If you regularly play ping pong, chances are that your paddle is going to quickly accumulate dust, dirt, sweat, and debris. This doesn’t sound too great because you want to feel comfortable when holding your paddle and if you’ve invested money into a decent, professional standard paddle you’ll want it to last!
One of the easiest – yet most important – ways to keep your paddle in good condition is with a regular cleaning routine. The trouble for most is they don’t even know where to begin.
The combination of rubber and wood means that different cleaning techniques are needed so in this article, I’ll walk you step by step through the process for how to clean a ping pong paddle.
How to Clean a Ping Pong Paddle
Cleaning a ping pong paddle is a quick and simple process. For a thorough clean, you should follow these steps:
- Prepare your materials
- Choose the right cleaning supplies
- Clean the paddle
- Dry the paddle
- Maintain good aftercare
Step 1: Prepare Your Materials
Gather all your cleaning materials together before beginning your cleaning process. Preparing your materials before you begin cleaning ensures you have everything that you need before starting.
Things you need to clean your ping pong paddle:
- Ping pong paddles
- Water
- Sponge or soft cloth
- All necessary cleaning supplies
Prepare all materials before beginning the cleaning process and you will certainly have a better outcome.
Step 2: Choose the Right Cleaning Supplies
The cleaning supplies you use severely impact the lifespan of your paddle. The right cleaning product should sanitize your paddle without damaging the rubber material. Minimal water submergence is critical when choosing your cleaning supplies.
To clean a paddle you’ll need a soft sponge or cloth, warm soapy water, and a rubber cleaner. Depending on the level you play at, you might also want to invest in some specialty paddle cleaning products. A ping pong paddle cleaning kit will include specific sponges, cleaning materials, and foam to minimize any damage when cleaning and also ensure a thorough clean.
Step 3: Clean Your Paddle
Using room temperature water, gently clean your ping pong paddles with a clean sponge or soft cloth. Wipe away from the handle to prevent exposing the wooden handle to moisture. Run a clean microfiber cloth down the handle to remove any sweat or oils. This is applicable to any wooden parts of your paddle.
Avoid excessive scrubbing your ping pong paddle or it can damage the surface of your paddle. In some cases, abrasive scrubbers can be helpful. However, your paddle can be damaged if you use the abrasive scrubber too hard. Always be cautious of your strength when scrubbing your paddle.
Step 4: Dry Your Paddle
Do not wipe your paddle off, just leave your paddle out to air dry. If the rack or surface you are using is not clean, you must clean the surface prior to placing it here to dry. A common mistake people make during the drying process is placing the paddle on a soap-covered surface. This shortens the lifespan of their ping pong paddle.
Before placing your paddle in a drying rack, wipe excess dish soap residue from the surface. Even a slight transfer of dish soap residue can ruin the surface of your paddle.
Step 5: Maintain Good Aftercare
Cleaning your pingpong paddle does not stop at the drying rack. You must continue to maintain good aftercare or you may shorten the lifespan of your pingpong paddle.
Good ping pong paddle aftercare includes:
- Safe storage
- Cleaning after each game
- Avoiding the sunlight
Taking good care of your ping pong paddles is critical for their longevity. The better you store them and the more often you clean them determines how long your ping pong paddles will last.
How Often Should You Clean a Ping Pong Paddle
How frequently you clean your paddle will depend on a number of factors like:
- How often do you play
- How do you store the paddle
- Quality of the paddle
As a general guide though, you should clean a ping pong paddle every two weeks if you play daily or every 3 – 4 weeks if you only play occasionally. As the cleaning process needs to be quite thorough and the rubber on the paddle is quite delicate, you don’t want to clean too frequently.
With proper cleaning, a ping pong paddle should last the average player one year with regular play. You can maintain and replace the rubber to make a longer-lasting product but in general, this can be a time-consuming and skilled task so try to keep your paddle clean for a longer lifespan.
Cleaning Products FAQ
Cleaning your paddle is crucial but not quite as crucial as selecting the correct cleaning products to use. As a ping pong paddle is constructed of a wooden base with a padded rubber covering, there are a lot of materials that you need to be aware of when cleaning.
Anything abrasive needs to be avoided as this can easily damage the rubber which will ultimately impact your shot execution, especially when trying to utilize spin. Therefore, below we cover some of the products you might consider using when cleaning a ping pong paddle and discuss whether or not you should use or avoid them.
Is Water Good for Cleaning Table Tennis Paddles?
Water is great for cleaning table tennis paddles. You can use both warm or cold water to clean your paddle. When cleaning your paddle with water, be careful not to submerge your paddle underwater or you risk warping the rubber. If you own an older paddle you risk water-logging the wood if you submerge it underwater.
Is Soap Good for Cleaning Table Tennis Paddles?
Soap is not efficient for cleaning table tennis paddles. Soap can damage the surface of your ping pong paddles by warping and softening them. Although it can be damaging in high numbers, soap can still be used to spot clean various places on your paddle. It is efficient for removing natural body oils that leave oils on the rubber.
Is Using Specialty Cleaners Good for Cleaning Ping Pong Paddles?
Several specialty cleaners were designed by table tennis manufacturers to give your paddle a deep clean. Most of these specialty cleaners are foam-based, which means there is no excess moisture.
Are Detergents Good for Cleaning Ping Pong Paddles?
Avoid using harsh cleaning products like detergents when cleaning your ping pong paddle. Despite being made of rubber, your ping pong paddle can wear easily if it is not cleaned properly. Detergents are harsh against rubbers over time. They will wear on the
Is Alcohol Good for Cleaning Ping Pong Paddles?
Isopropyl alcohol is a great way to remove surface residue from your table tennis paddle. However, isopropyl alcohol can dry the plastic of your paddle significantly. The drying nature of this solution is why it is not a good choice as your primary cleaning method.
Is Baking Soda Good for Cleaning Ping Pong Paddles?
Baking soda can damage the surface of your ping pong paddle if you use it regularly to clean your paddle. The roughness of the baking soda can be abrasive and create scrapes on the ping pong paddle. If you intend to use baking soda to remove bad odor, create a paste substance. A paste substance will eliminate the abrasiveness of the ping pong paddles.
Wrapping Up
Cleaning a ping pong paddle is a maintenance and routine task that everyone needs to do. It’s not exciting but if you want to get the most out of your paddle and more importantly, ensure it lasts for a long time then cleaning it regularly is the first step you’ll need to take.