How to Sanitize and Disinfect Public Playground Equipment
We know regular cleaning is an important factor in keeping public playground equipment, like that at your pre-school or child care, safe for public use. Sanitizing and disinfecting equipment is easy with the use of common household cleaning products.
Please refer to the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces guidelines to clean and disinfect your playground equipment.
- Always clean the surface with soap and low-pressure water (ie. using a garden hose, high pressure may damage paint and surfaces) before disinfection. Normal routine cleaning with soap and water removes germs and dirt from surfaces.
- To disinfect most surfaces, the CDC recommends using diluted household bleach solutions, prepared by mixing:
- 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon of water or
- 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application, ensuring a contact time of at least 1 minute. Rinse your playground equipment and let it completely dry before allowing it to be used.
Note: Bleach solutions may damage wood finishes, a disinfecting solution containing 60% to no more than 70% alcohol is recommended.
WARNINGS:
- Check to ensure all cleaning/disinfectant products are not past their expiration dates. Expired products will not disinfect properly.
- Check to ensure the product is compatible with the surface it is being applied to.
- Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser as toxic gases may occur.
- Wear the recommended protective gear when applying a disinfectant.
Using the above CDC-recommended solutions will not harm your playground equipment and your warranty will remain for its duration.