Hey guys, it’s Jake from your go-to patio bean bag supplier, and today we’re talking about something that’s stumped so many of our customers: what the heck do you do with these bad boys when they’re not in use? I’ve seen everything from people dragging their bean bags into the garage in the rain (trust me, that’s a mistake) to leaving them out through three snowstorms like some sort of weird outdoor test. Let’s get this right, ‘cause a patio bean bag is an investment, not a disposable cushion, and I’m here to make sure yours lasts way longer than that cheap chair from the big box store. Patio Bean Bag
First off, let’s be real—most people don’t use their patio bean bags 24/7. You’ll drag ‘em out for a barbecue, a lazy weekend nap, or a late-night chat with friends, but then what? Maybe you think, “It’s just a bean bag, it’ll be fine outside for a few days.” Nope. Mother Nature is way meaner than you think—sunlight (we call that UV rays in the biz), rain, dew, even that random dust storm that rolls through your neighborhood in spring? All of that can wreck your bean bag way faster than you’d believe. I’ve had customers come back to us with bean bags that faded so bad they looked like they’d been sitting in a war zone, or ones that had mold growing on the inside ‘cause they never dried out after a rain. Let’s avoid that, yeah?
So, when should you actually store your patio bean bag? I get it, some folks keep theirs out year-round in super sunny, warm climates like Florida or Arizona, and that’s cool—if you have the right setup. But even then, after a week or two of heavy use, it’s smart to tuck it away to give the fabric a break. For everyone else with actual seasons—like snow, rain, or even just a lot of humidity—you should store it when it’s not getting used for more than 2-3 days. Last winter, I had a customer in Ohio who left his bean bag out from November to March, and when he finally dragged it in? The filling was clumpy, the fabric had cracks from the cold, and it smelled like mildew so bad his dog wouldn’t go near it. Don’t be that guy.
Now, let’s get into the actual steps, ‘cause there’s a right way and a wrong way to put a bean bag away. First things first—you can’t just stuff it into any old bag. We sell these super durable, weather-resistant storage bags for our bean bags, and trust me, they’re worth the extra $20. But if you don’t have one, a heavy-duty contractor-grade garbage bag (the thick ones, not the flimsy ones that tear if you look at ‘em) works in a pinch. The key here is keeping moisture and UV out.
Before you put it away, though, you gotta clean it a little. I know, I know—you don’t wanna scrub a bean bag every time you use it, but a quick wipe down goes a long way. Grab a damp cloth and some mild soap (like dish soap, not that heavy-duty laundry detergent) and wipe off any crumbs, grass stains, or that random barbecue sauce that landed on it last weekend. If it’s got a bigger stain—like wine or mud—spot treat it. Never toss the whole thing in the washing machine, by the way. Most patio bean bags have synthetic fabric (polyester, nylon, that stuff) that can handle a gentle cycle, but the filling might clump up or get ruined. Spot cleaning is the way to go.
Wait, what if it rained the night before you wanna store it? Don’t even think about shoving it in a bag while it’s wet. That’s how you get mildew, and trust me, mildew is the worst. It smells terrible, it eats away at the fabric, and once it’s in there, it’s almost impossible to get out. If it’s damp, lay it out on a flat surface (your driveway, your patio, even your lawn—just not on dirt that’ll stick) and let it air dry for a few hours. If it’s humid out, maybe leave it overnight. Don’t use a hair dryer or a space heater to speed it up—too much direct heat can melt the fabric or make the filling get all crusty. Just good old fresh air is your friend here.
Once it’s clean and dry, it’s time to get it in storage. Don’t cram it like you’re trying to fit a Thanksgiving turkey into a sandwich bag. Bean bag fabric is durable, but if you stuff it too tight, you can crease the seams or damage the zippers (speaking of zippers—always make sure the zipper is completely closed before storing. If it’s left partially open, dirt and bugs can get in, and that’s a whole other headache). Gently fold it up—usually thirds work best—or roll it loosely, kind of like a sleeping bag. That way, it doesn’t lose its shape too much, and it takes up way less space in your garage or shed.
