You probably love sinking into your bean bag, or maybe you’re eyeing a comfy inflatable sofa for your living room or balcony. But that cozy seat can turn nasty if you ignore one thing: mold. A moldy bean bag smells awful, looks worse and can make you sick. Let’s tackle this head-on so yours stays fresh.
Why Bean Bags Grow Mold
Mold loves moisture. If you spill a drink, sit on your bean bag with damp clothes or store it in a damp garage, you’re rolling out the red carpet for mold.
Bean bags can get moldy when moisture gets trapped inside the cover or the filling, especially if they stay damp for a long time in humid or wet places. Mold and mildew thrive on leftover food crumbs, sweat or spilled drinks.
Outdoor bean bags get mold faster if they’re left in the rain or on wet grass overnight. Even indoor bags can get musty if you keep them in a dark corner where air doesn’t move. Kids and pets can drag in dampness too. Mold shows up as fuzzy spots, usually black, green or grey. Mildew is its cousin — lighter, more powdery but still bad news for your chair.
Signs Your Bean Bag Has Mold
Your nose knows first. If you get a whiff of a musty, stale smell every time you plop down, mold is probably hiding somewhere inside.
The top signs your bean bag has mold are a damp, musty smell, visible spots that look black or green, damp filling that doesn’t dry, and sometimes even skin rashes or sneezing after sitting on it. A damp feel is a big clue too. Sometimes mold hides deep inside where the filling stays wet. Watch out for small dark dots spreading across the cover. If your eyes water or you start sneezing, your bean bag might be to blame.
How to Get Rid of Mold on a Bean Bag
First step, don’t panic. A moldy bean bag can often be saved if you act fast. Take it outside so you don’t spread spores in your living room.
To get rid of mold, vacuum the loose mold outdoors while wearing a mask, scrub spots with vinegar or mild soap, machine wash removable covers if safe, and dry everything completely before putting it back together. Use a soft brush for scrubbing, not your nails. If your cover unzips, remove it and check the filling. If the filling smells bad or feels wet, spread it out in the sun or replace it. Sunlight helps kill mold and dries dampness fast.
If you’re cleaning indoors, open windows. Don’t soak a whole bean bag if it doesn’t have a liner because wet beads or foam are a nightmare to dry. If vinegar doesn’t do it, try a small bit of baking soda paste. Always air dry instead of tossing it in a dryer.
How to Stop Mold Coming Back
Once you’ve cleaned the mold, you don’t want a repeat show. Mold loves the same damp, dark places every time.
To stop mold, keep your bean bag dry by wiping spills right away, airing it out in the sun sometimes, storing it in a dry place, and using a cover that resists water if you use it outdoors. If you’re using it outside, bring it in when it rains. A small tarp helps if you’re camping with it. Make sure your room has good airflow. A stuffy corner can trap moisture that feeds mold.
Don’t eat messy snacks while sitting on it. Crumbs plus sweat plus a little spill is the perfect buffet for mold. If you have kids or pets, check under the bag now and then to make sure the floor underneath stays dry.
When It’s Time to Replace
Sometimes no amount of cleaning helps. If your bean bag still stinks after washing and drying, mold might have spread too deep to fix.
It’s time to replace your bean bag when mold keeps coming back, the smell sticks no matter how much you clean, or the filling stays damp or clumps together. Mold can live deep in the beads or foam. If you can’t dry it fully or the cover is falling apart from scrubbing, buying a fresh one is safer than sitting on something that could mess with your breathing.
FAQs
Can you wash mold out of a bean bag?
You can wash mold out if the cover is removable and machine washable. For non-removable covers, you can spot clean and sun dry, but deep mold in the filling usually means replacing it. Use mild soap or vinegar, vacuum first, then dry it fully.
Does sunlight kill mold on bean bags?
Yes, sunlight helps kill mold and dries out damp filling or covers that mold feeds on. Spread your bean bag or cover out in direct sunlight for a few hours. Flip it over so all sides get light.
Can bean bags get moldy indoors?
Yes, indoor bean bags get moldy too if they stay damp from spills, sweat or bad air flow. Keep yours dry, wipe spills fast and air it out if your room gets stuffy.
Keep Mold Off, Stay Comfy
Mold doesn’t stand a chance if you keep your bean bag clean and dry. Wipe it, air it, store it smart. If it does show up, tackle it fast. And if all else fails, swap it for a fresh seat. Your nose, your skin and your lungs will thank you.