When you're not using your bean bag outside, bring it indoors. Storing it inside protects it from acid rain and concentrated airborne pollutants like gases, oxidants and harmful chemicals that are especially common in large cities. When these substances land and collect on your outdoor bean bag covers, rain or condensation causes them to get wet. They can eat into the fabric like acid. Besides, you'll find that our outdoor bean bag covers look just as great in your house; they are perfect for your games room, casual den or the kids' bedrooms. Many people who love our bean bags use them in sub-tropical climates and other humid areas. While the bean bags are water-resistant, continual exposure to excessive moisture can lead to unhealthy mould and mildew growth that looks and smells horrible. Once mould infiltrates the fabric, it can become difficult to remove. Nobody likes to sit in mouldy bean bags, so if your outdoor space is humid, store them in a dry place when they're not in use. Be sure that all surfaces of the fabric are dry before storing. Although our bean bags use the best fade-resistant materials on the market, continuous exposure to the sun for days and weeks may eventually cause fading. Even your car's paint or a cement patio can't boast complete immunity from the sun. Direct sunlight causes oxidation and will fade even the best and brightest coloured fabrics and paints.
Cleaning Your Bean Bag
Most of our bean bags can be spot cleaned or machine washed. Instruction sheets are included within the product packaging. You can contact us for a replacement if they've been lost or misplaced.
Polyester Range
Our 1680D Polyester is ideal for machine washing. If your product comes with an inner liner, remove the cover and put it in a washing machine. We recommend a warm wash of 40 degrees Celsius. Use a pre-wash stain remover like Vanish Napisan with Oxi-Advance formula for tough stains. Once washed, hang the product to dry, do not machine dry. The rapid drying fabric will dry in no time. And the cover usually comes up like new.
Cleaning Tips for Bean Spills
If you're unlucky and you experience a snowstorm-like bean spill while filling or refilling a bean bag's contents, don't panic. Although they are frustrating, it is possible to control the little polyester snowflakes. Avoid using a broom or dustpan; this will worsen the situation. If the event occurs indoors, use your vacuum cleaner. Clean the vacuum's dirt reservoir or insert a clean bag to save the beans and reuse them. Hold the nozzle a few centimetres from the floor to avoid picking up dirt along with the beans. If your spill occurs outdoors, use an outdoor vacuum. Avoid using blowers. If beans spill into your pool, turn off the pump, and collect them with a leaf skimmer.
How to Clean Olefin Fabric
Did you know that olefin fabric is resistant to stains, abrasions, and weathering? It gets better: olefin material is wholly protected against chemical, mildew, and sunlight exposure too. How can you beat that? Are you someone who needs to wash their olefin bean bags or outdoor cushions? Here's everything you need to know about washing and cleaning olefin fabric.
What is Olefin?
Are you asking yourself: what is olefin fabric, exactly? Allow us to enlighten you. Olefin is a fabric made from a chemical compound called polypropylene. Sound confusing? It doesn't have to be. In reality, polypropylene is a more sustainable textile than other fabrics like:
- Wool
- Silk
- Rayon
- Cotton
Also known as P2, olefin fabric was first produced in Italy in the late 1950s. By the 1960s, olefin production was huge in the United States. Why? Because olefin thread is super versatile! Where did olefin fabric come from, anyway? Here's the breakdown: polypropylene is manufactured from a chemical gas called propylene.
What is propylene, you ask?
Typically, propylene is an invisible gas that smells a little like petroleum. It's made from stream-cracking hydrocarbons. So, how could olefin material be more environmentally-friendly than other textiles? Essentially, olefin fabric is upcycled from previously thought to be useless materials. Bonus: No land or water is involved during the olefin manufacturing process, which means that virtually no natural resources are wasted. Sounds good to us!
How is polypropylene made?
In a nutshell: tiny chemical molecules are stacked onto each other in a repeated pattern. Once the small chemical chain turns into a giant chemical chain, the compound is officially called polypropylene. What happens next is crazy: the long chain of molecules is melted into a thread using a spinneret machine, turning the molecules into an olefin thread. Want to know the best part? Olefin thread becomes resistant to stains when it's melted. That means that it's virtually impossible to stain olefin material after the production process! Finally, the spinneret machine transforms the olefin thread into a yarn-like material. Then, the olefin yarn is spun to become bean bag chair covers, pillowcases, and more!
Why Use Olefin Material?