Now, where the heck should you store it? I’ve seen people put bean bags in attics (too hot, dry air can crack the fabric), basements (too humid, mildew central), even in the corner of the living room when they’re not using it (fine, but if you have pets that chew? Not so much). The best spot is a cool, dry, dark place. A garage that’s insulated works, a garden shed that’s not leaking, even a closet if you have extra space. Avoid areas that get direct sunlight—even if it’s covered, sunlight can fade the fabric over time, even when it’s stored. And avoid areas with pests—if you have mice or spiders, you might wanna put the storage bag in a plastic bin with a lid. Mice love to chew on fabric, and you don’t wanna find your bean bag filling all over the floor come spring.
Wait, what if you don’t have a big enough space to store a full-sized bean bag? I get it, not everyone has a giant garage. We actually make compact bean bags for small patios or balconies, and they’re way easier to store—they fold up tiny. But for standard or oversized bean bags? There’s a trick. If you’re not using it for a month or two, you can deflate it a little. Wait, no—patio bean bags with the bean filling (those are the most common) don’t really deflate, but you can remove a little of the filling if you need to. Most bean bags have a little extra zipper panel so you can add or take out filling. Just scoop out a cup or two, fold it up, and you’ll cut the size in half. Then, when you’re ready to use it again, just add the filling back. Easy peasy.
Oh, and a common mistake people make: putting other stuff on top of their stored bean bag. If you stack boxes, lawn chairs, or whatever on top of it, it’ll squish the filling, and when you take it out, it’ll be flat or lumpy. No one wants a lumpy bean bag, right? So give it its own space. Stack other stuff around it, not on it.
Let me also talk about if you’re storing it for a long time—like over the winter, if you live in a cold climate. Before you tuck it away for 6 months, do that quick clean I mentioned, make sure it’s 100% dry (maybe even leave it out for a full day if the weather’s nice), and then maybe add a little sachet of lavender or cedar in the storage bag. That keeps bugs away and makes it smell good when you pull it out next spring. I’ve had customers tell me they tried without the sachet and found their bean bag had moth holes—yikes. So that’s a cheap trick that works.
Now, let’s get into why this actually matters for your bean bag’s lifespan. A good patio bean bag from us should last 3-5 years with regular use, but if you store it wrong? You’re lucky to get 1 year. I’ve been in this game for 7 years now, and I’ve seen every storage fail possible. I had a customer store his bean bag in his open back patio for the winter, and when he brought it out, the fabric was so brittle it tore when he touched it. Another one stored it in a shed that had a leaky roof, and when he opened it, it was a moldy disaster. Don’t let that be you.
Wait, what about if you have a waterproof bean bag? Yeah, some are advertised as 100% waterproof, but let’s be real—nothing is 100% waterproof. Even the best fabric will absorb a little water if it sits in it for days. So even if your bean bag is marketed as waterproof, still follow the same steps: dry it if it gets wet, store it in a dry place. Don’t take that “waterproof” label as a free pass to leave it out in the rain forever.
And for all you pet parents out there—if your fur baby loves laying on the bean bag, wipe off any pet hair before storing it. Pet hair gets all tangled in the fabric, and when you pull it out again, you’ll be finding hair on your clothes for weeks. Quick lint roll takes 30 seconds, and it’s worth it.
Let me recap, ‘cause I know you’re busy and don’t wanna re-read this whole thing: 1) Only leave your bean bag out for 2-3 days max, longer if it’s super dry, sunny, no rain coming. 2) Wipe it down quickly before storing—no deep clean needed. 3) Make sure it’s 100% dry, no damp spots, or you’ll get mildew. 4) Fold or roll it loosely, don’t cram it. 5) Store it in a cool, dry, dark place—no attics, no basements, no under piles of boxes. 6) Keep pests away—storage bags or bins help. 7) Don’t stack stuff on top of it. That’s it, simple steps that add years to your bean bag.
Now, if you’re reading this and you’re thinking, “I need a new patio bean bag that’s gonna hold up, even when I forget to store it sometimes”—hit us up. We make these things to last, we’ve got every color and size you could want, and we can hook you up with the right storage stuff too. No pressure, just good vibes and good bean bags. Whether you’re furnishing a tiny balcony, a big backyard, or anything in between, we’ve got you covered. Reach out if you wanna chat sizes, fabrics, whatever—we’re here to help.
Kids Bean Bag Chair / Sofa References:
- Outdoor Furniture Maintenance Guide, National Pest Management Association
- UV Resistance of Synthetic Fabrics for Outdoor Use, Textile Research Journal
- Mold Prevention in Fabric Storage, American Cleaning Institute
Yuppie Deco Co., Ltd.
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