Mum shares debatable way to dry playground equipment when it's been raining

"I'm aware this is wasteful but some of us are desperate for some fresh air and a change of scenery," mum Christin says in a clip sharing her simple but effective (and controversial) trick.

As the seasons change, (i.e. it starts pi**ing down on the daily), it means one thing for parents: more time with the little ones indoors. 

So when there's a glimpse of a break in the wet weather, most of us take the opportunity to grab some fresh air and release the cabin fever.

But then, as so often happens, we head to the playground... and the equipment is saturated. Cue: meltdowns (from parent and child).

But one mum has shared her trick for such emergencies, and it's as simple as it is genius.

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Credit: tiktok/@ckliney

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"Mum hack: bring a diaper to the park"

Christin Klineman shared her hack in a TikTok video online.

The mum-of-two says she brings a spare nappy with her to the park - but instead of using it for her kids, she uses the nappy to wipe down the equipment.

She says: "Mum hack: Bring a diaper to the park after rain to wipe down slides."

Christin demonstrates how absorbent nappies can be. It's a win for kids who are averse to water, and for parents who are averse to extra washing - or sacrificing their own dry backsides for their child's happiness.

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Nappies are too expensive to waste

Many viewers of the clip - which has been seen more than 100,000 times, noted that nappies were too expensive to waste in this way.

Here were some suggestions of alternatives:

"Better hack, bring a paper towel. These are too expensive to be doing this with."

And another: "I stick my kid in a waterproof onesie. He loves going really fast."

A third viewer added, "Just bring extra clothes. And let them get wet."

And we love this comment: "Hear ME OUUTTT a squeegee from dollar tree."

Even Christin admitted the hack was a little wasteful.

She said: "I am aware this is wasteful but some of us are desperate for some fresh air and a change of scenery."

Not an ideal situation. Photo: iStock

"I use my own bum"

Asking the mums on the Kidspot team, they shared:

"Truthfully, if I don't have a towel or baby wipes on me and my kids are DESPERATE for a slide / swing, I sacrifice my own pants and dry it off for them."

And this:

"I usually carry one of those square towels in my bag [also known as burp cloths...you can buy them in bulk and they are the most essential piece of baby kit EVER]. I use it to wipe off wet equipment. Or you know, the kid can just use their butt."

This story was published in April 2023 and updated in July 2023.

Originally published as Mum shares debatable way to dry playground equipment when it's been raining