Inflatables rarely wear out from use. They are ruined in the closet — packed away damp, stored in direct sun, or folded on a crease that eventually cracks.
Rinse first, always
Fresh water after every session, and without exception after salt water. Pool chemicals and salt both keep working on the material long after the fun stops. A hose is enough.
Cleaning what the hose misses
Mild soap and a soft cloth. That is the whole list. No solvents, no abrasive pads, no bleach, and never a pressure washer near the seams — the pressure that strips grime also strips weld integrity.
For sunscreen marks, which are the stubborn ones, warm soapy water and patience beat anything aggressive.
Drying: the step everyone skips
Both sides, completely dry, before it is rolled. Stand it up, flip it, get the underside. Water trapped in a fold is mildew by next month, and mildew in PVC is a smell and a stain that never entirely leaves.
If you are packing up at the end of a day and it is not dry, leave it inflated overnight somewhere sheltered rather than bagging it wet.
Rolling, not folding
Roll from the end opposite the valve so remaining air pushes out ahead of you. Rolling distributes the bend; folding puts a hard crease in the same spot every year, and that crease is where cracking starts.
Where it lives
Cool, dry, out of direct sunlight, off a concrete floor if you can. UV is what makes PVC brittle over the long run, and it does not need to be in use to be exposed — a slide stored in a sunny garage window is still aging.
Keep the pump, repair kit and straps in the same bag. The repair kit you can find in March is worth more than the one you buy again in July.
The pre-season check
Before the first swim of the year, inflate it and leave it for a couple of hours. If it is soft afterwards, you have a slow leak worth finding now rather than mid-party. Our repair guide covers how to trace it.
