How to Clean Golf Balls

Co-authored by Michael Metz and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References

There’s nothing beautiful about a dirty golf ball—plus, all the dirt and grime on the surface can make it perform less effectively during a game. How are you supposed to get your golf balls squeaky clean when they’re caked in grime, though? No worries; with a few simple household supplies, you can clear away any dirt, mud, and pen marks in a jiffy. We’ve covered everything you need to know so you can get back to your favorite range or golf course ASAP.

Things You Should Know

Soak your golf balls in a cleaning solution or stick them in the dishwasher for a quick clean.
Clear away leftover pen marks with acetone or nail polish remover.
Wipe off or hose down your golf balls if they’re lightly soiled.

1

Soaking in a Cleaning Solution

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Soak your dirty golf balls in a homemade solution of soapy water. Pour some warm water into a large, industrial-sized bucket , filling it up most of the way. Then, add in 1 cup (240 mL) of dish soap to create a sudsy cleaning mixture. ^{[1]
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Research source} Transfer your dirty golf balls into the bucket, letting them soak for at least 15-20 minutes. ^{[2]
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- Scrub away any leftover dirt or grime from your equipment with a toothbrush or bristle brush , and then dry off the equipment with a towel. ^{[3]
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- A bleach solution can also give your golf balls a thorough clean—just dilute the bleach in a large bucket and soak the balls for a few minutes. Then, rinse everything off with plain water and air-dry them in an open, ventilated space. ^{[5]
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- If your golf balls are covered in stubborn patches of dirt, submerge them in a mixture of white vinegar and warm water. ^{[6]
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2

Dishwasher

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Dishwashing allows you to effectively clean dirty golf balls in bulk. Arrange them in the top section of your dishwasher, fitting them in a single, uniform layer. Then, fill your dishwasher with the amount of detergent you typically use, like a pre-portioned tablet. Close up the appliance and set it to a normal wash cycle. ^{[7]
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- Feel free to stick some of your golf balls in the dishwasher’s silverware basket, too. ^{[8]
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- You can also stick your golf balls in a mesh container along the top rack of the dishwasher. ^{[9]
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- If some of your golf balls are still dirty, hand-wash them with a bristle brush or toothbrush. ^{[10]
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3

Nail Polish Remover

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Clear away any ink markings with nail polish remover . If you’ve bought your golf balls secondhand, you might notice some colorful marks sketched along the surface. Simply dip a clean cloth in some polish remover and wipe off the ink directly—with a little elbow grease, it’ll come right off. ^{[11]
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- Acetone can also get the job done. ^{[12]
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- Many players draw on their golf balls with a permanent marker so they can identify them later on. ^{[13]
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4

Hosing Down

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Grab a hose and rinse your balls if they’re only a little dirty. Lots of golf balls end up covered in a layer of dried dirt after rolling around on a golf course. Place all of your equipment in a single container and rinse it off with your garden hose—this helps clear away some of the dirt immediately. ^{[14]
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- If you don’t have a hose handy, douse the golf balls with several pitchers of clean water.

5

Towel

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A towel dipped in dish soap quickly polishes lightly-soiled balls. Dip the tip of a clean towel in some sudsy water and bring it with you on your next golf outing. If one of your golf balls gets especially dirty during the game, scrub it down with your towel before setting it down on the green again. ^{[15]
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- To be safe, bring a little bit of dish soap with you to the golf course so your towel doesn’t dry out.
- Keep in mind that on-the-go cleaning isn’t allowed in an official USGA match. If you’re playing in a tournament, make sure your golf balls are squeaky clean ahead of time. ^{[16]
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6

Dry Cotton Balls

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Store dry cotton balls in your bag to clean your equipment on the go. Grab a fistful of cotton balls and toss them in your bag (wherever your golf balls usually go). As you walk around with your equipment, the cotton balls will gently and effectively clear away some of the dirt. ^{[17]
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- Toss out and replace the old cotton balls once they start looking a bit dirty.

7

What to Avoid

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These cleaners can damage the surface of your golf balls, which could affect their playability. Instead, stick with safer options like dish soap, dishwasher detergent, and diluted bleach. ^{[18]
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Warnings

It’s okay to soak your golf balls overnight, but don’t leave them submerged for a full 24 hours. ^{[19]
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How to Clean Golf Balls

Things You Should Know

Steps

Soaking in a Cleaning Solution

Dishwasher

Nail Polish Remover

Hosing Down

Towel

Dry Cotton Balls

What to Avoid

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

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References

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