How to clean a trampoline

Trampolines provide hours of entertainment and exercise for both children and adults. Bouncing on a trampoline increases heart rate, strengthens muscles and joints, improves posture and reduces body fat. But over time, dirt, dust, body oils and other debris can collect on a trampoline mat, forming a black residue. Keeping a trampoline mat clean and free of residue will cause the trampoline to appear shiny and new, while allowing it to last longer.

This article contains the following:

• Equipment needed

• Steps to clean your trampoline

• Avoiding common mistakes

1. Equipment needed

For cleaning the trampoline, certain pieces of equipment are required. These include;

• A broom

• A small brush and a dustpan

• A bucket filled with warm water

• A soft scrubbing brush that you buy for cleaning your kitchen sink

• Water hose in order to soak your trampoline and rinse it thoroughly

• Large towels for drying the trampoline

2. Steps to clean your trampoline

If you plan to clean the trampoline nicely, you have to follow the steps given below;

The first step is to remove safety netting, if applicable. Some trampolines have safety netting around them. To clean the mat properly, you will either need to temporarily remove the netting, or hike the netting up so that you can sweep off debris and thoroughly clean the mat.

Next, sweep up any loose debris with a soft-bristled broom. Take a broom and get on the trampoline. Start in the middle and work outwards. Run the broom across the surface, sweeping any loose dirt or debris over the edge. Be thorough and make sure you remove all debris.

Spray down the mat with clean water. Use a garden hose and plain water to rinse the trampoline. Use a gentle setting on the hose, if your hose has multiple settings, to prevent damage

Scrub the trampoline mat with warm water which is soapy and make use of the soft brush. Scrubbing hard can damage the entire material. So ensure that you are doing it slowly but swiftly. You can walk in small sections or scrub the entire mat before you start rinsing it.

Keep spraying until the mat is soaked. The trampoline needs to be very wet before you clean it. Keep spraying it with the hose until the full surface is completely soaked in water. Do not worry about damaging the trampoline. Mats are highly resistant to water.

Make your cleaning solution. Take a large bucket and fill it with lukewarm water. Add two tablespoons (30 ml) of liquid dish detergent into the water. Use your hand or a spoon to stir the mixture until it lathers.

Scrub the mat thoroughly. Take a scrub brush and soak it in the cleaning solution. Get on the trampoline and scrub the surface down thoroughly using light, sweeping motions. Keep scrubbing until water runs clean from the trampoline and all black gunk is removed form the mesh of the mat.

Rinse the mat with clean water. Take your hose, once again using clean water and the gentlest setting possible. Spray down the trampoline with your hose until runs clear off the trampoline. Make sure you rinse your trampoline completely, as soap residue can damage the trampoline.

Dry the mat with a clean, dry towel. Gently pat down the mat with the towel to remove as much moisture as you can. Then, let the trampoline air dry in the sun for a few hours. Make sure the trampoline is completely dry because even a small amount of moisture can cause someone to slip and become injured.

These steps will help you to clean the trampoline thoroughly and get rid of all the dust and dirt particles easily. Cleaning a trampoline regularly also ensures that the germs that your kids bring are washed off.

3. Avoiding Common Mistakes

There are a certain notions that you should keep in mind while cleaning your trampoline. Listed below are the tips that you should take into consideration.

Avoid using harmful chemicals for cleaning your trampoline as they can easily damage the components. A few chemicals are capable of interfering with the ultraviolet resistance of your trampoline jumping pad.

When you clean, you should check if there is any damage or rust on your trampoline frame. Apply the anti-rust lubricant or grease to prevent the rust from spreading.

Avoid products with bleach or pumice. Mild cleaners work best for trampolines, as they minimize the risk of damage. Never use a cleaner with bleach or pumice, as this can harm your trampoline.

Finally, it is important to clean your trampoline regularly so that it can have a long life service. Based on these suggestions mentioned above, you just sweep and wet the mat and then scrub it down. Once it's rinsed and dried, you can enjoy your trampoline mat once again.