Trampoline is a toy that needs to be taken seriously.
We always think about how fun it is, and never about how dangerous it can be, especially if you don’t take care of it properly.
Besides, you know that these things aren’t cheap, so if you don’t maintain yours, your kids might break their bones, and you could go broke. I know a person who experienced both - it wasn’t pretty!
Now, the good news is that, with correct maintenance, a trampoline can last you decades and remain as safe as the day you bought it.
Today, I’d like to teach you all that you need to know about trampoline care and maintenance so that you can enjoy with your family and use it carefree for many years.
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What to Check?
Just like your car, your coffee machine, or any other appliance, you’ll need to check your trampoline regularly to make sure that it’s in good shape.
To do this successfully, you need to know all about the model that you’ve got and its most essential parts. Luckily, it’s no rocket science, and here’s what to keep an eye on.
By doing regular checks, you’ll avoid the potential dangers relatively easily. The crucial thing is to act as soon as you recognize a problem or signs of one.
For example, if you see that the mat is ripped, sagging, or anything similar, replace it before letting your kids jump on it. The same goes for the frame and springs; if you spot anything suspicious about them, replace the faulty parts before you let anyone use it.
These repairs are inexpensive, they shouldn’t take a lot of time, and will keep your family safe, which is the most important thing.
Trampoline Maintenance Throughout the Year
Since trampolines are outdoor animals, it means that they have to endure all kinds of weather. Winter snows and scorching summer rays both contribute to this object, but their effects are very different.
So, I’d like to educate you on how to take care of your beloved trampoline through each season.
1. Trampoline Maintenance in the Summer
Summer is the ideal time to set up your trampoline, so that’s why I’m starting with it. Beautiful weather and lots of free time for the kids means that the trampoline is going to get used a lot, so you better make sure that it is in excellent shape.
So, how does the heat of the Sun affect your trampoline?
Intense exposure to UV rays may slightly damage the canvas by drying it out. Just think about what happens to your clothes when you leave them out to dry in the sun for too long. To avoid or mitigate this issue, place the trampoline in an area of your yard that doesn’t get a lot of sun.
Do you have any trees? If yes, perfect. Put it close to a tree, but not directly under low hanging branches, because someone might hit them when bouncing.
Folks who lack trees and shady spots in their yard can set up some kind of a shade cover. A simple tarp could do wonders in this case - just cover the trampoline when you’re not using it.
Summer weather includes dry, rainy, and even stormy days. This dynamic of dry vs. wet takes a toll on certain parts of the trampoline, especially the canvas.
When the moisture created by the rain builds up and then dries in the sun, it can weaken the canvas. The discoloration is the first sign of the mat getting damaged, so be on the lookout for that.
My advice would be that you wipe away all the water as soon as the rain stops, and thus prevent the canvas from absorbing it.
Storms and strong winds may throw leaves or branches on the trampoline. Understandably, you need to remove them, but pay special attention to see if any debris has caught up in the springs.
2. Trampoline Maintenance in the Winter
We’re going to skip autumn and fast forward to winter. The reason for this is that autumn conditions are not extreme. Sure, it may rain a bit more, but stick to the tips given in the summer section, and you’ll be fine.
Ok, winter; where do we even start?
Snow and freezing temperatures will not let you jump on your trampoline, so you might as well pack it up until spring. However, this is not that easy as you imagine, as this task requires a lot of work and storage space.
If you want to avoid the trouble, you have two options: partially disassemble it or winter-proof it.
I’ll explain both in the following paragraphs.
When it comes to removing some parts, I’m specifically mean the canvas, the springs, and the safety net. These materials will “suffer” the most out in the cold, so it would be great if you could store them while leaving the frame outdoors.
Disassembling is something that I highly recommend to folks who live in areas that get a lot of snow. I’ll explain why later.
Winter-proofing the trampoline involves covering it with a waterproof tarp, so as the moisture from snow or rain doesn’t get to its crucial parts. This is a valid solution for regions with mild winters with little to no snowfall.
You see, when snow builds up on top of the tarp-covered canvas, it will put a lot of weight on it and will cause it to sag. If your area doesn’t get heaps of snow, you don’t have to worry about this, but you still have to clean any snow that falls on it.
3. Trampoline Maintenance in the Spring
After cold and sleepy winter days, it’s time to get active again and “fire up” the trampoline.
Not so fast, cowboy.
First, you need to check how’s the trampoline holding up. Low temperatures have surely taken a toll on it, so you’ll need to do a thorough check before using it again.
The metal parts need to be inspected for signs of rust or damage. Check if the springs are tight or if the frame has bend anywhere. After that, take a close look at the mat and see if there are any rips, tears, or signs of wear.
The above applies to people who left their trampoline outdoors during the winter. But what about those who packed it up?
