How to Clean Ball Pit Balls | Step-By-Step Wash & Dry Guide

Ball pit balls are cleaned by washing in warm soapy water, rinsing thoroughly, and air-drying completely before reuse.

Whether you’re resetting a home ball pit or managing a commercial soft-play floor, the process is straightforward — but drying is where most slip up. Residual moisture promotes mold growth inside balls, defeating the wash.

What You Need Before You Start

• Warm water and mild dish soap or gentle detergent
• Large net bags (mesh laundry bags work well) or a clean bathtub
• A disinfectant that lists plastic compatibility on its label
• Clean towels and a well-ventilated drying area
• A second set of hands if working with more than a few hundred balls

Before washing, sort through the balls and discard any that are visibly damaged. Balls with holes or cracks trap water inside and become mold hazards — they should not be cleaned, since the bleach-based disinfectant guidance only applies to intact balls. Remove any loose toys, debris, or foreign objects from the pit too.

The Cleaning Process: Wash, Rinse, Disinfect, Dry

Health authorities recommend this four-step routine for both home and commercial settings.

Wash. Place balls in net bags and submerge in warm soapy water. Agitate by hand for several minutes, or let soak briefly to loosen dirt and oils. For heavily soiled balls, a gentle scrub with a soft cloth helps — but skip abrasive pads and aggressive solvents, which can damage the plastic.

Rinse. This is non-negotiable. Lift the bags and rinse thoroughly under clean running water until no soap residue remains. Leftover detergent leaves a film that attracts dirt and can irritate sensitive skin. If using a bathtub, drain and refill with clean water for the rinse pass.

Disinfect. For home use, a disinfectant spray or wipe labeled safe for plastics works well. Follow the contact time on the label — typically 30 seconds to a few minutes — before rinsing again. For commercial or higher-risk settings, Alberta Health Services recommends soaking clean balls in a disinfectant solution prepared per the manufacturer’s instructions. The International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene notes that a chlorine bleach solution of 200 parts per million — roughly 1 tablespoon of unscented regular 6% bleach per gallon of water — can be used after washing and rinsing, but only on balls without holes or cracks.

Dry completely. Drain bags well, then spread balls on clean towels in a single layer. Flip periodically so every surface dries. Do not return balls to the pit until fully dry inside and out — residual moisture is the primary driver of mold growth. Depending on humidity, this can take several hours, so plan ahead.

How Often Should You Clean Ball Pit Balls?

Frequency depends on usage. For a home ball pit with occasional play, a monthly wash-and-dry cycle is a reasonable baseline, with spot cleaning of visibly dirty balls in between. Many commercial spaces use ball-cleaning machines, which tumble and sanitize large volumes; these are acceptable if operated per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Rushing the dry step. Balls returned damp will grow mold within days. Wait until every ball is bone-dry.
• Using harsh chemicals. Solvents, high-concentration bleach, and abrasive scrubbers can degrade plastic or leave harmful residue.
• Skipping the rinse. Soap residue attracts dirt and irritates skin. Always rinse until water runs clear.
• Ignoring contact times. Disinfectants only work if they stay wet for the labeled duration. Wiping early reduces effectiveness.

If you’re shopping for replacements or setting up a new pit, our tested ball pit ball recommendations can help you pick durable, easy-to-clean options.

FAQs

Can you put ball pit balls in the washing machine?

Most ball pit balls are too large for a standard washing machine drum, and the agitator can damage them. Net bags in a bathtub with warm soapy water is the safer method. If balls fit in a mesh laundry bag, a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent can work — but always air-dry afterward, never machine-dry.

For a DIY option, a 200 ppm chlorine bleach solution (1 tablespoon of unscented 6% bleach per gallon of water) works on intact balls, after washing and rinsing. Let it sit for the recommended time, rinse, and dry fully.

How do you dry ball pit balls quickly?

Spread balls in a single layer on clean towels in a warm, well-ventilated area and flip them every 30–60 minutes. A fan speeds evaporation considerably. Avoid stacking while wet, and never return to the pit until completely dry — trapped moisture is the fastest route to mold.