Bean bag chairs have been around since the 1960s. They were at first known as the Sacco chair. These chairs were often covered with leather and filled with polystyrene beads. However, today these chairs are known as one of the most comfortable pieces of alternative furniture and come in a wide array of styles, colors, fabrics, shapes, sizes, and are seen as more than just a fun comfy chair (Has been recommended for medical use due to the comfortable and relaxing properties). Besides shapes and sizes, these chairs now come filled with all sorts of fillings ranging from buckwheat hull, shredded foam (foof chair filling), polystyrene beads (bean bag chair filling), dried beans, and so on. In most cases, the bean bag chairs of today are relatively inexpensive and they are very popular with kids and adults alike.
The polystyrene beads, commonly known as Styrofoam beads, are generally still used to fill these chairs. The problem with polystyrene is that the beads can become mashed after long and excessive use and they may need to be replaced to revitalize the shape and comfort of the chair. Sometimes accidents happen and the outer shell may rip or tear. When this happens some of the bean bag chair filling can get released and lost. This can be hazardous to babies and small children as they may attempt to digest the bean bag chair filling, so it is recommended that parents double check to see if their bean bag chair meets US CPSC regulations. However, replacing the bean bag chair filling is pretty simple.

The filling inside the chair comes in many refill sizes. The size you need will depend on the size of your chair. An Internet search will turn up dozens of sites that offer refill materials. The individual beans come in many forms and sizes. You can now buy recycled beans or switch to an alternative. People have used real dried beans, rice, or shredded paper to refill their chairs. Keep in mind however that those materials tend to be really heavy in large quantities and may not be the best option for a number of obvious reasons. We recommend that you opt for polyurethane foam or memory foam. Always keep in mind that depending on your filling using certain alternatives will result in a lack of comfort. If the chair has ripped and the contents are all over the floor you can simply pick them up and reuse them if you wish, we highly recommend that you think of purchasing a bean bag chair cover or foof chair cover to keep the filling inside and prevent the fill from spreading throughout your living space.

If you simply wish to refill the chair you can do so in minutes. Some chairs come with zippers on the side. All you need to do is open the zipper and remove the filling. Also, keep in mind that in most of the bean bag chairs of today, the zippers have been altered in order to prevent children from finding their ways inside the bean bag chair itself. However, if your chair does not have a zipper, using a knife or a pair of scissors, you may have to open a seam carefully by cutting one stitch at a time. The process of removing the beans can be messy, we recommend that you consider a cover when purchasing your bean bag chair some people tend to buy foof chair covers for their bean bag chairs just for the convenience. If you wish to save yourself some time, and money you can always open up a large garbage bag and put the chair directly into the bag. Then shake the chair to remove the beans. If you have opened the seam wide enough, you can turn the chair inside out to remove the old beans. Then remove the chair from the bag and pick out the remaining beans. Next you simply refill the bag with your new filling and restitch your bean bag chair, and there you have it, just like new. We recommend the shredded foam alternative, because in most cases it will save you money and time. Once you feel that your bean bag chair has reached it’s comfort limit, you can always ‘refoof’ your chair and return it to it’s like new state.

If your bean bag chair is ripped and in need of new filling, you have three options for fixing the ripped area. If you have a chair that has a removable cloth cover with a vinyl bag underneath you can simply use duct tape to repair the tear after you have refilled the beans. If you don’t want to use duct tape because the ripped area is visible, you may want to purchase a vinyl repair kit. You can find these at most home improvement stores, sporting goods stores, or department stores. The package will include pieces of material to cover the rip and special bonding agent that will bind the materials together. Look for a repair kit that is as close to the color of your chair as possible. If the rip is small and relatively straight you can simply use a needle and thread to repair the hole.

We recommend the following:

* A Good Bean Bag Chair Filling or Quality Foam Foof Chair Filling

* A Quality Foof Chair Cover or a fuf chair liner or a Filled Foof Chair Liner