How to Clean Your Bowling Ball After Every Game

Every time your bowling ball rolls down the lane, it picks up lane oil and dirt. Reactive coverstocks are porous, so part of that oil is absorbed into the shell. Over time the ball loses traction: it skids further and hooks later or less than it did when it was new. A simple routine – wipe after every shot, clean after every session, deep-clean at regular intervals – keeps your bowling ball reacting the way it was designed to.

Why cleaning your bowling ball matters

Reactive resin coverstocks contain microscopic pores that give the ball its grip on the lane. When those pores fill with oil, the surface grips less. The change is gradual, so it is easy to miss: the ball reaches its breakpoint later, you move your target, and eventually the ball simply feels "dead". In many cases it is not worn out – it needs cleaning and, at some point, a fresh surface.

After every shot: the microfiber towel

The most important step is also the simplest. Wipe the ball with a clean microfiber towel after every shot, before the oil has a chance to soak in. Wipe the whole surface, not just the oil ring. Keep the towel clean and wash it regularly, so you are not rubbing old oil back onto the ball.

After every session: a bowling ball cleaner

At the end of each session, spray the ball with a cleaner made for bowling balls and wipe it off with a clean towel. The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) publishes a list of approved cleaners and polishes on BOWL.com.

What the rules allow during competition

Since 1 August 2019, USBC Rule 18 no longer allows liquid cleaners to be applied during certified league or tournament play. During competition, a dry towel is the rule; approved cleaners are used before and after. If a foreign substance on the ball cannot be removed with a dry towel, an approved cleaner may be used with the consent of a league or tournament official. Rules can change, so check the current USBC rules and your league or tournament rules.

Deep cleaning: the hot water bath

Surface cleaning removes fresh oil, but not what has soaked into the shell. Many pro shops use temperature-controlled oil extraction machines for this. At home, a hot water bath is a common alternative:

1. Fill a bucket with hot tap water – hot, never boiling – and add a drop of dish soap or ball cleaner.
2. Submerge the ball and leave it for around 30 minutes. Oil rising to the surface of the ball and the water is a normal sign that it is working.
3. Take the ball out, wipe it thoroughly with a clean microfiber towel and let it dry completely before you bowl with it.

Never put a bowling ball in a home oven. Home "baking" methods can damage the ball and, according to manufacturers, may void the warranty. If you are unsure, ask your pro shop.

When to resurface your ball

Cleaning removes oil, but it does not restore the surface texture. Lane contact gradually changes the coverstock, and with it the ball's reaction. Resurfacing – sanding the coverstock back to a consistent finish – resets that texture. Pro shops commonly recommend a full resurface, often combined with oil extraction, about every 60 games; some guidelines give a range of 60 to 80 games. How often you bowl and the lane conditions you play on make a difference.

More on sanding and polishing: Bowling ball surface care.

Cleaning schedule at a glance

Summary

A clean bowling ball reacts more predictably. All it takes is a microfiber towel, a suitable cleaner and a few minutes per session – plus a regular visit to the pro shop. The same applies to the rest of your equipment: your shoes, too, benefit from a little care.

Further reading: Bowling balls 2026 by level · Coverstock types explained