How to clean a bowling ball at home

Having a clean bowling ball is important. After all, a dirty or grimy ball won’t roll smoothly and can make you lose points. Nevertheless, taking it to the alley for a professional cleaning adds up over time. The good news is that you can get your ball sparkling clean right at home with simple steps and basic household items. This guide will show you how.

What You’ll Need Before we get started, gather these supplies:

That’s it! With just those standard things you likely have around the house already, your ball will be fresh and clean in no time.

Steps for Deep Cleaning

1. To begin with, start by wiping down the entire surface of the ball to remove any obvious dirt, oil, or grime using a dry rag or cloth. This initial wipe-down gets rid of built-up nastiness before the deep clean.
2. Next, mix a solution of warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap in the small bucket or basin. After that, dip the shammy or ball rag into the soapy water until damp but not soaked. Gently wipe down the entire ball using the damp shammy, applying light pressure.
3. Now it’s time to use that plastic ball cleaner or rejuvenator. Follow the instructions on the bottle, but typically you’ll want to put a small amount onto a dry rag and spread it evenly across the surface of the ball.
4. Let the cleaner sit for 2-3 minutes to work its magic on any stuck-on gunk. Meanwhile, during this time, mix up a spray solution of 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water in your spray bottle.
5. Then, spritz the vinegar solution across the ball and let it sit briefly. The vinegar will help break down oil, dirt, and grime.
6. After that, using a fresh, clean rag or cloth, wipe down the entire ball to remove the cleaner, vinegar solution, and any lingering grime. Apply firm pressure and clean in circular motions.
7. In addition, for any remaining stuck-on stains or marks, make a baking soda paste by mixing a small amount of baking soda and water. Gently scrub this over the stain using a lightly damp rag, then wipe clean.
8. Finally, give the ball one final wipe down and buff it with a clean, dry cloth to remove any streaks and restore the shine.

That’s it – your bowling ball should look good as new! Nevertheless, don’t stop there…

Maintaining Your Clean Ball To keep your ball rolling smoothly and prevent build-up, follow these simple tips:

Frequently Asked Questions