Safe household alternative to Ball Cleanser?

[unclemantis]

Do I need to use a store bought ball cleaner or can I use something else? My pro-shop guy said not to use alcohol which makes sense. What else can I use or should I not dare until I buy the recommended cleaner recommended by my ball manufacturer? Should I just wipe my ball real good with a clean microfiber towel?

[75lockwood]

Rubbing Alcohol works fine, is cheap, and is on the USBC approved cleaner list, if the pro shop is saying that you shouldn't use it he is just trying to sell you the expensive stuff

[unclemantis]

Rubbing Alcohol works fine, is cheap, and is on the USBC approved cleaner list, if the pro shop is saying that you shouldn't use it he is just trying to sell you the expensive stuff

What the pro-shop guy said was to do the following.

Wipe the ball after each return.

Wipe the ball down with a CLEAN microfiber towel AFTER each session.

Continue doing the above for about a year and visit him again for a de-oil.

He wasn't really trying to sell me anything extra. He seemed pretty knowledgeable. There must be something about Alcohol and the Hammer Nail surface.

Thoughts?

[unclemantis]

I found this thread on another board that talks a lot about Simple Green. But then one post that says NOT to. http://www.bowlingcommunity.com/b/ub...your_own_.html

Thoughts? Should I just wipe the ball down after each session like recommended by my pro shop?

[billf]

I have never heard of any shop or anybody with any bowling knowledge say to NOT clean your ball with a cleaner. Right now I use Kegel revitalize. Clean N Dull is great as is Storm's Reacta-clean, Brunswick remove all. I haven't tried the Simple Green & alcohol mixture yet but plan to. As far as what any person can post on the iinternet, take that with a grain of salt. You don't know who they are or how knowledgeable they are if at all (me included). EVERY ball manufacturer recommends cleaning your ball with cleaner after every session. If it wasn't important for proper ball maintenance then these companies wouldn't spend millions in research & development, marketing, etc.

From Hammer's website in the "ask an expert" section:
Question: How do I properly clean my bowling ball?
Answer: Hammer recommends cleaning all performance bowling balls immediately after each bowling session using Powerhouse Energizer Cleaner for polished surface balls, and Powerhouse Clean n’ Dull for dull surface balls. Both should also be used with Powerhouse Oil-Free Towels for optimum performance and removal of dirt and oil from the surface of the ball.

[unclemantis]

I have never heard of any shop or anybody with any bowling knowledge say to NOT clean your ball with a cleaner. Right now I use Kegel revitalize. Clean N Dull is great as is Storm's Reacta-clean, Brunswick remove all. I haven't tried the Simple Green & alcohol mixture yet but plan to. As far as what any person can post on the iinternet, take that with a grain of salt. You don't know who they are or how knowledgeable they are if at all (me included). EVERY ball manufacturer recommends cleaning your ball with cleaner after every session. If it wasn't important for proper ball maintenance then these companies wouldn't spend millions in research & development, marketing, etc.

From Hammer's website in the "ask an expert" section:
Question: How do I properly clean my bowling ball?
Answer: Hammer recommends cleaning all performance bowling balls immediately after each bowling session using Powerhouse Energizer Cleaner for polished surface balls, and Powerhouse Clean n’ Dull for dull surface balls. Both should also be used with Powerhouse Oil-Free Towels for optimum performance and removal of dirt and oil from the surface of the ball.

Well I guess i will see if there are any ball polish in the vending machine tonight.

T-minus 2 Hours until inaugural launch!

Oh I found a bottle of Storm Reacta Shine in the family's old bowling stuff. I think this bottle is probably as old as 10 years. Should I dare to use it or add alcohol to account for evaporation or should i just discard like old medicine?

[unclemantis]

Ya know I was watching some videos and I am seeing these pro shop people use a ball spinner. I noticed that the pro shop at my local balling ally offers a Polish service.

Also I read that hot soap and water can be used to clean the ball as well.

Yikes! So much to choose from.

I just don't want to ruin my ball out of the gate. That is what I am asking all these questions and acting anal.

[billf]

STOP!! Cleaner and polish are two totally different things. Do not add polish until after you know if you need it. Reacta-shine and Reacta-clean are as different as night and day.

[billf]

Go to the ball maintenance thread. There is some great info about cleaners over there as well as polish, when to resurface, etc.

Boy, I hope I caught you before you added polish. Polish will add length, delaying the hook. Cleaner will keep the dirt, grease, oil and such off the ball. The Cover will still absorb some oil EVEN if you wipe after every throw. It will absorb a ton more if you don't wipe it after every throw. That's why most coaches and manufacturers suggest wiping the ball as part of your pre-shot routine.

[unclemantis]

Go to the ball maintenance thread. There is some great info about cleaners over there as well as polish, when to resurface, etc.

Boy, I hope I caught you before you added polish. Polish will add length, delaying the hook. Cleaner will keep the dirt, grease, oil and such off the ball. The Cover will still absorb some oil EVEN if you wipe after every throw. It will absorb a ton more if you don't wipe it after every throw. That's why most coaches and manufacturers suggest wiping the ball as part of your pre-shot routine.

Will do!!!!