Every bean bag reaches the same moment somewhere around its second or third summer: you flop in and feel the ground. The fabric is fine and the zip still works — the beads inside have simply compressed. The fix is fresh bean bag filling, a ten-minute top-up that costs a fraction of replacing the whole thing.
This guide covers the refill lifecycle from start to finish: what the beads are, how much to buy, how to get them into the bag without redecorating the lounge room, and how to dispose of the old ones responsibly. It applies to any refillable design, including everything in our outdoor bean bag range.
Bean bag filling 101: what is actually inside
Almost every bean bag, indoor or outdoor, is filled with expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads — small, lightweight foam balls that shift around you as you sit and partly spring back when you stand. Smaller, denser beads mould to your shape better and hold their loft longer than the oversized budget kind, so they are worth seeking out.
We do not sell beads at Neat Furniture — filling is bulky to ship, so it is normally bought locally. Homeware, bedding and storage stores around Australia stock it in large bags, usually sold by the litre. The cover is the part you invest in. An outdoor-rated lounger like the Chill Out Black + White Stripe Outdoor Beanbag ($130) will typically outlast several rounds of beads, which are the consumable half of the equation.
How much filling do you need?
There is no single magic number — it depends on the bag's size and how firm you like to sit. The reliable method is to check the recommended fill volume on your bag's product page or care tag, buy that amount, and add it gradually. Filling is commonly sold in bags of roughly 50 to 100 litres, so start with one, test, and top up rather than guessing.
The golden rule: never overfill. A bean bag stuffed to the brim turns hard and drum-like, the seams and zip carry constant strain, and it stops moulding to whoever sits in it. Aim for about two-thirds full, sit in it for a minute, and only add more if you can still feel the ground.
How to refill a bean bag without a bead explosion
Polystyrene beads are famously static-prone — they cling to hands, carpet, pets and each other. A calm, methodical process saves you an hour with the vacuum.
- Work indoors, out of any breeze. A garage or laundry beats the deck, because even one gust can scatter thousands of beads.
- Make it a two-person job: one person holds the zip opening wide, the other pours.
- Build a funnel. Cut the bottom off a large plastic bottle, or roll stiff cardboard into a cone and tape it inside the opening.
- Pour slowly, in small batches, letting the beads settle between pours.
- Wipe the funnel with a dryer sheet, or use a light anti-static spray, to tame the cling.
- Zip everything closed — inner liner first if your bag has one — before anyone tests it.
Allow extra beads, and extra patience, for the big formats. A day-bed style such as the Hang Out Blue + White Stripe Outdoor Beanbag ($212) holds noticeably more filling than a compact lounger, so a second bag of beads on hand saves a mid-job dash to the shops.
Top-ups: reading the signs
Compression is normal, not a fault. Every sit squeezes air out of the beads, and over months the bag slowly loses loft. With regular use expect to top up roughly once a year — sooner for a bag the kids live on. Fresh beads mix straight in with the old, so a top-up does not mean emptying anything.
| What you notice | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| You sink a little deeper than when it was new | Normal early compression | Nothing yet — enjoy it |
| You can feel the ground when you sit | Beads well compressed | Top up with fresh beads |
| The bag looks flat and folds over itself | Filling at the end of its life | Empty it and refill completely |
| It smells musty or feels damp inside | Moisture has reached the filling | Replace the beads; wash and fully dry the cover first |
Test the spots that carry your weight — a low lounger like the Laid Back Grey + White Outdoor Beanbag ($149) shows compression first under hips and heels. And if the cover itself is tired — no inner liner, a broken zip, faded panels — put the money into a new bag instead. Our guide to what to look for in an outdoor bean bag runs through the features that matter.
Disposing of old beads responsibly
Loose polystyrene is dreadful stuff to let escape — beads blow into gardens, drains and waterways and never break down. When you empty a bag, decant the old beads straight into a strong garbage bag, seal it tightly and put it in your general waste bin. In most Australian council areas, EPS beads are not accepted in kerbside recycling. Rules vary by state and council, so check your council's website — some run drop-off points for clean polystyrene.
Before binning, consider a second life: clean, dry beads can pad out a draught stopper or a pet bed. Whatever you do with them, keep beads away from small children and pets at every stage. Loose beads are a choking hazard, so do refills with little ones out of the room and vacuum thoroughly afterwards.
Bean bag filling — frequently asked questions
How often should you refill a bean bag?
Top up roughly once a year with regular use, and do a complete refill every few years once the beads stop springing back. Bags that are sat in daily, or left out through summer, compress faster and may need beads sooner.
Can you wash bean bag filling?
No — polystyrene beads cannot be washed, and once soaked they hold moisture for a long time. If the filling gets wet or musty, replace it entirely and wash only the cover, making sure it is completely dry before refilling.
Are bean bag beads safe around kids?
Loose beads are a choking hazard for babies and small children, so keep them well out of reach at every stage. Have an adult handle refills behind a closed door, and store spare beads sealed and up high.
What can you use instead of polystyrene beads?
EPS beads remain the practical choice for outdoor bean bags because they are light, cheap and shed water. Shredded foam gives a heavier, softer sit but holds moisture, which makes it a poor match for anything that lives outside.
Shop the range
If a refill will not save your current bag, a new cover is the better spend. Browse the full sun lounges and bean bags collection, or go straight to a fresh favourite like the Chill Out Taupe + White Stripe Outdoor Beanbag ($163). We deliver Australia-wide, and delivery is free on orders over $100.
