Quick answer

Spot clean your AirFort with a damp cloth and mild soap, then let it air-dry completely before folding it away. Never put the fabric in a washing machine or dryer, and always remove the box fan before cleaning. A five-minute wipe-down after each play session prevents most stains and odors.

An AirFort gets used hard: kids crawl through it, snack inside it, and drag blankets in and out. That's exactly what it's built for, but it also means crumbs, sticky fingerprints, and the occasional juice spill end up on the fabric. The good news is that caring for an AirFort takes minutes, not hours, and you don't need special supplies.

This guide walks through the full routine, from a quick post-play wipe-down to deeper spot cleaning and correct storage. Follow these steps and your AirFort will stay fresh, look good, and be ready to inflate the next time someone asks for a fort.

What you need before you start

Gather a few basic items: a soft microfiber cloth or sponge, a mild dish soap or gentle laundry detergent, a spray bottle of plain water, and a clean towel. Avoid bleach, harsh solvents, and abrasive scrubbers, which can damage printed designs and weaken fabric over time. If you're cleaning a glow-in-the-dark AirFort, treat the printed surface gently so the glow effect stays even.

You'll also want space to lay the AirFort flat. A clean floor, a large bed, or a dry patio works well. Before you begin, unplug and remove the box fan. The fan is not part of the fabric and should never get wet.

  • Use only mild soap; skip bleach and abrasive cleaners
  • Remove the box fan before any cleaning
  • Work on a flat, clean surface so the fabric doesn't pick up new dirt

Step 1: Shake out loose debris

Turn the AirFort inside out and shake it gently outdoors or over a trash bin. This removes crumbs, sand, pet hair, and small toys before they turn into muddy smears when you add water. A quick pass with a soft brush or lint roller handles anything clinging to the fabric.

This step matters more than people expect. If you skip it and go straight to a wet cloth, you'll grind dry debris into the fabric and create a bigger stain than the one you started with.

  • Shake outside to avoid spreading crumbs indoors
  • Check corners and seams where small items collect

Step 2: Spot clean stains with mild soap

Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with lukewarm water. Dip your cloth, wring it out so it's damp rather than dripping, and blot the stain from the outside edge toward the center. Blotting instead of rubbing keeps the stain from spreading and protects the fabric surface.

For tougher spots, let the damp cloth sit on the area for a minute before blotting again. Repeat with a clean, water-dampened cloth to rinse away soap residue. Soap left behind can attract new dirt, so don't skip the rinse.

  • Blot, don't scrub, to avoid spreading the stain
  • Rinse with a clean damp cloth after soaping

Step 3: Air-dry completely

Lay the AirFort flat or drape it over a drying rack in a well-ventilated room. Let it air-dry fully before folding or storing. Depending on humidity, this can take a few hours. Never use a dryer, and never store the fabric while it's still damp.

Damp fabric stored in a bag or bin is the fastest way to get a musty smell. If you're short on time, point a box fan at the fabric to speed up drying. Once it's bone dry, you're ready to fold.

  • Skip the dryer entirely; heat can damage the fabric
  • Speed drying with a fan if you're in a hurry

Step 4: Fold and store it right

Fold the AirFort loosely along its original creases and place it in a dry bin or breathable bag. Store it away from damp basements, direct sunlight, and sharp objects that could snag the fabric. A closet shelf or a storage bin in a climate-controlled room works well.

If you rotate between themes, store each one separately so you're not digging through a pile. Keeping the fabric clean and dry before storage is the single biggest factor in how long it lasts.

  • Store only when completely dry
  • Keep away from damp areas and direct sun

Your AirFort cleaning routine, step by step

  1. Remove the fan and shake out debris: Unplug and set aside the box fan, then turn the AirFort inside out and shake it outdoors to clear crumbs, sand, and hair. Checkpoint: no loose debris left inside before any water touches the fabric.
  2. Spot clean with mild soap: Use a damp cloth with a few drops of mild dish soap, blotting from the edge of the stain inward, then rinse with a clean damp cloth. Mistake to avoid: scrubbing hard, which spreads stains and dulls printed designs.
  3. Air-dry fully: Lay the AirFort flat or drape it on a rack in a ventilated room until completely dry, using a fan to speed things up if needed. Checkpoint: fabric feels dry to the touch on both sides before folding.
  4. Fold and store dry: Fold loosely along the original creases and store in a dry bin or breathable bag away from damp areas, direct sun, and sharp objects. Next step: repeat the quick shake-and-wipe after each play session to stretch out the deep cleans.

AirFort products and how they affect care

  • The Original AirFort - Starry Night (Glow): Glows in the dark, inflates in 30 seconds by attaching to any box fan, and is inspired by Van Gogh's Starry Night. The glow finish is a printed surface, so clean it gently with a damp cloth rather than scrubbing to keep the glow even across the design.
  • The Original AirFort - Royal Castle: Child Safety Tested & Approved, and the box fan is not included. Because the fan is separate, you can remove it before every cleaning and store it away from the fabric, which keeps moisture and dust out of the fort.
  • The Original AirFort - Cabin: A slightly larger AirFort structure designed to fit kids and their friends for indoor camping play. The larger size means more fabric to lay flat when drying, so plan for a bigger clean floor or drying area after spot cleaning.
  • Light Buddy - Chicken Lamp: Touch-sensitive, 3-level dimmable LED lamp that is rechargeable and safe for kids' rooms. A rechargeable, cordless lamp is easier to wipe clean and safer to use inside a fort than a plugged-in light, so it pairs well with a freshly cleaned AirFort.

Cleaning an AirFort comes down to three habits: shake out debris, spot clean with mild soap, and air-dry completely before storing. Do that, and your fort stays fresh and ready for the next indoor adventure.