Washing your Splash Pad

Our splash pads require some special care when washing due to the amount of absorbent and waterproof material. Following the tips on this page will help you get the most out of your splash pad!

Pre-soak to remove smells

We recommend pre-soaking your splash pad when possible. This can be done in most washing machines by interrupting the wash cycle once the wash basin has filled with water. Add a few cups of vinegar and baking soda to the water and let everything soak for a few hours. For soaking smaller items and personal use splash pads, this can also be done in a large bucket with a lid.

Any particularly set in stains or blood can be spot treated with a soft brush and sodium percarbonate (OxiClean™).

Load the Machine with Enough Items

It is important to make sure the washing machine has enough items in it! We recommend washing at least two splash pads at once. If you do not have two splash pads to wash, load the washing machine up with at least an equal amount of clothing or bedding to help balance the load. These splash pads hold an incredible amount of water and don’t like to let it go!

Wash Twice!

Set your washing machine to the largest size load for filling with water. This is usually called something like “Super.” You can run this cycle without detergent. If you pre-soaked in the washing machine, the vinegar and baking soda left in the basin will be enough.

Your washing machine should be set to a “bulky items” cycle. The key setting we are worried about is that the basin either spins slowly or not at all. Use cool or cold water for the first cycle.

On your second cycle, include your favorite gentle detergent in the wash. You may bump the temperature up to a low “warm” setting. Adding sodium percarbonate (OxiClean™) during this cycle can be quite useful in breaking down residual smell and staining.

The first cycle of washing is to remove as much urine as possible while the second wash will actually clean the splash pad.

Drying in Two Steps

You may tumble dry your splash pad on low heat. The bottom waterproof layer is made with polyurethane which can melt when the heat is turned up too much on your dryer. We like to use the “Casuals” or “Delicates” setting when tumble drying. Heat should be set no higher than “Warm.”

Your splash pad will only be partially dry after this cycle. Other clothing should be completely dry. We recommend laying the splash pad out or hanging it up to fully dry.

It is normal for the bottom waterproof layer to stick to itself after drying. Gently pull any parts that are sticking together apart. This is residual basting adhesive used in the construction of the splash pad and will naturally wash out over time.