The most participated team sports in the US are baseball and softball, with more than 25 million participants.
For baseball and softball players alike, a good bat can really improve your game. And while a clean bat won’t do much in terms of your skill, it will provide the longest lifespan possible.
However, before cleaning your bat, you need to know how to clean a softball bat properly. This will ensure you don’t do any damage with the wrong methods or harsh cleaners.
Cleaning scuff marks and grime are two different stories, though. Keep reading to learn our favorite methods for both.
How to Clean a Softball Bat of Dirt and Grime
If your bat is filthy with dirt and grime, not to worry. Soap and water are enough to get that bat back to brand new.
You may use regular soap or even liquid dish soap to clean a softball bat using this method. Just be sure you’re not using a product that contains harsh chemical cleaners because this could harm the surface of the bat.
Once you’ve picked your soap of choice, mix the soap in a bowl of warm water. If you’re using dish soap, use a 2:1 ratio of water to soap. Make sure the water isn’t too hot and get it nice and foamy.
Dip a soft cotton towel or a non-abrasive brush into the water and gently rub the surface of the bat. Don’t brush or rub too hard, just enough to remove the surface of dirt and grime.
You can rinse the bat under running water to remove all the soap. Make sure you don’t leave any soap behind. Then use a dry piece of soft fabric to dry the bat.
How to Clean a Softball Bat of Ball Marks
To clean ball marks, it’s best not to use the method outlined above. That’s because soap or dish soap isn’t great for removing ball and scuff marks. This means you’ll be scrubbing away, causing more damage than cleaning.
To clean ball marks, use rubbing alcohol or even lemon juice. These products also work for cleaning grime, to an extent.
Don’t put the cleaning material directly on the bat. Instead, cleaning a softball bat of ball marks requires you to place rubbing alcohol or lemon juice on a soft towel or scrub. You can then wipe down the bat with that towel or scrub.
Be very careful when rubbing out the marks. Don’t rub too vigorously or you may damage the bat. That’s especially true if you’re using a wood softball bat.
There’s no need to rinse the bat after this process. You can simply allow it to dry out naturally.
All Your Sports in One Place
Now that you know how to clean a softball bat, there’s no excuse for having a dirty bat on the field. A clean bat shows your respect for your game as well as discipline. Most importantly, it lengthens the lifespan of your bat.
And for more sports guides and information, be sure to check out our Sports section regularly.