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There are many ways to clean a trampoline. But using the wrong ingredients can affect its lifespan. This guide will help you to know how to clean a trampoline in the right way.
We all love our trampoline in the backyard. No doubt keeping a trampoline outside for a long time makes it more vulnerable to dust and other harmful things. So, we should clean it properly after a specific time gap. If you don’t know how to clean a trampoline and its parts, I am here today to tell you about this.
You will see there are many ways to do it. But, wouldn’t that be awesome to clean your trampoline in the right way so that it remains durable? Don’t worry anymore. With this comprehensive trampoline cleaning guide, I am going to show you the right way to make your trampoline clean.
So, without any further delay, let’s begin.
How To Clean A Trampoline
If you put it outside, under the open sky then it will catch rain, snow, dirt, dry leaves, and even bird poop, so you have to clean it to maintain hygiene. If you don’t clean your trampoline occasionally, it might lose its durability also.
So, it is very important to clean the trampoline from time to time. Now, cleaning up a trampoline and its parts is not a tough job at all. But, you need to know how you can do it easily & correctly.
Besides, you need the following things to complete the cleaning mission. Wait! First, look at the sky. If the weather is not good enough, then it seems that nature is not authorizing you to clean the trampoline. But if it’s pleasant and sunny, then you can start the cleaning.
Ensure that the following materials are available.
- A broom.
- A bucket.
- Warm soapy water.
- Scrubbing brushes and a shovel
- Water hose.
- Dry towels.
- A toothbrush (Especially to clean trampoline springs)
- A high pressurized steam cleaner (If lichen on the trampoline safety net)
- A snow shovel (To clean snow, if it’s winter)
As you need to clean every part of the trampoline, we should help you to do it step by step.
How to Clean a Trampoline Mat
A trampoline mat is the main element of a trampoline. So, you have to be extra careful when it comes to cleaning a trampoline mat. You can clean it properly by following these steps.
- Removing the safety netting.
- Sweeping up any loose debris.
- Spraying down the mat with clean water.
- Soaking the mat in water.
- Preparing your cleaning solution
- Scrubbing the mat.
- Rinsing the mat Again with clean water.
- Drying the mat.
Let’s dig these steps further.
Step 1: Removing the Safety Netting.
Safety netting is protective equipment that protects kids and other trampoline users from serious trampoline injuries. However, not every trampoline has netting.
If your trampoline has a net, you need to remove it. So that you can continue your cleaning mission without any kind of interruption. But after the cleaning, you have to put it again. However, you can hike the netting up if you don’t want to remove it completely.
A trampoline without any netting provides enough space to sweep off the debris and clean it properly.
Step 2: Sweeping up Any Loose Debris.
You want to clean the trampoline mat properly. I know, you wouldn’t like those loose debris or dirt on your favorite trampoline. Don’t worry anymore. If you know how to sweep, trust me; it won’t take that much time.
First of all, all you need is a boom. So, get a boom. Now, get on the trampoline. If you are confused about where to start from, I would say it is always a good idea to start from the middle.
From middle to outwards, run the boom across the surface. Make sure that you have cleaned all loose dirt and debris over the edge.
Step 3: Spraying Down the Mat with Clean Water.
Here comes another important step in cleaning the trampoline. In this step, you need to clean the trampoline with water. A garden hose can help you here. Try to use a gentle setting on your hose so that your trampoline can be washed properly. You have to make sure that you have covered all spaces when applying the hose water.
Step 4: Soaking the Mat in Water.
At this stage, you need to continue spraying water so that all space of the trampoline mat is soaked in water. It is really important.
You might want to skip this step. But, don’t do it. Honestly, the trampoline mat must be wet before applying any kind of cleaning solution.
Are you still worrying about your trampoline? Are you confused that it could damage the mat? You don’t need to worry anymore as trampoline mats have water resistance ability.
Step 5: Preparing Your Cleaning Solution:
You need to add two tablespoons (30 ml) of liquid dish detergent into that water so that you can prepare the cleaning solution. You should keep the ratio of soap and water at 5:2. The next step is so straightforward. You just need to stir the mixture with a spoon or your hand. Stir it carefully until it lathers.
Step 6: Scrubbing the Mat:
Dip the brush in the bucket and scrub the whole mat. However, scrub the edges of the springs as well. However, be sure that you are scrubbing the surface gntly, applying too much pressure can damage the mat. You have to continue the scrubbing until you don’t see any black gunk on the mesh of the mat.
Step 7: Rinsing the Mat Again with Clean Water:
Now, it’s time to take your water hose/bucket again. This time, you need to clean the trampoline mat with clean water. You can use warm water or regular water. Wash any remaining soap residue from the trampoline mat and springs. You just need to make sure that you have rinsed the trampoline mat completely.
Ensure that the foam of the soap on the mat and springs are gone. If required, you should get on the mat once again and should scrub the mat and the edges of the spring once again. If the foam of the soap is not gone, it will be sticky when it dries. So ensure that you washed the foam of the soap.
Step 8: Rinsing the Mat Again with Clean Water:
Finally, we have come to the last step of cleaning the trampoline mat. In this step, you need to dry the mat with a clean and dry towel. Your mission is to remove all moisture from this mat by using this towel.
Leave the trampoline in the sun for a couple of hours. It will ultimately make the trampoline ready to reuse. You don’t want your kid to slip on the trampoline, right? It needs only a simple amount of moisture for any serious accident which is unexpected. Therefore, be careful that the whole trampoline mat is dry and ready to use.
