Most kids love play parks and playgrounds. And most parents know just how hard it is to get their kids away from them! But have you ever considered the dangers lurking there? Have you thought about the risks posed by germs and bacteria?
While we all know that germs are a fact of life and that children need to build natural immunity, we also want to protect kids from unnecessary suffering and disease.
If we have learned anything from the Covid-19 pandemic, it's that events can escalate alarmingly and that our health should never be taken for granted.
But it's not only about germs and illness: playgrounds can present a health risk due to slips and falls.
That's why RenWash takes the issue of playground cleaning seriously, and our specialist cleaning team uses its skills to disinfect and decontaminate playground equipment.
Read on to discover more about our playground cleaning service.
Whether in schools, parks or public spaces, playgrounds and play areas must be cleaned regularly as they accumulate dirt and grime from a variety of sources:
Exposure to the elements leads to moss, algae and other organic growth that can be slippery in wet conditions.
Everyone knows that most kids love to travel from A to B at full speed, and they are going to fall over at some point. However, if we can help them to avoid injury, then it's a good thing. That means eliminating the risk of slipping on green slime that gathers on the playground surfaces, such as wet pour rubber.
Although many parks and playgrounds place sensible restrictions on dogs entering the area, some don't - and some dog owners feel that these rules somehow don't apply to them anyway.
Aside from being vastly unpleasant, dog mess is a haven for bacteria that can cause severe illness.
However, dogs (or their irresponsible owners) aren't the only culprits: faeces from birds, squirrels, foxes and a whole host of wildlife can be found on playground equipment or the surrounding surfaces. These carry billions of bacteria that can cause sickness.
Alarmingly, the average set of playground equipment carries around 3,500,000 (3.5 million) colony-forming units (CFUs) per square inch. A CFU is what scientists term a 'viable bacteria or fungus', meaning that it is a potential source of infection.
In comparison, the average kitchen counter holds about 85 CFUs per square inch. The astonishing fact is that the majority of UK playground surfaces - both indoor and outdoor - are dirtier than the average toilet.
Worse still, many of these contaminants can survive on the metal and plastic surfaces for hours, if not days, particularly on indoor sites. And in the case of bugs like norovirus, they can remain a threat for as long as two weeks!
Aside from reducing the spread of sickness and keeping children healthy, cleaning playground equipment increases its appeal: few kids (or parents) want to hang around in an area that looks drab and dirty.
And if you are responsible for a playground, perhaps connected with a school or community centre, this reflects badly on your organisation as well as your personal reputation.
A clean, fresh-looking playground offers a more positive experience for all and the time spent there will be both mentally and physically rewarding.
All play areas are subject to rigorous safety rules, particularly those connected with schools, clubs or local authorities. These rules are in place for two reasons: to reduce the risk of injury and illness, and to limit any potential litigation arising from injury or illness to playground users.
It's vital that anyone responsible for a playground or play area follows these regulations to the letter, and that means they need to ensure that it is clean and hygienic at all times.
Cleaning companies like RenWash use a variety of methods to ensure that the playground is left spotlessly clean and safe to use.
It's a fairly aggressive method, but a pressure washer is effective at blasting away accumulated debris and organic growth from wet pour rubber surfaces. It also helps to rinse the area down quickly and easily after other cleaning methods have been used.
It's important that the machinery is used with care or there is a danger of damaging the granular rubber surface.
Soft washing usually involves the use of a specialist machine (similar to pressure washing) that sprays a solution cleaning solution at a low pressure onto the playground surfaces. This is left in place for up to an hour before being rinsed off thoroughly.
Although the solutions are safe, it is highly recommended that the area is roped off during the cleaning process and no access allowed until it is completely dry, just as an extra precaution.
During the cleaning process, the team will deep clean all surfaces using a cleaning solution. They will rinse this off with clean water after allowing it to sanitise the surfaces for a while.
It is essential that chemicals are used to kill germs effectively, but it is equally important that they are safe for use on playground equipment. There must be absolutely zero chance of these solutions causing chemical burns, sickness or injury.
All of the cleaning products used by RenWash are 100% safe and effective, and our team is fully insured and trained in COSHH regulations.
It's likely that we will use a combination of these methods to be certain that the playground is thoroughly cleaned and sanitised.
In addition, we will begin by sweeping the area to remove loose debris. Small stones and grit often become lodged in the granular rubber surface, and these can be a hazard. Brushing the wet pour rubber will dislodge these and sweep them out of harm's way.
Aside from regular cleaning undertaken by staff or those overseeing the site, it is highly recommended that you book a professional deep clean at least twice a year.
It is also necessary to inspect the area for signs of wear and tear annually, and perform necessary maintenance and repair work. Regular cleaning should be part of your daily routine, but a good clean every six months or so by a professional cleaning company like RenWash will go a long way to keeping the site clean, fresh and free from germs and bacteria.
As a matter of course, the area should always be roped off and signage erected to discourage anyone from entering while cleaning takes place. This is a standard safety procedure to avoid mishaps with machinery and trip hazards. The chemicals in use are eco-friendly and biodegradable, although prolonged contact may cause irritation to sensitive skin.
The procedure shouldn't take too long, and once the equipment and surfaces are dry, the site will be opened once again.
If you are responsible for playground cleaning and maintenance, call us now to discuss how we can be of assistance and to request a free quote.
We will determine the best method to use for your situation and advise you regarding the costs. We can even establish a regular cleaning schedule for your peace of mind, and this can be altered at any time according to need.
Playgrounds should be colourful, stimulating and fun places to be, filled with laughter and joy. They should help our children to be physically fit and mentally agile. They should also be clean and hygienic, without the worry of sickness and harm.
RenWash playground cleaning service can help you to make this a reality today.
Aside from regular cleaning undertaken by staff or those overseeing the site, it is highly recommended that you book a professional deep clean at least twice a year.
A typical playground cleaning service includes tasks like removing litter, leaves, and debris, pressure washing surfaces to remove dirt and grime, and sanitising equipment to ensure children's hygiene and safety.
We take safety and hygiene seriously and take all necessary precautions to ensure that the playground equipment is not damaged during cleaning and that it is safe and sanitary for children to use after cleaning. This includes using playground-safe cleaning solutions and tools, as well as properly training and certifying our employees in playground cleaning and maintenance.
We strive to provide excellent customer service and will gladly accommodate any special requests or requirements you may have for your playground cleaning. We will collaborate with you to develop a customised cleaning plan that meets your specific needs and keeps your playground in top condition.
