How to Clean and Store Your Oztent Camping Chairs

Quick answer

Clean your Oztent chair with lukewarm water and mild soap, rinse away grit, and let it air-dry fully before folding. Store it indoors, off the floor, with the frame relaxed and any Lock-On accessories removed. That routine keeps fabric, stitching, and the Positive Lock System working trip after trip.

A camping chair takes more abuse than almost any other piece of gear: spilled coffee, beach sand, campfire smoke, and a week folded in a hot vehicle. Oztent chairs such as the Wallaby Chair Series III are built to handle that, but they still last longer when you clean and store them with a little intention.

This guide walks through the full cycle, from a quick post-trip wipe-down to off-season storage. It applies to the Wallaby Chair Series III and similar Oztent seating, and the same habits protect any Lock-On accessories you use with them.

What you need before you start

You do not need a specialty kit. A soft brush, a bucket of lukewarm water, mild dish or hand soap, and a microfiber cloth cover most jobs. Skip harsh solvents, bleach, and abrasive pads, which can dull frame coatings and weaken fabric over time.

Work outside or in a well-ventilated space. If the chair is muddy, let the mud dry first and brush off the bulk before it turns into a paste you have to scrub out.

• Use a soft brush or sponge, not a wire brush
• Keep soap mild; a few drops per bucket is enough
• Have a dry towel ready for the frame

Step 1: Empty and inspect the chair

Take everything out of the mesh pockets, cup holders, and any Lock-On accessory attached to the frame. Sand and crumbs left in a pocket turn into grit that works against the fabric every time the chair folds.

While the chair is open, run your hand along the frame joints and check the fabric for small tears, loose stitching, or bent hardware. Catching a small issue now is far easier than repairing it mid-trip.

• Check the Positive Lock System connection points for debris
• Note any damage before washing so you do not make it worse

Step 2: Wash the fabric and frame

Dip the brush in soapy water and scrub the fabric in small circles, working from the top down. Pay extra attention to armrests, seat edges, and anywhere sunscreen or food has left a mark. Rinse with clean water and repeat if the water runs dirty.

Wipe the frame with a damp cloth rather than soaking it. Aluminum and coated steel do not need to be submerged, and keeping water out of pivot points and lock mechanisms prevents corrosion and sticky movement later.

• Never machine-wash or tumble-dry a camping chair
• Do not pressure-wash; it forces water into the frame

Step 3: Dry completely before folding

Open the chair fully and let it air-dry in the shade. Sun is fine for a short period, but long exposure fades fabric and dries out coatings. Flip the chair once so the underside of the seat dries too.

This is the step most people rush. Folding a damp chair traps moisture against the frame and fabric, which is how mildew and musty smells start. If you are packing up at camp, wipe the chair down and let it dry before it goes in the bag.

• If the fabric feels cool or clammy, it is not dry yet
• A shaded breezy spot dries faster than direct sun

Step 4: Store it so it stays ready

Store the chair indoors, in a dry space, and off a concrete floor. A garage shelf or closet works well. If you must keep it in a shed or vehicle, use the carry bag and check it periodically for moisture.

Keep the chair folded loosely rather than compressed under other gear. Heavy weight on a folded frame can bend tubing and stress the fabric creases. If you store several chairs, stack them side by side rather than piling them.

• Avoid storing chairs in damp basements or directly on concrete
• Hang the carry bag if shelf space is tight

How often should you do this?

A quick brush-out and wipe-down after every trip takes two minutes and prevents most problems. A full wash makes sense at the end of a season, after a beach trip, or any time the chair has been rained on.

If you camp in sandy or salty environments, clean more often. Salt and fine sand are the two most common causes of stiff frames and worn fabric on camping chairs.

• Post-trip: empty pockets, wipe frame, air-dry
• End of season: full wash, dry, and indoor storage

Your Oztent chair care routine at a glance

1. Empty and inspect: Clear all pockets and remove Lock-On accessories. Check frame joints and fabric for damage. Catch small problems before they become replacements.
2. Wash gently: Scrub fabric with lukewarm soapy water and a soft brush; wipe the frame with a damp cloth. Never submerge the frame or use harsh cleaners.
3. Dry fully: Air-dry open in the shade, flipping once, until the fabric is completely dry to the touch. Folding a damp chair is the fastest way to get mildew.
4. Store smart: Keep indoors, off the floor, loosely folded, and away from heavy gear. A dry shelf beats a damp shed every time.

Oztent products that fit this routine

• Oztent Wallaby Chair Series III: Lightweight and packs down small, with a compact folding frame and built-in carry handle. The Series III features the Positive Lock System, allowing you to customize your setup with compatible Lock-On accessories. The built-in handle and compact fold make it easy to carry and store, while the Positive Lock System means you should remove Lock-On accessories before washing and check the lock points for grit during your post-trip wipe-down.
• Oztent Gecko Cot Series II: Insulated and padded with a mesh bag, drink and phone holders, and an X-leg structure, sized to fit into an Oztent RV-3, RV-4 or RV-5. If your chair care routine includes a cot, the same rules apply: empty the mesh bag and holders, wipe the X-leg frame, and dry fully before folding. The padded surface benefits from a gentle brush rather than a soaking.

A few minutes of care after each trip keeps your Oztent chairs comfortable, functional, and ready for the next camp. Clean, dry, and store them properly, and the frame, fabric, and Lock-On system will reward you for years.