How to Clean Bowling Ball at Home | Bowling Ball Cleaner Recipes

Learn How to Clean a Bowling Ball at Home like a pro and keep your ball in tip-top shape and always ready for action!

Are you having trouble throwing a strike? A dirty bowling ball might be the culprit. Over time, the ball collects dust and bowling lane oils that affect its performance. Proper maintenance and cleaning of the ball can help you overcome such issues. Here are some budget-friendly homemade bowling ball cleaner recipes to keep your bowling ball in top condition.

How to Clean Bowling Ball at Home

1. Hot Water Method

A bucket of hot water is a basic but effective way to de-grease and clean the dirt present on your bowling ball.

Supplies You’ll Need

• A Bucket Full of Hot Water
• Waterproof Tape

1. First, cover the holes of bowling balls with waterproof tape so that the water can’t go through.
2. Put the bowling ball into the hot water and wait for 10-15 minutes.
3. When the waiting period is over, take out the ball and wipe it with a clean, lint-free cloth or rag.
4. After that, remove the tape, and your ball must be as good as new.

2. DIY Homemade Simple Green Bowling Ball Cleaner

If the hot water trick is not working for you, this will definitely work. The method uses a combination of simple green and isopropyl alcohol, which makes it a powerful cleaner and degreaser.

Supplies You’ll Need

• Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner
• Isopropyl Alcohol
• Water

Instructions

1. Pour all ingredients in equal proportions into a spray bottle using a small funnel.
2. Shake the bottle for a few seconds so that the ingredients can mix well.
3. After that, spritz the DIY cleaner on the bowling ball and wipe the surface thoroughly with a microfiber towel.
4. Voila! Your bowling ball is now squeaky clean. But if the ball still has some oil, repeat the hack again.

3. Dawn Dish Soap Bowling Ball Cleaner

A bottle of Dawn dish soap is all you need to restore the appearance and performance of your dirty bowling ball. It works by breaking down and removing the oil, dirt, and grime that accumulate on the ball’s surface.

Supplies You’ll Need

• Hot Water
• Dawn Dish Soap
• Waterproof Tape

Instructions

1. Before beginning this cleaning method, close the ball’s finger holes with waterproof tape.
2. Add 5–10 drops of Dawn dish soap to a bucket of hot water.
3. Once the dish soap is mixed, submerge the dirty bowling ball in the bucket for 10–15 minutes or so.
4. Take the ball out of the water, clean it thoroughly under tap water, and pat dry with a microfiber towel afterward.

Why Do You Clean Bowling Balls?

Bowling balls must be cleaned periodically to ensure better grip, consistent performance, and a longer lifespan. It also prevents the balls from losing traction on the bowling lane.