Cleaning trampoline, the most effective “old-style” method for cleaning a trampoline is actually warm water with mild detergent (the ratio is about 1 gallon of water to two tablespoons). In the process, first use a soft wool broom to clean up the loose garbage, then connect the garden hose to thoroughly wet the mat and soak up the stubborn dirt. Next, gently scrub the surface with a soft brush or sponge—don’t forget to brush the safety pad and spring, too. The last and most critical step is to rinse thoroughly with clean water, rinse all soap residues, and then dry naturally. If you want to remove mold, replace the soap with white vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 9 parts water).

Next, I will tell you the whole set of specific operation plans that I have used for more than ten years. Whether you want to do a simple spring renovation or save a moss-covered “disaster site”, this set of procedures will ensure that your trampoline looks like new and the structure is still stable.

Simple Cleaning of Trampolines

If your trampoline has just been taken out of the warehouse in winter, or if it is just a layer of ash and bird droppings, don’t come up and do “heavy cleaning”. What you need is a gentle set of procedures, focusing on the UV coating that protects the mat—this invisible shield is the key to preventing the plastic from becoming brittle in the sun.

What You Need

• Warm water: Many people will ignore this, but the effect of warm water dissolving soil is definitely better than cold pipe water.
• Mild detergent (such as Dawn): Oil removal is very effective, but the pH is neutral and will not corrode metal springs.
• Soft hair broom: Used to sweep fallen leaves.
• Soft Brush or Sponge: A serious warning here: Never use steel wool or hard grill cleaning brushes. I‘ve seen too many tragedies. Those things can cause micro-tears on the surface of the mat, and the mat is basically useless.

The 4-Step “Safe-Scrub” Method

1. The Dry Sweep

Before getting anything wet, remove the safety net (if it is easy to remove) or unzip the entrance zipper. Climb in and sweep out all the leaves, branches and pine needles.
Expert experience: If you skip this step, once you touch the water, those dry leaves will turn into mud like tea residue, which is not only difficult to clean, but also leaves permanent stains on the mat.

2. Pre-soak (The Pre-Soak)

Take a hose and drench the entire shelf—jump mats, pads, safety nets—all over. Let the water stop for about 5 minutes. This step is to make the dried bird droppings and caked mud absorb water and soften again, so that it can be easily removed without a deadly brush.

3. The Suds and Scrub

Mix your warm soapy water well. I used to divide the trampoline into four areas and wash them one by one. Scrub the jump pad in a circle. Don’t forget the pads: those PVC safety pads are usually dirtier than jump pads. Hand gently when wiping, too much action can easily crack the vinyl surface.
Interesting link: This is also a good opportunity to walk the baby! Give your child a sponge and let them slide around on a mat full of soap bubbles. Their weight and movement are just enough to help stir up the dirt and wash it cleaner.

4. Flushing (the most important step)

You must rinse until the water is completely clear. If the soap remains and becomes sticky after drying, the result is that it will absorb more dust next week, then you have been busy for half a day.

Deep Cleaning & Restoration

If you’re dealing with green algae, black mold, or sticky gum, detergent alone is not enough. However, bleach must still not be used (chlorine will directly destroy the polymer bonds of the mat, resulting in embrittlement). In this case, this is the number of fixes in the industry:

Remove mold, moss and lichen

Mold can make trampolines very slippery and extremely dangerous.

• Golden Ratio: Mix 1 part white vinegar and 9 parts water in a bucket or watering can.
• How to use: Hard spray wet affected area.
• Wait: Hang it for 30 to 45 minutes. Acidic environments kill fungal spores.
• Brush: At this time and then brush to brush, dead moss is easy to fall off.

Gum Removal

Sticky gum is annoying and tends to stick to clothes.

• How to do it: Get some isopropyl alcohol (medical alcohol) and pour it on a rag. Gently wipe the gum point, it will instantly dissolve. Wipe immediately rinse with water.

Can I Use a Pressure Washer?

On this question, my answer is: “Yes, but you must strictly abide by the following rules”:

• Low Pressure Only: Do not exceed 1500 PSI.
• Keep a distance: Keep the nozzle at least 12-18 inches (about 30-45cm) away from the pad.
• Wide-angle nozzle: Only 40 degrees (white nozzle) or 25 degrees (green nozzle) fan nozzle. It is absolutely forbidden to use a 1-degree red nozzle. It is no different from a laser cutting machine and will cut your stitches instantly.

Trampoline Safety Inspection

Since they have all been washed, it is convenient to have a check by the way:

• Is the spring stretched too much: At rest, if you can fit the 1 coin into the coil gap of the spring, then the spring should be replaced.
• V-ring alignment: Check the metal triangle ring (V-rings) that connects the spring to the cushion. If the stitches here start to fray and fluff, the life of this mat will be coming to an end.
• Safety net zipper: Is the zipper still smooth? If not, spray a little silicon-based lubricating spray (never use oily ones).

About the author: Mike

I’m mike, a certified backyard safety inspector with over 18 years of experience in outdoor equipment maintenance. More importantly, I’m a dad of two active boys who put our gear to the test daily. I specialize in practical, safe DIY solutions that extend the life of your backyard investments without expensive tools or harsh chemicals. When I’m not inspecting safety nets, you can find me in my own backyard, teaching my kids the perfect bounce technique.