7 Easiest Ways To Remove Oil From Your Bowling Ball

Last updated on May 26th, 2021

If you face trouble removing the oil from your bowling ball, you have come to the right place. Here, we will tell you the easiest ways of removing oil from a bowling ball. Taking care of your bowling ball is also necessary as it will give more life to the ball.

After playing a lot of bowling games, most people face this problem. It is very typical for a bowling ball to absorb oil and dirt. It may even not roll as smoothly as it did initially. But, you need not worry. 

Here in this article, we will discuss all things necessary for removing oil from the bowling ball. Read on to know more!

How Should You Clean Your Ball

Bowling ball is a straightforward and cheap option to clean your ball. There are different methods of removing oil from the bowling ball. Here, we have listed them.

While you are washing the ball, make sure that the ball’s holes have a complete seal to prevent water from entering.

Bowling Ball Cleaner Spray 

It is one of the easiest methods to clean your ball. Mix equal parts of bowl cleaner spray and water and spray it all over the ball. After spraying the solution, wipe it with a towel. Make sure that you remove all the oil from the surface. You can get the ball cleaner spray easily online or in any of the supermarkets.

Using Rubbing Alcohol To Clean

Using rubbing alcohol for cleaning is also a quick way to remove the oil from the ball. Take a bucket full of water mixed with rubbing alcohol. Make sure that the ratio of water to the rubbing alcohol is 4:2. 

Dip the towel in the bucket and squeeze it so that you can remove extra water. Now, use this towel to wipe the ball. As a result, you will get an oil-free ball!

Immersion Method 

This method too can be done at home. Take a bucket full of hot water and make some dishwasher or any soapy cleaning agent. Many recommend using a bowling bowl cleaner liquid. 

Soak the ball in water such that the whole ball gets dipped in the water bucket. Soak it for around 20 to 30 minutes and after that, take out the ball from the bucket. 

Use a towel to wipe the ball. And this makes your ball clean and oil-free to use it. Make sure that you cover the finger holes on the ball with waterproof tape during the whole process.

Baking The Bowling Ball 

The baking ball method is a method in which heat removes the oil from the ball, when you heat the ball, the pores of the ball shell open and lead to releasing of oil. 

You need to hit the ball at a specific temperature that should not exceed 140° F. This treatment is not advisable because sometimes it can cause cracks and damage the reason surface of the ball.

Using Hair Dryer 

This method can be risky sometimes, but if you have kept proper care, it can work. In this method, a hairdryer heats the shell of the ball. Heating the surface of the ball leads to releasing of oil.

Place the ball on the towel, and blow the dryer back and forth such that you constantly rotate the ball. Gradually you will see the ball releasing oil and becoming glossy. Now you can wipe this oil and continue this process unless the ball stops releasing the oil.

Heater Method 

This method is quite similar to the oven method and hairdryer method. You have to place your ball on a towel in front of a heater. So that the heat is constantly reaching the ball, it will release the oil from the cell, and you can wipe it. In case it is not removing oil anymore, stop heating the ball.

Pro-Shop services 

It is a challenging task to remove the oil from a ball. If you don’t have enough time to clean your wall yourself, you can go to a Pro-Shop for a bowling cleaning service. 

These shops have types of equipment that can remove oil properly. These shops have machines that spin the ball at high speed so that the oil is released and cleans the bowling ball. Some shops also use oil-removing spray. Overall this treatment can be expensive.

We hope that you find one of these methods helpful in removing oil from the bowling ball. It is up to an individual which oil removing method they want to use. If none of these treatments work, you need to buy a new ball.

What Causes Bowling Ball To Oil?

There are many reasons that a ball can get oily. The primary reason for your ball getting oily is, when the ball is rolling in the lanes, the dust leads to the oiling of the ball. 

The material of the ball also plays a role. If a ball is from plastic, it will release lesser oil when compared with a resin ball.

The lanes of the bowling area to be covered and coated with oil to protect them from decaying as they from wood. The rolling of the ball in these oily lanes can cause it to get oily.

When Should You Clean A Bowling Ball? 

You will come to know that your bowling ball is oily when it will not roll properly on the lanes. But, if you are a regular player and play on oily lanes, you need to get your ball free from oil every 30 to 40 games. On the surface, where there is not much oil and well regulated, you may get your ball cleaned for every 70 to 100 games.

How Often Should Oil Be Removed From The Ball?

As per the players, you can clean your ball after playing every six bowling games. If you tend your ball effectively, then it can increase the life of your ball. The ball manufacturers say that there can be some damages after playing around 75 bowling games.

When you clean your ball too often with heating treatments, it may create cracks on your ball; if it reaches 140 degrees.

Do’s And Don’ts For Removing Oil From Your Bowling Ball

You should keep in mind some points if you use a do-it-yourself method to clean your bowling ball. Please read them.

Do’s

  • Wipe the ball after every game.
  • Use liquid or alcohol-based cleaners to clean the ball.
  • Wipe the finger holes after using the ball.
  • Remove the lane oil if it is excessive.
  • Use a microfiber towel for better cleaning and absorption.
  • While dipping the ball in the water, cover the holes with waterproof tape.

Don’ts

  • Avoid usage of dishwasher soaps or any hard detergents.
  • Don’t soak the ball for more than 30 minutes.
  • Prevent usage of corrosive cleaners.
  • Don’t overheat the ball, or else it may lead to form cracks on the surface of the ball.
  • Don’t soak the ball in alcohol. 

To keep your ball in good condition and increase its lifespan, consider these points.

FAQs

We have answered a few most commonly asked questions below. Have a look.

Can You Put The Ball In The Oven?

Yes, you can put the ball in the oven. But, make sure that the temperature is not exceeding 170 degrees Fahrenheit. 

How Much Does A Pro-Shop Charge?

Depending upon the service, a pro-shop can charge anywhere between 5 to 30 dollars.

Does Plastic Ball Absorb Oil?

Plastic oils do not absorb oils negligible amount of oil compared to the other ball materials.

What Kind Of Detergent Should I Use?

Using bowling ball cleaner is recommended. But, you can use any other detergent that is liquid or alcohol-based mixes with water. Do not use a cleanser with corrosive properties.

How To Safeguard The Finger Holes While Cleaning The Ball?

You can seal the holes with waterproof tape to avoid any damage to the finger holes.

Summing Up

As you can see, there are several methods for removing oil from the bowling ball. Both a do-it-yourself technique and professional method work are available. It’s up to you which way you want to choose. 

The hot water method is the easiest among all the techniques, and you can do it with handy items. It would be best to let the ball dry for a very long time before using it for all these methods.

When you compare the price, the do-it-yourself method is cheaper than the professional cleaning method.

This article gave our best to brief you on all the possible methods for removing oil from the bowling ball. If you want to maintain the condition of your ball, you have to clean your ball regularly. 

Finally, when your ball rolls perfectly on the lanes, no one can beat you from getting the first position! Happy bowling!