There can be numerous numbers of ways to clean golf balls. But finding out the best way to clean golf balls can be quite complicated, especially for beginners.
In the case of my own golf balls, I always try to follow the best possible way to clean my golf balls. So, I can help you by giving a detailed guideline regarding the best way to clean golf balls.
In today’s post, I have planned to share a comprehensive discussion specifically focused on the best way to clean golf balls. In this detailed guide, I will talk about all the steps required for cleaning the golf balls in the most efficient way.
Why Should You Clean Golf Balls?
Before I start talking about the best method for cleaning golf balls, I think it is essential to tell you why you should clean your golf balls.
Well, it’s a fact that no golfer would like to play with a dirty golf ball. Always keep in mind that a dirty golf ball can negatively affect the shots you play during your game. At the same time, a dirty golf ball will also affect your covering distance, golf ball spin, and visibility level.
You may want to know what will happen if you play golf with a new and clean golf ball!
Well, golfers do get a serious level of satisfaction while playing shots with a clean or new golf ball. When you have a properly cleaned golf ball, you can easily hit the ball with your utmost satisfaction.
In this case, you should also keep in mind that dimples on the golf ball allow it to fly for a longer time in the air when you hit the perfect shot. But the dirt on your golf ball can also affect your shot as well.
I think that it is now clear why you should clean your golf balls.
Best Way To Clean Golf Balls – Cleaning Materials
Now that you know the reasons to clean your golf balls, it is time I must tell you the most efficient way to clean golf balls. It would be better to talk about the materials you will need for your golf ball cleaning procedure.
- Dishwashing Soap (Liquid)
It is one of the most common cleaning materials you will find in almost every house. I must mention the fact that it is the safest and gentlest cleaner for the golf ball.
- White Vinegar
Although it is a somewhat acidic cleaning agent, it is completely a harmless golf ball cleaner. Besides, this ingredient is completely environment-friendly, and inexpensive as well.
- Bleach
In order to clean a moderate level of dirt on your golf ball, this particular material is very effective and useful.
Very often we look for a cleaning agent that can turn your old or dirty golf ball into a whiter or shinier one. In that case, bleach can be the perfect solution.
Bleach typically does a reaction on the external part of the golf ball. As a result, for cleaning heavy dirt from your golf ball, this cleaning material can also be very effective.
However, you have to keep in mind that the reaction on the external portion of the golf ball may cause a little bit of damage to your golf ball.
- Acetone
One of the best cleaning agents for cleaning golf balls is known as “Acetone”. Using a very little amount of this cleaning agent, you can easily remove deep stains and dirt from your golf balls.
To clean with acetone, cotton balls can be the perfect helping hand for you.
- Household Ammonia
Ammonia is another commonly found cleaning agent that we use for cleaning the shelves, floors, and walls of our house. At the same time, it is also a standard or you might say, a perfect cleaning agent for your golf balls.
Using this cleaning ingredient, you can remove moderate level dirt from different surfaces of your golf balls.
- Soft-bristled Brush
The soft-bristled brush can also be a standard tool for removing trash from the exterior part of your golf ball.
You can also go for the nylon scrubbers if you fail to manage a soft-bristled brush.
However, keep in mind that any kind of sturdy or hard equipment can completely damage your golf balls.
- Washing Container
Any kind of containers like a rub, bucket, dishwasher, or household sink. You need it for washing your golf balls under heavy pressure. Then, you can leave your golf balls for soaking in the container.
- Soft or Dish Towels
When your golf balls are completely washed, you will need a soft or dishwashing towel for drying out the balls.
Best Way To Clean Golf Balls – Cleaning Instructions to Follow
As I have already mentioned, several methods or ways are now available for cleaning your golf balls. In fact, using the above-mentioned materials, you can clean your golf balls following varieties of ways.
However, in the following, I will only talk about the method that I consider as the best way to clean golf balls using the above cleaning agents.
So, it is a must to collect those above materials first, and then start following the below instructions for cleaning your golf balls.
It is also necessary to mention the fact that I will be explaining multiple ways that I think are efficient for cleaning a golf ball. So, you can choose the one you think would be best for your case.
Method 1 – Dishwasher Method
The first method that I think is the best way to clean golf balls is called the Dishwasher Method.
In this case, you can easily clean your golf balls using the dishwasher. Trust me, it is a very effective and gentle way for cleaning your golf balls.
Before doing anything, you have to make sure that your golf balls are completely free from any kind of heavy dirt or any superficial debris. To give your golf balls a fresh look, you can give the balls a hot water bath before putting them in the dishwasher.
Steps to Follow
If you want to clean your golf ball in a dishwasher, you should specifically focus on the following steps –
Step 1
First off, you have to pour a sufficient amount of dishwashing liquid into your dishwasher’s detergent compartment. If you don’t use enough dishwashing liquid for cleaning golf balls with a dishwasher, it won’t give you any satisfactory result.
