Don't fold it. Roll it.

The fastest way to deflate a large lounge chair without pinching a hole is to roll it from the end opposite the valve, not fold it in half.

Folding is what gets you. When you crease the vinyl or plastic, you’re stressing the same spot over and over, and that’s where pinholes appear later. Rolling spreads the pressure out and pushes the air out smoothly toward the valve.

For a big lounge chair, lay it flat with the valve open, then start rolling from the headrest end toward the valve end. Use your knees to keep tension on the roll as you go — that forces air out faster. When you get near the valve, give it a final firm roll and close the valve while the float is still rolled up. Done.

If it’s one of those extra-thick lounge chairs and rolling feels awkward, another trick is to sit on it from the top end and use your body weight to push air toward the valve. That works, but it’s slower and less even.

Open the valve fully before you start. Most people half-open it and wonder why it takes forever. Fully open, no valve cap in the way.

Future You will thank Present You for not buying a new float in July.