How to keep your play equipment clean

Posted on 13th May 2022 | Posted in Education, Helpful Guides

Keeping children’s play equipment clean is an important part of taking care of your play area. For nurseries and schools, an appealing play area is wonderful for a host of reasons. Colourful, stimulating play equipment encourages children to spend more time outside, and the benefits of that can work wonders for a child’s development – from helping to boost their immune systems to improving their peer-to-peer relationships.

Well-loved play equipment can get grimy quickly, particularly if it’s open to the elements. Dirty play equipment not only looks off-putting, but it’s also a risk to children’s health and safety. Regular cleaning means children are better protected against germs and bacteria, allowing them to reap the many great benefits of outdoor play without any health concerns.

So, how do you go about keeping your play equipment clean?

How to clean play equipment

Reduce germs on your play equipment by washing surfaces regularly. Stick with mild, non-abrasive cleaning products – in most cases, soap and water work perfectly for a quick clean when needed.

• Choose the right time for cleaning your play equipment that doesn’t interrupt children’s playtimes. After school is ideal.
• Make sure your equipment is clear of any debris or rubbish. Litter and any large pieces of dirt that have found their way onto the play equipment can be removed by hand and thrown away.
• Get a bucket of warm water and mix it with a small amount of a non-toxic, non-abrasive cleaner to make a foamy solution. You can use soap or washing up liquid.
• Soak a cloth, sponge, or mop in cases of larger pieces of equipment, in the soapy water and use it to wipe down the play equipment. Use circular motions to work off any dirt that’s stuck to the surfaces.
• Rinse the play equipment using fresh water. Have another bucket handy for this, or you can use a hose if possible.

Deep cleaning play equipment

While the above is perfect for regular cleaning, if your equipment has been a little more neglected or simply needs a deeper clean, there are a few additional steps you can take.

• If you have mould, mildew or any slightly more stubborn marks on your play equipment, mix in white distilled vinegar with your regular cleaning solution. White vinegar is a great, natural cleaning agent, and helps to clean surfaces, remove bacteria and lift stains.
• Bleach can be used to clean play equipment. If you opt to use bleach, make sure you take care by wearing gloves, not directly breathing in the fumes and not letting it touch your skin. Mix one part bleach to 10 parts water, use the solution to scrub with a cloth, sponge or mop, then rinse thoroughly.

Maintaining play equipment

A great way to ensure play equipment remains as clean and dry as possible throughout the day is by keeping it covered. Our wide range of nursery and school canopies and outdoor classrooms help protect play equipment no matter the season, creating an inviting, sheltered space for children to play safely.

Ultimately, the best way to ensure your play equipment stays clean and safe is with a regular cleaning routine and frequent inspections. Keeping your equipment clean encourages outdoor play, allowing children to enjoy the many social and health benefits that it provides, so keeping on top of it is essential.

Would a canopy enhance your school environment and protect your playground equipment? Check out our play area canopies, or get in touch today to find out how we can help you.