Make Your Golf Balls Look New: How To Clean Golf Balls

Want to know how to clean dirty golf balls? The best way to clean golf balls depends on how many you have and how dirty they are. A simple soak and scrub is often the best way for a few balls. For many balls, a bigger bath works well. Can you use a dishwasher for golf balls? Using a dishwasher for golf balls is usually not a good idea. It can hurt your balls and your machine. Simple hand cleaning is safer and works great. Cleaning your golf balls helps them fly better and look nice. Let’s learn how to make them shine again.

How To Clean Golf Balls
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Why Clean Golf Balls Matter

Clean golf balls work better. Dirt and grass can stick to the ball. This changes how the ball flies through the air. The little dips on the ball, called dimples, help it fly straight and far. When dirt fills the dimples, the ball doesn’t fly as well.

Clean balls are also easier to see. This helps you find them after a shot. It saves you money because you lose fewer balls. Plus, clean balls just feel better when you play. They look fresh and new.

Easy Ways to Clean Golf Balls

You don’t need fancy tools to clean golf balls. Simple things you have at home work fine. There are a few main ways to do it.

Using Just Water and Soap

This is the easiest way to clean golf balls. You just need water and a little soap.

What You Need

A bucket or a sink
Warm water
Mild dish soap or laundry soap (like the kind for washing clothes by hand)
A brush with soft bristles (an old toothbrush works) or a cloth
A towel for drying

Steps to Clean

Get your bucket ready. Or use a sink if you only have a few balls.
Put the dirty golf balls in the bucket.
Fill the bucket with warm water. The water should cover the balls.
Add a little mild soap to the water. About a spoonful is usually enough for a small bucket.
Let the balls soak in the soapy water. This is how you soak golf balls. Let them sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Soaking helps loosen the dirt and grime.
After soaking, take one ball at a time.
Use your brush or cloth to gently scrub the ball. Rub away the dirt. Make sure to clean inside the dimples.
If a spot is hard to clean, scrub a little more. Don’t scrub too hard though.
Once a ball is clean, rinse it under clean water. Make sure all the soap is gone.
Put the clean ball aside.
Do this for all your dirty balls.
After all balls are scrubbed and rinsed, dry them well. We will talk more about drying later.

This method is great for how to clean dirty golf balls when you don’t have a lot of them. It’s simple and safe for the balls.

Making Your Own Cleaner

You can make a homemade golf ball cleaner using things you likely have. This can be a cheap golf ball cleaner solution.

Simple Homemade Mixes

Mix 1: Soap and Water: This is the same as the last method. Warm water and mild soap work very well. It’s a basic homemade golf ball cleaner.
Mix 2: Water and Vinegar: Vinegar can help cut through grime. Mix one part white vinegar with one part warm water.
Mix 3: Water and Baking Soda: Baking soda is a gentle scrub. Make a paste with baking soda and a little water. Or add a spoonful to warm water to soak balls.

How to Use Homemade Cleaner

Choose the mix you want to use.
Put balls in a bucket or bowl.
Pour your homemade golf ball cleaner mix over the balls. Make sure they are covered.
Let the balls soak golf balls in the mix for 15-30 minutes. For tougher dirt, soak longer.
Use a brush or cloth to scrub each ball.
Rinse the balls well with clean water.
Dry the balls completely.

Homemade cleaners are good because they are cheap. They use things you already have. Just be careful with vinegar. Don’t soak the balls for too long in strong vinegar mixes. Rinse them extra well.

Using Store-Bought Cleaners

You can buy special liquids to clean golf balls. These are sold as a golf ball cleaner solution.

Types of Cleaners

Some cleaners come as a liquid you add to water.
Some come in a spray bottle.
Some are part of a cleaning tool or machine.

How to Use Store-Bought Cleaners

Always read the instructions on the bottle.
Some cleaners need to be mixed with water. Others are used straight.
Follow the steps for soaking or scrubbing as the product says.
Use the cleaner as a golf ball cleaner solution in a bucket or bowl. Let balls soak golf balls if the directions say to.
Scrub the balls if needed.
Rinse the balls very well with clean water. This gets all the cleaner off.
Dry the balls completely.

