Are Your Bouncy Castles Ready for Winter with These 10 UK Maintenance Tips?

For many inflatable hire businesses, winter brings a familiar worry: cold air, damp weather, and long storage periods. Will moisture cause mould? Will the material stiffen and crack? Will you pull a unit out in spring only to find stains, odours, or damage you didn’t notice before?

The good news is that most winter problems are preventable. With a simple routine, you can protect your bouncy castles, reduce repair costs, and make sure your equipment is ready to earn as soon as the season picks up again.

Below are 10 practical winter maintenance tips that experienced operators rely on.

1) Deep clean before storage

Before anything gets packed away, clean each inflatable thoroughly using mild detergent and water. Remove grass, dirt, food residue, and any marks that could set in during storage. Pay extra attention to entrances, step sheets, seams, and corners where grime builds up.

2) Dry it completely (no shortcuts)

Winter damage often starts with hidden moisture trapped in folds and stitching. Make sure the unit is fully dry before packing:

• If possible, fully inflate to open creases and help airflow

• Towel-dry any visible damp patches

• Let it air-dry longer than you think it needs
  

“Almost dry” is the fastest route to mould, staining, and unpleasant odours.

3) Inspect seams and stitching closely

Seams and stitching take the most strain during use. Check for:

• loose stitching

• small tears

• weak areas around stress points
  Repairing minor issues now prevents bigger and more expensive problems later.
  

4) Check high-wear areas for abrasion and thinning

Look carefully at the parts that get the most traffic:

• entrance/exit zones

• step sheets

• slide lanes

• crawl-throughs
  Watch for scuffing, thinning, or early signs of material separation. Mark anything suspicious so it doesn’t get forgotten.
  

5) Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space

A storage room can “feel dry” but still build condensation during cold nights. Choose a space that stays dry, and avoid:

• damp garages

• unheated sheds with condensation

• storing directly on cold concrete floors
  If possible, store units on pallets or shelving to keep them away from ground moisture.
  

6) Use protective covers to prevent dust and accidental tears

Proper storage bags or covers help protect the unit from dust, friction, and accidental punctures when moving other items around. A cover also helps keep folds stable during long-term storage.

7) Prevent rodents and pests before they become a problem

Rodent damage can be a costly surprise after a long winter. Reduce risk by:

• sealing gaps in doors, walls, and corners

• keeping the area clean (no food or rubbish nearby)

• placing repellents nearby if needed (but not in direct contact with the material)
  

8) Fold and pack carefully in cold conditions

Cold material can feel stiffer, so packing needs more care:

• avoid forcing sharp folds or tight creases

• keep folds smooth and even

• protect printed areas from rubbing
  Careful folding reduces weak points and helps the unit last longer.
  

9) Maintain blowers and accessories during the off-season

Your inflatables aren’t the only items that suffer in winter. Inspect and clean:

• blowers (dust build-up, loose parts, blocked vents)

• extension leads and plugs

• RCD/GFCI protection devices

• stakes, sandbags, straps, mats, and signage
  Store electrical items somewhere dry and off the floor.
  

10) Use winter downtime for repairs, paperwork, and planning

Winter is the best time to get ahead:

• book repairs early before workshops get busy

• refresh risk assessments and safety checklists

• confirm annual inspections/testing dates

• renew insurance and verify documents are current
  A few hours of admin now can save you from last-minute stress before your first big event of the year.
  

Final takeaway

Winter doesn’t have to be a “damage season.” If you focus on cleaning, complete drying, careful inspection, and proper storage, your bouncy castles will stay in better condition, cost less to maintain, and be ready to go when bookings return.

If you operate in a damp climate, treat drying and storage conditions as your top priority—because preventing moisture problems is always cheaper than fixing them later.