So, it is essential to use sufficient dishwashing liquid for cleaning golf balls in a dishwasher.
Step 2
Turn the temperature of your dishwasher to medium-hot. Now, keep your dishwasher on the mode called “Presoak Mode”. Then, keep your golf balls in the dishwasher for around 2 to 3 minutes in order to get soak.
Step 3
You have to make sure that the cycle needs to be completed without any break. Doing so will ensure that your golf balls will be thoroughly cleaned.
Now, you have to take your golf balls out of your dishwasher to check whether they are properly cleaned or not.
If you find out that some dirt is still on the golf balls, you have to go for another cycle following the above-mentioned steps.
This particular cleaning procedure for cleaning golf balls is efficient for the golf balls that are not too filthy.
Method 2 – Soaking Method
This method for cleaning golf balls is known as the “Soaking Method”.
This is quite a simple method for cleaning dirt from the golf balls. To start cleaning your golf balls following this method, you will require a bucket or a tub. If you can’t find either of the mentioned two items, you can also use your kitchen sink as well.
Steps to Follow
You have to follow the steps explained below for cleaning your golf balls using the Soaking Method –
Step 1
First of all, keep all of your golf balls in your selected container. Then, pour enough lukewarm water into the container.
Step 2
In this step, you have to choose your preferred cleaning agent. For this method, you can go for either the white vinegar or the household ammonia as the golf ball cleaning agent.
Note:
“Any of the mentioned 2 golf ball cleaning ingredients will work fine for cleaning your golf balls thoroughly.”
So, depending on the availability, you can choose either of the mentioned 2 cleaning ingredients.
Step 3
Now, pour in either ammonia or white vinegar into the lukewarm water. In this case, you have to choose the quantity depending on the number of golf balls you want to clean. Mix it up with the water and keep your golf balls in the mixture to get soak for around 30 minutes.
Step 4
You have to take out the golf balls from the water and then shift those balls to another container. This time the container should be filled with clean water.
Now, rinse the golf balls thoroughly.
After rinsing them off, if you find out any trash or dirt on the golf balls, you can use a soft brush or scrubber for cleaning the dirt out.
Step 5
After making sure that the golf balls are completely cleaned, you can dry them out using a soft & clean towel.
Step 6
Lastly, you can keep the golf balls for sundry for a period of 3 to 4 minutes.
This particular cleaning method is mainly applicable for cleaning golf balls with moderate dirt.
Method 3 – Scrubbing Method
This method to clean golf balls is called the “Scrubbing Method”.
This particular method for cleaning golf balls is mostly suitable for the balls that have been recollected from water blockhouses or ponds. Besides, this method is also applicable for golf balls that you have found after a long period, having slime or caked mud on them.
Steps to Follow
For this particular cleaning method, you have to go through the following steps –
Step 1
At the beginning, set up a water hose in a big container over your golf balls. Now, start removing the particles that are stuck on the exterior part of your golf balls.
Step 2
In this step, you have to prepare a mixture or paste of water and baking soda. This paste will basically work as the golf ball cleaning agent in this cleaning method.
After applying the baking soda paste to the golf balls, you have to wait for about 1 to 2 minutes.
Step 3
When the mentioned time is over, you have to remove the dirt from the golf balls using a soft brush or scrubber.
Step 4
Now, you have to rinse off the golf balls and put them in a new container. Next, you have to add some cleaning solutions like bleach, white vinegar, or ammonia.
Now, add lukewarm water and mix it up properly with the cleaning solution you have already poured in the container.
Step 5
You have to keep your golf balls in the solution of the new container for about an hour for getting soaked properly.
Now, rinse the golf balls off using clean water.
Step 6
Now, take a piece of clean & soft towel to dry the golf balls out. Then keep your golf balls for a sundry for about 5-10 minutes.
This particular cleaning method is best applicable for cleaning golf balls that are filled with too much dirt.
Method 4 – Stain Removal
It is quite common to see golf balls getting marked with paint or permanent markers in order for identification. Because of getting constant exposure to different types of external elements, your golf balls may get stained very badly.
For these types of golf balls, an extra treatment can be much effective for getting their shine back once again.
The method you have to follow in this case of stain removal depends heavily on the type of dirt on your golf balls. You can choose any of the above-mentioned steps for cleaning the stain or deep dirt from the golf balls.
Even after applying the above steps, if you see any mark on your golf ball, you can use acetone. In this case, sometimes, a nail paint remover may also help you out.
Take a cotton ball and dip it into your preferred solution. Now, use the cotton ball to rub on the mark or paint of your golf ball.
Now, rinse the golf ball off with clean water and dry them out using clean & fresh towels.
Before you store the golf balls, it would be better to keep them under the sun for around 30 to 40 minutes. This will help dry out the golf balls completely and make them suitable for storing purposes.
The above method is specifically applicable for golf balls that have stubborn and old stains. Besides, you can also follow this cleaning method for discolored golf balls also.