Store-bought cleaners can be very good at getting balls clean. But they might cost more than using soap or homemade mixes. Make sure the cleaner is safe for golf balls.

Handling Stubborn Dirt and Scuffs

Sometimes golf balls have tough dirt or black marks. These marks are often called scuffs or club marks. Learning how to clean golf ball scuffs needs a little extra effort.

For Deep Dirt

If dirt is stuck deep in the dimples:

Soak golf balls longer. Let them sit in warm, soapy water for an hour or even a few hours.
Use a stiffer brush. But be careful! Don’t use a metal brush. Use a brush with strong plastic bristles. Scrub gently but firmly.
Try a baking soda paste. Mix baking soda with a little water to make a thick paste. Put the paste on the dirty spots. Let it sit for a few minutes. Then scrub with a brush. The baking soda helps lift the dirt.

For Scuffs and Marks

Black marks or scuffs are often from hitting the ball with a club or cart path. Cleaning golf ball scuffs completely might be hard.

Gentle Scrub: First, try scrubbing the scuff with soap and water. Use a cloth or soft brush. Some light marks will come off.
Magic Eraser: A “magic eraser” sponge (melamine foam) can work on some scuffs. Wet the sponge and gently rub the mark. Be careful: These sponges are like very fine sandpaper. Rubbing too hard can take paint off the ball or dull the finish. Use it only on the mark and rub lightly.
Avoid Harsh Stuff: Do not use harsh chemicals like nail polish remover, paint thinner, or strong cleaners. These can melt or damage the ball’s cover. You want to clean golf ball scuffs, not ruin the ball.

Remember, some scuffs go deeper than the surface. If the cover is cut or scratched deeply, the mark might not come off completely. A ball with deep cuts or major scuffs might not fly true anyway. Sometimes, it’s best to use these balls for practice or just stop using them on the course.

The Dishwasher Question: Is It a Good Idea?

Many people ask, “Can I clean golf balls in the dishwasher?” Or “Is using a dishwasher golf balls a good way to clean them?” The short answer is: No, it’s generally not a good idea.

Here is why using a dishwasher golf balls is risky:

Heat: Dishwashers use hot water and hot drying cycles. High heat can damage the ball’s cover. It can make the plastic soft or warp it a little. This changes how the ball flies.
Detergent: Dishwasher soap is strong. It’s made to clean tough food off plates. This strong cleaner can be too harsh for the golf ball’s cover. It might dull the finish or even hurt the material over time.
Movement: Golf balls are small and hard. In the dishwasher, they can bounce and rattle around. This can cause damage to the dishwasher itself. They could get stuck in parts of the machine.
Not Very Effective: While it might wash some dirt off, a dishwasher often doesn’t clean deep into the dimples as well as scrubbing does. Tough scuffs or deep dirt will likely stay on the ball.

So, while it seems like an easy way to clean a lot of balls, using a dishwasher golf balls is not recommended. It’s better and safer to use a bucket golf ball cleaner method or other simple ways. These methods let you control the water heat and the type of soap used. They also make sure the balls don’t damage anything.

Step-by-Step: Cleaning Many Balls at Once

If you have found or bought a lot of used golf balls, cleaning them one by one takes a long time. Here is a good way to clean a batch of balls fast. This uses the bucket golf ball cleaner method.