Well, reassemble it! Duh!
Please handle all the parts gently and with care, because careless handling might damage them more than the winter cold. It is absolutely vital that you attach all the components correctly. If you have any trouble with this, consult the manual or people who can help you with this.
Before reassembling it, lay out the jumping mat and the safety net on the ground and check for wear and tear. I know I’m being annoying, but I can’t overemphasize the importance of this.
PRO TIPS
First Spring Use
When the trampoline is all set, the time has come to use it again. However, don’t just jump on it straight away, because you need to be 100% sure that every part is doing well and that it’s in the right place.
I would suggest that you start by sitting on the edge of the trampoline and then roll your way over to the center. Then, begin by gently bouncing in the sitting position. This is crucial because you’ll but much less pressure on it when sitting than when standing up.
Once you’re sure that everything works well, stand up, and try to jump around lightly for a few minutes. If there are no weird sounds or similar problems, everything should be fine, and you can let your kids on it again.
Weather-proof Models
Believe it or not, certain manufacturers make trampolines that they claim are weather-proof. This means that they can be used all year round, regardless of the weather conditions. If you’re a real bouncing enthusiast, I’d advise you to look into these models and see if you can find something for your needs.
Things You Should Know When Cleaning An Outdoor Trampoline
The best place where you can put the trampoline is outside your house so you can have enough space that allows you to jump higher. Knowing that not everyone has a large house, for sure you are afraid to use the trampoline inside because your head might hit the ceiling.
Though placing your trampoline outside can make the experience more exciting, cleaning it can be the problem especially if trees are around.
It is important that you clean the trampoline once in a while to prevent accidents especially if you allow your kids to use it. You have to make sure that you purchase a trampoline with excellent support if it is for your children to be assured that they are safe.
Trampolines easily get dirty outside because of dust and leaves. Regular cleaning is required not only to secure the users from unwanted incidents but also to check the parts of the device if they are still in good condition.
Listed below are some of the things you need when cleaning a trampoline.
Things to Prepare in Cleaning a Trampoline
Steps in Cleaning the Trampoline
Useful Tips that Can Help You Clean the Trampoline
If you see small spots or formation of rust on the springs of the trampoline you can make a solution that can help you get rid of it. You have to mix three parts of water into one part of vinegar. By using a toothbrush, scrub the affected area with the solution and then rinse it well.
You have to make sure that there is no soap left on the mat if you don’t want it to become sticky.
Old And Worn Out Mattresses Make Better Trampolines
Jumping up and down from the mattress brings in so many memories. Can you still remember the time when you were still a kid and one of the many things your mother would scold you because you used to jump up and around on your bed?
Well, your mother was not only concerned about your safety, she was also concerned about the condition of the mattress.
Things wore out in time and one of the best solutions than just throwing out old and scruffy mattresses is to repurpose them or better yet, in most cases there will be a time when there will be mattresses that one can mistakenly buy.
What’s It Made for?
A mattress or a bed is made for sleeping and jumping nonstop on it would damage the inner threading of the mattress. Growing up into adulthood, you will experience the freedom in shopping for your own household necessities.
Personally, I find it recreational to read things like the Leesa mattress review, it keeps my knowledge of the market current and lets me know that I made the right purchases for myself. One will experience the never-ending responsibility and soon, you will experience it with the love of your life.
Fast forward, the decision of expanding the household will come into mind because of the kids. One of the best ways to make out most of your money is to find things in them that can be suited for future use and just like in the mattresses; the old and worn out bed makes a good cushion or a trampoline for the active children inside the house.
Finding an alternative use for these mattresses would be the best option.
Planning Ahead
Probe on the things you’d like your future trampoline would be. A trampoline should be well cushioned and bouncy. Getting at least 4 inches of thickness in the mattresses would solve this dilemma.
Usually, a good taken cared off mattress would last for about 8 years. Using one of those memory foam mattress toppers that has a thicker diameter in height would solve this problem.
Mattresses come in different sizes and shapes, so it is wise to plan ahead and choose that would best fit your future play room for your kids. Children will always be active and do whatever they want to do as long as it is fun and exciting. Keeping them well cushioned and happy with their environment would surely lessen the load when it comes to keeping the children entertained.
Choosing what kind of mattress is very important. There are certain types of mattresses to choose from and some of them don’t make good trampolines when it’s already worn out. All of them are very comfortable when it comes lying down and sleeping because obviously that is what they are made of. Keep in mind the type of mattresses: Foam mattresses, Water Mattresses, Air Beds, Japanese Futons and Spring Mattresses.
Air beds don’t make good trampolines in the future because the latex will turn brittle and prone to holes. The same goes for water mattresses as it will be also prone to holes and without the water, there will be no cushion. Futons are also a no-no because they are only slightly thicker than the normal comforters.
