Did Your Bounce House Get Wet? Don’t Worry, it’s Okay!
It’s a question nearly every bounce house owner finds themselves asking at one point or another. And it’s a question that opens the door for more questions, too. Can you get a bounce house wet? Does water hurt it? What do I do if one of my kids sneaks a juice box into the bounce house and makes a mess?
Some of you reading this might be looking at a wet bounce house right now and worrying, but rest assured, it’s okay. You CAN get a bounce house wet without damaging it. Though you should keep reading, because there’s some fine print to consider.
As a rule, water or moisture is no real cause for alarm, so long as you dry it up before storing the bounce house. But the amount of liquid and the type of liquid definitely matter here, and how you approach this situation should be based on those factors. So let’s dive in (no pun intended) and figure out how to handle a wet bounce house.
How Wet is Too Wet?
Apart from some combo bounce houses with wet and dry slides, most bounce houses are designed to operate dry. But Pogo bounce houses are crafted using heavy duty commercial grade vinyl, and are perfectly equipped to handle getting wet. Of course, the “all things in moderation” rule matters here.
So how much water is too much? You should never submerge any portion of your bounce house or attempt to use it as a pool. Broadly speaking, if you can remove the water with a bucket, it’s too much water. Water adds a lot of weight to your inflatable, which stresses stitching and can, at a point, cause damage.
Having said that, a stray water balloon or a little light rain isn’t going to do any real harm. We wouldn’t recommend doing so, but some parents have set up their bounce house near sprinklers, or even sprayed kids with a garden hose for funsies. That’s not likely going to cause any real damage.
We should also take a moment to point out that water can make things slippery, and that in turn can lead to an unsafe play area. So please don’t intentionally dampen or slick your bounce house. Bumps and sprains are no fun!
It’s Raining! Help!
I’m not sure what sort of training it takes to become a meteorologist, or how advanced their technology is. But I do know for a fact TV weather people get it all wrong often enough that I always keep a spare umbrella in the back of my Subaru.
For new bounce house owners, there’s little as terrifying as unexpected weather shifts. And you aren’t going to like our lightweight answer here, either: use your best judgment. Ask other adults present what they think. And if you’re still not sure, take the bounce house down.
Look at the sky. If the clouds are sparse and you’re confident it will pass shortly, you shouldn’t worry. If the clouds are dark and ominous or if the rain is heavy, you’ll want to ask everyone to exit the bounce house and begin the process of deflating it.
Having a few extra heavy duty tarps on hand is always a good idea, too. You could deflate the bounce house, cover it with a tarp, and then inflate it again after the weather passes. Though this will largely depend on how wet the ground is getting and just how long the rain keeps coming.
Also, it’s important to note here that ugly weather often includes wind, and wind doesn’t jive with safe bounce house operation. If the wind is picking up, remove everyone from the bounce house immediately and deflate it. Even a properly anchored bounce house can suffer damage in high wind, and it poses a threat to others even if no one is currently using it.
Handling Liquids Other than Water
Every parent with kids old enough to use bounce houses surely knows this already: children and liquids don’t always play well together. And believe us when we tell you that yours isn’t the first kid to spill something other than water in a bounce house. They definitely won’t be the last, either.
Apple juice, chocolate milk, soft drinks, a particular TV network’s trademark green goo … if it can spill, someone at some point has spilled it inside a bounce house. You should definitely know how to clean a bounce house (click that link and read that article if you don’t!). But should you immediately deflate the bounce house and scrub the heck out of it over some fruit punch? Probably not.
Having paper towels, a spray bottle of water, and some bleach-free disinfecting wipes on standby is always a good idea. Most spills can be handled without much else, so long as you clean the bounce house thoroughly later.
As long as the accident isn’t causing any safety hazards and eyes aren’t rolling skyward because of odors, you can just give it a quick temporary wipe down and that should hold you over until a proper cleaning later. Try to make a mental note of where the incident happened so you can give that area more attention while cleaning, too.
Can You Get a Bounce House Wet? Yes, But Use Your Best Judgment
A little water isn’t going to harm your bounce house. In fact, you’re encouraged to wash your bounce house thoroughly with water. But common sense should always prevail here. Too much water can cause an unsafe play area and harm your bounce house, so pay close attention to conditions inside and outside the bounce house.
If you’re interested in finding a vinyl crossover inflatable or a commercial inflatable built to handle water, we recommend taking a look at Pogo’s selection of inflatable water slides, inflatable slip and slides, and wet/dry bounce house with slide combos. Read product descriptions and you’ll see which ones work wet and which don’t.
If you need help finding inflatables and accessories, don’t hesitate to give us a call! Pogo’s team is ready and waiting to help at 716-566-5806. We’ll help you find the best inflatables for your yard and your needs, and help you navigate the sometimes confusing realm of inflatable accessories, too!