Trampolines sit outdoors year-round, facing sun, rain, wind, plus kids’ sweat, mud, leaves, and bird droppings. Without regular cleaning and maintenance, they not only look dirty but also age faster and become less safe. The good news: spending just 15-20 minutes every few weeks on simple upkeep can add 3-5 years to your trampoline‘s life. Let’s break it down into daily cleaning, periodic maintenance, and seasonal care.

1. Daily / Weekly Cleaning (every week or two)

Jumping mat: Use a soft broom or handheld vacuum to remove sand, leaves, and grass clippings. For bird droppings or mud stains, gently wipe with a damp cloth and mild soapy water (dish soap works). Avoid hard scrubbing that damages the woven fibers. Rinse with a clean damp cloth to remove soap residue, then air dry. Never use bleach, strong acids, or a pressure washer — they destroy polypropylene.

Springs and frame: Wipe away dust and leaves between springs with a dry cloth or soft brush. If mud splashes onto springs, use a wrung‑out damp cloth, then dry immediately with a towel to prevent rust. Wipe the frame tubes with a damp cloth, and check for rust spots (more on that later).

Padding: Padding surfaces are usually PVC or PE coated. Wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap. For mildew in the seams, use a 1:3 white vinegar/water solution, then rinse and air dry thoroughly. Do not soak the padding — the foam inside absorbs water and will crumble.

Enclosure net: The polyester mesh collects dust. Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment or wipe gently with a damp cloth. Do not machine wash or pull hard, which can distort the mesh.

2. Periodic Maintenance (monthly or quarterly)

Spring inspection and lubrication: Check for rust or loose springs each month (see our second blog post “Monthly Safety Check”). For light surface rust, sand gently with fine sandpaper, then apply a thin coat of rust preventive oil (WD-40 or bike chain oil). Avoid spraying the mat. Replace heavily rusted or deformed springs in sets.

Frame rust treatment: For small paint chips or scratches on the frame, sand the rusted area, then apply rust‑preventive primer and matching topcoat. MERSCO frames use double powder coating and resist rust well, but touch‑ups help where wear occurs.

Padding repair: Cover small cracks with waterproof repair tape (e.g., outdoor tent tape). If foam is cracked and exposes the hard frame underneath, replace the padding immediately.

Tighten bolts: Use a wrench to check all bolts and nuts, especially at frame joints and enclosure pole bases. Loose bolts cause wobbling and noises.

Clear drain holes: Some trampoline frames have small drain holes at the bottom. Make sure they aren’t clogged with dirt, or water will accumulate inside and accelerate rust.

3. Seasonal Care

Spring (after rainy season): Check for mildew, especially on padding and mat edges. Treat with vinegar/water solution. Also inspect ground anchors — freeze‑thaw cycles may have loosened them.

Summer (high heat & UV): UV is the #1 enemy of the mat and padding. If the trampoline won‘t be used for a few days, cover it with a UV‑resistant weather cover (MERSCO offers a dedicated cover). Kids sweat more in summer, so rinse the mat with a damp cloth to remove salt residue.

Fall (leaves): Accumulated leaves rot and grow mold. Clean with a vacuum or broom. Also check that no branches or debris have blown into the safety clearance zone.

Winter (non‑use): If you live in a cold climate and won’t use the trampoline for months, the best option is to disassemble and store it (though large models are cumbersome). Alternative: use a heavy‑duty snow cover and weigh down the legs with sandbags. Prevent snow from piling too thick, which can damage padding. If you occasionally use it in winter, clear all ice and snow from the mat — frozen surfaces are extremely slippery and dangerous.

4. What NOT to do

l Never use a pressure washer on any part of the trampoline (destroys mat weave and foam).

l Never use gasoline, paint thinner, or strong acids/bases.

l Never machine wash padding or enclosure net.

l Never leave heavy objects sitting on the trampoline for long periods (e.g., snow piles, flower pots).

l Never let pets scratch or chew the mat or net — claws cause punctures and tears.

MERSCO parts support

If your trampoline needs a replacement mat, springs, padding, or net, MERSCO sells genuine spare parts separately. Contact customer service with your model number and part number. With regular maintenance and timely part replacement, a MERSCO trampoline can easily last 7-10 years.

Shop on Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/brand/mersco/10047820

Shop on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/MERSCO/page/55B4E19F-1D0B-424B-96D3-24D29B996177

Or read our [brand story] to see how MERSCO reduces maintenance headaches from the start.