Inflatables are a significant investment, both financially and for the livelihood of your business, and should be cared for as such. A few simple care and maintenance steps will keep your inflatables in tip-top form and damage free.
To prevent your inflatable from becoming a host for bacteria and germs you must clean and sanitize it thoroughly after each use. After an event, while the inflatable is still inflated, do a walk through removing any loose debris and trash. Once this has been picked up, sweep out the unit, the pillars and the netting.
After all of the debris has been removed the unit is now ready to be sanitized. There are many products on the market for this. One very good product frequently used on gymnastics and wrestling mats is Matt-Kleen. This is a very powerful product sold in concentration by the gallon. Follow the instructions to mix the sanitizing product that you have selected and spray down the inflatable, pillars and bounce floor completely.
This entire cleaning process will take only about fifteen minutes and will make sure that your products and your company maintains a clean reputation. Clean, presentable inflatables are a critical aspect to your business’ success.
In addition to removing debris and dirt, always do a check through the inflatable after every event searching for any damage, tears or punctures. If your inflatable does develop a tear or puncture this is repairable, but should be attended to as soon as possible. You first need to clean the damaged area thoroughly using rubbing alcohol and wait for this to dry.
For those inflatables with visible cross-weaving the tear can often be sewn up using a strong, industrial thread. If the material is smooth you will need to patch the area. Many inflatables manufacturers include a patch kit with your purchase. This way the colors will match and the patch will not stand out. If you do not have this you can purchase a wet/dry vinyl repair kit. These can be purchased at any pool supply store. Cut a circular patch a little larger than the tear or puncture. Apply a thin layer of the provided vinyl repair glue to the area around the damage on the inflatable. Apply the same glue to the back of the patch. Place the patch over the damaged area and smooth it over. Let the area dry for at least two hours before using or deflating the inflatable.
Keeping your inflatables maintained properly and repaired when necessarily will significantly increase their life span and present your business as a professional, high quality company. The steps are simple and take little effort and should be added to your procedure and process for each event.