For kids, going to the playground is a delightful experience, and parents and other adults like seeing their kids put their electronics aside and engage in enjoyable, active play. What if, though, the dirty playset was the antithesis of all that excitement? Parents will at least immediately question whether taking their children to the playground was actually a good idea. Users of your playground shouldn't ever be able to categorically label it as "dirty," even though a little dirt on an outdoor playground is very natural.  

Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to keep your playground as spick and span as possible. The playground can be made safer for families by being properly cleaned and disinfected, which also helps to improve the playground's aesthetic appeal. Always check the manufacturer's instructions to ensure you're using the right playground cleaning supplies before cleaning any equipment.

Why It's More Crucial Than Ever To Keep Things Clean?

Since the beginning, keeping public areas clean has been a noble goal. Every time a child touches a piece of playground equipment, microbes can be left behind because there are so many little hands that can touch these surfaces throughout the day. Unavoidably, all that use can leave behind smudges and dirt that are easily visible.

The primary goal of several previous maintenance and cleaning strategies was to keep equipment shining by removing any visible dirt. Although it is a step in the right direction toward a playground that is appealing and hygienic, routine cleaning is insufficient.

Some germs can survive for a long time on surfaces. For instance, the influenza virus can survive on surfaces for up to two whole days. Despite the fact that germs are nothing new, the global epidemic has increased awareness of viruses and the damage they may do. The virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, is extremely contagious, and tests have shown that it can survive for up to three days inside on nonporous surfaces like plastic. That period is probably shorter outside.

Playground Equipment Cleaning to Get Rid of Grit and Dirt

Remove dirt and grime as a starting point for cleaning playground equipment outside. When a community loves a piece of playground equipment, it can get dirty quickly. Surfaces might become dirty and need to be thoroughly cleaned as a result of muddy or dusty shoes and sticky hands. To guarantee that playgrounds are cleaned frequently and retain their sparkle, playground operators should have a maintenance schedule in place.

All you need is soap, or detergent, and water to get rid of filth and grime. Some manufacturers advise against pressure washing playground equipment because the high-water pressure could harm the surface. Choose a lower pressure level if your equipment's manufacturer has given the go-ahead for power washing. Otherwise, clean the equipment with low-pressure water and soap using a regular garden hose.

To clean your equipment, adhere to the following fundamental steps:

  1. Prep: Warm water should be used as the base, and a tiny amount of mild dish soap or a nontoxic cleanser acceptable for playground equipment should be added later. Grab a sponge or a brush with delicate bristles. Additionally, you might want to put on latex gloves before you begin cleaning. Utilizing nontoxic cleaning supplies labelled safe for playground equipment is advised.
  1. Scrub: Apply firm pressure when wiping all the surfaces down after dipping your brush or sponge into the soapy water. Give areas with grime that has adhered, such as those with sticky spills or bird droppings, extra time to scrub. If your soapy water becomes too filthy, replace it before washing the rest of the playground. If the equipment is particularly filthy, you might rinse it to remove the majority of the dirt before scrubbing.
  1. Rinse: After cleaning the playset, give it a thorough water rinse. For this, a sizable bucket or a garden hose work well. If there is still dirt or grime after rinsing, scrub it off and repeat the rinsing process. Before letting kids play on the equipment, let it air dry to ensure there are no slick spots.

Cleaning to Remove Mold and Mildew

Playsets and other outdoor surfaces can support the growth of mildew and other types of mould. You are more likely to see mould spots on a playset if it has been abandoned and hasn't been cleaned in a while, so take action to get rid of them as soon as you can. Starting with soap and water can help you get rid of any mould that is now apparent.

Even if it appears that the mould has completely disappeared after this initial cleaning phase, you should endeavour to remove any mould that is still visible on the surface. You have a few alternatives for this stage, but make sure to only use one at a time and avoid combining any of them:

Bleach solution:  Mold can be killed with a bleach solution. Try a higher concentration of bleach than the bleach solution used for general disinfecting if you're only spot treating. Use a sponge or brush to apply the bleach solution to the affected area after combining water and bleach in a one-to-one ratio. While doing this, be sure to wear gloves, and make sure the material is safe before using bleach. Observe the instructions from the manufacturer. After removing the mould with bleach, rinse the apparatus and let it air dry.

Vinegar: The acetic acid in vinegar allows it to kill most varieties of mould on nonporous surfaces, such as plastic playground equipment. Vinegar's acetic acid makes it effective at killing most mould types on nonporous surfaces, such as plastic playground equipment. Consider using bleach or a cleaner made specifically for mould before using vinegar, because some types have not been demonstrated to be resistant to it. If using vinegar, put undiluted white vinegar with a minimum acetic acid content of 5% in a spray bottle. Before rinsing off the mouldy area, spray it and let it sit for an hour. Verify once more that using vinegar on the equipment is safe by checking the manufacturer's instructions twice.

Mold removal spray: Spray to get rid of mould Use a spray created specifically to kill mould and mildew, as long as the manufacturer advises it. This is one of the best options.

This includes, for instance, a variety of bathroom sprays for cleaning showers and tubs. Sprays for different surfaces are also available that are designed to remove mould. Whether you're cleaning plastic or metal playground equipment, use a product made for that material. Make sure you adhere to the cleaning product's directions.

You might wish to trim back trees or relocate play equipment if mould is a persistent issue on the playground in a particular region. This will help the area receive more sunshine. After being wet, surfaces can dry more rapidly if they are exposed to sunshine, so that mould won't be able to form there. Also, sunshine itself has the ability to kill mould.

Start With CRS's Safe and Sanitary Cleaning Playground Equipment

We at CRS value fun that is clean and safe. Maintaining a clean playground can inspire other playground users to do their part to keep it that way by demonstrating your pride in the space. Starting with high-quality playground equipment cleaning that has a layer of antimicrobial protection is a crucial step you can take in addition to routine cleaning and disinfecting.

One way CRS shows its dedication to safe and inclusive play is through PlayArmor. Request a quote right away to learn more about equipping your playground with CRS equipment.