Camping chairs are a necessary piece of camping gear for anyone who is an outdoor enthusiast. Not only do they provide a place to sit and relax, but they also can keep you off the cold, hard ground. 

However, in order to ensure that your camping chair will last for years to come, it is important to clean and maintain it properly. In this blog post, we will discuss how to clean different types of camping chairs as well as how to maintain them for taking their use optimally. 

5 Steps to Maintain Your Camping Chairs

We have collated 5 easy steps to maintain and clean your camping chairs. Walk through these methods and prolong the life of your camping gear.

1. Store It Properly

There is a ton of variety of camping chairs available in the market. The storage process for every chair is different. However, there is a common kind of camping chair that can be stored in the garage.

You can simply cover it up so that it does not catch the dirt and stay clean throughout. Also, some chairs have a soft cushion as the top, but they are mostly foldable. They can be stored easily in the garage or shed. Just make sure that their top does not get wet. 

When camping, it is important to be mindful of the type and condition of your chair. If you have a chair made up of natural materials like wood or canvas, then make sure they stay dry so that these do not get damaged from exposure. 

2. Inspecting

Having a broken chair at your campsite is one of the worst feelings in the world! It's especially frustrating if you have been too far from any stores to replace it and can't even relax because there's no place comfortable enough for sitting.

While you may have been excited about your trip, it's important to be aware of the risks that come with camping chairs. Make sure nothing is missing or disconnected where screws might loosen during transport.

So, before loading the chair in your car, it is important to inspect it for any rips, holes, or other damage. If you find any damages, make sure to repair them before using the chair.

3. Keep Fire Away

You might be sitting in your chair, reading or taking pictures of the view, when someone else walks up and starts a campfire nearby. This can lead to an unpleasant experience if you aren't careful. So, it is necessary that you do not cover your chair with a drape or a blanket. Always keep your chair away from the fire and avoid the potential risk of a campfire. 

4. Keep Rain Away

Keep the chair as dry as possible. If it does get wet, make sure to dry it off as soon as possible. Drying the chair off will help to prevent any mildew or mold from growing on the fabric.

However, it is best if you keep the chair away from the rain. Try to keep the chair in the shade and prevent it from water as it makes your chair rusty and also will shorten its life span.

5. Cleaning It Properly

You can maintain your camping chairs and prolong their life span by cleaning them properly. Do not let the stains and dirt sit on them for too long, and try to clean them as soon as possible. Prevent the rust from getting on the chair and keep it safe and stored in an efficient manner.

How to Clean the Camping Chairs

Over the years, the fabric camping chairs have earned popularity. They come with metal frames and side pockets. Also, they are super comfortable, which makes them the favorable option among other camping chairs.

Fabric chairs are made of durable materials that don't chafe or get dirty easily. They usually come with a padded back and side, making them comfy for longer periods in one seating position. The fabrics that are usually used for these chairs are nylon or polyester, which makes the chairs easy to clean too.

Once you identify the material of your chair, then it is time to clean it. But before you spray your whole chair with vinegar, make sure that the fabric is not too delicate. You might want to try testing a small area first, just in case. Take a look at the following steps to safely clean your camping chair:

•You can make use of a soft-bristled brush to get the stain out of the chair. 

•Mix the vinegar with the water. Spray this solution on the chair to get the stubborn stains out. 

•While you spray the solution on the chair, make use of a brush or of clean cloth as well. This way, it will be easy for you to make the chair clean. 

•Use warm water while cleaning off the debris.

•Make sure you dry the chair completely after washing it.

•Once the chair is dry, put in it the storage space. 

Other Methods for Cleaning Camp Chair

Following are some other methods that you can adopt for cleaning the camping chairs. Take a look below:

 An Alcohol Spray

To get rid of mildew on the fabric, fill the spray bottle with alcohol and spray it to the seat. Then leave in direct sunlight for several hours or overnight before washing as needed. Make sure you test an inconspicuous area first; if desired results are achieved without any damage, then consider using them throughout your entire chair. 

Steam Cleaning

A garment cleaner is an excellent tool for cleaning any type of clothing - even dirty hiking gear like chairs. This cleaning type will make your camp chair look new again. Just fill the chamber with water that has the normal temperature.

Make sure not to exceed the fabric's temperature rating before cleaning because this can damage fabrics over time. With this method, you can clean chairs that have a fixed cover. The steamer kills bacteria and removes dirt from the fabric while also providing an easy way to do the rigorous task.

