It’s Time to Put Your Water Trampoline Away for the Winter … Sniff, Sniff …

Believe us, we understand that it’s difficult for water sports enthusiasts to accept that summer is fading into the sunset. The hard cold truth, however, is that the end of September means it’s time to deflate your water trampoline or bouncer and put it into storage until next year. So stop sniffling, wipe away those tears welling up in your eyes, and read on for our cleaning and storage tips. We know you want to make sure your beloved inflatable lasts for years and years!

Inspection & Repair

Remove your trampoline or bouncer from the water and place it on top of a tarp on a level surface such as a driveway or grassy yard. Take care not to drag it, which may create small cuts or holes in the vinyl. Carefully inspect it for punctures or worn areas in the jump surface, deterioration of stitching or stretched springs, missing safety pads, or a sagging jump surface. Leaks can be detected by spraying the tube with mild soapy water and then watching for areas that create bubbles. If a leak is discovered or if any springs or pads are defective, these items should be repaired or replaced.

If your trampoline requires repair, repair patch kits including glue and simple instructions can be purchased on our website for minor holes or tears. Large holes, tears or seam failures can be repaired by our repair experts at our warehouse, so if this is the case give us a call at 1-800-659-0790 for more information. This is the ideal time of year to send us your trampoline that needs repairs to avoid the usual spring backlog.

Be sure to also remove and inspect the ladder, anchor harness ropes, glide, connectors, swivels, and other accessories. Check for fraying or deterioration of ropes and corrosion of any metal parts. Again, this is an ideal time of year to order necessary replacements parts so next spring you will be ready to go.

Deflate & Clean

Next, deflate your trampoline or bouncer using the deflation port of your high speed inflator / deflator and lie it flat on the tarp. Clean the vinyl using a mild citrus soap such as Lemon Joy liquid dish soap. Do not use petroleum-based cleaners or those with pumice, and never use a power washer as the high pressure water jet will damage your trampoline’s PVC coating. For stubborn stains, we recommend Speed Clean (sold on our website for your convenience), which is excellent for removing scuffs, chalking, oil, soot, oxidation, bird droppings, and other stains without damaging the vinyl.

This is also a good time to add an ultraviolet (UV) protectant to your trampoline so it’s protected next season. We also have these product available on our website, including 303 Aerospace for the top vinyl above the water line and Repelin for below the water line to prevent the attachment of algae, barnacles, and zebra mussels.

Storage

After the trampoline is clean, UV protected, and completely dry, fold it up by placing opposite sides to the center, folding right half into the left, and repeating, until it is in the shape of a thin rectangle. Next, roll it up tight like a sleeping bag and store it in a covered airtight container in a cool, dry location. Be sure the lid is secure to keep rodents out, plus placing mothballs around the area of the container will help keep the critters away.

Following these simple steps will help make your RAVE Sports™ water trampoline or bouncer last for a very long time. In fact, customers who have taken care of their trampolines are now sharing stories with us about the second generation of children jumping on their RAVE.