Want your bounce house to last long? Clean it well, dry it, fold and store right. Use these 10 easy steps to keep it good and safe, stop harm, and make sure it’s safe each time you use it.
Key Points:
- Get ready first: Take cleaning tools, fix kits, and storing stuff before you start.
- Look for harm: See seams, hold points, and tops for rips or wear before folding.
- Make it dry: Keep mold away by drying the inflatable fully.
- Store well: Pick a cool, dry place with air flow, no sun, wet, or bugs.
Steps in Brief:
- Wash the top with mild soap and water.
- Dry all parts with cloths to fight mold.
- Look for cuts or weak seams and mend if need to.
- Put it flat on a clean, dry sheet.
- Fold with care, no sharp bends.
- Roll tightly to use less room.
- Tie with belts or ropes (not too tight).
- Put in a bag for keeping.
- Keep in a cool, dry spot (40°F–80°F).
- Put up high to stay away from wet and bugs.
By doing these, your bounce house stays safe, neat, and set for fun any time.
Get Ready to Fold
Before you start folding, get all your items ready. This will make things go fast and keep your inflatable in top shape. A bit of work now keeps trouble far away later.
What You Need
First, put together all the things you’ll need. Here’s a list:
- Soft soap and water: To clean the top.
- Clean rags and towels: For wiping and drying.
- A ground sheet or tarp: It keeps the bounce house safe from rough spots while you fold.
- Storage bag: It should be big enough for the folded item.
- Straps or ropes: These hold the folded piece tight. Bungee cords are good too.
- Repair kit: Needed for small fixes like tears or holes. Most kits have patches, strong thread, and glue made for this kind of thing.
- Soft-bristled brush: Good for hard-to-clean dirt.
- Disinfectant spray: Keeps it clean.
- Dry towels: Use these to dry any wet spots before you fold.
Having all these ready makes your job smooth and quick.
Pick the Right Spot
The place you pick to fold your inflatable is important. Choose a flat, clean, dry spot without trash or sharp things. Put a tarp down to guard against scrapes and wetness. Be sure the spot is a bit sloped – no more than 5% – and you have space to move around. Stay away from things above like power lines or trees.
Look for Damage
Before you fold, look carefully for any signs of wear or harm. Check well near seams, where it’s tied down, and the bottom side. Tie-down spots get a lot of pull and may show wear. If you spot any holes, tears, or weak seams, fix them right away with your repair kit.
For small tears, clean and dry the spot first, then use a patch or sew it with strong thread for outside stuff. If the damage is big, you might need a pro to help. Doing checks like this often makes your inflatable last longer and keeps it safe for later.
10 Steps to Fold and Store Bounce Houses
Step 9: Secure the Fold
Use ties, bands, or ropes to keep the bounce house in its folded or rolled form. This will stop it from coming undone when you move it. Be sure not to tie it too tight to keep the fabric from getting hurt.
Step 10: Storage
Find a dry, cool spot to store your bounce house. Avoid places that are very hot or very damp, as they can hurt the material. If it’s in a bag, make sure there’s no wet or dirt inside the bag before you put the bounce house in it. This keeps it safe and ready for the next fun time. Always keep it away from sharp things that might tear it.
By following these steps, your bounce house will stay in top shape and be ready for many more days of fun. Taking care to clean, dry, fold, and store it right will help make it last a long time.
Use ties, elastic bands, or string to keep the bounce house tight once it is folded or rolled up. Don’t pull too hard, as this can hurt the fabric. You want it to stay tight to keep it from coming loose when you put it away or move it.
Step 10: Store in Proper Location
Pick a cool, dry place where it stays the same temp, like a basement, garage, or storage room. Put the bounce house up off the floor on boards or racks to guard it from wet and bugs. The spot for keeping it should have good air flow and keep temps between 40°F and 80°F. Stay away from places with too much sun or big temp changes.
Tips for Long-Time Keeping
Best Spots to Store
Put your neatly folded bounce house in the right spot to keep it good over time. Places with steady cool and dry air are best to keep your inflatable safe from heat, wet, and sun. Think about using your garage, basement, or a storage unit that keeps a cool and dry air all year.
If those spots are not an option, a closet inside your home can also be great. Closets mostly have stable air and dryness, which help save your bounce house from the damage that weather changes can bring.
For those with a garage, make sure it stays cool and dry all the time. Even though tough bounce houses are made to last, having a steady place can make them last longer. For a better setup, put your bounce house on pallets or racks. This helps air flow under it and stops wet from the ground from getting into the fabric.
Storage Dangers to Keep Away From
Not all storage places are good, and some can harm more than help. Here are some things to look out for:
- Direct sunlight: UV rays are bad for inflatables. They can make vinyl and PVC weak and cause cracks, color fading, and broken seams. Always pick a spot that is shaded and indoors.