Are you dying to know why you should use olefin material? You've come to the right place! Have you ever heard of polyfluorinated compounds? Polyfluorinated compound is a chemical commonly applied to clothes, carpets, and furniture as a stain-repellant substance. Although fire retardant and anti-microbial treatments are often sprayed on products, science has shown that these chemicals have negative side effects. So, what does this have to do with olefin material? One of the main reasons why olefin fabric is so great is because it has no trace of polyfluorinated compounds or anti-microbial chemicals. That's because olefin fabric is already manufactured to be stain-resistant! Curious about some other benefits of using olefin material? Look no further! Here are a few more reasons why olefin fabric is so popular:
- Durability
- Colour fastness
- Comfortability
- Low environmental impact
Also, no disruptive organic compounds are involved in the production of olefin fabric either. As if that wasn't enough, cleaning wet or dry dirt off olefin products is a no-brainer. Not only that, but olefin fabric also keeps its appearance and shape for a long time. Other advantages of purchasing olefin products are:
- It comes in tons of colours, especially in comparison to different yarns.
- It's entirely waterproof, so you can put olefin furniture near the pool.
- It can survive any weather condition.
In case you didn't know: olefin fabric feels smooth and waxy when you touch it. That means that it will feel like new even after years of use! But there's a catch: it is still possible for tiny amounts of dirt to pile up within the pores of olefin fabric! Nevertheless, removing any dirt or stains that might appear on your olefin products is straightforward! That's why our waterproof dog beds are now made with Olefin.
How to Clean Olefin Fabric
Now that you know everything you need to know about olefin fabric, it's time to figure out how to clean it. Thankfully, we've done all of the laborious research for you! What should you do if your olefin material gets dirty? All that you need to do is:
- Spot clean your olefin material.
- Squirt your olefin product with a few sprays of water.
- Use a Wet-Vac to extract dirt and stains.
First, you should spot clean your olefin material to remove any dirt or stain. Why is this so important? It will make the stain and spot removal process more simple! Just make sure to blot out wet stains with an absorbent cloth, paper towel, or tissue. What about cleaning hard, crispy stains? Have no fear. Grab a metal spoon and tab the crusty spot with it. This will help you to break up as much of your stain as possible. Now: scrape your hard stain with a spoon and follow it up with a dry vacuuming session. Next, squirt your olefin product with a few sprays of water.
Why does this matter?
Because you only need a small number of liquid products to treat your olefin fabric. Remember to use a suitable chemical treatment for the right stain! Are you wondering what to do next? A simple extraction with a Wet-Vac should do the trick! To keep it simple: wipe down the stain and rinse it with water three times in a row. Then, get your wet vacuum and suck out the stain after properly rinsing it. Using a paper towel, blot out the olefin fabric stain. Make sure that you let it air dry too! What about removing oil-based stains from olefin materials? Just blot the stain, apply a solvent, and repeat!
Additional Olefin Cleaning Tips
Which household products can you use to clean a spot on olefin material? We're glad that you asked. You only need a few products to wash olefin fabric, including:
- Water
- Dishwashing soap
- Laundry detergent
- A pinch of glycol solvent
Plus, it doesn't hurt to have the following solutions handy too:
- Paint removing chemicals
- 100% pure white vinegar
- Citric or oxalic acid
- Heated water
So, what kind of olefin stain are you looking to treat? Although it sounds gross, it's necessary to get up close and personal with your olefin fabric stain to determine its source. Once you can determine what type of stain you're dealing with, you can figure out how to remove it. For example, all you need to blot out a beer stain from olefin fabric is dishwashing soap and 100% pure white vinegar.
Have a severe berry stain on your hands?
Don't worry; we can help you with that. Simply combine a mixture of water, dishwashing soap, and heated water to have your olefin fabric looking good as new again!
What about blood stains?
You're in luck because removing blood stains from olefin material is stress-free! Here's what you need: Water, dishwashing soap, and laundry detergent. How about erasing messy butter stains? Try a mix of dishwashing soap, laundry detergent, and a pinch of glycol solvent. Want to take your cleaning process to the next level? Follow up with a hot water extraction on your olefin material. Has your little one ever gotten chewing gum stuck on your olefin products? Just grab an ice cube to freeze the stain. Then, scrape off the gum with a spoon. On the hunt for an outdoor bean bag chair? Just remember to grab one made of olefin fabric to prevent sun damage!
Caring for Olefin Fabric
How do you care for olefin fabric? Fortunately, caring for olefin fabric is surprisingly uncomplicated. First, you should never forget to use cold or lukewarm water to keep your olefin fabric in tip-top shape. Yes, you read that right. Don't forget to keep your laundry detergent mild too. Why? Because you don't want any unexpected chemical reactions to ruin your olefin fabric. Can you even dry olefin material? Incredibly, you can throw your olefin material into your dryer at home too. Not sure how? Just switch your dryer's settings to either "line dry" or "tumble." The point: don't overheat your olefin fabric in the dryer. Are you a fan of ironing? Good news: it's possible to iron your olefin fabric as well. A word of advice? Turn your iron's setting down to low. However, the only surefire way not to ruin your olefin material is to avoid ironing it. Fun fact: you can bleach your olefin fabric with a mild bleaching solution too. Are you tough on your belongings? No worries - Olefin is one of the most rugged fabrics on the market. Are you looking for the perfect Olefin bean bag chair? Make sure to choose one with a machine washable cover for easy cleaning!
