How to Clean a Beach Chair After Sand, Salt and Sunscreen

Short answer: to clean a beach chair, remove dry sand first, wipe or rinse away salt, spot-clean sunscreen only with a product permitted by the care instructions, and let the chair dry completely before folding or storing it. Work gently around seams, joints and fasteners, and never use bleach, solvents or a pressure cleaner unless the manufacturer specifically approves them.

Knowing how to clean a beach chair after a sandy, salty day helps keep the fabric, frame and moving parts in better condition. The right routine is usually simple: dry clean first, use minimal water and mild cleaner where allowed, then give every surface time to dry. Always follow the care label or product instructions ahead of general advice.

How to clean a beach chair step by step

1. Open the chair outdoors. Choose a shaded, well-ventilated place where loose sand can fall away.
2. Brush off dry sand. Use a soft brush or dry cloth, working along seams, pockets and the underside of the seat.
3. Wipe away salt. If the care instructions permit, use a clean cloth dampened with fresh water. Avoid soaking padded areas.
4. Treat marks gently. Test a small hidden area first. Use a mild solution only when it is suitable for the chair’s fabric and finish.
5. Clean the frame and joints. Wipe tubes, hinges and fasteners without forcing grit deeper into moving parts.
6. Rinse or wipe off residue. Remove any cleaner with fresh water, again keeping moisture to the minimum needed.
7. Dry the chair fully open. Let air reach the seat, back, straps, pockets and joints before folding.

Start with dry sand, not water

It is tempting to hose a sandy chair immediately, but dry sand is often easier to remove before it becomes wet and lodged in stitching. Let the chair dry after the beach, then turn it carefully and tap the frame with your hand. Use a soft brush around piping, joins, pockets and under the seat.

Do not scrape fabric with a hard tool. It can roughen fibres, mark a coating or push grit further into a seam. A vacuum with a soft brush attachment may be suitable for some completely dry chairs, but keep the nozzle away from delicate fabric and loose threads.

Remove salt with fresh water

Salt can remain on fabric and metal after spray, wet swimmers or a windy day close to the water. Once loose sand is gone, wipe the chair with a clean cloth dampened with fresh water. Work from the top down and rinse the cloth often so you are lifting residue rather than spreading it.

If the manufacturer allows a gentle rinse, keep the flow low and avoid blasting joints or padded inserts. High pressure can drive grit into mechanisms and may damage surface finishes. Bunnings’ general guide to protecting outdoor furniture also recommends cleaning methods that suit the specific material rather than using one treatment for every surface.

How to clean sunscreen from beach chair fabric

Sunscreen marks are easier to manage when treated early, but the cleaner must suit the textile. First blot any fresh excess with a clean, absorbent cloth. Do not rub aggressively, as that can spread the mark.

Check the label or manufacturer guidance. If mild detergent is permitted, dilute it in cool or lukewarm water, test an inconspicuous section, then dab the area with a soft cloth. Work from the outside of the mark towards the centre. Remove detergent residue with another damp cloth and repeat only if the fabric responds well.

Avoid bleach, harsh solvents, abrasive powders and strong stain removers unless the care instructions explicitly approve them. These products can change colour or affect coatings and finishes. The American Cleaning Institute’s beach cleaning guide also recommends dealing with sand, sunscreen and beach gear methodically rather than storing items dirty or damp.

Pay attention to frames, hinges and pockets

The frame is easy to overlook because most visible marks sit on the fabric. Wipe the tubes, feet, fasteners and underside with fresh water, then use a cloth or soft brush around the hinges. Open and close the chair only as intended; never force a gritty joint.

If your chair has a storage or reclining pocket, empty it fully and turn it out where possible. Sand can collect in corners and keep fabric damp. Removable straps should be brushed and wiped separately while still following the supplied care instructions.

Sunday Supply Co.’s Dunes Beach Chair is described as lightweight with a removable carry strap and storage pocket. The Dunes Mesh Reclining Beach Chair also has a removable carry strap and a reclining pocket. These details make the small areas around pockets, straps and attachment points worth checking during a clean.

Drying is part of the clean

Do not fold a chair while the seat, cushion, strap, pocket or joints are still damp. Leave it fully open in a shaded, ventilated place and turn it if needed so moisture is not trapped underneath. Direct heat can be too harsh for some textiles and finishes, so avoid heaters and do not assume full sun is the best drying method.

Before storing, run a dry cloth over the frame and feel inside pockets and seams. If anything is cool or damp, give it more time. Store the chair in a clean, dry place away from standing water and corrosive garden chemicals. Shelta’s Australian care and maintenance guidance similarly emphasises cleaning, drying and appropriate storage for outdoor products.

A five-minute after-beach routine

• Empty the pocket and remove personal items.
• Shake or brush off loose dry sand.
• Wipe salt from fabric and frame with fresh water if permitted.
• Blot sunscreen marks and spot-clean according to the label.
• Check hinges, feet, straps and the underside.
• Leave the chair fully open until every part is dry.

If you are still choosing the right style, read our guide to folding beach chairs and browse the current beach chair collection.

FAQs about beach chair care

Can I hose down a beach chair?

Only if the manufacturer’s instructions allow it. Use a gentle flow, avoid saturating padded sections and keep high pressure away from fabric, coatings and joints.

How do I get sand out of a beach chair hinge?

Let the chair dry, brush away loose sand and wipe the joint gently. Do not force the hinge. If it still sticks, follow the manufacturer’s service advice rather than adding an unapproved lubricant.

Can I use bleach on a beach chair?

Not unless the care label explicitly permits it. Bleach can affect colour, fabric and surface finishes. Start with the mildest approved method.

How often should I clean my beach chair?

Give it a quick brush and fresh-water wipe after sandy or salty use, then do a closer clean when you notice marks or before longer storage. The care instructions should guide the exact routine.

Keep the routine gentle and consistent

The best beach chair care is regular rather than aggressive. Remove sand while it is dry, use fresh water for salt, treat sunscreen according to the fabric instructions and store the chair only when it is completely dry. A few minutes after each beach day can make the next setup feel easier. Explore our beach chairs to compare current styles for your own summer routine.