Check the springs carefully. Trust me; you don’t want to leave a single drop of water in the edges of the spring. It can damage the springs forever.
How To Clean Trampoline Springs
Trampoline springs are one of the most important parts of a trampoline. You can follow the same steps as trampoline mats. Cleaning the trampoline springs with warm soapy water or cleaning solutions can make your day shiner. Springs are small things and it demands extra care from you. Follow these steps:
- Rub the edges of the spring with the toothbrush and wash it instantly.
- Mix the warm soapy water with the head of the toothbrush and rub the springs once again.
- Immediately wash the spring when you are done with one.
Wash all the springs of the trampoline, as mentioned above.
How To Clean Trampoline Safety Net:
Needless to say, a trampoline safety net is necessary to keep your kids safe from serious trampoline injuries. Nobody wants to turn a happy trampoline moment into nightmares. Now, cleaning the safety net is also important when it comes to the trampoline cleaning mission. The safety net of your trampoline can get dirty due to environmental debris or lichen.
Without Lichen on The Net
Sweep the net with the broom to remove stubborn debris. Wash the net with the hose. Here is one of the best broom on amazon. The quality is great and it’s relatively cheap.
Lichen is the most common enemy of a safety net. So let’s see how to remove lichen from the trampoline net.
With Lichen on The Net
A car wash hose can be your best companion here. It can deliver high-pressure water output from the hose, which can effectively clean the safety net of the trampoline.
Lichen is the most common enemy of a safety net. So let’s see how to remove lichen from the trampoline net.
How to Keep Trampoline Clean
Most trampolines are made of durable and weather-friendly materials. So, in general, snow or coal is not going to ruin garden trampolines. But before purchase, make sure that the trampoline frame is adequately galvanized.
However, you should not leave snow on your trampoline. Because too much snow can stretch the springs out and can damage the elasticity and can be a fact of absolute disgrace.
So, do not make it a snow warehouse.
But as you take a shower regularly, you need to keep your trampoline clean always from other ignorable stuff.
In a humid environment, lichen can turn your trampoline into their common room.
Moreover, you should sweep the trampoline at least three days a week with a wet broom. Don’t forget to cover the trampoline with the cover when you are going to put it aside.
How to clean bird poop off a trampoline?
You can follow these steps to wash a bird poop off the trampoline.
- First of all, use hose water to soften the droppings.
- Prepare soap water by mixing up detergent and water in a bucket. Soak a sponge in the soap water.
- Scrub the spot in the trampoline by using the sponge. Then, you have to wash the trampoline spot carefully with hose water.
These steps are helpful, I know that. But, if you know how to stop birds pooping on the trampoline, it will be far better.
Avoid Common Mistakes During Trampoline Cleaning
Now that you know how to clean a trampoline properly, you should avoid some common mistakes when cleaning a trampoline. You have to follow these tips to avoid common mistakes.
- Choose a sunny day: The cleaning process includes an air-dry step. If you clean your trampoline on a rainy day, you can’t dry it after the wash. So, try to choose a hot summer day to clean a trampoline.
- Avoid Products With Bleach Or Pumice: Bleach or pumice can cause serious damage to your trampoline. So, you should always try to avoid any products with bleach or pumice in it. Any kind of mild cleaners works well for trampolines.
- Always Use A Hose: A simple garden hose, that’s what you need when it comes to washing trampoline. A pressure washer can damage the fabric of your favorite trampoline. Instead, you can use buckets to wash the trampoline.
Cleaning The Trampoline After Winter
Cleaning a trampoline after winter can be a disaster itself. It’s better if you pack the trampoline and store it inside at the time. However, it’s not always possible. Let’s see.
If The Snow is On The Mat But Springs Are Not Covered:
- If the springs are stretched enough, then rub the edges of springs with a toothbrush and wash it immediately.
- If the springs are not stretched enough, at first, remove snow from the top of the trampoline mat with a snow shovel. After that, try to stretch each spring and wash it with hot soapy water.
- Wash the mat, frame, and safety net with warm soapy water.
If the cover is securing the spring, then at first remove the snow with the shovel then clean the springs. Check out our article on how to winterize a trampoline to know more about this topic.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions).
If you have a manual high pressurized steam cleaner, then mix the bleach with warm water and fill the tank of the steam cleaner. After that, wash the net with the hose of the steam cleaner. Or You can use something like Wet & Forget original. It’s very good against molds, moss, and lichen. This Moss Mold Remover will be useful.
After washing the trampoline with warm water, sweep the mat, and springs with a dry towel. Then leave the trampoline under the sun. If it’s not a sunny day then use a blower for drying off the springs.
Sometimes, you will notice that your feet turn blank while jumping on your trampoline. There is a specific reason for this. When the trampoline materials get old, the carbon ingredients start to come out through the trampoline.
Your feet are turning black because of those carbon ingredients. It is a strong indication that the mat is getting old. It’s time for getting a new mat.
Furthermore, dust particles from the wind can also make your trampoline dirty enough to make your feet black.
Never, do that. Pressure washing the trampoline can damage the fabric of the mat. Always use a hose to wash a trampoline. However, if you don’t have a hose, you can use a bucket to do the job.
No, dish soap can not ruin the trampoline. But if the frame of the trampoline is coated with protective materials, then water can make rust on it. Check your guidebook or manufactures website to know about the materials.
Final Thoughts…
There is no doubt that we all love our trampoline. As it is an outdoor recreational center, it is highly vulnerable to dirt, moss, and other things. Therefore, you should clean it properly once per week or two. I hope this comprehensive guide helped you to know how to clean a trampoline in the right way.
