Chuck E. Cheese's Ballpits: Clean Or Filthy Fun?

Chuck E. Cheese's ball pits are notoriously difficult to clean. Former employees have reported that the balls are rarely cleaned, and when they are, they are put into netted bags and taken through a car wash in a pickup truck. Other sources claim that the balls are cleaned by being emptied into a mesh bag and washed in a dishwasher. However, it is unclear how often these cleaning methods are employed, as ball pits are notoriously difficult to clean and can be breeding grounds for bacteria. Despite the challenges of cleaning ball pits, some people may still view them as a fun and nostalgic activity.

The balls are rarely cleaned

The balls in Chuck E. Cheese's ball pits are rarely cleaned. In fact, one former employee stated that the balls are "never cleaned". When they are cleaned, the process is unconventional: the balls are placed in netted bags and then put in the back of a pickup truck to be taken through a car wash.

Another former employee stated that the balls were cleaned every Sunday. However, they also noted that there were two sets of balls, which were rotated, and that there was a third set in deep storage due to a high rate of attrition. This suggests that the balls were not cleaned very often, as there were only two sets in active use.

The balls were also described as being cleaned at the end of every month. They would be pulled out, placed on tarps, sprayed with disinfectant, and then piled back in. This process took hours.

Given the varied accounts of cleaning frequency, it is safe to say that the ball pits at Chuck E. Cheese were not cleaned regularly and that the balls were, indeed, rarely cleaned.

They are cleaned by being put in netted bags and taken through a car wash

Chuck E. Cheese's ball pits are cleaned by being put into netted bags and taken through a car wash. This method of cleaning is unconventional and is done infrequently. A former employee who worked at Chuck E. Cheese noted that the ball pits are rarely cleaned. The balls are placed into netted bags and put into the back of a pickup truck before being taken through an automatic car wash.

While this method may be effective in removing some dirt and germs from the balls, it is important to note that ball pits can still be teeming with disease-causing bacteria. A study conducted by the University of North Georgia examined equipment in children's physical therapy facilities and found over 31 kinds of bacteria that can cause various infections.

To address hygiene concerns, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, some restaurants have decided to suspend the use of ball pits or remove them entirely. McDonald's, for example, has gotten rid of ball pits in its restaurants, and as of 2020, Chuck E. Cheese no longer has ball pits in their establishments.

The cleaning process for ball pits at Chuck E. Cheese may vary depending on the location and the discretion of the management. Some employees have shared their experiences, stating that they would clean the ball pits by emptying the balls into mesh bags and washing them in a dishwasher. Additionally, they would have multiple sets of balls that they would rotate, allowing for a "clean" set to dry while another set was in use.

It is recommended that large ball pits be thoroughly cleaned and sanitised every 3 to 6 months, with daily cleaning of the balls. For smaller ball pits at home, it is advised to clean the balls after 2 to 3 uses and then conduct a thorough cleaning every 3 to 6 months.

Kids urinate and defecate in the ball pit

Ball pits are notorious for being unhygienic, and this is not helped by the fact that children often urinate and defecate in them. A former employee of Chuck E. Cheese's revealed that kids would often relieve themselves in the ball pit, and that it was rarely cleaned. In fact, when they did clean it, they would put the balls in netted bags and run them through a car wash. Another employee confirmed that kids would urinate and defecate in the ball pit, and that they would rotate two sets of balls, washing the dirty set in the same place that they washed the pans that made the pizza.

One employee recalled a particularly memorable incident of a child with explosive diarrhoea, which resulted in the entire playground section being closed off and the restaurant closing early due to the overwhelming stench. They also mentioned that when they did find vomit in the ball pit, they would pour cotton candy crystals on it to soak it up, making it smell like "strawberry puke".

It's not just at Chuck E. Cheese's that this happens. Parents have shared stories of their toddlers urinating and defecating in ball pits at indoor playgrounds and toddler gyms. While it's certainly an embarrassing situation for parents, it's important to remember that accidents happen and it's all part of the potty-training process.

The balls are washed in the same place as the pans that make the pizzas

Chuck E. Cheese's ball pits are cleaned infrequently and in unconventional ways. A former employee noted that the balls are "rarely cleaned". When they are cleaned, they are put into netted bags and placed in the back of the manager's pickup truck to be taken through a car wash.

Another former employee describes a similar process, where the balls are emptied into a mesh bag and washed in a dishwasher. The balls are then left to dry on the floor, where they "inevitably pick up all sorts of crap".

In one instance, a former employee recalls a time when a child had explosive diarrhea in the ball pit. The entire playground section had to be closed off, and the balls were washed in the same place that the pans used to make pizzas were washed.

They are cleaned once a month

It's important to keep play areas clean, especially those frequented by children. Chuck E. Cheese's ball pits are cleaned once a month, which is not as frequent as some other establishments, but the process is a thorough one. At the end of every month, all the balls are removed from the pit and placed on large tarps. They are then sprayed with disinfectant before being piled back into the pit. This process takes several hours and ensures that the balls are sanitised.

In addition to this monthly deep clean, preventative maintenance is also carried out. Every night after closing, an employee is tasked with identifying and cleaning any visibly dirty balls with disinfectant spray and paper towels. This nightly upkeep helps to maintain hygiene levels between the monthly deep cleans.

While the ball pits at Chuck E. Cheese are cleaned once a month, it is recommended that large ball pits be cleaned every three to six months, with daily sanitisation of the balls.

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