How to Clean a Softball Bat

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: May 6, 2021 References

While a dirty softball bat is often an indication of a bat that has been well loved, over time, it can begin to look downright filthy. If you've noticed lately that your old aluminum bat has lost its shine, it's time to consider a thorough cleaning. This is a simple process that won't take you out of the game for long. In a matter of minutes, your softball bat can look as good as new again.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Soap and Water to Clean Your Bat

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Choose mild dish soap to wash your bat. Take a washcloth with mild soap (not hand soap!) and tap water. This is the most common way to clean a bat and, depending on the stubbornness of the stains, it can be very effective.^{[1]
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- Wipe your bat with a soft, clean cloth to brush away any loose dirt and grime. You could also use an old sock or a paper towel.
- Mix dish soap into warm water to make it sudsy. Dip a clean cloth in the water and wring it out well to avoid dripping. You could also try using shampoo if you don't have dish soap.
- Wipe the bat down with the cloth to clean it. Try not to get your gripping tape wet.
2
Use a brush to get rid of tougher stains. If you've tried using the warm water and washcloth, and stubborn stains remain, you'll need to try something with bristles.
- Work over a bathtub. Take a hard bristled brush, or at least a brush that's good for getting off a hard stain. Then with water running and soap at hand, just scrub.
- You could try a toothbrush for smaller stains, but the bristles won't be as strong. Be prepared that it could take some time.
- Use a plastic or nylon scouring pad to clean stubborn areas that may need more attention. Rinse the bat under clean running water to remove residual soap.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Other Chemicals to Clean Your Bat

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Buy special bat cleaning liquids or cleaning pastes. You can find these liquids and pastes at many sports goods stores. They are specially designed for cleaning bats. Just dip a wet paper towel into the cleaning paste or liquid before rubbing it on the bat.^{[2]
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- If the bat is relatively new, you may want to buy the liquid or paste - just to be on the safe side. Some bats can be fairly fragile with paint chips, so you will want to take all precautions while washing and handling them.
- A magic eraser^{[3]
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2
Use polish on wooden bats. If the bat is wooden, to give it a nice shiny finish, you can polish the bat with wood polish, such as orange glow.
- The wood polish on a wooden bat is absorbed because it is softened when applied, but it still gives it a great finish. When applied to a metal bat, the oils just rest on the surface so try to limit how much you apply.
- You also need to be careful when applying the polish to a wooden bat. If you polish the wood too much it could become soft and break.
3
Try rubbing alcohol to remove ball marks. If soap and water or other chemicals are not doing the trick on their own, try rubbing alcohol.
- Dampen a small portion of a cloth with it and rub it on the bat. Drying is important when cleaning a bat if you want it to look brand new again.
- First, lay the bat across your lap. Next, rub the wipe all over the bat. This should get the dirt off of it.
- Goof Off works for anything sticky, such as Pine Tar. You might want to mix a small amount of bleach into the water. You could also soak in Windex/water solution (50/50) or try Clorox or Lysol wipes. You can buy these cleaning products in many grocery stores.
- If your handle is made of leather, use shoe polisher to clean that. Once you clean the bat, make sure you dry it completely, as you don't want your bat to start rusting.
4
Try natural ingredients for cleaning your bat. You can apply natural products to clean your bat if you don't want to be around harsh chemicals.
- Some people apply olive oil to their bats before washing it off with water. Remove adhesive from your bat by dipping a clean cloth in olive oil and rubbing the adhesive away.
- If you have too many marks on your bat, you can clean it with a scrub, warm water, and lemon juice. Or you could try using a vinegar/water solution (75/25) by spraying it all over the bat. Let it rest for about 30 seconds, and then lightly scrub it with a sponge and dry with paper towels.
- If you have a wooden bat with natural wood, it's a better idea to use a fine grit sandpaper. Choose 200 grit or higher. Lightly sand down the marks from the ball. Move the sandpaper in the wood's grain direction. Avoid going over areas that are engraved.^{[5]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Caring for Your Bat

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Make sure to thoroughly dry the bat. It's important to remember that cleaning a softball bat before tournaments or games is not ideal for the player.
- The ball will slip easier off of the barrel of the bat which can cause foul balls, ground balls, and even pop flies.
- In order to avoid such problems, it's a good idea to make sure to let the bat dry for 36 hours before using it in any games or tournaments.
2
Prevent your bat from getting so dirty in the first place. The initial care before even attempting to clean your bat is very important.
- Banging your bat against your cleats or using any ball other than a baseball/softball (such as the ones used in practice) can degrade the quality of your bat's finish which can in turn cause long-term problems.^{[6]
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- It is also best to turn the bat a few centimeters after every hit when playing a game as this ensures you are not constantly wearing down one part of the bat.
- Try not to hit waterlogged balls, and don't use rubber cage balls. Avoid using fast-pitch softball bats in extreme heat, as they may dent more easily.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I clean the grip?

Community Answer

Soap and water works great. You can also use hair spray with a good sponge to clean your bat, it works well.