How to look after your child's wooden outdoor play equipment

Usually, you will be given exact info on how to look after your specific set and the specific type of wood correctly with your assembly instructions - if not, there'll be some info on the brand's official website.

Generally, though, here's what you need to know about keeping wooden outdoor toys clean and safe...

How do you stop wooden play sets getting rot?

Most wooden swing sets and playhouses will be pressure treated - which basically means it's protected from nasties that cause wood rot, and insects that like to destroy wood.

Regardless, Argos recommends you apply a water-based wood stain (one that's explicitly suitable for use on kids' play equipment) once a year - just to be on the safe side.

You need to wait a couple of days to make sure it's fully dried before your kids go back to swingin' and slidin', too.

How do you stop wooden play sets from splitting?

You might notice little splits appearing in the wooden poles of your child's play equipment.

Plum, a brand famous for their large wooden outdoor toys, say that this is actually completely natural.

"Often, naturally occurring splits will appear in the poles," their official website states. "In warm sunny weather the wood shrinks, in wet weather it expands. These physical changes cause the cracks...

"Small openings and hairline splits will still occur when the dimensional timber becomes wet and then dries out. This can occur when the timber is doused in a rain shower then dries afterwards in the sun."

Most reputable sets will be built to withstand these regular cracks and they shouldn't affect the sturdiness of the frame - though if you're concerned, you should send pics to the manufacturer ASAP in order to get them replaced.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) confirms this - but notes that cracks shouldn't be bigger than 10mm wide, as your little one could risk getting their fingers caught.

(We've reached out to RoSPA for their take on wooden play equipment safety, and we'll let you know when we hear back.)

TP Toys, another classic swing set maker, simply advises parents to keep watch over their child's wooden frames - and sand down if cracks start to become a bit splintery.

"As a result of the natural characteristics of such wood products, it is vital that parents check their play frame regularly so as to identify any splintering or lifting of the surface layers of the wood or any exposure of rough wood due to changes in cracks and splits.

"Affected areas must be rubbed down using coarse sandpaper to restore a smooth, safe surface."

If you don't know how to do this yourself, there should be instructions with your frame. If not, leave it to someone who knows what they're doing!

How do you keep wooden swing sets clean?

Naturally, outdoor play equipment's gonna get a bit unclean from time to time - even if it's just a bit of rainy day gunk, mud or a few stray leaves.

To keep your child's set clean, wash with warm water (not piping hot) and a little bit of mild detergent or disinfectant.

Of course, your particular set might recommend other guidelines, so if you still have the instructions manual, do double check ?

You could also look into getting a big cover for the rainy months - just like you would for an un-used trampoline.

Looking after wooden swing/slide sets or climbing frames

Particularly with climbing frames or swing and slide sets, there are a few extra checks you should do every once in a while to make sure everything's A-OK safety-wise.

We think Dunster House, another wood-based brand, put it best on their website.

Here's what they say you should look out for:

• Check to see if the ground that the climbing frame rests upon is level
• Ensure that any ground anchors are securely fastened
• Inspect the state of the timber
• Examine the fixtures and supporting joints.

One last thing...

Don't be afraid to call up the company if you have any questions about their wood, or how to look after their equipment!

These sets are often expensive - and ideally, you want them to last a long time.

Besides, that's what Customer Services are there for, right? ?

Images: Getty Images

Read more:

• The best swings and slide sets
• 6 of the best outdoor and garden toys
• The best toys for active play - what mums think of them