Once you have purchased the perfect bowling ball for you, you have to learn how to properly care for it. There are a lot of different opinions about how to clean a bowling ball, including some truly bizarre ones, so we have put together a few tips and tricks for cleaning a bowling ball:

Lane Oil

In order to properly maintain a bowling alley, the lanes must be regularly oiled. This is why you should never step past the foul line. And if left unchecked, this lane oils is also one of the biggest threats to your bowling ball.

After each shot, you may see a ring of oil on your ball, also called an “oil track.” This oil build up can affect the way your ball moves down the lane and make it harder to properly hook. But even worse is that your bowling ball can also absorb the oil causing damage to the ball. This is why you should wipe your ball down during play with a microfiber cloth. Make sure your cloth is microfiber so that you’re not adding scratches to your ball surface.

How to Clean a Bowling Ball

Different types of bowling ball materials are affected differently by oil. Hard plastic balls are most resistance to oil as they are not very absorbent, but higher end materials such as reactive resin or pearl overstock are actually quite absorbent and require much more frequently cleanings. Generally it is recommended that these high end balls be cleaned every 6 or so games. We recommend commercial ball cleaning supplies, but some people prefer to soak their ball in water and dish soap. If you do decide to soak your ball, make sure not to get any water in the finger holes as water can greatly damage your ball’s core.

To extend the life of your bowling ball, we recommend professional cleanings. Visit our pro shop for cleaning tips, cleaning schedules, and professional cleaning services.

Ready to bowl? Check out our Staten Island bowling league and upcoming bowling tournaments, then make your plans to visit our Staten Island bowling alley.