Block Cleaning & Storage
“How do you clean the Blocks?” has been one of the most asked questions, even before the pandemic.
Whether wiping them down every few days or deep cleaning them two times a year, a 2019 survey showed us that our Block owners had a wide range of practices for frequency and depth of cleaning.
Imagination Playground Blocks are made out of closed-cell waterproof foam, and are resistant to mold, mildew, corrosion, and microorganisms. The Blocks can be washed and sanitized. What is the difference between cleaning and sanitizing? Be sure to check out websites from the professionals to answer that question:
American Cleaning Institute
Environmental Protection Agency
Center for Disease Control
Recommended Cleaning Products
We recommend the following products that advertise that they kill 99.99% of bacteria and viruses, and that we can confirm will not adversely affect the foam over multiple applications:
- PureGreen24
- Lysol All-Purpose Cleaner Spray
- Lysol Brand II Disinfecting Wipes
- Clorox Scentiva Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner Spray
- Dawn Dish Soap
- Clorox Scentiva Disinfecting Wipes
- Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
- Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes
Last Updated: 8/11/20
Now that you have thought through WHAT you will clean them with, here are some practical tips for HOW to clean your Blocks by size:
Small Blocks:
- Put all Blocks into the mesh bag. Dunk repeatedly and soak in antibacterial dishwashing soap. Rinse with clean water and air dry in a single layer. Dispose of water appropriately.
- Put the Blocks into the Small mesh bag and place in the top rack of dishwasher for a cycle. At conclusion of cycle, remove Blocks from bag and air dry in a single layer.
Medium Blocks:
- Wipe down with disinfectant wipes per CDC recommendations
- Fill 5 gallon bucket or larger with antibacterial soap and water per label instructions. Rinse with clean water. Dispose of soapy water appropriately. Air or towel dry, wait 4 hours before stacking or storing.
- Run through sanitizer or top rack of dishwasher. Air or towel dry, wait 12 (insert number of hours to dry) hours before stacking or storing.
Large Blocks:
- Wipe down with disinfectant wipes per CDC recommendations
- Fill large bins (hard side laundry cart, kiddie pool) with antibacterial soap and water per label instructions. Rinse with clean water in another bin. Dispose of soapy water appropriately. Air or towel dry, wait 4 hours before stacking or storing.
- Although not manufacturer recommended, some Block owners have successfully used powerwashing techniques for the Big Blocks.
Something fun to try with kids:
Small Blocks:
Play with the Small Blocks in trays of shaving cream. The foam sticks the Blocks together for even more building fun and the soap in the shaving cream will help keep it clean!
Medium and Big Blocks:
Create a “Block Wash” party. Use buckets or kiddie pools and have participants scrub the Blocks in soapy wash with a variety of brushes and rags, move to clean rinse, then to a drying station. Use timers to keep the Blocks in the soapy water long enough. Create a fun theme – car wash, frogs on a lily pad, dolphins in the ocean or anything else they can dream up!
Other ideas to consider:
- Build a volunteer schedule and host an online sign up for cleaning the Blocks. Examples of groups to target include scout troops, faith communities, and corporate volunteers.
- Print your cleaning protocol and have it available for facilitators that may get questions.
- Split Block sets into two, rotating daily to clean. Need some additional parts to help bolster your collection? Our reasonably priced Refresh Kits for Medium Basic and Medium Premium or Big Basic and Big Premium Blocks are a perfect solution.
- Provide easy to sanitize face shields to builders to limit face touching and the ability to put Blocks into the mouth. Real builders wear face and eye protection so this can be fun, not scary!
Each Imagination Playground block set is offered with at least one storage solution designed for it. Some sets offer multiple solutions.
If you bought a storage solution you are well on your way to ensuring a long and happy life for your blocks. If you didn’t, there are plenty of home grown solutions to keeping your blocks safe from sheds to good old fashioned laundry baskets.
No matter what solution you have decided to go with, here are some important tips:
- Do not leave your blocks out in the sun for prolonged periods of time. While they are designed to be used in any environment, are waterproof and UV resistant, the sun is a sure way to shorten to life of your blocks.
- Avoid Blacktop or paved surfaces. The oils used in these surfaces can stain blocks and the porous nature of the materials used can grate on the blocks like sandpaper wearing down the edges. Everything else is fine! Play on sand, dirt, grass, concrete, or any indoor surface.
- Cover your blocks! Especially when stored outdoors, critters of every type like playing with the just as much as the children. We have seen everything from bird attacks to ant tunnels dug into the blocks. Protect yours when they are not in play.
- Don’t store anything on top of them. Blocks stored under pressure can deform or have divots created in them. Often times they will rebound and assume their original shape, but why risk it. Just don’t put anything heavy on top of them and you are all set!
If you are interested in purchasing some of the many storage options from Imagination Playground you can choose from any of the following.
Storage Bag
Container Specifications:
- Approximately 3’1” L x 2’1” D x 2’1” H
- Weather resistant storage bag (not recommended for storage in extreme outdoor weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow, and freezing temperatures).
- Made in the USA.
Storage Cart
Container Specifications:
- Approximately 4’8” L x 2’3” D x 4’1” H
- For indoor or outdoor settings (not recommended for storage in extreme outdoor weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow, and freezing temperatures).
- Can be wheeled through standard-sized doors.
- Four swivel wheels for movement in any direction.
- Non-marking, urethane wheels.
- Made in the USA.
Call 678-604-7466 to speak to a play consultant or fill out the contact us form below.
Storage Box
Container Specifications:
- Approximately 4’4” L x 5’2” D x 5’ H
- For indoor or outdoor settings (not recommended for storage in extreme outdoor weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow, and freezing temperatures).
- Two-part container that can be used as open shelving or as closed storage.
- Constructed with durable, washable vinyl and a heavy duty steel frame.
- Four swivel wheels for movement in any direction.
- Two locking wheels for safety.
- Non-marking, urethane wheels.
- Made in the USA.
Call 678-604-7466 to speak to a play consultant or fill out the contact us form below.
Ready to Explore Small Blue Blocks?
We’d love to chat! Small Blue Blocks are the perfect solution for on-the-go or tabletop play—turning even the smallest surface into a world of creative possibilities.
Let’s talk about how Small Blue Blocks can bring big imagination to any space. Reach out today to get started!