The Trampoline Care Guide: Cleaning & Maintenance Tips

Trampolines are an excellent addition to the garden, providing hours of active fun that kids (and adults) can’t get enough of. However, they require some maintenance to ensure they stay safe and can be enjoyed for years. Proper cleaning and checks can extend the lifespan of your trampoline and prevent an expensive replacement from popping up. With that said, let’s run through how to take care of your trampoline all year round.

How To Clean A Trampoline

Since trampolines are kept outside, they tend to get dirty quite fast, especially on those rainy days. We recommend cleaning your trampoline every couple of weeks, but you may need to spot clean in between to get rid of leaves, twigs, and other debris.

• Brush off any loose debris with a broom.
• Soak the mat and padding down. Avoid using a high-pressure washer as this can cause holes in the mat.
• Use a mixture of warm water and soap to scrub down the mat, padding, springs, and frame. There’s no need to use harsh cleaning products, but you may need a brush to get rid of more stubborn grime.
• You can apply rust protection to the metal components to protect them from the elements.
• If you have a safety net, use the same soapy mixture to rinse that and get rid of any build-up.
• Check for any damage, mould, rust, or worn-out areas as you go.
• Ensure that the trampoline is completely dry before letting anyone use it after cleaning. This is because the mat can become very slippery when wet, which makes jumping on it more dangerous.

Luckily, it’s quite easy to clean a trampoline, but it can be a big job. If your children are old enough, then delegating some cleaning tasks can be a great way to teach them about responsibility and looking after the things they love!

Trampoline Maintenance Checklist

To keep your trampoline in tip-top shape, you should be checking it over regularly to spot any wear or potential damage. Here’s a quick rundown of what to look for and how often.

Before Every Use

While it’s unlikely that a trampoline will deteriorate quickly, it’s still important to always check it over before every bounce session. This just ensures that everyone is safe and secure, and reduces the likelihood of accidents.

• Assess mat for holes or weak spots.
• Check pads are secure and not torn.
• Check springs are in good condition and secure.
• Ensure spring hooks are attached properly.
• Test frame for weakness or instability.

You should always supervise children playing on a trampoline, and we recommend teaching them what to look out for so they can tell you if they notice any issues.

Monthly Checks

Every month, you should perform a more in-depth inspection of your trampoline to check all of the components are safe and functioning properly.

• Rust and corrosion of the frame and springs.
• Damaged or bent frame.
• Tightening any bolts.
• Integrity of joints.
• Mat sagging.
• Ground condition and stability.

Caring For Trampolines Over Winter

During the colder months of autumn and winter, you’ll probably find the trampoline needs a bit more attention. When the weather gets wetter, there may be more mould build-up, especially if the trampoline isn’t used as often. Here are some of our top survival tips for winter:

• Get a cover to protect from falling leaves, storm debris, and snow.
• Tie the trampoline down. Winter storms can be surprisingly strong, and we’ve probably all seen the viral videos of trampolines flying away, so make sure yours doesn’t get swept away or cause any damage to the garden.
• Remove the safety net. This one might be a bigger task, but the net will catch the wind and make it more susceptible to being blown about.

Can You Use A Trampoline In Winter?

Yes! Although most kids probably won’t want to bounce as much during the chilly season, they can still use the trampoline. Just make sure to sweep off any snow and try to dry the mat as much as possible before they play.

A high-quality trampoline will be built to withstand the elements, so you don’t need to worry about leaving it out all winter as long as you keep up regular cleaning and checks. However, if the trampoline definitely won’t be used or is a cheaper model, then you might want to take it apart and store it inside until sunnier days.

How Long Do Trampolines Last?

A good trampoline can last up to ten years, depending on the manufacturer. However, you may find that you need to replace some of the components before them to keep your trampoline going. The mats and springs can be very durable, but they need proper maintenance and cleaning to get the most out of them. However, you can replace these if needed, so there’s no need to get a whole new trampoline if the mat needs to be patched up or you lose a spring.

If there are multiple issues with the trampoline, such as structural wear, worn out/creaky springs, sagging mat, and instability, then it is probably time to invest in a newer model. You can browse our range of trampolines to find different sizes and shapes from trusted brands.

Check out our trampoline safety tips to learn more about choosing the right trampoline and how to encourage safe bouncing.

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