The buildup of oil on the surface of the bowling ball will cause it to move differently over the course of the game. This often makes the ball lose grip so that your throw is not optimal. Luckily, you can get rid of the oil with a little effort using ingredients you can find at home. With the right products, you can clean your bowling ball yourself at home and do a complete cleaning. You can also take it to a professional shop to be cleaned with an oil extraction machine.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning the Bowling Ball at Home
Step 1. Prevent grease build-up for easier cleaning
When the oil is fresh, it is much easier to clean. Wipe your bowling ball after each play to keep it in good condition. Bring a special ball towel for this purpose; and change the towel after each play to prevent the oil from sticking to the fibers and sticking to the ball again.
- Ideally, you should use a towel made from a lint-free microfiber cloth. The microfiber cloth will protect the surface of the ball and the lint-free texture will prevent the cloth from rubbing against the ball and affecting your play.
- For best results and consistent throwing, wipe the ball with a towel after each throw. When playing full length, you may need to change towels when the game is halfway through.
Step 2. Moisten a towel with rubbing alcohol
After completing your turn, the ball will feel warm as it rubs against the floor. This heat will create pores in the ball so it can be cleaned better. Alcohol can make the ball cleaner. So, use enough alcohol to wet a washcloth, then wipe the entire surface of your bowling ball.
After wiping the ball with a rag dampened with alcohol, turn the cloth over to the dry side or use a new cloth to remove any remaining liquid on the surface of the ball
Step 3. Clean the ball regularly
The longer the oil stays on the surface of the ball, the deeper it sinks, making it more difficult to clean. That way, wiping the ball after every throw will keep it clean at all times.
This saves you the hassle of using professional cleaning services, and helps you play more consistently
Method 2 of 3: Thoroughly Cleaning the Bowling Ball at Home
Step 1. Wait until you have finished playing in bulk
Total cleaning is known among both casual and professional bowlers as the “getting the oil off the ball” process. Basically, this process aims to get rid of the oil that has seeped deep into the pores of the ball after playing it many times. The number of games that need to be completed before doing a complete cleanup depends on the frequency and the path used.
- If you often play bowling on oily trails, you may need to do a total clean every 50 games. Meanwhile, the regular bowling lane means you only need to make a total clean every 70-100 games.
- If you notice a change in the motion of the ball in the bowling lane, it's a good idea to do a complete clean.
Step 2. Cover the finger holes in the bowling ball with adhesive tape
You must use a waterproof adhesive for this purpose. Water entering the finger holes can interfere with the ball's performance. Place the adhesive tape over the hole and smooth it out until there are no gaps.
To ensure that no water gets into the finger holes, you may need to apply additional adhesive tape to each hole
Step 3. Fill the bucket with hot water, then put your balls in
Oil is lighter than water so the substance and other impurities will be lifted from the surface of the ball when immersed in hot water. So that the water can seep into the pores of the ball, soak the ball for 20 minutes.
Step 4. Take out the ball, remove the adhesive and dry it
The soaked ball is in fairly clean condition. To prevent water on the surface of the ball from dripping into the finger holes, do not remove the adhesive tape first, then use a clean, lint-free towel to dry it. When the ball is dry enough, remove the adhesive tape and pat dry to remove any remaining liquid.
Method 3 of 3: Using an Oil Extraction Machine
Step 1. Take your bowling ball to a professional sports shop
Even if you are a professional bowler, you usually don't have a ball cleaning machine at home. This machine is basically a tank filled with water which is heated to open the pores of the ball and remove any permeable oil. You can find this machine at almost any professional bowling shop.
Step 2. Let the shop clerk clean your balls
This service is usually relatively inexpensive, and letting a professional clean and polish the ball will ensure it is thoroughly clean. In addition to cleaning, the shop clerk can usually point out any damage that you may not even notice.
Step 3. Wait for the ball to finish cleaning
The length of a bowling ball cleaning at a professional sports shop varies widely, but you usually need to wait around 90 minutes. If you have a spare bowling ball, that time can be spent in multiple games.
Alternatively, you can shop, do your homework, read a book, or play with your handheld console while you wait. That way, you won't feel bored while the ball is still being cleaned
Step 4. Play like a winner
Once the bowling ball is clean and shiny, it will have the same accuracy as a new ball. Don't forget to wipe the ball with a towel after every throw, and also clean the ball after each match to maintain its condition.
Tips
- Be patient as the cleaning process progresses, especially when you're trying to get rid of scratches on the ball. This process sometimes requires you to put in extra effort and use several cleaning products to get the desired results.
- Another way to clean bowling balls is to put them in an electric fume hood; the temperature inside the tool is in the range of 135 °C. Get the ball out every few hours; clean with alcohol and a dry cloth. This process takes about 5 or 6 hours, but the results are good.
- While Windex is a good product for cleaning polyester or urethane bowling balls, it's best not to use it for cleaning active resin balls as they can damage the outer coating and reaction of your ball.
Warning
- Avoid using the Luster King machine. These machines can leave a glaze on the outside of the ball and sometimes cause permanent damage.
- As a precaution against using cleaning products that are harmful to bowling balls, you may want to visit the home page of the United States Bowling Congress website for a list of safe ball cleaning and polishing products.
- You may need to wear a mask when using rubbing alcohol. The fumes from the cleaning fluid and its reaction to the oil can be dangerous, especially if you are in a poorly ventilated room.
