How to Store Your Indoor Trampoline When Nobody's Jumping
So you've got an indoor trampoline. Maybe it's for your home. Maybe you run a small trampoline park. Either way, there comes a time when you need to put it away. Off-season. Renovations. Or maybe you just need a break from the constant bouncing.
I supply commercial indoor trampolines, so I've seen people store them in all sorts of creative (and terrible) ways. Let me save you some trouble. Here's what actually works.
Why Bother Storing It Properly? (Because Stuff Breaks)
Look, indoor trampolines aren't cheap. Whether you bought one for your Plaza Trampoline Park or a themed setup, you've got money in that thing. And if you just shove it in a corner for six months, bad things happen.
Rust on the frame. Springs that look like they've been through a war. A jumping mat that feels more like cardboard than rubber. Dust, humidity, and just sitting around can wreck equipment faster than kids jumping on it every day.
So yeah. Store it right, and it'll last. Store it wrong, and you'll be buying a new one next season.
Before You Put Anything Away – Clean That Thing
I know, cleaning is boring. But trust me on this.
Take a mild detergent and a soft brush. Scrub the jumping mat gently. Kids sweat. Kids drop food. Kids are gross. Get all that off. Pay attention to the corners-dirt loves to hide there.
Rinse it with clean water. Then let it dry completely. Not "kinda dry." Completely. If you roll up a damp mat, you'll get mold. And moldy trampolines are not fun for anyone.
While you're at it, inspect everything. Check the springs for rust or cracks. Look at the frame for dents or bent parts. If you find damage, fix it now. Don't wait until you're trying to reassemble it and realize one leg is wobbly.
Taking It Apart – Not as Hard as You Think
For most indoor trampolines, you'll want to dismantle them for storage. Saves space. Also prevents things from getting squished.
First, remove the safety net (if you have one). Then the springs. Use a spring puller if you have it. If not, pliers work, but be careful-springs can snap back and hurt. I've learned that the hard way.
Put the springs in a labeled container. I use old Tupperware. Write "Springs – [trampoline model]" on it. Future you will be grateful.
Next, take apart the frame. Most are designed to come apart easily. Remove bolts, connectors, whatever. Keep the small hardware in another labeled container. Nothing worse than losing a bolt and having to dig through a bin of random screws.
Where to Put All This Stuff
You need a dry, clean, ventilated space. Basement? Good. Storage shed? Fine, as long as it doesn't leak. Garage? Maybe, but garages get humid.
Avoid anywhere that floods. Avoid damp basements. Avoid that one corner of your storage unit that always smells musty.
Also, keep it out of direct sunlight. Sun fades colors and weakens materials over time. A temperature-controlled space is ideal, but let's be real-most of us don't have that. Just pick the best you've got.
Storing the Pieces Without Losing Your Mind
- The jumping mat – Roll it up carefully. Don't just crumple it. Use straps or bungee cords to keep it rolled. Then put it in a large storage bag or wrap it in a tarp. Keeps dust off.
- The frame – Stack the sections neatly. Don't throw them in a pile. Secure them with straps so they don't fall over and bend. If the frame is metal, wipe a light coat of oil on it. Prevents rust. (I use WD-40. Works fine.)
- The springs – Sealed container. Don't just toss them in a cardboard box. They'll escape. Label the container with the count. "32 springs." Because when you reassemble, you'll want to know if any went missing.
- Small parts – Bolts, washers, connectors. Put them in a ziplock bag. Then put that bag inside the frame stack so you don't lose it.
Extra Protection – Because Why Not
Even in a good storage spot, I like to throw a heavy-duty tarp over the whole pile. Keeps dust, bugs, and random moisture away. Secure it with bungees or rope so it doesn't blow off.
If you're storing in a shared space-like a public storage facility-consider a locker or cage. People are careless. They'll stack boxes on your trampoline frame. Don't let that happen.
Bringing It Back to Life
When the off-season ends, you'll need to reassemble. Reverse of disassembly. Frame first, then springs, then mat, then safety net.
But before anyone jumps, do a quick inspection. Check spring tension. Make sure the frame is stable. Bounce on it gently yourself before letting kids loose.
Lubricate any moving parts if they seem stiff. I use a silicone spray. Works better than oil.
One Last Thing – I Sell These Things, So…
If you run a trampoline park-Plaza, themed, whatever-and you need advice on storage or maintenance, hit me up. I've been doing this long enough to know what kills equipment and what doesn't.
Also, if you're looking to buy new trampolines? I can help with that too. But mostly I just like talking about trampolines without sounding like a robot. So email me. Or call. Whatever.
Store it well, and it'll bounce another day.