A dirty softball bat can be an indication of a bat that has been well loved, but it can also be filthy over time.It's time to consider a thorough cleaning if you have noticed that your old aluminum bat has lost its shine.The process won't take you out of the game for long.Your softball bat can look new again in a matter of minutes.
Step 1: You can wash your bat with dish soap.
Mild soap is not hand soap.And drink water.Depending on the stubbornness of the stains, it can be very effective to clean a bat with this method.To clean your bat, wipe it with a soft cloth.You could also use a paper towel.Make dish soap sudsy by mixing it with warm water.If you want to avoid dripping, dip a clean cloth in the water and wring it out.If you don't have dish soap, you could try using a cleanser.To clean the bat, wipe it down with the cloth.Don't get your gripping tape wet.
Step 2: If you want to get rid of tougher stains, use a brush.
You will need to use something with bristles if you've tried using the warm water and washcloth.Work on the bathtub.A hard bristled brush is good for removing stains.Just scrub with soap and water at hand.The bristles of the toothbrush won't be strong enough to clean smaller stains.It could take a while.Use a plastic or nylon pad to clean stubborn areas.To remove soap from the bat, rinse it under clean water.
Step 3: Special bat cleaning liquids or cleaning pastes can be bought.
There are sports goods stores that sell these liquids and pastes.They are designed to clean bats.Rub the cleaning paste or liquid on the bat with a wet paper towel.Just to be on the safe side, if the bat is relatively new, you may want to buy the liquid or paste.It's important to wash and handle bats because they can be fragile with paint chips.People use a magic eraser to clean bats.Remember to dry it if it is a bit damp, just follow the instructions on the package.
Step 4: Put polish on wooden bats.
If the bat is wooden, you can polish it with wood polish, such as orange glow, to give it a shiny finish.The wood polish on a wooden bat is absorbed because it is softened when applied, but it still gives it a great finish.Try to limit how much you apply because the oils don't stay on the surface when applied to a metal bat.When applying polish to a wooden bat, you need to be careful.The wood could become soft and break if you polish it too much.
Step 5: Rub alcohol to get rid of ball marks.
Try rubbing alcohol if soap and water aren't doing the trick on their own.Rub the cloth on the bat with a damp piece of cloth.If you want the bat to look brand new again, you need to dry it.Put the bat on your lap.Rub the wipe over the bat.The dirt should be removed by this.Goof Off works for sticky things.You could mix a small amount of bleach into the water.You could also use the Windex/water solution.There are many grocery stores that sell these cleaning products.If your handle is made of leather, you should use shoepolish to clean it.Make sure you dry your bat completely once you clean it, as you don't want it to oxidize.
Step 6: If you want to clean your bat, try natural ingredients.
If you don't want to be around harsh chemicals, you can use natural products to clean your bat.Some people apply olive oil to their bats.Rub the glue away with a clean cloth and dip it in olive oil.If you have a lot of marks on your bat, you can wash it with warm water and lemon juice.You could try spraying the solution on the bat.Allow it to 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 better to use a fine grit sandpaper.You can choose 200 or higher.Sand the marks from the ball.The wood has a grain direction.You shouldn't go over areas that are engraved.
Step 7: It's a good idea to thoroughly dry the bat.
Cleaning a softball bat before a game is not good for the player.Foul balls, ground balls and even pop flies can be caused by the ball slipping from the barrel of the bat.It's a good idea to let the bat dry for 36 hours before using it in any games or tournaments.
Step 8: It's a good idea to prevent your bat from getting dirty in the first place.
It's important to take care of your bat before cleaning it.If you bang your bat against your cleats or use a ball other than a baseball or softball, it can degrade the quality of the bat's finish, which can cause long-term problems.When playing a game, it is a good idea to turn the bat a few centimeters after every hit as this will ensure you don't wear down one part of your bat.Don't use rubber cage balls, and try not to hit waterlogged balls.Fast-pitch softball bats can be difficult to hit in extreme heat.