Homemade Bowling Ball Cleaner Recipe

Tired of paying high prices for bowling ball cleaners? Check out these quick and easy solutions that won't break the bank.
Girl with pink bowling ball

Homemade Bowling Ball Cleaner DIY Style

Bowling is a popular sport enjoyed by people of all ages. Though it may seem like a simple game, bowling can be quite challenging. It is important to maintain your bowling ball in order to play at your best.

In this article, we show you how to make a Homemade Bowling Ball Cleaner that will help you keep your ball clean and free of dirt and oil.

Boy holds a ball at the lane in bowling alley

Easy Method to Clean a Bowling Ball

The easiest method by far is to use simple green cleaner and some rubbing alcohol.

This bowling ball cleaning solution works on all bowling balls. It will clean the finger holes as well as the entire surface of your bowling ball. Bowling ball cleaning was never simpler than using this simple green solution.

Simple Green Bowling Ball Cleaner Solution

simple green cleaner

This natural cleaner for bowling balls is not only efficient and low-cost, but it’s also USBC-certified, making it ideal for use with a bowling ball. It removes oils and other substances from your ball while keeping you from having to spend money on a commercial product.

3 Easy Ingredients

  • 1 cup Simple Green
  • 1 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1 cup of hot water
  • Microfiber towel

To clean a bowling ball, combine equal quantities of Simple Green, rubbing alcohol, and water in a spray bottle, and shake the ingredients together.

Spray the DIY bowling ball cleaner on the surface of your bowling ball and wipe it with a microfiber cloth.

Make sure you use a clean towel and a dry towel to wipe your bowling ball at home. Remove any of the remaining moisture with a clean rag before you take your ball back to the bowling alley.

This will remove any debris that may have accumulated during storage or from oil on the lanes. It will keep your entire bowling ball clean and shiny.

We like this DIY cleaner because it doesn’t contain any nasty chemical solvents that most cleaners you get from pro shops have.

Pros of this homemade bowling ball cleaner

  • Cheaper than a professional cleaning solution
  • Easy to Make
  • Easy to Use
  • Does the Job Well
  • DIY ball maintenance

Cons of this homemade bowling ball cleaner

  • Not as good as the commercial products
  • You have to make it yourself
  • You Still have to buy things (clean microfiber towel, spray bottle, etc…)

Some Other Common Bowling Ball Cleaner Ingredients

Listed below are some of the most common bowling ball cleaners and their functions:

Rubbing alcohol

texture background of alcohol gel for cleaning the hand

Rubbing alcohol may be used as a base for both DIY and commercial cleaners because it is effective at removing surface dirt, oil, and grime. However, because it is unable to clean out deep in the pores of the ball on its own, it is frequently utilized as a component or basis.

Cleaning a bowling ball with rubbing alcohol may not give you the deep clean that you are after.

Bowling Tips (Surface Clean bowling ball)

If you only need to get to the surface of the problem and time/resources are limited, rubbing alcohol is a great quick fix. However, due to its restrictions as a whole-fledged degreaser, it will not serve as a single solution for routine bowlers’ demands.

So if you bowling ball needs a deep cleaning solution then you may want to go with a local pro shop solution found here.

Liquid Dish Soap 

Close up of woman applying dishes soap liquid from cleanser bottle to sponge at kitchen

Experienced bowlers have a variety of opinions about the use of Dawn and other liquid dish soaps and hot water.

Some people will praise the virtues of Dawn dish soap as a safe, cost-effective way to clean, telling stories about using duct tape or waterproof tape to cover the finger holes in the ball before submerging it in soap and water.

The only problem with using waterproof tape in your ball maintenance routine is that you will get sticky residue on your bowling ball and a deep clean may be necessary.

However, certain dish soaps include a fatty base that may seep into the ball’s pores and cause additional muck over time.

