How to Store a Commercial Bounce House: Winterizing and Off-Season Guide

Aug 04, 2026

Improper off-season storage is responsible for the majority of preventable bounce house damage — mold, rodent chewing, and PVC cold-cracking are all avoidable with the right storage process. The investment in proper storage extends the life of a $2,000–$4,000 bounce house by 3–5 years.

Quick Answer

Store bounce houses completely dry, loosely rolled (not tightly compressed), in a breathable bag, in a climate-controlled space at 40–80°F. Never store wet, sealed in plastic, in an unheated metal shed, or with rodent access.

🎯 Key Takeaways

PVC becomes brittle below 40°F — unfolding a cold-stored bounce house in the spring can crack seams; warm to room temperature first
Tightly compressed storage for extended periods sets permanent creases that become stress fractures; loosely rolled is far better
A climate-controlled self-storage unit ($60–$100/month) is the best off-season storage for multi-unit fleets
Store with cedar blocks or mothballs to deter rodents — a single mouse can destroy a $2,500 bounce house in one night
Perform a full inspection at pull-out before the season starts — there's still time to order patches before your first booking

Step-by-Step Winterizing Process

Final deep clean: Wipe all surfaces, rinse, dry completely (30+ minutes blower time)
Inspect and repair: Patch any holes now — small tears become large ones over winter
Deflate and fold: Fold in thirds lengthwise, then roll loosely from the opposite end of the blower
Bag and label: Use the original breathable storage bag; label with unit name and date stored
Store elevated: Keep off concrete floors to prevent moisture wicking; store on pallets or shelving
Condition quarterly: Unroll, inflate for 10 minutes, re-fold during long storage periods

⚠️ Important: Never store a damp bounce house even 'just overnight' — mold colonizes in 24–48 hours in warm conditions and is nearly impossible to fully remove from PVC.

Shop Commercial Bounce Houses →

Free shipping · Includes storage bag · BBB accredited

✓ Free Shipping Included on Every Order