If you own a couple of floaties that you have stored in your basement or garage then you might have a question in mind as to how long do pool floats last? The answer lies in the condition, material, quality and design of the float itself. If you have purchased a float that is made of vinyl along with the plastic, it is surely not going to last for weeks. The price range of a float does not determine the quality of the float, however legend has it that expensive floats with added features could last much longer than those of chapter counterparts. It’s just that if you have a Rolex to wear with original gold plating and diamond it turns out to be your asset provided how you are taking care of it.
The question of how long do pool floats last has much to do with how you are taking care of them, cleaning them and storing them. If you have exposed your floatie to the extreme heat of summer by choosing to keep it outside for days in the pool, it will expand naturally and eventually it will expire. Let’s talk about a few tips on how you can make your pool float to last a bit longer with proper care and cleanliness practices.
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Deflate after use:
Never show reckless behavior after buying an expensive pool float. You don’t want it to depreciate just like that within days or weeks. Inflatable pools may take a lot of space, instead of keeping them outdoors in open in the pool, all you have to do is just deflate them. It does not take much time to blow all the air out of it. Sometimes all you have to do is remove a cork from the air inlets to let the air out. Squeeze the remaining air from the pool and let it sit outside for a moment. Now just store it away.
Storage temperature:
The way you store your pool float determines its life span and performance in future water excursions. Instead of storing the floaties away along with other household accessories, you should keep them in airtight containers. Make sure to store them in a cool environment after that in order to prevent the vinyl and plastic from damaging due to temperature fluctuations. Too much heat can definitely affect the float to a great extent. Therefore, it is recommended to use vacuum-sealed plastic bags for storage options. If you have one too many pool floats, you may need to use plastic bags as an enclosure, seal them tightly and place them in a wooden storage box or container whatever is available at your disposal.
Sunlight and pool floats:
There is no denying that extreme sunlight and heat can damage the structure, shape and material of a pool float. According to science and a known fact, the pool air may expand when exposed to heat. It is fairly fine to bring your float out there to the beaches and pools, tuck on it and soak some sunlight. However, you should never leave your float in the pool for extended periods of times such as for weeks unattended. It does not matter what manufacturers have claimed regarding the quality and lifespan, if you keep your float exposed to the sunlight, eventually the air inside it will expand and your float will burst out. On the other hand, it is just fine to leave the float outside at night. Let’s say that you have been partying hard with your colleagues and friends all day long, now you are feeling tired after wee past hours and wanting to have your rest. If so, you can leave your float outside at night without worrying that the air will expand, in fact, you will notice that it has lost a lot of air overnight and may need to be inflatable again next day.
Harmful objects:
Whether you have inflated or deflated your pool float, you need to keep it away from all sorts of sharp-edged products, accessories and utensils. Sharp edges of sticks, knives and objects can cause tears and holes on the vinyl. If you store all of your kitchen accessories and knives in the basement, make sure to store your pool float at a safe distance so it does not get in contact with anything that can potentially cause damage to its material.
Proper cleanliness:
When you take your pool float to water there it is exposed to different chemicals including chlorine. Therefore, all manufactures of floaties recommend the user to clean the float right after use to remove chemicals from the surface. These water chemicals can break down the natural structure of vinyl which is a most commonly used material in most modern-day pool floats, barges and islands. Make sure to use a garden hose to rinse the inside of the float before you deflate them for proper cleaning. Also, make sure to dry the float for a few minutes outdoors before you put it in a box or container for storage.