Furthermore, there are concerns with certain balls that dish soap might create an emulsion with bowling lane oil, resulting in a much larger cleanup task than simply lane oil alone.

Other Household Products For Cleaning a bowling ball

There are many alternative options for households that have both advantages and disadvantages. The following is a list of substances that are currently approved by the USBC.

Take the time to research each of these ball cleaners for ways to keep your ball safe and ensure maximum performance.

Ammonia

Ammonia

You can use ammonia on your bowling ball if it is at least 50% diluted. You should avoid using full-strength ammonia because it can be corrosive. Ammonia is a great bowling ball cleaner because it cuts through oil and grease easily.

Baking Soda

Baking soda in a bowl.

Baking soda is another inexpensive bowling ball cleaning option. It is a gentle abrasive that will not damage your ball.

SuperClean (Castrol SuperClean)

This is a heavy-duty degreaser that can be used on bowling balls. It is very effective at removing oil and dirt.

Windex

Woman's hand cleaning a window pane with window cleaning solution.

Windex is a common household cleaner that can be used to clean your bowling ball. It is great for removing lane oil and other contaminants from your ball. Just be sure to wipe down the ball with hot water before you head off to the bowling alley with your new clean bowling ball.

Denatured Alcohol (Ethyl Alcohol)

Denatured alcohol is a great bowling ball cleaner because it evaporates quickly and does not leave a residue. It is also very effective at removing oil and dirt from your ball.

Dawn dish soap

Woman washing dishes at home
Woman washing dishes at home

Dawn dish soap is a common household cleaner that can be used to clean your bowling ball. It is great for removing lane oil and other contaminants from your ball.

Goo Gone

goo gone

Goo Gone is a powerful cleaning solution that can be used to remove oil and dirt from your ball. It is safe for use on all bowling balls. Goo gone works to clean a bowling ball especially if the finger holes are all sticky.

Glass cleaner

Glass cleaner can be used to clean your bowling ball. It is great for removing lane oil and other contaminants from your ball.

Krud Kutter

Krud Kutter is a powerful cleaning solution that can be used to remove oil and dirt from your bowling ball. It is safe for use on all bowling balls. Just get a microfiber towel some warm water and say hello to another great way to clean a bowling ball.

How Important is it to Clean Your Bowling Ball?

It’s important to clean your bowling ball on a regular basis for several reasons. Bowling ball cleaning routines can make a bowling ball’s surface shine. Bowling ball cleaning solution can help remove oil, dirt buildup, and prevent major damage when used correctly.

First, if you want to maintain its hook, you need to remove any dirt or debris that could be interfering with the ball’s movement.

Second, you need to prevent the buildup of oil, which can make the ball less effective and increase your chances of getting a strike.

Third, you need to keep your ball in good condition so that it will last longer and perform better. By taking the time to clean your ball, you can ensure that it will be ready for your next game.

Should I Soak My Bowling Ball?

If you want to prevent water damage you may want to use a spray bottle cleaner rather than letting your bowling ball soak. We recommend using a bowling ball spinner while cleaning it and then wiping it with a microfiber towel. Using a lint free towel to wipe your ball’s surface helps increase it’s peak performance.

So while you can soak your bowling ball in a bowl or a bucket while cleaning your ball at home, it’s not the best way to clean a bowling ball.

Oily Lanes

Oil track or oily lane conditioner is the main reason you should be cleaning your ball. Your bowling ball has microscopic holes that absorb the oil over time. Every time your throw your ball it literally gets covered in oil.

Regulated Lanes

The surface of lanes will be oily, so be sure to wipe your ball every 5-6 games or every time you clean your ball at home. If you want to keep the grip on your ball when you throw it then the surface of your ball must remain clean.

Conclusion

Cleaning your bowling ball is an important part of maintaining its performance. By using a DIY bowling ball cleaner, you can save money and get the job done right. Try this recipe today and see the difference it makes in your game.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a little off the top to help me keep this website running. 

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