What You Need

A large bucket (like a 5-gallon bucket)
Plenty of warm water
Mild dish soap or laundry soap
A strong stir stick or an old mop handle
A colander or mesh scoop (optional, helps lift balls out)
Towels for drying

Steps for a Large Batch

Put all the dirty golf balls into the large bucket. Don’t fill it more than about half or two-thirds full with balls. You need room for water.
Fill the bucket with warm water. Fill it until the balls are covered by several inches of water.
Add a good amount of mild soap. Maybe 1/4 to 1/2 cup depending on the size of the bucket.
Use your stir stick or mop handle to mix the water and soap. Make sure the soap gets all through the water.
Let the balls soak golf balls in the warm, soapy water. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes. For very dirty balls, soak for several hours or even overnight. Soaking is key here.
Every so often, use the stick to stir the balls around. This helps loosen the dirt from all sides. The balls rubbing against each other also helps clean them.
After soaking, put the bucket somewhere you can drain the dirty water. An outdoor drain is good.
Tip the bucket carefully to pour out the dirty water. Try to keep the balls in the bucket.
Now you need to rinse the balls well. Fill the bucket again with clean water. Stir the balls around.
Drain the soapy water again. You might need to rinse 2 or 3 times until the water is clear and no soap bubbles are left. Rinsing well is important.
Once rinsed, get the balls out of the bucket. You can carefully tip the bucket to roll them out onto a towel, or use a scoop to lift them.
Now it’s time for drying golf balls after cleaning.

This bucket golf ball cleaner method is one of the best way to clean golf balls when you have a lot. It uses soaking and the balls rubbing together to do most of the work.

Drying Your Golf Balls

After cleaning golf balls, drying them properly is important. Wet balls can feel sticky. If you store them wet, they might get water spots or even mildew if they aren’t truly clean.

How to Dry Golf Balls After Cleaning

Initial Towel Dry: Right after rinsing, spread the clean, wet golf balls out on a clean, dry towel.
Roll and Rub: Use another dry towel to gently roll the balls around. Rub them with the towel to get most of the water off. Get into the dimples as much as you can.
Air Dry: The best way for drying golf balls after cleaning is to let them air dry completely.
- Spread the balls out in a single layer.
- Put them on a dry towel, a drying rack, or a surface that won’t be harmed by a little water.
- Choose a spot with good air flow. A garage, a table outside on a nice day, or near a fan are good spots.
- Let them sit for several hours or even overnight. Turn them over once if you like to help all sides dry.
Check for Dryness: Before putting them away, feel each ball. Make sure it is completely dry. Check inside the dimples.

Drying golf balls after cleaning well makes sure they are ready to play or store. It keeps them looking clean and fresh.

Choosing the Best Way for You

The “best way to clean golf balls” really depends on your situation.

For a Few Balls (1-10): Use the sink method. Warm water, soap, and a brush. It’s fast and easy for a small number.
For Many Balls (10+): Use the bucket golf ball cleaner method. Soak golf balls in a large bucket with warm, soapy water. Stir them. Rinse well. This is the most efficient way for large amounts.
For Tough Dirt: Add a little vinegar or baking soda to your soak (homemade golf ball cleaner). Soak longer. Use a slightly stiffer brush carefully.
For Scuffs: Try gentle scrubbing with soap. A magic eraser can work on some marks but be very gentle.
If You Want a Special Cleaner: Use a store-bought golf ball cleaner solution following the directions.

Always remember:

Use warm, not hot, water.
Use mild soap or cleaner.
Rinse very well.
Dry completely (drying golf balls after cleaning is key!).
Never use harsh chemicals.
Do not use a dishwasher for golf balls.

By following these tips, you can learn how to clean dirty golf balls safely and effectively.

Table of Cleaning Methods

Here is a quick look at the different methods:

Method	How It Works	Good For	Pros	Cons
Sink/Bowl (Soap+Water)	Soak a few, scrub by hand	Small number of balls	Easy, uses basic items, safe	Slow for many balls
Bucket Soak (Soap+Water)	Soak many, balls rub together	Large number of balls	Cleans many at once, easy on balls	Needs a large bucket, takes time to soak
Homemade Cleaners	Soap, Vinegar, or Baking Soda mixes	Varies, good for grime	Cheap, uses common items	Need to mix carefully, can be harsh (vinegar)
Store-Bought Cleaners	Special liquid/spray	Varies	Can be effective on tough dirt	Costs money, must follow instructions
Dishwasher	Machine washes balls	Not Recommended	Seems easy (but isn’t safe)	Can damage balls, can damage dishwasher

