A ball pit is a fun place where kids can play freely and let their natural selves shine. Many families even choose to make a special ball pit for their kids at home. So, keeping the ball pit clean and doing regular maintenance is an important thing every parent should know about. Whether you clean it yourself or hire professionals to do it, both are equally important.
Why Clean & Maintain a Ball Pit Regularly?
Ball pits are busy play areas. When kids play there, they might sweat, or accidentally drop food crumbs or drinks. All these things can easily make bacteria grow, and even bring in viruses from outside. Cleaning it regularly helps cut down on bacteria and germs, and lowers the risk of cross-infection.
When there are stains or spills on the ball pit surface, it also raises the risk of slipping and getting hurt. So, regular cleaning and maintenance not only keeps the ball pit dry and tidy, but also makes it safer overall.
Plus, if food crumbs, moisture, and dust build up over time, they’ll make the equipment wear out faster. Cleaning and maintaining it regularly can make the equipment last longer, cut down on replacement costs, and keep the ball pit in good working condition.
Ball Pit Cleaning Process
1. Gather Your Tools
Basic cleaning tools: Big bags or storage boxes, a vacuum cleaner, a broom and dustpan.
Cleaning and disinfecting supplies: Mild cleaner, disinfectant, a spray bottle, rags, a mop, disposable gloves and masks.
Ladder, soft-bristled brush, etc. (You can choose based on what you need.)
2. Empty the Ball Pit
First, take all the balls out of the ball pit and put them into bags or storage boxes. This keeps them from getting dirty or lost while moving. At the same time, clean out the bigger trash inside the pit—like toys, tissues, or food crumbs—to get ready for cleaning the main part of the ball pit later.
3. Clean the Ball Pit Itself
Vacuuming: Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up dust, hair, and small bits along the pit’s inner walls, bottom, and gaps.
Wiping: Wet a rag with diluted mild cleaner, then wipe the pit’s frame, rails, and bottom. For tough stains, dip a soft-bristled brush in a little cleaner and scrub gently—be careful not to scratch the surface.
Rinsing: If the pit is made of waterproof plastic or similar material, use a hose or a wet rag to wipe it again to get rid of leftover cleaner. Finally, dry the surface with a cloth.
4. Cleaning and Disinfecting the Balls
Washing: Put the balls into a big basin or bathtub in batches. Add diluted mild cleaner, then gently scrub each ball’s surface with a soft-bristled brush, or rinse them repeatedly with clean water. Make sure there are no visible stains.
Disinfecting: Let the washed balls drain, then put them into a container sprayed with diluted disinfectant. Gently toss them so every ball gets covered with the disinfectant evenly. Leave them to sit for the time stated on the disinfectant instructions.
Rinsing Again: After disinfecting, rinse the balls thoroughly with clean water to wash off any leftover disinfectant. This stops the chemical residue from irritating kids’ skin.
5. Dry the Balls, Check the Pit, Put Everything Back
Put the cleaned and disinfected ball pit and plastic balls in a place with good air flow and plenty of sunlight to dry. But don’t leave them in strong sun for too long—it might make the material wear out faster. Make sure all parts are completely dry before putting the balls back into the pit. This stops bacteria from growing.
After putting the balls back, check if the pit has any damage or loose parts. If there’s a problem, fix it right away. Also, count the plastic balls and add more if any are missing. This keeps the ball pit safe and complete.
Different Ways to Clean Balls
1. Soaking Cleaning Method
First, fill a prepared container with water and add disinfectant according to the ratio. Put the balls into the solution, making sure every ball is fully covered. Let them sit for about 15–20 minutes. Stir gently a few times during this time so all sides of the balls touch the disinfectant well.
After soaking, rinse the balls with clean water 2–3 times to wash off all leftover disinfectant completely. Then take the balls out and place them on a clean towel or drying rack. Let them dry fully in a ventilated area to prevent dampness and mold.
2. Machine Wash & Spin-Dry Method
Put the plastic balls into a laundry bag or a big mesh bag. Tie the bag tightly to stop the balls from falling out while washing. Choose the “delicate cycle” or “rinse cycle” on the washing machine, and set the water temperature to room temperature. If you need to disinfect them, add a little laundry disinfectant.
After washing, you can use the machine’s spin-dry function to dry the balls directly. Finally, take the balls out and leave them in a dry, well-ventilated place to air dry.
3. Wiping Cleaning Method
If the balls’ material or surface prints can’t stand being soaked in water, wiping is a gentler and safer way to clean them.
You can first wet a rag with diluted disinfectant, or just use kid-specific disinfectant wipes. Wipe each ball’s surface and gaps one by one to make sure all dust and stains are gone. After cleaning, use a clean rag to wipe them again to remove extra water. Finally, put the balls in a ventilated place to air dry naturally.
Of course, if you don’t want to spend time and energy cleaning them yourself, you can also hire a professional cleaning company to come to your home.
They usually use special cleaning equipment and safe disinfectants. They can not only clean a large number of ball pit balls more efficiently, but also do high-temperature sterilization and drying. This method is both hassle-free and hygienic, and it’s great for regular deep cleaning of home or commercial ball pits.
How to Maintain Your Ball Pit?
Keeping up with daily ball pit maintenance not only makes it last longer, but also helps stop bacteria from growing.
It’s best to put the ball pit in a dry, well-ventilated, cool indoor area. Avoid places with too much dust, high humidity, or direct sunlight. Before kids get in, they should clean their hands, and try not to bring food or drinks inside. After playing, clean up trash right away—this stops crumbs from piling up and causing bad smells or hard-to-clean messes. If you won’t use it for a long time, cover it with a dust cover or a big piece of cloth to keep dust out.
In daily maintenance, you can use a vacuum to gently suck up dust and hair from the balls every week, or wipe them with a dry rag. Do a soak cleaning or machine wash and spin-dry once a month to fully get rid of bacteria and tough stains on the balls. When cleaning, check if any balls are damaged, cracked, or have water inside. If you find problems, replace them right away—this prevents bacteria growth and safety risks.
If your space is quite damp, put moisture-absorbing bags at the bottom of the pit to soak up wetness and stop mold. After cleaning, make sure both the balls and the pit are completely dry before putting them away or using them again.
Cleaning and maintaining a ball pit isn’t a one-time job—it’s a process that needs regular checks and care. Instead of waiting until stains build up or the pit gets damaged to replace things, it’s better to clean up right after each playtime to keep the area tidy. Also, do a deep clean once a week or month, and replace any balls that are broken or misshapen right away.
After all, a clean, bright ball pit not only lets kids play with peace of mind, but also saves parents a lot of cleaning trouble later.
Let’s get started now! Check if there are small bits hidden in the pit, and feel if the balls have dust on their surface. Starting with this small step can keep your kid’s “happy little space” clean, safe, and cozy.