Spring mattresses are not also qualified for repurposing because worn out springs never tend to pop up again. This can create an uneven surface for the mattress trampoline or even tore through the cover thus leading to injuries. The best type of mattress that can be used for future trampolines or even the brand new ones would be the Foam type mattresses.
Moreover, using a memory foam mattress topper that has the right thickness would determine how well-cushioned the mattress is. These type of mattresses has 3-4 inches in thickness are known to be very supportive even when worn out. One good choice would be getting a latex type mattress as an alternative for the foam types. The latex mattress is sturdy, well-cushioned, and less likely to cause skin allergies for the children.
Lastly, one of the advantages of setting aside old and worn out mattresses would be that not only it can be used as the main trampoline for the children; it can also prevent the kids from damaging their own beds. Repurposing various things one can find in the household can let you save more money when it comes buying what is really needed.
Revamping An Old Trampoline Into A Swing Bed
During some time in the years of the early parenthood stage, the children would want a tree house, sandbox, or a trampoline. Some of these things would wear out in time and it is such a waste to see all those memories of the children thrown out because of it uselessness.
The good thing though is that you can recycle those things and make new memories. Swing beds are becoming a trend when it comes to being an add-on to the yard. Not only that it has a unique look to it, it also brings so much class and beauty in an area or you can always turn it into the best baby swing ever.
There are numerous ways in re purposing an old trampoline and one of the most popular outdoor add-ons is the swing bed, they make a really good loft bed too. Too bad that these swings costs so much in local stores, but fear not with a little tweaking from an old trampoline, one can make his own swing bed in no time that can almost match up with those designer lounges.
These swings are for all ages and it comes with a cheap cost. All you need is a trampoline and a vast imagination in designing the swing bed.
Things to Prepare
Here are some important materials before building one:
How to Process
Step 1: Disassembling
Visualize what type of swing bed best suits the area. Find a standard size trampoline or any kind of size that can freely swing on the premises. There are two ways of setting it up: if using an old trampoline, just remove the legs. Or if it’s brand new, just assemble the trampoline without the legs. The important parts to recover from an old trampoline are its frame, mat, and springs.
Just unscrew each leg using a wrench or a screwdriver. Make sure scrub off the rust or oil it first before unscrewing. It is also an option to reinforce the frame of an old trampoline with padding. This can help keeping the frame flat and extra sturdy.
Step 2: Proofing
Flip the trampoline upside down as if the legs were in the air. This is the final position of the base of the swing bed. Cover each spring with the strips of cloths or the rope to avoid unnecessary injuries.
Trampolines tend to sag in the middle so make sure when adding the suspension ropes on the side, run the ropes underneath a couple of times and bring the ropes together to sag-proof the swing.
Step 3: Setting it Up
Find an area that has enough space to cater the swing bed. Use the sturdy chain as the connector to each beam. Make sure that each beam is also sturdy. One can either hang it from the veranda or from a tree. Creating steel beams is also an option, but make sure that the materials used for it are capable of carrying heavy loads.
Make sure to measure the desired suspension height of the swing. Most owners tend to have a chair height suspension. Suspend the base with braided ropes and reinforce it with the chains.
Step 4: Express
Decorate! This is the part imagination takes place. Lace up each beam with sheets and place in any cheap memory foam topper to cover up the mat. One can sew in different patches or different padding for the sides to reinforce the cushion. Adding mosquito nets can also ease up the experience especially when the swing is placed outside. Check out Maid Easy for more information about cleaning such things in a proper way.
Creating a tent for its shed would also be a good idea for outdoor setups such as-Indian tent by forming a tripod on the sides. There are many unique designs you can use as a guide in decorating. Design the swing into something that can match up the existing getup of the yard.
Lastly, the most important factor when building a swing bed is the vastness of one’s imagination. Be creative and enjoy while doing it. The outcome will always be something no matter how it looks. Research more on the latest designer lounges for ideas and start from there.
Conclusion
Ok, dear trampolinists, we’ve reached the end of this article, and now I’d like to leave you with a few last words.
Trampolines are not only amazingly fun, but they are a perfect platform for bonding with your kids. Also, they provide folks with much needed physical activity in today’s sedentary, screen-infested world.
Having said all this, I’d like to put the emphasis on proper care and maintenance, as they should be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about buying one of these products.
Taking care of a trampoline isn’t the easiest thing in the world, but it’s well worth it - just look at the smile on your children’s faces!
My name is Larry Dunn from Dallas Texas and I have a deep passion and love for the trampoline.
With many years of experience in the field of healthcare service, I have decided to start his own website which is about a trampoline.
With this website, I will share his experiences and expertise advices on different factors to consider when deciding whether or not a trampoline is safe for you and your family.