Cleaning your golf balls is not only an excellent way to improve their performance on the green, but it’s a necessary step in keeping them in good condition.
Golfers of all levels know that maintaining your golf balls is key to playing your best. It’s essential to keep your ball free of oils, dirt, and other debris in order to ensure optimal flight and distance.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to clean golf balls like a pro!
Best Golf Ball Cleaning Method (Dish Soap and Bleach)
While there are several ways to clean a golf ball, using dish soap, bleach, a bucket full of water, and a towel is an easy way to maintain the condition of your golf balls.
We used dish soap because it was readily available at our golf club, but you can use shampoo or hand soap if you have them around. The key is finding something safe for both plastics and leather, so you don’t take away any of the shine on the outside of your golf balls.
Bleach is a crucial ingredient because it’s what kills the germs and makes your golf ball look brand new again. You can use regular old bleach, but you’ll need to make sure that both the dish soap and bleach are diluted so they don’t ruin the rubber on the inside of your ball.
For cleaning your golf balls with dish soap and bleach, refer to the following steps:
- Grab your towels, dish soap, bleach, and a bucket full of water
- Fill the bucket with about 15 – 20 golf balls so they can soak in the mixture for 5 – 10 minutes
- Add an appropriate amount of dish soap to the bucket to create a soapy solution
- Mix the solution with your golf balls using your hands or another tool
- Add bleach to the mixture (the amount you’ll need depends on the size of your bucket)
- Mix until all the ingredients are blended together
- Let the golf balls soak in the mixture for about 10 minutes
- If you see any foam at the top of your bucket, be sure to wipe it up before removing your golf balls
- Remove your golf balls and let them air dry on a towel or another type of cloth
- Once your golf balls are dry, grab an appropriate-sized container and fill it with rice
- Put your clean golf balls into the container and cover them with rice
Feel free to toss in an air freshener if you want to give your golf balls a faint lemon scent, then toss your golf balls into your golf bag!
There are many different ways to clean a golf ball, but we highly recommend this dish soap and bleach method because it’s very effective at removing dirt and debris. It’s also easier to do than other methods because you don’t need any gadgets.
Alternative Methods to Cleaning Golf Balls at Home
Cleaning Golf Balls with Bleach
Bleach is very effective in cleaning golf balls as it can kill germs or foreign particles hiding deep within the dimples on your golf balls. However, some people are concerned with how harsh it can be on their golf balls and would prefer not to use bleach for this reason.
But, as long as you dilute the bleach first and bathe your golf balls only for a few minutes, you should be able to clean your golf balls with ease.
Cleaning Golf Balls with Hydrogen Peroxide
If you’re looking for a gentle and non-toxic way to clean your golf balls, hydrogen peroxide is a great option. It’s able to kill bacteria and remove any dirt or debris without being too harsh on your golf balls.
Here are the steps you need to take in order to clean your golf balls with hydrogen peroxide:
- Fill a bucket or container with water and add hydrogen peroxide until it’s saturated
- Add in your golf balls and let them soak for about 5 – 10 minutes
- Use a toothbrush or scrubber to gently scrub the dirt and debris off of your golf balls
- Let your golf balls air dry on a towel or another type of cloth
Cleaning Golf Balls with Vinegar
Vinegar will help to remove any biological particles that you wouldn’t be able to remove with water and helps scrub away any dirt or grime. So, it’s a great option to get rid of germs and bacteria without using bleach!
Cleaning Golfs Balls with a Dishwasher or Washing Machine
Cleaning golf balls recovered from ponds can be a daunting task. Not only are they dirty, but they’re likely covered in algae and other organisms. Using a dishwasher or washing machine is a great way to clean them because it will get rid of any biological particles, dirt, and, not to mention, the high temperature will kill any organisms that might still be stuck on the balls.
Don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe to wash your golf balls in the dishwasher or washing machine. However, we do not recommend putting them into these devices completely dry. Instead, make sure that you give them a good rinse with water beforehand to avoid getting glass and other materials stuck in between their dimples.
However, keep in mind that if your machine drum is cheaply built, the balls being slung around could damage them.
Cleaning Golf Balls with a Golf Ball Cleaner
Cleaning golf balls with a golf ball cleaner is an easy way to clean golf balls. All you need to do is place your ball in it, press the button, and then wait for them to be clean. The machine will automatically rotate, shake, and brush your ball until they are completely clean!
Final Thoughts
Keeping your golf balls clean is important for many reasons. Not only do they look nicer when they’re clean, but they will play better.
In fact, if you don’t clean them regularly, the dirt and grit can actually wear down the cover and make them less effective.
We’ve outlined a few different methods you can use to clean your golf balls. Any of these methods is great to get the job done and we’re sure that you’ll be happy with the results!