Common bean bag chair filler ideas

Many common items can be recycled as bean bag fillers. Before using any product in your chair, you should make sure that it is child and pet friendly. Also, it is a good idea to make a case for the filler, just as you would for a pillow. This way, children and pets will not ingest any of the smaller fillers and you can make the bean bag cover removable in case the bag needs to be cleaned.

Dried beans are the most common filler people think of when they are making bean bags. Beans are a cheap product and are easy to find. However, they are still a bit pricey even when bought in bulk because of the sheer volume that is necessary to fill a bean bag. Also, beans can attract food moths and other insects, which can be a problem, since these pests multiply quickly. As a safety precaution, if anyone who will be using your bean bag is allergic to soybeans, you may want to avoid using them as a filler. Although some people still use beans in their bean bags, there are some better alternatives.

Rice is another easy to find filler. Although rice may be a bit cheaper than dried beans, it is prone to moisture problems. Rice also can attract food moths, other insects, and even mice.

If you receive packages in the mail, you probably have a bag of those annoying little Styrofoam peanuts lying around the house. Since they would end up in your landfill if they weren't being used in bean bags, recycled peanuts are an environmentally friendly filler. Peanuts are pest resistant and easy to acquire. If you ask your friends to give you their peanuts, this filler material is even free.

Wood shavings come in a variety of woods. Pine shavings are very common and easy to find. However, if you use cedar shavings to fill your bean bag, you will also have a wonderful side effect: cedar shavings will repel fleas. This is the reason most bean bags for pets use cedar shavings as a filler.

Polyester stuffing can be used in your bean bags, but has a tendency to pack down. You will need to re-fluff your bean bag frequently if you decide to use stuffing. Also, keep in mind that this product is one of the more expensive fillers.

If your family is not allergic to feathers you can recycle your feather pillows to fill your bean bag. However, you will definitely need to sew a casing for your feathers before you stuff your bean bag with them, since feathers have a tendency to work their way through the fabric of the bean bag. Down filling is another alternative.

Crushed nut shells are rarely used as a bean bag filler because many people are prone to nut allergies, but they are an inexpensive and plentiful source.

Finally, Styrofoam and plastic pellets that are made specifically for bean bags are available from manufacturers. Small children can easily swallow these pellets, so please use them with caution.