Obviously, you being here means you’re into softball, and by this time, you should know that a dirty bat does indeed reflect your experience and passion for the game. However, it sometimes becomes borderline messy. In such cases, it’s best to take a few minutes from your life and give your bat a few wipes to make and keep it clean. There are a few techniques that you can use to keep your softball bat clean. You can use any one of them to complete the job –
- Soap and water method
- Cleaning with dishwasher shampoo or dishwasher
- Using rubbing alcohol to clean (Best of cleaning ball marks)
- Cleaning with specialized products: using professional cleaners
I will jump into the methods later; for now, let me talk a bit about how to clean a softball bat why you should clean your softball bat, and does it really matter. It will help you decide, do you really want to go through the cleaning process, or is it just another obstacle to your training sessions?
Should You Actually Clean a Softball Bat? Does It Matter?
Some softball players think it’s cool to play with a dirty and stained bat, but I have always preferred to keep my bat as tidy as possible. Ball marks and scuffs on bats display how tough of a player you are on the field – some people consider it to be a warrior’s wound per se. But this sort of attitude is not always my cup of tea. As a coach, I always suggest my students clean their bats every now and then so they don’t become filthy. I think clean bats reflect discipline. And to me – discipline is always better than a warrior’s wound.
I always prefer using aluminum bats. However, it is just my personal choice. It doesn’t mean that I find other kinds of bats inferior. I’ve been using aluminum bats for years now, and I’ve always liked/still like to keep my bats clean. It doesn’t feel right if my bat doesn’t sparkle when I’m in the field.
A softball bat made of composite material, on the other hand, also requires cleaning to ensure a long lifespan and, of course, to make it look neat. I think that a filthy bat doesn’t really do justice when it comes to flaunting your passion and experience of the game. A slightly dirty bat may be an exception, but a bat that is excessively unclean does not give a positive impression of a player. I think a filthy bat disturbs the player’s positive attitude towards the game, and eventually, a lack of positive mental condition impacts their overall performance.
How To Clean a Softball Bat (Different Methods)
I’ve tried various techniques to clean my bats throughout my softball career. I was so naive when it came to cleaning my bats in my early days as a player that I ended up *almost* ruining a few of them by using the wrong methods or using harsh cleaning solutions.
But, throughout the years, I’ve realized that cleaning softball bats isn’t all that tough. You just have to be careful about the ingredients you use for cleaning your bat and the different methods. I’ve also discovered that some techniques work well with aluminum bats, whereas some work better on composite bats.
I’d like to bring out another significant point. Some washing procedures, I believe, are excellent for removing ball stains, while others are great for just cleaning the grime from your bat’s surface. So, don’t be afraid to try some new things while cleaning, but my recommendation is to use the methods I provided down below. In a nutshell, here is my list of preferred methods:
- Soap and water method
- Cleaning with dishwasher shampoo or dishwasher
- Using rubbing alcohol to clean (especially works great for cleaning ball marks)
- Cleaning with specialized products, like using professional cleaners.
So now let me further discuss the details of the various methods that I’m suggesting here. As I told you earlier, you need to be cautious while trying them out for cleaning your bats. Nobody wants to ruin their top-tier softball bats, right?
Soap And Water Method
Whenever somebody comes to me asking for bat cleaning tips, I suggest this technique to the newcomers or the freshers. Why? Because it is basic, easy, and it does decent work for almost all the types of bats out there. Another advantage of this procedure is that it is inexpensive, so the ballplayers under my wing do not have to spend extra money to clean their favorite bats.
Remember, regular soap is good enough when it comes to this method. So, you must make sure the soap is not too hard. By this, I mean, the soap shouldn’t contain harsh or strong salt, or it will harm the surface of the bat. Necessary steps for cleaning with the said method.
- Find a soft towel or any other soft piece of fabric. Cotton works great for cleaning bats. Properly rub the bat using the piece of fabric before applying water or soap.
- Now take a bowl of warm water (it should not be too hot), and make the soap as foamy as possible with the water.
- Gently rub the bat with the foamy water using a piece of cotton fabric.
- Be careful when rubbing the ball markspots; rubbing too harshly can damage the surface of the bat.
- Then wash the bat under the running water of the tap.
- Use a dry soft piece of fabric to further dry the bat. With that said, you’re done with the cleaning process; now, all you need to do is wait for the bat to completely dry on its own.
Cleaning With Liquid Dishwasher or Shampoo
Cleaning your bat with shampoo or liquid dishwasher is a good way to save some money while getting the job done. So, if you are running low on cash or just don’t have the time to get a professional cleaner, try using this method.
The process isn’t that tough, but there are a few things to keep in mind. For example, I don’t recommend applying liquid dishwasher or shampoo directly on your bat because it could damage the surface. As a result, don’t forget to mix mild-warm water with shampoo or the dishwasher.
Steps to clean a softball bat using dishwasher detergent or shampoo:
- Make the bat wet using a moistened piece of cotton cloth.
- Mix the liquid dishwasher or shampoo with water in a bowl.
- The ratio of the mixture between the water and dishwasher or shampoo must be 2:1. Excessive dishwasher detergent or shampoo can be harmful to the bat’s surface.
