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The basketball is an item that is often exposed to dirt because of bacteria caused by touching the ground. Dust on a glossy surface can cause it to lose its natural grip. Fortunately, it’s very easy to clean a basketball depending on the material it’s made of. Cleaning the basketball regularly will improve the performance of the ball and help the ball last longer. In this article, we are going to look at different methods on how to clean a basketball that you can follow to make your basketball look as good as new.
Why should you clean a basketball?
Many players will ask, why is it necessary to clean a basketball? When we play basketball, the ball will be thrown to the floor and contact the floor, so the ball will contact all the things on the floor. During the game, basketball can come into contact with any part of your body, such as your hands, face, chest, legs…Palms are said to be one of the dirtiest places on the body. your body. You play basketball with your hands, so what’s on the ball will be in your hand as well. Keeping basketball clean means keeping you and your loved ones clean from bacterial infections that accumulate during play.
In addition to the health benefits, a clean ball also makes it easier to grip when taking a pass. Because when the ball is clean, the grip will improve, helping you to maintain your form in your match. Cleaning basketballs regularly also helps prolong their life and improve their performance. It is also a way to show respect for the sport you love. It is for the above reasons that we will show you how to clean a basketball in the fastest and easiest depending on its material.
How To Clean a Basketball In a Right Way
Cleaning a Rubber Basketball
Rubber basketballs are made by every brand and are the cheapest basketballs on the market. Although rubber basketballs get dirty very quickly, they are easy to clean. The cleaning steps will be carried out as follows:
- Step 1: Since your basketball is made of rubber, using a basic rubber pencil eraser can remove many stains. Note that the ball should be completely dry before scrubbing.
- Step 2: Use an appropriately sized sink or container. Then pour warm water and a few drops of dish soap inside. Dip the rubber ball in the sink, don’t worry because the rubber basketball is completely waterproof.
- Step 3: Use a sponge dipped in water to get soap and then start scrubbing on the glossy surface. Stains will be easily removed. You can also use old brushes for scrubbing as they can effectively get into the tiniest crevices of the glossy surface.
- Step 4: Finally, place the basketball under the faucet and spin it around until it is completely clean. Use a clean towel to dry the ball or let it air dry for a few hours.
Cleaning a Synthetic Leather Basketball
Synthetic leather balls may be less sensitive than genuine leather balls, but they still require careful care. Synthetic leather balls are designed for both indoor and outdoor use, so they are susceptible to wear and tear over time. Clean leather basketballs in the following order:
- Step 1: Rinse the basketball with cool water. Rotate the ball under running water or wipe it clean with a soft, damp cloth. This will help remove some of the dirt from the glossy surface without overwetting.
- Step 2: Using a sink or container, fill it with water and add some dish soap and stir the mixture.
- Step 3: Dip a soft and clean cloth in water then wring it out and wipe it on the glossy surface. Since the surface of a synthetic leather basketball is usually smoother than the surface of a rubber basketball, there aren’t many nooks and crannies where dirt can hide. This kite will reduce the effort for you.
- Step 4: If there are still stains that cannot be cleaned, use a synthetic leather cleaner. Follow the instructions printed on the bottle for proper use.
- Step 5: Rinse the basketball again. Take another clean, dry cloth and wet it with cool water, then rub it over the glossy surface to wash away any residue. Use a dry towel to wipe off the water on the ball and then leave it in a cool, dry place, let it dry overnight.
Cleaning a Natural Leather Basketball
Basketballs made of natural leather are easy to clean because there are many leather cleaners on the market today that make the process easier. This type of basketball is usually the most expensive of all, so it needs to be cleaned gently and with caution. It is recommended to use natural leather cleaners for cleaning and should not use foam or soapy water as it can shorten the life of the ball. Follow our steps below:
- Step 1: If your basketball gets muddy, wash it off with warm water. Next, proceed to inflate the ball before cleaning to avoid wrinkles and cracks on the skin. This also ensures that you are cleaning every surface of the ball. To check if your balloon is inflated properly, hold it overhead and drop it to the floor. If it bounces back to chest level, you’re ready. If it doesn’t pop up that high, it might need a little more air.
- Step 2: Wipe the polish with a clean, dry towel. This will remove all the dirt on the ball and remove the top surface layer of dust. Next, take a clean cloth, pour some leather cleaner on it then wring it out to remove excess moisture. Be careful not to put the bleach directly on the ball as this will damage the leather.
- Step 3: Finally, use a clean, dry towel to wipe and pull the moisture away from the surface of the ball so it dries faster. Gently rub the cloth in a circular motion. Never use a hair dryer or other heating devices as this will crack and damage the skin.
- Step 4: After drying, store the ball in a cool and dry place. In particular, leather basketballs are easily affected by extreme heat and humidity. Ideally, keep your basketball in a controlled area vented basketball bag. Leather balls should only be used indoors and limited to outdoor play. Now, you’ve learned how to clean a basketball, right?
Avoid things while cleaning a basketball
There are a few notes you should keep in mind during basketball cleaning, which are:
- Do not immerse the ball in water or detergent regardless of the material, or strong detergent.
- Do not wash basketballs in the washing machine
- Avoid drying the basketball in the dryer or using any heat generator. Instead, wipe it with a clean towel and dry it in the sun.
- Do not clean the ball while it is in a deflated state. Always make sure the ball is inflated to the optimum pressure before starting the cleaning process.
How to keep a basketball clean?
Stay away from dust
Accumulated dust can cause the basketball to lose grip. To remove dust, dip a towel in warm water and then wipe it over the glossy surface.
Play on a clean field
When playing on any outdoor or indoor court, be careful and watch out for any sharp objects around. Sharp objects can puncture the basketball and damage it. Before playing, make sure the yard is dusted and cleaned.
Store in the right environment
The ball’s shape can be impacted by storing it in a warm environment. Instead, keep it somewhere cold and dry. Or, even better, place it somewhere safe in your room using a basketball bag. Keep the basketball out of direct sunlight and follow the regular cleaning instructions listed above to keep it looking clean and brand new.
In conclusion, we hope that these how to clean a basketball guides can help you clean your basketball according to the material and maintain the life of the ball, improve performance, and protect you from infection and harmful diseases.
Video: Source from NoDunks Inc (Youtube)
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