Most Efficient Way to Clean Golf Balls – Using Hydrogen Peroxide
It is also essential for every golfer to know how to clean golf balls properly and quickly. For efficient, quicker, and satisfactory result, Hydrogen Peroxide can really be an incredible cleaning solution. This cleaning agent is color-safe, odorless, and non-toxic as well.
I must let you inform of the fact that it is one of the most effective cleaning agents for removing any kind of dirt or stain from any type of surface.
Among all the available golf balls cleaning methods, I would say that cleaning golf balls using hydrogen peroxide can provide you with the best possible result.
To wash or clean your golf balls using hydrogen peroxide, you can follow the steps explained below:
Step 1
First off, pour distilled water into a container and soak all of your golf balls into the water. This will help remove any kind of extra dirt from the surface of your golf balls.
Step 2
In this step, you have to prepare the cleaning solution that you are going to use for cleaning your golf balls.
To prepare the solution, you have to mix 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide with 1 cup of distilled water. This is all you need to do for preparing the cleaning solution.
Step 3
You can also add 2 tablespoons of baking soda or a half cup of vinegar with the solution you have already prepared. But, remember that it is not mandatory for washing or cleaning golf balls.
Step 4
Now, take the prepared cleaning solution in a container and soak your golf balls into the solution for around 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 5
Take out the golf balls from the cleaning solution and start rubbing the dirt or stain of the golf balls using a soft brush or scrubber.
Step 6
When you see that all the stains are removed, you have to rinse off the golf balls using distilled water.
Step 7
Now take a piece of soft & clean towel to dry out the golf balls. This will wipe out any kind of extra water from the golf balls.
Step 8
Lastly, you can keep the golf balls under the sun for around 30 to 40 minutes to make them suitable for storing purpose.
Best Method For Cleaning Golf Balls – Pro Tips
As you have already studied the cleaning instruction regarding the best way to clean golf balls, you may think that you have got everything to know.
Wait, my friend, I have got some surprise for you!
As I have promised, I am going to share some ‘Pro Tips’ regarding the best method for cleaning golf balls in the following.
You should out your while attention while reading the following tips. I can assure you that the following suggestions and tips will make your golf ball cleaning procedure easier, better, and much quicker.
So, here we go….
- Soaking the golf balls into lukewarm water can give you the exceptional result when it comes to cleaning golf balls. However, keep in mind that soaking the golf balls for a longer period can seriously damage the exterior part of your golf balls.
- Before you choose any cleaning method for cleaning your golf balls, you have to sort the balls out depending on the level of dirt they have. Remember that not all of your golf balls require the same kind of cleaning method if they don’t have the same level of dirt or stain on them.
- It is never a good idea to keep the golf balls uncleaned for a longer time. always keep in mind that it is much easier to clean the fresh dirt from the golf balls. In fact, it is much quicker and faster as well. This will save both your time and energy at the same time.
- It is possible to resell the older and useless golf balls. In fact, you can recycle your golf balls also.
- It is always better to avoid any kind of acidic element for cleaning golf balls as those elements can cause serious damage to your golf balls, if not handled properly.
- When you clean your golf balls using cleaning agents like acetone or detergent, you have to use gloves to ensure the complete safety of your hands.
- While using bleach or ammonia, it is important to mix these chemicals in a way so that it doesn’t cause any harm to your health. Remember that mixing these elements together can create a toxic gas that can seriously affect your health.
- Don’t even try to clean your golf balls when you are out there in the green during the game of a tournament. Actually, there are some strict restrictions of the USGA rules. And, you have to follow those rules strictly while playing in a golf tournament. If you violate the rules of golf, you can get punished for that.
FAQs Best Way To Clean Golf Balls
1. How do I make my golf ball white again?
Answer: In order to make your golf ball white again, you need to clean your golf balls following the right way.
In the above discussion, I have already shared some of the most efficient ways to clean golf balls thoroughly and adequately.
Depending on the dirt type of your golf ball, you can choose any of the cleaning methods mentioned above for making your golf balls white again.
2. How do you clean golf balls at home?
Answer: To clean your golf balls at home, you don’t need any kind of special ingredient or cleaning agent.
In the above comprehensive discussion on the best ways to clean golf balls, I have talked about the cleaning methods that you can easily follow at hour home.
Just make sure to manage all the cleaning materials before starting any cleaning method from the above discussion.
3. Can you clean golf balls in a washing machine?
Answer: Of course, you can clean your golf balls in a washing machine or dishwasher.
In fact, it is the easiest way to clean golf balls at home. And, it is good news that your golf balls won’t cause any damage to your washing machine.
Conclusion
For your convenience, I have tried to explain all the best ways to clean golf balls with step-by-step guidelines.
I am quite sure that the above discussion will give you a clear idea about the best way to clean golf balls without even investing a lot.
Actually, you will require lots of golf balls for improving your gameplay. So, it is much wiser to clean the golf balls following the proper way so that you can use your golf balls fully before they become useless.