- Moisture and humidity: Mold grows in damp spots, so stay away from areas like cold garages in wet places or basements where water forms easily. If you are in a wet area, think about using a machine that takes wet out of the air to keep your storage place dry.
- Sharp changes in temperature: Big swings in hot and cold can make materials grow or shrink, causing small breaks and early damage. Don’t keep your bounce house in spots like attics, non-insulated sheds, or places that face extreme weather changes.
- Bugs and rodents: Small animals and bugs like to live in soft, closed spots, making bounce houses a place they might choose. To keep them away, keep your inflatable in a strong bag and lift it off the floor.
Care and Check-Up Advice
Look Over Often
To keep your bounce house in top form, check it both before and after each use. This easy step can stop big fix costs and keep it safe.
Begin with the anchor points, as they get a lot of strain when used. Make sure each one is tight and in place. Search for worn or torn straps and lost D-rings – these weak points can risk the whole setup.
Then, look at the blower tubes and links. Make sure all tubes, hold straps, and clasps are set right, and see that mesh covers are whole. Check the blower for bare wires, loose nuts, or bolts.
When the bounce house is full of air, check that the walls are solid, seams hold well, and spots like Velcro strips, air-out zips, and nets show no harm. These areas get a lot of wear and could be unsafe if not cared for.
"Regular inspection of your inflatable bounce houses is one of the most important things you can do to maintain them." – Beyond Tent
After checks, keep a steady clean plan to make your bounce house last longer.
Deep Clean Plan
A quick clean each time is key, but now and then, a deep clean will keep your bounce house great. How much you do this depends on how much it’s used and where it is.
Below is a clean plan often used by those who rent them out:
| Task | How Often | How Important |
|---|---|---|
| Look Over | Before & After Each Use | Very Needed |
| Clean | After Each Use | High |
| Full Clean | Each Month | Medium |
| Check By A Pro | Each Year | High |
Every time you use it, clean the bounce house with gentle soap and water, then make sure it’s fully dry to stop mold and germs from growing. Once a month, do a deep clean with a stronger cleaner and be sure all parts are totally dry.
Be careful not to clean too much, as this can make the fabric and stitches weak too soon. Change how often you clean depending on how much it is used – heavy use or being outside in dusty places may mean you need to do deep cleans more often.
"Regular maintenance isn’t just about keeping your bounce house clean – it’s about ensuring the safety of children and protecting your investment." – Safety in Inflatable Amusement Alliance
How Bouncy Rentals USA Keeps Things Safe and Fun
At Bouncy Rentals USA, we’re big about keeping our bounce houses in top shape. More than just washing them, we have tight rules to make sure each one is safe and ready to go.
Our team checks each bounce house for any electrical problems, air leaks, or other big issues. Small rips or holes get fixed right away to keep things safe and help the bounce house last longer. This quick action stops small problems from turning into bigger ones that could ruin your fun.
We also do deep cleaning with strong cleaners that kill germs, mold, and other bad stuff without hurting the bounce house material. We pay extra attention to parts that tie down the house and areas that get a lot of touches during parties.
"The key to keeping your best price bounce house safe is routine checks and adherence to safety regulations for bounce houses." – Hero Kiddo Inflatables
When you rent from Bouncy Rentals USA, you can be sure your gear has been well kept by pros who put safety and clean first. Our group takes care of it all, from set up to safety checks. We also have extra inflatables ready to make sure your event runs smooth.
End Note
Taking time to fold and keep your bounce house right is not just about making it easy – it’s about keeping your money safe and making sure it stays fun and sound for many years. With the steps we’ve talked about, you can really help your inflatable last longer and keep it looking great.
Think on this: every day, over 30 kids get hurt because of inflatables. This shows why looking after your gear is not just for it to last long – it’s for safety too. Melissa Luxton, who works on hurt help and keeps people safe at Banner – University Medicine, says it well:
"If you own the bounce house, clean it regularly and store it properly to extend its life and keep it safe for future use".
By making sure you clean well, dry fully, fold with care, and store right, you can skip costly fixes and keep your bounce house safe for fun. Check it often to spot small problems before they turn into big, expensive ones.
If you’d like to hand off the upkeep to experts, Bouncy Rentals USA can help. They provide clean, insured gear that experts look after. They handle everything from washing to storing and safety checks, so you can work on making your events great. Whether it’s yours or rented, taking good care of your bounce house means safe, long-lasting joy at every party.
FAQs
How can I know if my bounce house needs a pro fix or if I can fix it by myself?
If your bounce house has huge rips, big harm, or keeps leaking air and you can’t find or fix it fast, you might need to call a pro. Things like seams tearing or the material getting very worn can make the bounce house less safe and weak. In these cases, getting a pro to fix it is the best and safest way.
Rely on skilled fix teams to make your bounce house good as new and safe for long use.
