How to Wash a Bean Bag Chair? | Care That Keeps It Fluffy

Wash a bean bag chair by removing and laundering only the outer cover per its care tag, or spot-cleaning in place if the cover isn’t removable.

Whether your bean bag is a kids’ room staple or a living room lounger, the washing method depends on one thing: whether the cover comes off. Most bean bags sold in the U.S. have a care tag that spells out the right approach. The good news is that cleaning one properly is straightforward once you know whether you’re dealing with a removable, machine-washable cover or a fixed one that needs surface care.

What Is the Best Way to Wash a Bean Bag Cover?

Start by checking the care tag — The Spruce notes this tag should determine how you clean the chair. If the cover is labeled machine-washable, the process is simple but requires care.

The most consistent method for washable covers involves a few straightforward steps:

• Remove and prep: Unzip the cover and remove the inner liner with the filling. Vacuum or shake off loose debris like crumbs and pet hair.
• Pretreat stains: Spot-treat any marks with a mild detergent before washing. Avoid aggressive scrubbing, which can damage the fabric.
• Wash gently: Run the cover alone on a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent. Skip bleach and fabric softener — both can break down fibers or leave residues that attract dirt.
• Dry fully: Air-dry whenever possible. If the care tag allows, tumble-dry on low heat only. High heat can shrink or damage many fabrics.

Cordaroys and The Spruce both recommend this gentle approach. The single most important rule: never machine-wash the inner liner or filling. Soaking the fill risks mold, mildew, and odor that are nearly impossible to remove.

What If the Bean Bag Cover Isn’t Removable?

If your bean bag’s cover is fixed in place, or the care tag says spot-clean only, you’re limited to surface cleaning. Start by vacuuming the whole chair to lift dust and debris. Then wipe the fabric with a damp cloth and mild soap, working in small sections without saturating the material.

Let the chair air-dry completely before anyone sits on it or you put it back in a corner. Excess moisture that reaches the filling is the biggest risk — even a fixed cover can wick water through to the foam beads or shredded fill inside, which leads to mildew and a musty smell. Lovesac notes that its fixed covers should be spot-cleaned only, while its removable Sac covers can handle a gentle machine wash.

Some fabrics need extra caution. Faux fur should never see high heat because it can melt or mat. Leather, suede, and vinyl covers require completely different care than washable polyester or cotton — usually just a wipe-down with a product made for that material.

What Common Mistakes Ruin Bean Bag Chairs?

Most bean bag damage comes from well-intentioned but overzealous cleaning. The most frequent errors include washing the whole chair with the filling inside, using hot water or high dryer heat, overloading the washer, and adding bleach or fabric softener. Rubbing stains aggressively and zipping the cover back on before it’s completely dry also cause problems.

If your bean bag has seen better days and you’re considering a replacement rather than another deep clean, our roundup of the best baseball bean bag chairs covers tested options for game-day rooms and sports fans.

How Long Does a Bean Bag Take to Dry?

Some popular bean bags on the market make this whole process easier. For a lasting purchase, check the care tag before you buy, not after the first spill.