It is common to see a pickleball paddle dirty after every match. But while many players tend not to care about it, it is essential to maintain the cleanliness of the paddle for various reasons.
For one, it can help maintain the durability of the equipment, making it last for a long time. Secondly, it can also ensure the texture of the paddle stays excellent. Note that these factors directly affect the effectiveness of the game.
Fortunately,cleaning the pickleball paddle is a very easy task. All it takes is a few simple steps before every match to clean the paddle, and it can tremendously increase the potential of the game.
How to clean a pickleball paddle?
There are precisely three parts of the pickleball paddle that are more prone to accumulating dirt and grime. These are the playing surface, edges, and grip—all these demand special care when cleaning.
Playing surface gets dirtier than most of the paddle’s parts. The edges of the paddle have spaces for the dirt to settle. The grip accumulates sweat and dust easily as it is constantly in contact with the players’ palms.
One can use a sponge or a dampened soft cloth for cleaning the pickleball paddle, gently and effectively scrubbing the dirt away. Alternatively, a glass cleaner or a microfiber cloth are also good options. You must avoid using harsh chemical-filled solutions as it could damage the texture of the equipment.
After the cleaning is complete, ensure to store the paddle in a pouch meant exclusively for it. If you keep it in any other bag along with sharp objects like a keychain or scissors, they could scratch the paddle and ruin its functionality.
How to maintain it?
Safe storage is critical if you want the paddle to last for a long time.
To ensure this, do not expose the paddle to extreme temperatures as it can spoil the texture of the paddle. It will cause the paddle to crack or break and perhaps even soften the surface.
Do not submerge the paddle in water when cleaning
The pickleball paddles are in the design of a honeycomb core, which has the capability to trap water within them. Therefore, you must never soak the paddle in the water as it will invariably damage the paddle and reduce its lifespan.
Preserve the grip
The grip of a paddle is highly vulnerable to dirt, grime, and sweat as it’s in prolonged contact with the players’ hands. It directly impacts the life of the paddle. You have to clean it regularly.
There are a few ways of preservation. One is to apply new tape over the grip. Grips come in different textures. You can get a firm texture that provides more stabilization or a softer texture that is great for those with sensitive hands.
Avoid keeping paddles at extreme temperatures
Try not to keep your paddle in an area with high temperatures. Sunlight and high temperatures can cause your paddle to warp or crack.
Colder temperatures can also make paddles less responsive than usual. Try to store it in a place where the temperature is normal.
Be gentle
Take a minute and notice the damage on the edge guard. It can reveal how vulnerable the paddle is. The player must remember not to throw, tumble, or smash the paddle to the ground.
It is therefore essential for every player to follow the cleaning process after every match to save the texture and ensure the longevity of the pickleball paddle.
