How to Get Smells Out of a Bean Bag Chair
A bean bag chair holds a stale, sweaty smell because sweat, skin oils, and spills soak into the fabric cover and the synthetic filling, which does not breathe well. Wash or wipe the cover, deodorize the filling, and air it out, and it freshens.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why a bean bag smells
People sit and lounge on a bean bag for hours, and sweat and oils soak into the cover and the beads or foam inside. Synthetic materials trap moisture and do not dry easily.
The smell builds, and the filling holds onto it. Cleaning the cover and deodorizing the fill is what clears it.
How to clean it, step by step
- Check for a removable cover. Many bean bags have a zippered outer cover over an inner liner. Remove the outer cover.
- Wash or wipe the cover. Machine wash a washable cover on a cool, gentle cycle with mild detergent and vinegar in the rinse, checking the label, or wipe a non-washable one with a fabric cleaner.
- Deodorize the filling. Since the beads or foam usually cannot be washed, sprinkle baking soda over the uncovered inner bag, let it sit, and vacuum it, or lightly mist a fabric deodorizer.
- Air it out. Set the bean bag and cover somewhere airy or in the sun, since synthetic filling needs time to release moisture.
- Dry fully before reassembling. A damp cover or liner brings the smell right back, so make sure everything is dry.
Where you dry it matters most. The synthetic fill holds moisture, so real airflow, ideally outdoors, is what gets the smell out and keeps it out.
Keep it from coming back
Use a washable cover and wipe spills fast, before they soak into the filling.
Air the bean bag out periodically, and keep it out of damp spots.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the smell in the bean bag handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your living room, People Watching fits well. It is warm and spiced, with orange, clove, cinnamon, and vanilla, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the smell out of a bean bag chair?
Wash or wipe the cover, sprinkle baking soda over the inner filling and vacuum it, and air the whole thing out somewhere with good airflow.
Can I wash bean bag filling?
Usually not. Beads and foam are not machine washable, so deodorize them with baking soda and air them out instead.
Why does my bean bag stay smelly?
The synthetic fill traps moisture and odor and dries slowly. It needs real airflow, ideally outdoors, to fully release the smell.
How do I keep a bean bag from smelling?
Use a washable cover, wipe spills quickly, and air it out regularly, especially if it gets heavy use.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
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