We know regular cleaning is an important factor in keeping public playground equipment safe for public use. Thankfully, cleaning 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.

1. Always clean the surface with soap and low-pressure water (ie. using a garden hose, high pressure may damage paint and surfaces) prior to disinfection. Normal routine cleaning with soap and water removes germs and dirt from surfaces and lowers the risk of spreading COVID-19.

2. 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 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.

Safe Practices to Decrease Exposure in Public Spaces

It is also important to promote safe practices that reduce the potential for exposure including posting signs at public gathering spaces highlighting the current CDC guidelines, including:

• Avoid gathering in groups.

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at a time.

• Avoid touching your face.

• If you’re sick with any ailment, stay home.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• When in public, maintain physical distancing of at least six feet.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw it away. If you don’t have a tissue, use your elbow.

• Clean your hands with a CDC approved hand sanitizer after touching public equipment.

By implementing mindful procedures, we can help stem the spread of COVID-19 together.

This article was originally published in https://srpplayground.com/playground-equipment-cleaning