Pickleball Paddle Cleaning Guide
The saying, “If you take care of your stuff, your stuff will take care of you,” definitely applies to pickleball paddles. Good paddle care will ensure your paddle will last longer and help you perform at your highest-level point after point, and game after game.
Cleaning a Pickleball Paddle
1. Cleaning the hitting surface
Most paddles have a textured hitting surface that allow players to generate spin. The surface texture is made up of thousands of tiny peaks and valleys. The peaks bite into the ball thus allowing a player to generate greater spin. During play, a paddle face will pick up the dirt that is transferred to the ball from the court surface. Dirt builds up on the paddle face and fills the valleys, creating a smoother surface. When this happens, the ability to generate spin is decreased.
To clean the face of your paddle we recommend using a damp micro fiber cloth. It is not recommended to use a household cleaner on the hitting surface of your paddle. Most household cleaning solutions tend to leave a sticky residue behind that will attract even more dust and dirt the next time you use your paddle.
Over time the graphics on your paddle are going to show wear and you will see nicks and scratches. This is normal wear and tear associated with hitting a hard pickleball. (Just hope most of that wear is happening in the middle of your paddle, as that is where you should be making most of the contact with the ball!)
2. The grip
Dirt and sweat will build up on the grip over time. The more you play the faster your grip will get dirty and wear out. Since the grip is the only point of contact between you and your paddle it is very important to have a clean grip. You can clean your grip by using a damp microfiber cloth then dry it off using a clean cloth.
It is best to replace your grip more often if you are playing multiple times a week. Think back how nice and comfortable your brand-new paddle felt the first time you played with it. A new grip will give you that same feeling again.
3. Storing a paddle
It is important to remember a few things about storing your paddle when you are not playing. You should never leave your paddle in your car during the winter or summer seasons as the extreme temperatures of both those seasons can cause damage to your paddle. Extreme cold temperatures will cause the core and the hitting surface of your paddle to become brittle and crack. Extreme high temperatures will soften the core and the hitting surface and may cause delamination, (where the hitting surface could separate from the core and cause dead spots). While playing on extremely hot days it is not recommended to leave your paddle out in the sun sitting on a hot court for the same reason as above.