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Knowing what not to do is as important as knowing what to do. Avoid these mistakes when cleaning golf balls:

Using Hot Water: Hot water can soften or damage the cover. Stick to warm water.
Using Harsh Chemicals: Bleach, strong cleaning sprays, or solvents like nail polish remover can ruin the ball’s finish or cover. Use only mild soaps or cleaners meant for plastic.
Scrubbing Too Hard: Using a very stiff brush or scrubbing with too much force can scratch the ball’s surface (“clean golf ball scuffs” should be done gently). Deep scratches affect how the ball flies.
Not Rinsing Enough: Leftover soap residue can make the balls feel sticky. It can also attract dirt faster when you play. Always rinse until the balls feel clean, not slick or soapy.
Not Drying Fully: Putting away wet balls can lead to water spots or mold. Always make sure they are completely dry before storing. This is part of drying golf balls after cleaning well.
Using the Dishwasher: As we talked about, using a dishwasher golf balls is risky and not the best method.

When Cleaning Isn’t Enough

Even the best cleaning won’t fix some balls. Sometimes, a ball is just worn out or damaged.

Consider retiring a ball if:

It has deep cuts or gouges you can feel easily.
It has large, rough scuffs that won’t come off (“clean golf ball scuffs” won’t fix deep damage).
It is somehow out of round (not perfectly shaped).
The cover is cracked or peeling.

These balls won’t fly true no matter how clean they are. Use them for practice swings where you don’t hit a ball, or just toss them away. Cleaning can make balls look new, but it can’t fix major damage.

In Conclusion

Cleaning your golf balls is a simple habit that helps your game. It makes your balls look new and helps them fly the way they were made to. You learned how to clean dirty golf balls using easy methods. The best way to clean golf balls often involves just warm water and soap. You can use a bucket golf ball cleaner for many balls, or a bowl for a few. Letting them soak golf balls helps a lot. You can even use a homemade golf ball cleaner. Remember to gently clean golf ball scuffs and always finish by drying golf balls after cleaning completely. Skip the dishwasher golf balls idea, it’s not worth the risk. With a little effort, your golf balls will look great and fly better, helping you enjoy your time on the course more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is soaking golf balls bad for them?

No, soaking golf balls in warm, soapy water for a reasonable time (like 30 minutes to a few hours) is not bad for them. It helps loosen dirt. Avoid soaking for days or using very hot water, as this could potentially affect the cover over a long time. Soaking golf balls is a key part of cleaning.

How long should I soak golf balls?

For lightly dirty balls, 15-30 minutes is often enough. For very dirty balls or when using the bucket method for many balls, you can soak golf balls for several hours or even overnight. Just make sure the water is warm, not hot, and use mild soap.

Can I use bleach to clean golf balls?

No, you should not use bleach or other strong chemicals like oven cleaner or solvents. These are too harsh for the plastic cover of the golf ball. They can damage the finish, change the ball’s feel, or even affect how it flies. Stick to mild soap or cleaners made for golf balls (golf ball cleaner solution).

What is the fastest way to clean a lot of golf balls?

The fastest method for many balls is usually the bucket golf ball cleaner method. Put balls in a large bucket with warm, soapy water. Let them soak golf balls for 30 minutes or more. Stir them often. This lets soaking and the balls rubbing together do the main cleaning work. Then, a quick scrub on stubborn spots, rinse, and dry.

Does cleaning golf balls actually help them go further or straighter?

Yes, cleaning golf balls can help them perform better. Dirt and grime fill in the dimples. The dimples are crucial for how the ball spins and moves through the air. When dimples are clean and clear, the ball can achieve its designed flight path, which often means flying straighter and potentially further than a dirty ball.

Are there special tools I can use to clean golf balls?

Yes, besides basic brushes and cloths, you can find small golf ball cleaning machines or tumblers. These machines rotate the balls in a cleaning solution. They can be effective but are usually expensive. For most people, a bucket golf ball cleaner setup works perfectly fine.