How to Wash Ball Pit Balls: 4 Methods Compared

Washing balls is the job every ball pit owner puts off, and "how do I actually wash them?" is a question Soft Play Market answers every week. There are four practical methods. This guide compares them so you can pick the one that suits the number of balls you have and the space you've got.

What do you need to wash ball pit balls?

• A bath, large tub or paddling pool
• Warm water (comfortable to the hand, not hot)
• Mild washing-up liquid
• Mesh laundry bags or a large mesh basket (optional, but much quicker)
• Old towels or sheets to dry the balls on

Which washing method is best?

Method	Best for	Time for 200–300 balls	Pros	Cons
Bath soak	Home pits	About 30–45 minutes plus drying	No extra kit, easy to rinse	Wet bathroom, balls float and need pushing under
Mesh bags in a tub	Larger home pits, nurseries, venues	About 20–30 minutes plus drying	Fast to dunk, rinse and lift out, easy to batch	Need several bags; don't overfill or balls won't get clean
Wipe by hand	Spot cleaning a few balls	Slow for a full pit	No soaking, quick for a spill	Too slow for a whole pit, easy to miss balls
Washing machine or dishwasher	Not recommended	-	-	Heat and spin can crack, dent and misshape the balls

Timings are rough and depend on how dirty the balls are and how many you're washing.

How do you wash ball pit balls in the bath?

1. Take all the balls out of the pit and pick out any crumbs, toys or cracked balls.
2. Run a few inches of warm water and add a small squirt of mild washing-up liquid.
3. Tip the balls in and swish them around. Push them under so the whole surface gets wet.
4. Rub any sticky ones with a soft cloth.
5. Drain the soapy water and rinse the balls with clean water, using the shower head if you have one.
6. Spread the balls out in a single layer on towels and leave them to air-dry fully. Turn them once.

How do you wash ball pit balls in mesh bags?

1. Fill mesh bags about half full so the balls can move around.
2. Dunk each bag in a tub of warm soapy water and agitate it for a minute or two.
3. Move the bag to a tub or bath of clean water to rinse.
4. Hang the bags or tip the balls onto towels to dry.

This is the method most nurseries and venues use because it's easy to wash in batches. If you run a venue, our guide to how often to clean ball pit balls explains how to split washing across the week.

How long do the balls take to dry?

Usually a few hours in a warm, airy room, longer in a cold or damp one. They must be completely dry before they go back in. Balls put back damp trap moisture at the bottom of the pit, which leads to a musty smell and can cause mould. Shake a ball: if you hear water inside, it's cracked and should be thrown away.

What should you avoid when cleaning ball pit balls?

• Washing machines and dishwashers. Heat and tumbling damage the balls.
• Bleach and strong chemicals. They can damage the plastic and leave residue that small children will put in their mouths.
• Very hot water. It can soften and misshape the balls.
• Abrasive scourers. They scratch the surface, which then holds more dirt.

If you need to disinfect, for example after sickness, see how to sanitise ball pit balls.

Don't forget the pit

While the balls dry, clean the pit. Vacuum out any dust, wipe the inside, and wash the cover if it's removable. We cover this step by step in how to clean a foam ball pit.

When should you replace the balls instead?

Throw away balls that are cracked, dented, faded or won't come clean. Our 7cm balls are made in the EU from non-PVC plastic with no BPA or phthalates, and are EN 71 tested. They're sold in boxes of 750 at £142.50 per box (one colour per box), or as a mixed-colour pack of 800 at £178.80.

Frequently asked questions

Can you put ball pit balls in the washing machine?

No. Even on a cool wash, the drum can crack and dent them. Wash them by hand.

Can I use vinegar to clean ball pit balls?

Warm water and mild washing-up liquid is all you need for routine cleaning. If you want to disinfect, use a product labelled as suitable for toys and follow the label.

How do I dry ball pit balls quickly?

Spread them in a single layer on towels in a warm, airy room. A fan helps. Don't use a tumble dryer or put them on a radiator.

How do I clean balls from a dog's ball pit?

The same way. Just keep pet balls and children's balls separate, and throw away any that have been chewed or cracked.

More from Soft Play Market

• Ball pits
• How often to clean ball pit balls
• How to clean a foam ball pit