What Happens When Lounge Chairs Stay in the Pool All Summer?
A purpose-built chair can remain in shallow water during normal seasonal use, but it will still be exposed to sunlight, chemicals, salt, body oils, and mineral deposits.
Understanding these factors can help prevent avoidable discoloration, buildup, and premature wear.
Sunlight and UV Exposure
A lounge chair on an uncovered tanning ledge may receive direct sunlight for several hours each day.
UV-resistant materials are designed to perform better outdoors, but UV resistance does not mean that a product can never experience color change.
Over several seasons, appearance may be affected by:
- The intensity of direct sunlight
- The number of hours of daily exposure
- Local temperature and climate
- The color of the chair
- Pool chemistry
- Cleaning products
- Maintenance frequency
A gradual change in color or surface appearance can be part of normal outdoor aging rather than a structural failure.
Chlorine and Pool Chemicals
A purpose-built in-pool chair can be used in a normally maintained chlorinated pool.
Problems are more likely when the chair is exposed to concentrated chemicals or temporarily unbalanced water. This may happen after:
- Shocking the pool
- Adding a large amount of chlorine
- Treating algae
- Correcting unusually high or low pH
- Pouring chemicals near the furniture
- Allowing undissolved chemicals to settle on the chair
Remove the furniture during heavy chemical treatment. AquaCurve recommends waiting approximately 48 hours after adding significant pool chemicals before returning the chairs to the water.
This waiting period gives the chemicals time to circulate and reduces the risk of exposing the chair to a concentrated treatment.
Always follow the instructions supplied with the pool chemicals and confirm that the water has returned to its normal operating range.
Saltwater Exposure
Pool-suitable lounge chairs can also be used in saltwater pools, but saltwater is not maintenance-free.
When water evaporates, salt and mineral residue may remain on:
- The chair surface
- Joints and connection points
- Screws or hardware
- Areas near the waterline
- Textured or recessed sections
If the chair remains in a saltwater pool throughout summer:
- Rinse it regularly with fresh water.
- Remove visible salt and mineral deposits.
- Pay attention to joints and hardware.
- Clean sunscreen and body oils promptly.
- Inspect the chair periodically.
- Rinse and dry it thoroughly before seasonal storage.
More frequent fresh-water rinsing is one of the simplest ways to reduce visible salt buildup.
Sunscreen, Tanning Oil, and Body Oils
A chair can become dirty even when the pool water appears clean.
Sunscreen, tanning oil, cosmetics, lotions, and body oils can transfer to the chair during normal use. Over time, these substances may:
- Leave greasy marks
- Attract dust and debris
- Make mineral deposits more visible
- Create discoloration around frequently touched areas
- Become more difficult to remove
Clean visible residue when you notice it rather than waiting until the end of summer.
Algae and Mineral Deposits
Parts of the chair that receive less circulation may eventually develop visible residue.
Possible causes include:
- Hard water
- Calcium buildup
- Salt residue
- Unbalanced water chemistry
- Poor water circulation
- Organic debris
- Algae growth
- Repeated evaporation
Surface buildup does not always mean the material is damaged. It does mean that the chair should be removed and cleaned before the residue becomes more difficult to treat.