The best way to ensure your softball bat stays longer is by avoiding activities that degrade its quality. These include banging it against cleats or using it on other balls other than softballs. Ensuring that you do not use your bat under extreme heat and turning it several centimeters every time you hit a softball during playtime can also help expand its lifespan. Even so, how long your softball bat lasts depends on how well you clean and dry it.
Having your softball bat get dirty can be an indication how much you enjoy putting it to use. However, the bat can turn out to being filthy if you do not maintain it properly. You can begin to notice a loss of shine on your aluminum softball bat. If this happens, it’s time you considered conducting a thorough clean. There are several ways to clean a softball bat so it looks new again. Here are some easy alternatives you can consider:
- Use mild dish washing soap to clean your bat
This is one of the most commonly used ways of cleaning a softball bat. It works well depending on how stubborn the stains on the bat are. With a washcloth and mild soap, use tap water to clean your bat. Begin by wiping the bat using the clean cloth to remove loose dirt. After that, nix warm water and dish washing soap then dip the cloth I the water then wring it well do it has no dripping water. Use the wet cloth to wipe the bat down to clean it.
- Remove tough stains with a brush
If the bat has stubborn stains that are hard to remove using the washcloth and warm water, try using a brush. Find a brush with hard bristles or one that is good at removing difficult stains. Do this in a tub with running water and soap. This process might take time so be patient. If you notice that some stubborn areas need more attention, consider using a nylon or plastic scouring pad to clean the stains. Rinse the softball bat using running water to rid it of any residual soap.
- Use bat cleaning pastes or liquids
If you are preparing your softball bats for sale, it is advisable to clean it using professional cleaning agents. You will find such pastes and liquids designed specifically for cleaning bats in most stores that stock sports goods. To clean the bat, wet a paper towel and dip it in the cleaning liquid or paste then rub it on the softball bat. If your bat is somewhat new, consider using cleaning liquids or paste to be safe. Some bats are fragile when it comes to paint chips so taking precaution when handling and cleaning them. Another cleaning product that you might find useful in cleaning your softball bat is the magic eraser. If you opt to use this, follow the instruction on the pack and dry it to prevent dampness.
- Polish wooden bats
If you use a wooden softball bat, use wood polish to maintain its shiny finish and give it a glow. When you apply wood polish on wooden bats, the polish gets absorbed as the wood gets softened and gets a great finish. Ensure that you do not apply too much polish on the bat as that could make it too soft and lead to breakage.
- Use alcohol to remove marks
If you try to remove marks from your bat with chemicals or soap water and it fails, consider rubbing some alcohol on the marks. Take a small part of a cloth and dampen it with alcohol. Rub the areas with marks then dry the bat. If your bat has a leather handle, use shoe polish to clean it up. Ensure the bat it completely dried up to prevent rust. You may also use natural cleaning agents to clean your bat if you want to avoid using harsh chemicals. Some of these include olive oil to remove adhesive and mixture of water and lemon juice or vinegar and water to remove marks. Fine grit sandpaper may also be used to clean bats made from natural wood by running them in the direction of wood grain.