How to Clean a Tennis Ball: A Guide
I won’t make it to the U.S Open anytime soon but I do enjoy a good game of tennis. Sometimes I even use it as a stress toy or a fidget toy. Of course, it can make an awesome fetch object for any pup in the vicinity. Like any ball that hits the ground or gets carried around in our pup’s mouth, a tennis ball can easily become soiled and even smelly.
If you are not a fan of picking up or leaving dirty objects around, then you may be wondering how to clean a tennis ball. If so, then read on. In this article, we will tell you some of the best tips for cleaning a tennis ball.
We have also included some great advice for maintaining your tennis balls for longer so you don’t have to clean them each time you play with them.
How to Clean a Tennis Ball
As you prepare to clean your tennis ball, make sure you have a few items on hand:
- A cloth you can wet
- A dry cloth or towel
- Soap or other cleaning solution
- Tennis ball brush or sponge
- Water ( cold or warm)
- Proper storage container or tennis bag
The best way to clean tennis balls clean is to wipe them down after each use. Frequent cleaning will prevent tennis balls from collecting dirt and dust over time. Just wipe it down with a soft cloth for regular maintenance. You can also quickly rinse the ball in warm (not hot) water.
If dust is the main culprit, wipe it off with a dry cloth or brush to clean it. However, you can use a water-based cleaning method for wet or oily balls. Detergent will come in handy if the balls have heavy stains.
When using a water-based solution, place balls in a sink or bucket with soapy water and let them soak for 30 to 60 minutes. You can use a tennis ball brush or sponge to give each ball a good and safe scrub.
Once you are done, use a towel or dry cloth to dry it as much as possible. Then let it dry further naturally before storing it. Placing it out in the sun is the best dry method.
Is Vinegar Safe For Tennis Balls?
Yes! If you don’t want to clean the balls with soap, you can safely use vinegar. Simply soak them in water for 30 minutes then add them to a vinegar solution. This solution should be five parts water and one part vinegar.
This is a good way to disinfect your tennis ball and kill any germs. After soaking them in the solution, rinse them in cold or warm water. Dry as needed.
How to Clean a Slick and Slippery Tennis Ball
If your tennis ball is very slippery and dirty, you might have to scrub it a little harder to get rid of all the grime.
Using your hands, mix the cleaning solution like dish liquid into the balls and let them soak. Now, scrub your tennis ball using a sponge or tennis ball brush. Continue scrubbing your tennis ball until it is clean.
Alternatively, you can use vinegar to clean a very slippery tennis ball. Check the vinegar solution mentioned above.
How to Clean a Discolored Tennis Ball
If your tennis ball is stained or discolored by grass, consider using hydrogen peroxide to clean it. It is also great for removing bacteria.
Use a cup of hydrogen peroxide with two cups of water. Now, let the balls soak for about 15 minutes in the mixture. Gently scrub the balls with a brush or sponge. Then rinse with or soak in warm water. Always wear gloves when using hydrogen peroxide.
Now, let the ball dry naturally in the sun.
You can also use baking soda to clean a discolored tennis ball. Rub the baking soda on the ball and let it sit for an hour. After an hour, you can use a sponge to scrub the tennis ball. Continue scrubbing the ball until you are sure that the baking soda has cleaned it.
What Should I Use To Clean a Tennis Ball My Dog Plays With?
Since your pup will most likely have the ball in its mouth frequently, make sure you use a non-toxic pet-friendly cleaner to wash the tennis ball. Baking soda, vinegar, and Seventh Generation products are fine to use.
Is It a Good Idea To Put Tennis Balls in the Washing Machine?
I understand that everyone does not have time or patience to scrub and soak individual balls. You are free to use a washing machine with the correct setting! Tennis balls consist of a rubber base,so you should use cold water in the machine. Otherwise, you risk warping them if you wash them in hot water or use the spin cycle. Laundry detergent is fine.
Putting tennis balls in the dryer can be surprisingly good for your laundry. According to MSN, adding some tennis balls to the dryer can help collect lint. They can also help make sheets and comforters more fluffy, since they act as a buffer that allows more airflow.
How to Dry a Wet Tennis Ball
If your tennis ball gets wet, dry it as soon as possible. Ideally, one should place it in the sun and let it dry naturally.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer to dry your tennis ball. Start by blowing air into the tennis ball until it is dry. Just make sure it is on a low setting. The rubber base can’t handle too much direct heat.
While you can use a laundry dryer, place it on the lowest heat setting possible. Keep the balls in the dryer for 10- 15 minutes.
Maintaining Your Tennis Balls
In addition to cleaning your tennis balls, you should check they are in good condition. A regular combination of good cleaning and maintenance will allow the balls to last longer.
There are a few things you can do to keep your tennis balls as fresh as possible.
You can keep them in a jar or a plastic container to keep them together. A weather-resistant ball hopper can keep your tennis balls in one place. Climate control is vital to the life of tennis balls, so store them in a warm and dry place.
If you keep your balls in a hot place, their internal air pressure will increase. Heat will create a higher level of bounce that may be uncontrollable and cause the ball to go out of bounds. So, treat them like vampires and never store them in direct sunlight.
On the other hand, a cold and damp place will reduce their internal pressure, causing them to flatten and lose bounce. Any dampness may also cause mold. Once mold grows, it will continue to spread.
Once you have removed them from the original pressurized tin, it is best to keep them in your tennis bag. Try not to keep that bag in a car trunk or garage.
You can also store balls in a pressurized storage container to slow the process of them going flat.
Why It is Important To Clean a Tennis Ball
When you play tennis, think about all the other equipment involved. After you are finished playing, the balls will go into your tennis bag with other gear.
However, if your balls are dirty, they will begin to smell musty. As a result, anything else in your sports bag will also smell – such as your tennis racket. The dirt and grime from yucky tennis balls can make the balls and the equipment they are close to deteriorate faster than normal.
Before you know it, you will have to buy new tennis balls and possibly a new racket.
Do You Want Your Balls To Age?
A healthy-looking tennis ball has a unique fuzzy appearance and a good bounce. Its lovely fuzz can rival a peach but will wear down under dirt and debris.
Unfortunately, the ball will no longer bounce properly, causing a negative effect on your game. A deflated tennis ball is simply a useless one.
Do You Like Bacterial Infections?
I am sure the answer is no! Knowing how to clean a tennis ball will not only keep away dirt, but bacteria as well. Harmful bacteria and germs can run rampant on any dirty ball. The situation will worsen if those unclean balls sit in your sports bag too long.
Cleaning Tennis Balls Will Preserve Their Lifespan
Now that you know how to clean a tennis ball, there is no reason to play with soiled balls! Unfortunately, our tennis balls will slowly lose pressure once we remove them from their original container. These balls will also collect dirt and grime as you use them.
As long as you can keep them clean, you will slow down their deflation by following some of the above steps. So feel free to chase your Wimbledon dreams or delusions – just make sure your balls stay in championship condition.
You can also read:
- 6 Tips For Surviving Tennis Tryouts
- Babolat Pure Aero vs Pure Drive: A Full Comparison
- Bagel In Tennis: Meaning, Origin & Examples
- Can You Leave a Tennis Racquet In a Hot Car?
- How To Buy a Used Tennis Ball Machine For Cheap
