Clean A Bowling Ball

How To Clean A Bowling Ball in the Right Way

ByBowlingKnowledge Updated on

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned bowler, cleaning your bowling ball is an essential step in keeping it in good condition for the best performance on the lane. In this guide, we have discussed some tips and tricks on how to clean a bowling ball. Read on to find out.

Bowling is an incredibly popular sport that has been around for centuries. It not only requires skill, patience, and practice, but also the proper care and maintenance of your gaming gear and equipment.

In particular, cleaning your bawling ball is necessary for improving its durability, appearance, and rolling ability on the bowling lane. Ultimately, a clean ball translated into a better gaming score. But how exactly do you clean a bowling ball?

Pro Tip!

  • If you choose to clean your bowling ball at home, it is recommended to always wipe the ball immediately after each game.
  • The bowling lane is lined with wax to improve the ball’s rolling performance with every throw for the best bowling experience. Now you know where your ball gathers all the oil, dirt, and grime.

clean your bowling ball

1: Simple technique

To get started, you’ll need a ball towel (a microfiber cloth) and some alcohol or alcohol-based detergent. With all these ready and set, proceed as follows:

  • Wet a part of the towel or microfiber cloth with alcohol-based detergent. If you have a very small towel or microfiber cloth, you may want to wet the whole of it.
  • Wipe the surface of the ball with the towel. Ensure the wiping cloth is sufficiently wet with the alcohol-based detergent for a thorough clean.
  • Once the surface of the ball is properly cleaned, use a dry part of the towel or a microfiber cloth to wipe dry the surface of the ball.
  • After wiping the ball dry, double-check to confirm that the surface is properly cleaned. If not, consider wiping any remaining dirt patches with a piece of microfiber cloth or towel soaked in an alcohol-based detergent.
  • To keep the ball clean, this method should be repeated routinely, or else the grime and oil may harden and become more challenging to remove from the surface of your Bowling ball.

2: Thorough deep cleaning option

Ever heard of the “pulling the oil out of the ball” method of cleaning bowling balls? Well, it simply means cleaning the ball so thoroughly that all the oil, dirt, and grime that’s concealed on the surface are removed. It is best done after 50 to 100 games. Here is how it’s done:

  • Use waterproof tape to close all the finger holes on the bowling ball.
  • Add hot water mixed with soap inside a bucket and then dip the ball inside.
  • Try rolling the ball inside the bucket of hot water so that the whole ball is well-soaked.
  • Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the surface of the ball while inside the bucket.
  • After a thorough clean, it’s time to wipe the ball dry with a dry ball towel or a microfiber cloth.

3. Machine cleaning at the Pro Shop

If you don’t want to do the cleaning by yourself, then maybe you might consider taking the dirty bowling ball to the nearest Pro Shop for a quick but thorough thoroughly

The oil extraction machines at the pro shop are tanks of hot water mixed with detergents. The machine dips the ball in the hot water and then wipes it clean. Pretty much the same process as the second method, but this time done by a machine.

You will pay a small fee to have the ball machine cleaned at the pro shop.

Cleaning Finger Holes of a Bowling Ball

Cleaning Finger Holes of a Bowling Ball

Cleaning the finger holes of a bowling ball is an important step in maintaining its performance and longevity. It is important to be gentle and cautious when cleaning the inside of the finger holes to avoid damaging the ball. Here are some tips for cleaning the finger holes:

  • Do not soak the ball with the finger holes open or douse the inside of the finger holes with any cleaning substances. This can damage the feel of the finger holes and the ball's core and weight block area.
  • Use a dry, lint-free microfiber towel to wipe the inside of each finger hole gently. Make sure the towel is free of oils or other cleaning substances that may have been used on the cover stock.
  • Use your finger to insert the towel into the ball, making sure to wipe all sides of each hole and the rim of the finger hole as well.
  • Be thorough and take your time when cleaning the finger holes to ensure that they are properly cleaned and free of debris.

When should you clean your Bowling Ball?

when clean your Bowling

A clean bowling ball is critical for an improved gaming experience. If you want to get the best score by knocking down most of the pins with every throw, be sure to have it cleaned routinely. So, when should you clean your Bowling ball?

Before we answer that question, you might want to note that much of the grime and dirt on the surface of your bowling ball comes from the bowling lane surface. Well, as earlier mentioned, the surface of the lane is waxed to improve the ball’s rolling performance. That said, here’s how to tell when the ball is due for a wash:

  • When the ball starts to roll slower than it used to
  • If the ball is no longer hooking as it used to
  • If the ball misses more pins than it used to

There’s no set timeline for cleaning a bowling ball. Routine care is ideal. It is recommended that you wipe the ball clean after every game. That way, you won’t have to deal with excessive build-up of oil and grime on its surface. However, if you can’t do the routine wipes, then maybe you do a once in a month cleaning.

What do you use to clean your bowling ball?

For a thorough cleaning of your bowling ball, equip yourself with:

1. A towel or a microfiber cloth

You need these to help with the routine wiping of oil, wax, or grime from the surface of your bowling ball.

2. Alcohol or alcohol-based detergents

There are particular detergents that you can use to clean the surface of a bowling ball. The most common one is alcohol. You can also use Ball Cleaners which are essentially alcohol-based detergents.

They are usually referred to as ball polishers. Some, like Bet ball cleaners, are en, riched with degreasers and surfactants to facilitate the removal of stubborn dirt or grime.

3. Ball spinner

These simple devices facilitate the rotation of the ball while cleaning. Rotating the bowling ball in soapy water can get clumsy sometimes. That can make the whole process of cleaning complex.

However, with a ball spinner, you can focus on rubbing the ball’s surface with a towel or microfiber cloth during cleaning. Note that ball spinners are recommended for bowlers who play frequently.

Bottom line

Cleaning your bowling ball is not only easy but also essential for improving your gameplay. With a microfiber cloth or towel and alcohol or an alcohol-based detergent, you can easily clean your ball at home.

Besides improving the bowling ball’s appearance, routine cleaning also boosts its rolling performance on the lane, which then translates to better scores during gameplay.

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