If you’re a baseball player, don’t forget to clean all your stuff. That means you should also know how to clean a baseball bat properly.
Let’s face it: You have to really know how to clean a baseball bat. Baseball equipment can easily get dirty, and that includes baseball bats.
This doesn’t just ruin their looks though. All that grime and dirt can reduce its capabilities and also its durability. So it’s not enough that you rub some cloth over it to wipe away the dirt.
Cleaning Aluminum Bats
Aluminum bats are among the easiest types of bat to clean. One easy way to do is to just use the traditional soap and water combination.
You should use warm water, along with a warm soap. For best results, look for a soap that comes with conditioner.
Soak a washcloth in the soap and water, and then rub the bat with it. An old sock can do just fine for the washcloth.
The easier stains on the bat should come right off. Just try not to get too much water on the gripping tape of the bat.
Some of the stains may be tougher to remove, so you’ll need a toothbrush with hard bristles.
An old toothbrush is also good for this. Use running water and the stains should come right off.
Cleaning Composite Bats
It’s also not all that difficult to learn how to clean a composite baseball bat. These bats may be lighter and generally more durable, but they still need to be cleaned properly.
You can start with a clean moist terry cloth or even a simple cotton cloth. That should take care of the easiest dirt to get rid of.
Then again you use a soap and water combination, and you can apply it to the bat using a clean cloth or a sponge. You may need to be more forceful when you’re scrubbing off more stubborn marks and scuffs.
There should be just enough soap in the mix for a sudsy mixture. With too much soap, it’s just a waste. Most makers of composite bats insist on using only soap and water for cleaning these bats.
Your best bet is to use dish soap that doesn’t contain any bleach. This should do well enough to keep from scratching the surface of the graphite fiber composite material.
Now when it’s clean, use a hose to remove all the soap and dirt from the bat. If you don’t have a hose, just use a bucket of clean water and a sponge. Keep rinsing until all the soap is gone.
Finally, use a clean rag or towel to wipe off all the moisture from the bat. Check the bat to see if there are still any stains, and if there are you then need to try and remove it before you’re done.
If you’re going to be buying one of the top BBCOR bats this season that are made of composite materials you don’t want to skip a single step.
Cleaning Wooden Bats
When you’re figuring out how to clean a wooden baseball bat, you have to realize that it’s not that simple. Wood can absorb water and that can cause some defects in the material. So you need to take special care.
To start with, you’ll need a soft towel or cloth, and you should wet it with some rubbing alcohol.
That alcohol can be very effective in taking off the tar, sweat, and grime from the bat. You should wipe down from the top of the barrel all the way down to the handle.
You’ll need to really clean the handle, since it’s where most of your sweat has accumulated.
When you’re done, try to wipe down the bat to make sure it’s dry.
Now take another wood bat or a wood rolling pin, and rub it against the various scratches and scrapes on the bat you’re cleaning.
This can smoothen out any of the rough spots that result when your wooden bat comes into contact with the ball.
When you’re done, store away your wood bat in a dry place. It is best if you keep it away from sunlight. Make sure the handle faces up, so that it doesn’t have to deal with the weight of the barrel.
Final Thoughts on Cleaning a Baseball Bat
As you may have realized by now, learning how to clean a baseball bat isn’t really all that complicated.
Just make sure you do it regularly, so that the stains don’t have time to set too deep in your bat.
