• Frequency of use — A bean bag used daily by multiple family members will flatten faster than one used occasionally. 

• Weight — Heavier users compress the beads more quickly. 

• Temperature — Prolonged exposure to heat (like in direct sunlight) can cause beads to degrade faster. 

• Refill pack - You'll want to use quality EPS beads designed specifically for bean bags. Elephant Living sells Bean Bag Refill Packs that are perfectly matched to their range. Using the right filling matters poor-quality beads will compact again quickly and may not feel as comfortable. 

• Funnel or cardboard tube - This is your secret weapon against mess. A large plastic funnel, or even a tube made from cardboard rolled into a cone shape, gives you control over where the beads go. 

• Helper (optional but recommended) - Having a second pair of hands to hold the bag open while you pour makes the job significantly easier, especially with larger bags like the Jumbo. 

• Drop sheet or old bedsheet - Lay this down on the floor around your work area. Even with a funnel, a few rogue beads will escape having a sheet down means you can fold them up and pour them back in rather than vacuuming the entire room.

• Close the Room and Prepare Your Space - Pick a spot where spillage is contained a corner or bathroom works well. Close all windows, doors, and turn off any fans. EPS beads are incredibly light and will float across the room in the slightest breeze, so keep children and pets out too. 

• Lay Down Your Drop Sheet and Open the Zip - Lay an old bedsheet or drop sheet on the floor and place the bean bag on top. To open the safety zipper on your Elephant Living bean bag, thread a small paperclip through the zipper pull. Unzip slowly and carefully. 

• Attach Your Funnel and Start Pouring - Insert a funnel or rolled cardboard tube into the zip opening this is the step that saves you from a major clean-up. Cut a small corner off your refill pack and pour slowly and steadily, pausing to shake the bag every so often so the filling settles evenly. 

• Test the Firmness as You Go - After adding roughly half the pack, zip up and do a sit test. You're aiming for that squishy-but-supportive sweet spot does not rock solid, not flat. Keep adding filling gradually until it feels just right. 

• Seal Up and Clean Down - Close the inner liner zip first, then the outer cover zip. Give the bag a final shake and fluff by hand. Fold the drop sheet inward to catch any stray beads, then run a vacuum around the area for any escapees. 

• Slightly flat — Your bag has lost a little of its bounce but still holds its shape reasonably well. A top-up of around 15–20% of its original filling is usually all it needs to feel fresh again. 

• Significantly deflated — You're sinking too low and the bag looks visibly flat or lopsided. Expect to add around 30–50% of its original volume to bring it back to its best. 

• Beads feel powdery or dusty — This means the beads have broken down beyond recovery. A full replacement of the filling is the better approach rather than just topping up. 

- Rotate your bean bag regularly so the filling distributes evenly and doesn't compress in one spot.

- Give it a quick shake and fluff after use to help the bead maintain their volume.

- Keep it away from direct sunlight and heat to prevent the EPS beads from degrading too quickly.

- Remove and wash the cover regularly most Elephant Living covers are machine washable. Check the FAQ page for care instructions specific to your model.

- Store any leftover filling in a sealed, airtight bag so it stays fresh and ready for the next top-up.