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Are bowling ball holes cleaned?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 11, 2026

Ball Cleaners

Surfactant cleaners raise dirt from the microscopic pores of the ball's coverstock, or outer layer. Wipe the ball down with alcohol to remove the loosened dirt. Get a personal ball spinner to use with cleaners if you're a frequent bowler.

Do they clean bowling ball holes?

Touch Your Face. Look, the fact of the matter is that there is no way to clean each and every ball thoroughly on a daily basis. According to a bowling alley employee, his facility only cleaned the finger holes a couple of times a year with disinfectant.

Do bowling balls get sanitized?

Bowling balls can be cleaned and disinfected—and they're not the same thing. Cleaning involves wiping away dirt, oil, grime and debris so the ball looks and performs better. Disinfecting, on the other hand, uses an agent to kill germs on the ball's surface.

How often are bowling balls cleaned?

A general rule of thumb is that these balls should be cleaned after every six games. Every bowler has his or her own favorite method of cleaning their BowlingBalls.

Do bowling shoes get sanitized?

Although it's unlikely your local bowling alley is using a UV light to disinfect the insides of shoes, this is the most effective method of killing the organisms that live in your shoes.

29 related questions found

How are bowling shoes cleaned?

Cleaning. A wire brush is a great tool for keeping your soles clean. Gently but firmly use the brush to scrape down the sole, removing any gunk or buildup that may have accumulated over time. Don't push too hard—you don't want to gouge the soles—just enough to scrape off the debris.

What do they use to disinfect bowling shoes?

Lysol Disinfectant Spray, Sanitizing and Antibacterial Spray, For Disinfecting and Deodorizing, Crisp Linen, 19 fl oz.

Do I need to clean my bowling ball?

If you're regularly playing on oily lanes, a deep clean is recommended every 50 games or so. Regulated lanes require less, with an average of 75-100 games recommended. Just keep an eye on your ball. If your bowling ball's action is starting to dull, it's probably time for a deep clean.

How do you clean and take care of a bowling ball?

Just hold the ball in one hand and spin it around while wiping with the other hand. After you're done with your game, thoroughly clean your ball by spraying it with a bowling ball cleaner and wiping it down. Eventually, no matter how well you maintain your bowling ball, some oil will seep in.

Are bowling balls dirty?

How does a bowling ball get dirty? Bowling lanes are often coated with oil to allow smooth movement of the bowling ball on the bowling track. Most dirt on the bowling ball comes from this oil.

What does rubbing alcohol do to a bowling ball?

Using isopropyl alcohol over time can dry out your bowling ball; making it brittle, more prone to crack and destroy performance. So while it is good to kill viruses on your bowling ball, it can also hurt the performance over time.

Do you have to wear bowling shoes when bowling?

YES YOU DO. Bowling shoes are needed for safety first and performance second. Your shoes need to be clean with a smooth sole to allow you and all the other bowlers to walk up toward the pins and swing your ball into the lane without sticking or tripping on anything. Street shoes won't do this.

Does bowling mess up your nails?

Nails Getting Chaffed

Bowling balls are not usually very light. So, if you are going to handle a bowling ball with long nails, it is possible that a bad posture or handling might end up hurting your long nails or chaffing them, leaving a mark on them.

How often should you replace your bowling ball?

With proper maintenance, you should get at least 5-10 years out of a quality bowling ball.

How do you deep clean a bowling ball?

Clean a bowling ball's porous outer surface with rubbing alcohol to remove dirt, grease and grime contaminants. Wipe the ball down vigorously with an alcohol soaked towel or microfiber cloth as soon as possible after bowling. Do not soak the entire bowling ball in alcohol for any amount of time.

How often should I oil my bowling ball?

Hard plastic balls are most resistance to oil as they are not very absorbent, but higher end materials such as reactive resin or pearl overstock are actually quite absorbent and require much more frequently cleanings. Generally it is recommended that these high end balls be cleaned every 6 or so games.

How do you rejuvenate a bowling ball at home?

In this method, you let your bowling ball sit in hot water, drawing the oil out of the cover stock.

  1. Fill a Bucket With Hot Water. A standard, no-frills bucket being filled halfway with hot water. ...
  2. Tape Over the Holes. ...
  3. Immerse the Bowling Ball. ...
  4. Wipe the Bowling Ball. ...
  5. Let the Bowling Ball Rest.

How long do you soak a bowling ball?

Fill a bucket with hot water and insert your ball.

Oil is lighter than water, so it and any accompanying dirt will lift from the surface of your ball when soaked in warm water. To allow the water enough time to work into the pores of your ball, soak your ball for 20 minutes.

Can bowling balls be left in the cold?

Today, bowling balls are quite an investment and they can be easily damaged being taken from the sub-zero temperatures to the warmth of the bowling center. If, for some odd reason, you need to keep the ball in a colder area, be sure that you get to the lanes early enough to have the ball warm.

Why do they spray bowling shoes?

Disinfecting the Shoes

First and foremost, the purpose of using bowling shoe spray is to disinfect them. These sprays contain chemical components that provide safety against bacteria and fungi and reduce any microorganism growth. These microorganisms can lead to many diseases which the bowling shoe spray prevents.

What is the best antifungal spray for shoes?

TERPENICOL® Shoe Spray is proven to kill 99.9% of bacteria and fungus found in shoes. The fine mist aids in the prevention of fungal infections, reinfections, and tinea pedis (athlete's foot).

How do you disinfect Lysol shoes?

Spray the inside of your shoes with sanitizing spray such as Lysol, and allow at least 24 hours for the pair to completely dry out. For an extra sanitizing step, place your shoes in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer overnight. The cold will kill any bacteria that the disinfectant spray missed.

Can you clean the felt on bowling shoes?

Any kind of cloth will suffice, providing it is clean and soft. A dry cloth is preferred because it will not leave unwanted residue on the bottom of your shoe.

Can you wear socks while bowling?

First and foremost: SOCKS!

That's right, even if your outfit doesn't call for socks, you really need to bring socks with you to wear with the bowling shoes you'll be renting. Thick, absorbent socks are best. If you forget to bring socks, head over to our pro shop to pick up a pair.