What is Olefin Material Used in?
For those who are still scratching their heads, let us explain. Olefin material has a high level of wickability. What does this mean? In short, olefin fabric doesn't absorb too much moisture at all. That means that it is an excellent material for producing things like:
- Hiking and athletic socks
- Long underwear (for colder climates)
- Lining for baby diapers
- Bean bag chair covers
- Hospital and medical gowns
So that you know: Olefin can be used to produce things like hiking and athletic socks. That explains why olefin fabric is also commonly used in sporty clothes and hoodies. Olefin fabric is handy for creating long underwear for colder climates. Additionally, olefin material is helpful for everything from lining for baby diapers to bean bag chair covers. Why don't manufacturers just use Polyester instead of olefin fabric? Even though Polyester is also highly wickable, it's often too cheap and disposable to be a genuine replacement for olefin materials. Meanwhile, olefin fabric is affordable enough to produce hospital and medical gowns. Also, olefin material has completely replaced cellulosic fibres like jute in the backing of carpets. How can you beat that? In furniture, olefin fabric can be used to create drapes, upholstery, and slipcovers. Aside from that, furniture manufacturers count on olefin materials to produce wall and floor coverings.
Washing Olefin Fabric is Easy
What's the bottom line? Now that you've read the ultimate guide to cleaning olefin material, washing olefin fabric is easier than ever before! Need a push in the right direction? All that it takes is a little spot cleaning, water spraying, and wet vacuuming to get almost any stain out of your olefin fabric. Have a beer stain on your olefin material? Simply blot it out with dishwashing soap and 100% pure white vinegar. What about removing berry stains? Just mix water, dishwashing soap, and heated water to get your olefin material back on track! Do you have a bloodstain on your olefin fabric? There's still hope. Grab water, dishwashing soap, and laundry detergent to make the blood spot on your olefin material a thing of the past! Still not convinced? Not only is olefin fabric more sustainable than cotton, but it's also more environmentally friendly than wool, silk, and rayon. Can it get any better than that? Don't know where to start? Give us a call to schedule to free consultation!
How To Store Your Outdoor Bean Bag Covers
Store bean bags in a shady, dry outdoor area or garage, or bring them inside your home. Unless it is one of our pool products, don't immerse your bean bag in water. Our standard outdoor bean bags are not suitable for this use. The chlorine, acid and other chemicals in pool water can quickly fade the vibrant colours. Our standard outdoor bean bag covers use water-resistant Polyester. But if water does infiltrate the cover, it cannot evaporate or escape. The trapped moisture will lead to mould and mildew growth, primarily if you use the product in a humid climate. If your bean bags get wet, remove the inner liner, and turn it inside-out in direct sunlight just long enough to eliminate all moisture. If your bean bags are damp and out of the sun, they may attract mould. Here are some tips to remove mould from fabric. Unsure about what's growing on your outdoor furniture? Check out the difference between mildew vs mould. Accidents happen, and occasionally your bean bags will get dirty. Use a clean, damp cloth and warm, soapy water to remove outdoor dirt, grime, food spills, and other mishaps. Occasional all-over cleaning will help keep your bean bags looking fresh and prevent dirt buildup. Use only diluted mild soap or detergent, and avoid products containing bleach. After cleaning the underside of your bean bags, ensure the fabric's surface is dry before placing them on the floor, so you don't accidentally trap moisture underneath and invite mould growth.
Special Note for Pool Bean Bags
Unlike our standard outdoor bean bag covers, our bean bag pool floats are designed to go into the pool with you. Made with heavy-duty Olefin fabric, they feature a unique drain fabric on one side. The Texlin mesh drain allows you to drain water from the product by standing it upright or on its side. These floats should be drained thoroughly after every use and allowed to dry in fresh air and sunshine. Like our other outdoor products, the pool bean bags can be cleaned with mild detergent and water if they become soiled.
Refill the Beans
You love your pup so much that you allowed them to make their very own luxury bed out of your bean bag for the past two months, and now it smells. It's time to spill the beans and replace the bean bag filling, which is super simple. You can buy the new filling and add pet-safe carpet powder with them to help keep the bag smelling fresh for the future. Sometimes people want to switch it up a bit because they worry about it posing a choking hazard or because they want 100% of all-natural materials. If you decide that you want to use a bean bag filler alternative, try:
- Packing peanuts
- Dry beans
- Cotton
- Shredded paper
- Pine needles
- Rice (a real lot of it)
You can play around with your options to see what fits your values and comfort.
Relax and Buy a Bean Bag Chair
Now that you know how to clean a bean bag chair, find your favourite style and material! One is fine, but the more, the merrier! Explore Beanbags R Us and have your pick.