Cleaning With Vinegar

Use vinegar as a natural solution to remove mold and mildew. Simply mix it with water in a bottle, then spritz it onto the problem areas of your chair until it is wet; let this sit for about ten minutes before wiping down fully so that any leftovers come off too.

Once the chair is dry, it will need to remain outside for at least 24 hours and up until 72 before being placed inside. You may also notice that there's a vinegar smell after cleaning; however, this should disperse with time.

But you can also try cleaning it with detergent to make the smell go away or just simply put the chair out in the sun, and the smell will eventually dispel. 

Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuum cleaners are great for taking care of the dirt on your beach chair. If it does not have tough stains, just vacuum up all surface grime with an attachment that has a brush to cover every inch. It is the easiest method and won't take much of your time. So, if you think that the chair does not need deep cleaning, then the standard vacuum cleaner would work just fine. 

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful chemical for removing stains, but it is not good with greasy or oily substances. However, its ability to get rid of food-based odors makes this chemical perfect as an all-purpose cleaner.

Mix together equal parts of water and this chemical in a spray bottle to create your own cleaning solution. Spray the stain until it disappears, then let sit for 10-15 minutes before soaking up excess moisture with a towel.

Hand Wash

One way to clean your camping chairs is to hand wash them with a mild soap and water solution. Be sure to rinse the chairs thoroughly afterward so that no soap residue is left behind. However, if you do not have time to hand wash your chairs, you can also wipe them down with a damp cloth. This will also help in removing any surface dirt and grime that is not stubborn.

When and Where to Clean Your Chairs

You should clean your camping chairs after each use. If you are using them in a saltwater environment, be sure to rinse them off with fresh water as soon as possible to prevent corrosion. You should also clean your chairs before storing them.

Take your dirty chairs outside and clean them well. Make sure you have an open area so the air can flow freely while working on these items, as well as a clean place free of any spores that might be present in this process.

To keep your chairs clean, you can use old newspapers or tarps to catch any germs that might otherwise get on anything. It is important for this process to be done during sunny days because the chair would need sunlight after being washed.

If the rain is predicted, then do not take the risk of washing them on that day. Just choose a warm sunny day so that the drying process does not take too long. Make sure you're cleaning the chairs early, so they have time to sit in direct sunlight after.

The amount required will depend on the fabric and whether or not padding was washed too, but it should take at least 3-4 hours, depending on the warmth of sunlight. 

How to Remove Stains From Your Camping Chairs

There is one downside to camping, and that is the inevitable stains that will show up on your camping gear. Removing the tough stains from the camping chairs can prove to be quite a tough feat. 

There are a few different ways that you can remove stains from your camping chair. The best way to remove a stain will depend on the type of stain that you're dealing with. Here are a few common types of stains and the best way to remove them:

Grass Stains: You can remove grass stains by blotting them with rubbing alcohol. First, soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and then blot the stained area. Repeat this process until the stain is gone.

Mud Stains: Mud stains can be tricky to remove, but you can start by blotting them with a damp cloth. Once you've removed as much mud as possible, mix one-part dish soap with two parts water and scrub the stained area.

Bird Droppings: This type of stain is the most common on camping chairs. But for this, all you need is a damp cloth and some elbow grease. Besides, you can also use a disposable utensil and twig. Spray water on top to soften any dried-on residue or bacteria for quick cleanup. For the bird droppings, you should also disinfect the chair with bleach before storing it. 

Tree Sap: When extracting the sap from trees, be sure to scrape off any excess with a butter knife and then use an acetone nail polish remover as your solvent. You can also try enzyme-based stain or isopropyl alcohol-based cleaners if these don't work for you. Give the sap time to soften and dissolve before scrubbing it away. After that, use heavy-duty detergent, and scrub away the stain.

Bloodstains: Blood stains can be removed by blotting them with hydrogen peroxide. First, soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide and then blot the stained area. You can also try using detergent soap and water.

Conclusion

Camping chairs provide a comfortable place to sit and relax while enjoying the great outdoors. However, if they are not properly maintained, camping chairs can quickly become dirty and stained. 

In conclusion, knowing how to clean and maintain your camping chairs is important for keeping them in good condition for years to come. By following the simple steps outlined in this post, you can keep your camping gear looking and performing its best.