How to Care for Holiday Inflatables

Measure your outdoor space and choose Christmas inflatables or Halloween inflatables that will fit into your decorating scheme without making your yard look crowded. Consider the inflatable's height, width and depth. Leave enough space between inflatables so they won't bump into each other if they sway in the wind. Keep them away from tree branches or anything else that could catch or tear their fabric shells. Allow for some clearance around each inflatable in your display, so there’s nothing nearby to cause damage if happens to tip over.

Keep the inflatable near an electrical outlet. You’ll probably need an outdoor extension cord to plug it in.

Make sure there’s nothing around the fan that comes with your inflatable that might obstruct the air flow, so your decoration will blow up properly and the fan won’t be overworked. Unroll the inflatable so it’s flat on the ground before inflating it.

Once you’ve inflated your decoration, use the included tethers to stake it, following the manufacturer’s directions. These will help keep it grounded when strong winds blow. Most manufacturers recommend unplugging your inflatables after running them for eight hours at a time. This can help your blower motor last longer.

Most inflatable yard decorations are made from durable, waterproof nylon or other synthetic materials, so they can resist rain. For best results, keep them out of low areas where puddles form. Keep them clean by avoiding locations where mud might splash on them when it rains. If your inflatable stops working or works intermittently during bad weather, unplug it and take it inside to dry until the weather improves.

Inflatables are generally snow-resistant too, but some manufacturers recommend moving them inside if the temperatures drop well below freezing. Again, see your manufacturer's instructions for details. Most should also come inside temporarily if there are several days of heavy snow.

If your inflatable deflates in winter rain or snow, let it thaw completely before trying to inflate it again. Some inflatables come with patch kits so you can mend small tears. If yours doesn’t have one, try repairing it with duct tape or clear, heavy duty packaging tape. If you can apply the tape from inside the inflatable, as it will be less noticeable.

To clean the inflatable, wipe it with a damp cloth, such as an all-purpose cleaning cloth. Use a small amount of mild dishwashing soap if necessary and wipe again with clean water to remove the soap. Make sure the inflatable is clean and let it air dry thoroughly before storing it. Mildew and mold can form if it's damp.

If your fan stops working, make sure it isn't jammed with a twig or other debris. Also make sure your receptacle has power. If it has power, then there may be an issue with your adapter. Check your manufacturer's instructions for more information.

Keep the box and packaging your inflatable came in. Store all the pieces in the box at the end of the season, and you won’t have to search for them or buy replacements next year. Read the manufacturer’s instructions to see if you should close any zippers or vents before you put your decoration away.

If your original packaging is missing, use a storage bin with a lid that fits snugly. Christmas storage containers may be a good option.

Put the inflatable in the bin. Then place its owner's manual and small parts in plastic bags and add them to the bin. Label the bin so you won’t forget what’s inside and keep it in a cool, dry location. The next time you take out the inflatable, check again for tears, rips or holes and repair them.