Ball pits are one of kids' and children's favorite spots to play. But keeping a ball pit clean isn't an easy task, especially when you need to ensure safety for little ones like infants.
Why Clean the Ball Pit?
Infants and kids in a ball pit—even little crawlers—leave sweat, hair, and other things behind.If you don’t clean it promptly, bacteria will easily grow in the ball pit and harm the health of all young users. Additionally, taking good care of it can help the ball pit last longer and keep its bright colors.
Steps to Clean the Ball Pit
Step 1: Take Out the Balls
First, remove all the balls and place them in a mesh bag or a plastic basket.
Step 2: Sweep the Dust
Use a vacuum cleaner, broom or other tools to wipe away dust and dirt from the ball pit’s surface. Be careful not to miss the corner spots, as these areas can trap grime harmful to young users.
Step 3: Wipe the Surface
Prepare disinfectant water and wipe the surface with a soft cloth. You can wipe tough dirt over and over again to ensure it’s fully removed.
Step 4: Rinse
After wiping, rinse it fully with clean water to get rid of any leftovers. If there’s an unpleasant smell, you can use natural lemon water spray to eliminate it.
Step 5: Dry
Make sure the ball pit is totally dry before putting the balls back. Moisture can cause mold, which is dangerous for young users. You can let air circulate to speed up drying and prevent leftover moisture.
How to Clean the Ball Pit Balls
Below are detailed ways for how to clean ball pit balls. You can pick one based on the size and your situation.
1. Dishwasher Cleaning
This method washes ball pit balls thoroughly and doesn’t need hand washing, but it can’t clean many balls at once. It’s good for small batches, and each time it takes about 25-35 minutes.
Steps:
1.Place the balls into the dishwasher. Don’t overcrowd them, so each one gets a good wash.
2.Choose the right detergent and a gentle wash setting. Don’t use the drying function.
3.Take the balls out and let them dry in the air. Check for any leftover detergent before use.
2. Washing Machine Cleaning
This method saves time and effort to wash ball pit balls, but because there’s a lot of friction, it’s not suitable for thin balls that young users might chew on. Each cycle takes about 20-30 minutes.
Steps:
1.Put the balls into a mesh bag to prevent them from getting damaged during the wash.
2.Choose a gentle wash setting, which helps keep balls safe. If available, you can add an extra rinse to make sure no detergent residue remains. Don’t use the spin-dry or drying function.
3.Take the balls out of the mesh bag, wipe them with a towel or let them dry in the air.
3. Bathtub Cleaning
This method is commonly used at home, great for small batches of balls. It takes around 30–45 minutes per batch.
Steps:
1.Clean the bathtub thoroughly to ensure no dust or detergent residue is left.
2.Add warm water and a proper amount of mild detergent.
3.Pour in a suitable number of balls and make sure they’re the ones used regularly. It’s better not to fill more than half the bathtub. Twist the balls to make sure all of them are wet, then wipe the surface of the balls to wash away dirt.
4.Drain the soapy water and rinse with clean water until nothing is left. This prevents detergent residue from harming young users.
5.Use a towel to soak up extra water and let them dry in the air.
4. Disinfectant Wiping
This method is perfect for quick cleaning of daily-used balls. It doesn’t require professional tools and is simple to do, but it might not wash away deep-set dirt. It takes about 20 minutes for 200 balls.
Steps:
1.Make diluted disinfectant water, or select professional child-safe cleaning fluid.
2.Wipe each ball with a soft cloth. This helps wash off surface grime that could irritate.
3.If needed, wipe again with clean water to remove the cleaning fluid. No residue ensures safer play.
4.Place the balls on a clean towel to dry in the air.
5. Steam Cleaning
This method uses steam to wash and disinfect balls, great for killing germs that could harm young users. It’s simple to do, but it’s not suitable for balls with deep dirt. It takes about 10 minutes for 80 balls.
Steps:
1.Preheat a home or commercial steam cleaner. Make sure it’s set to a temperature safe for kids' toys.
2.Hold the steam cleaner about 6 inches away from the balls and move it to wash and disinfect them.
3.Wipe the balls and let them dry in the air. Ensure they’re cool and dry before play.
6. Outdoor Hose Method
This method works well to wash a large number of balls, ideal for busy use. You need to consider the weather, and it takes about 30-60 minutes.
Steps:
1.Find an open space outside, lay a waterproof cloth and put the balls into a large mesh bag. Make sure each ball can be spread out to wash evenly.
2.Spray detergent on the balls.
3.Use a hose with medium water pressure to wash them thoroughly. This removes dirt hidden in crevices and keeps young users safe.
4.Let them dry in the sun. Ensure they’re totally dry before bringing them back for play.
7. Commercial Ball Washer
This is a convenient option to wash a lot of ball pit balls, perfect for places with many children like daycares that also have infants. Just put the balls into the ball washer, and it will complete three steps: cleaning, disinfecting and drying. You can rent or purchase the machine, and each batch takes about 10-30 minutes.
Maintenance Tips
Apart from cleaning the ball pit on a regular basis, we need to take care of it in daily life. This keeps it safe for young users. For example, control the humidity to prevent mold, stay away from direct sunlight to keep balls from getting brittle, and don’t allow people to bring food into the ball pit since food crumbs attract bugs that harm little ones. These simple actions can help extend the ball pit’s service life.
Common Questions About Ball Pit Cleaning
How often should the ball pit be cleaned?
•It’s suggested to clean it once a month. If it’s used more frequently, you can adjust based on the actual situation to keep it safe.
What kind of cleaning agent is recommended?
•You can use detergent made for babies, mild neutral detergent, or products specifically safe for young ones. Avoid harsh chemicals that could irritate skin.
Can the balls be dried in the sun?
•Yes, but not for too long. This can stop the balls from getting brittle and misshapen, and brittle balls can break and pose a risk. Proper drying is key.
Is a professional team needed for cleaning?
•If there are a lot of balls or the ball pit hasn’t been cleaned for a long time, it’s better to find a professional team. They’ll use professional tools to wash and disinfect it thoroughly.
How often should the ball pit balls be replaced?
•Usually, it’s suggested to replace the balls every 12 months. The specific replacement frequency depends on usage, and you can check if there are cracks, deformations or other issues on the surface. Damaged balls are unsafe.
How to repair tears in the ball pit?
•For slight and moderate tears, you can use vinyl repair tools to fix it. If the tear is large, it’s better to replace the ball pit because big tears can trap dirt or cause accidents.
How to avoid odors or mildew on the balls after cleaning?
•You need to make sure the balls are completely dry after cleaning, as mildew is harmful. If there’s an unpleasant smell due to high humidity, you can use lemon water spray, diluted white vinegar or other child-safe items to get rid of the smell.
Do all the balls need to be taken out every time you clean?
•If it’s just a quick daily clean, you can take out some balls and wipe them. If you want to wash and disinfect thoroughly, it’s better to take out all the balls and clean them one by one to ensure no dirt is left.
Is it necessary to buy a commercial ball washer?
•Whether to buy it depends on the size of the ball pit and how often you need to wash the balls. If you don’t clean very often, you can also rent one to save money.