- Dip a brush in the mixture and use it to clean the bat. Gently rub the bat with the brush and the liquid solution.
- Put the bat under the running tap water and gently clean it.
- Make the bat dry using a dry towel or a piece of cotton fabric.
Using Rubbing Alcohol for Cleaning Ball Marks
Most of my students were/are only concerned about ball marks on their bats. Not just my players but many other people wonder the same thing – how on earth do I get rid of these stubborn ball marks. To those people who are concerned about ball stains, I suggest you try using rubbing alcohol for cleaning the bat. It is by far the most effective way to deal with pesky ball spots. Over the years, I have found out that this method also works great for cleaning medium grimes, apart from just cleaning ball marks.
So, here’s how you do it:
- Rub the bat with rubbing alcohol using a soft towel or soft scrub.
- Then keep the bat wet with the alcohol and wait until the alcohol dries up.
- Carefully rub the ball marksand all the spots that have dirt on them
- Leave the bat for a while to dry up
Cleaning With Specialized Products: Using Professional Cleaners
Now, if you are looking for an optimal way to clean your softball bats, then using specialized products is practically the best way there is. However, it will require you to spend some of your hard-earned cash. So, make sure you are serious about it and willing to spend on it.
Most professional cleaning products come with detailed instructions on how to use them safely. So, there is less to no chance of you making a blunder while cleaning; simply following the product instructions will suffice! I’ve tried out many professional cleaners, each from a different brand. What I understood is that most of them perform well, and you shouldn’t have much of a problem using them.
When it comes to softball bats, I prefer aluminum ones over the various others; similarly, when it comes to cleaners, there is one that I prefer more than the others, and it is Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. The cleaner works like a charm on glossy surfaces, like the ones you find on aluminum bats.
However, it doesn’t imply that the cleaner won’t work well on other types of bats, meaning you can clean the ones that are made up of composite as well. Another advantage I found about Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is that it is also very easy to use. It is pretty much like sandpaper. Just apply some water to your bat and scrub it with the product to remove ball marks or stains.
One thing you should keep in mind while using Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is that if you scrub too hard, it will remove more than just the marks. So, be a little careful while using the product on a bat. If you do it the right way, you’ll surely be impressed by the results.
Aluminum Vs. Composite Bats: Things to Keep in Mind During Cleaning
I advise all the avid softball players to use specialized and professional materials to clean their bats, of course, if they’re not on a tight budget. However, if you are using soap, dishwasher, or shampoo, I suggest you make sure the water isn’t too hot, especially if you are cleaning an aluminum softball bat.
Throughout the years, I’ve learned that if you rub your aluminum softball bat with a rough cloth or scrub too hard even with a soft cloth, it will eventually damage the exterior. If you are not cautious about this, it will make your bat look super ugly once the surface is damaged. It can also cause performance issues, which you don’t want to see happening during an important game.
If you scrub the bat’s surface really hard without any concern, the *sweet spot* of the bat will become uneven. So, no matter how good of a hitter you are, that slight anomaly will result in rebounds and foul balls – shots that could’ve been big flys. I should also warn you about using hot water. When you are cleaning a softball bat, make sure the water isn’t too hot. I’ve ruined one of my favorite bats like this. Only if I hadn’t forgotten to check the temperature of the water, my bat would’ve lived to see a few more sessions.
In the case of composite softball bats, the do’s and don’ts are pretty much the same. First of all, make sure to use mild soaps, shampoo, and cleaner. Second, check the temperature of the water before using it, and finally, don’t apply the cleaner directly. Make a mixture and then apply it to the bat.
Don’t Forget to Use Some Natural Ingredients
Over the years, I’ve found out that olive oil and lemon juice are the best and most commonly used organic cleansers. What I suggest to everyone is that, before cleaning your bat with soap or other cleaners, you should try using natural ingredients on it. For instance, applying olive oil helps you to remove sticky and heavy muck from your bat.
Lemon juice, on the other hand, includes natural citric acid, which aids in the removal of a variety of tough stains, including ball marks. So, you should try to use ingredients like olive oil or lemon juice before cleaning your bat. One more thing I would like to add is that you shouldn’t use olive oil that is meant for cooking – use the ones that are meant for the body and skin. Cooking olive oils can ruin the polished aril of your bat, so stay clear of it.
As I said, using a professional cleaner like Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is an easy way out of the maze. So, if you don’t have the time to select, prepare, and use natural ingredients, you can always use a cleaner. Natural ingredients are always a good option if you know how to make full use of them. Just try olive oil and lemon juice and you for different stains and see the results yourself.
Bottom Line
If you think a shiny, sparkling bat makes you look like a newbie, then mate, you are not at all on the right track. It’s the opposite, actually. A dirty bat only makes you look sloppy and like someone who doesn’t care about the game. So, I always preferred (and still prefer) to keep my softball bat clean. Nevertheless, I told you all the possible ways which you can use to keep your bat neat and make it look new. Follow the instructions properly and give it a shot. You won’t know the difference until you try.
I hope the sunray reflects from your bat when you hit the home run as it so happens in the movies. Cheers!
