The season is winding down and your floats and air mattresses have earned their rest. What you do in the fall decides what shape they'll be in next summer: a float stored damp grows mold, PVC folded cold cracks, an ignored micro-leak spreads all winter. Here's the complete method to get them back intact.
Key idea: clean gently, dry completely, repair before storing, keep dry and away from frost. These four steps alone can double the life of an inflatable.
1. Clean without damaging the print
Chlorine, salt and sunscreen attack PVC and dull the colors. Always clean at season's end:
- Inflate slightly to stretch the material and reach every fold.
- Warm water and mild soap (diluted dish soap), with a microfiber cloth or a non-abrasive sponge.
- Never use solvent, alcohol or a scouring side: they erase printed designs and weaken the vinyl.
- Focus on the valves and seams, where salt and grime build up.
- Rinse with clean water and wipe dry.
2. Dry completely — the step everyone rushes
This is mistake number one. A float stored with a trace of moisture develops mold stains that won't come out, plus a stubborn smell. Dry it inside and out:
- Let the float dry in the open air, in the shade while inflated (direct sun cooks PVC).
- Open the valve and press gently to push moisture out of the air chamber.
- Turn it over if needed to dry the inner folds.
- Make sure not a single drop remains before the next step.
3. Find and fix a micro-leak before storage
A float that slowly deflates has a leak. Store it as-is and you'll find it dead in spring. The test is simple:
- Inflate fully, apply soapy water to the seams and valve: bubbles appear at the leak.
- Dry, then patch with a PVC patch or special vinyl glue.
- Also check the one-way valve: often the "leak" is a poorly seated valve, not a hole.
For the step-by-step method, see our guide on how to repair an inflatable float easily.
4. Store it right for winter
- Deflate fully and roll the float without sharp folds (hard creases eventually crack).
- Store it in a cloth bag or a cardboard box, never a sealed plastic bag that traps moisture.
- Choose a spot that is dry, moderate and frost-free: cold makes PVC brittle.
- Keep it away from rodents, which love vinyl: a closed closet or a rigid box.
- A little talc on the surface stops the PVC from sticking to itself.
What to throw away
Not everything is worth saving. Discard a float whose PVC is cracked over a long length, whose valve is broken, or whose seams are failing: the repair won't hold and safety is no longer guaranteed.
Spring check before reuse
Inflate, wait 24 hours: if the float stays firm, it's good. Check the valve, look for mold and inspect the handles before the first swim. A baby float deserves an especially careful check.
Closing the pool too? Follow up with our guide on how to winterize an above-ground pool.
FAQ
How do I clean an inflatable float without ruining the print?
Warm water, mild soap and a microfiber cloth. Never solvent, alcohol or an abrasive sponge, which erase the print. Focus on valves and seams, then rinse and dry.
How do I store an inflatable float for winter?
Deflate, dry, roll without hard creases, and store in a cloth bag somewhere dry, frost-free and away from rodents. A little talc stops the PVC from sticking.
How do I find a leak on an inflatable float?
Soapy water on the seams and valve: bubbles reveal the hole. Patch with a PVC patch. Also check the one-way valve.
Why dry a float before storing it?
A damp float grows mold and takes on a lasting smell. Dry the outside and the air chamber before any storage.
