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How to Clean Your Pickleball Paddle

March 01, 2022

This resourceful guide on how to clean and care for your pickleball paddles will explain why the process is so vital and the steps needed to complete it.


Playing pickleball is a blast. There’s nothing sweeter than whacking the ball past your opponent’s face when they never saw it coming. Of course, you need a few things to play the beloved game. A court,  pickleball balls, and pickleball paddles are all essentials. Believe it or not, it’s vital to keep the paddles clean to keep up your A-game. This guide on how to clean and care for your pickleball paddles will show you what to do when you see they’re starting to wear and tear.

Pickleball Paddles for Sale

The Importance of a Clean Pickleball Paddle

Before discussing how to clean and care for your pickleball paddle, it’s vital to understand why the process is significant. Most pickleball paddles have a textured surface. The texture is designed to help you hit the ball more accurately and produce a spin on the ball. Over time, the material will accumulate dirt, impacting the effectiveness of your play. Dirt will make generating a solid spin on the ball more challenging. So, if you want to be successful on the court, regularly clean the paddles after matches.

Cleaning the Paddle

Step 1:

It’s time to talk about cleaning, people! The first step in cleaning a pickleball paddle is to acquire a lint-free cloth. Slightly dampen the cloth and wash the paddle’s surface in a counterclockwise motion. Be sure to wash the edges as well. It’d be best to avoid household cleaners with harsh chemicals because they’ll actually make more dirt stick the next time you play. Get into the habit of cleaning the paddle after each match. The more you clean it, the longer it’ll last.

Step 2: 

Don’t worry—we didn’t forget about the grip! The grip of a pickleball paddle is arguably the most important part. Your game will surely suffer If you don’t have a firm grip on the handle. Much like the paddle’s surface, dirt can build up on the grip over time. Want to hear something even grosser? Dead skin can accumulate and impact the grip after some time. Ew! Luckily, there’s an easy solution to this problem. Simply use a damp towel or rag to wipe off the grip after every match. Cleaning the grip will prolong its lifespan, and make sure you have it for a long time! 

Avoid Water

At this point, you may be thinking, “Where’s the water?” Shouldn’t you use lots of water to clean the paddle? The simple answer is, not really. Yes, you can use a damp towel to wipe the surface and grip. However, never submerge the paddle in the water. Most pickleball paddles have a honeycomb core. When honeycomb is dosed in water, it expands, meaning that H2O will get trapped inside the paddle. It goes without saying, but this isn’t good for your game! For this reason, avoid getting your equipment too wet. If it starts to rain in the middle of a match, try to wipe the paddle between points to keep it dry. The last thing you want is for water to be trapped inside the paddle, leaving you unable to play the game you love.

Embrace the Indoors

By now, you should have an understanding of how to clean a pickleball paddle. Yet, we have yet to discuss how to care for it. Well, now’s as good a time as any! Unfortunately, most of us don’t live in ideal climate conditions (Ahhh, Hawaii—one can dream, right?) If you live in a place where the weather changes often, you’ll want to read this section extra carefully.

Always put your paddle in a bag after every match. Get yourself a bag that you can place the paddle in after every game. Now, it’s important to bring the pickleball paddle inside, even if it’s in a bag. Why? Extremely hot weather can soften the paddle’s surface, decreasing the quality of your play. What’s more, bitter-cold temperatures increase the chances of the paddle cracking or breaking. So, try your hardest to always bring your paddle indoors so that it has an extended lifespan.

Babolat PIckleball Paddles for Sale

You Can't Avoid the Inevitable

Sadly, some wear and tear can’t be avoided. If the wear and tear on your paddle are impacting your game, it may be time to look for new pickleball paddles for sale. Fromuth Pickleball has a wide selection of paddles that’ll improve the quality of your game and help you look stylish on the court. We have lightweight options and paddles for beginners. Consider taking a look if you think it’s time for an upgrade!

Hopefully, this piece has shown you the importance of cleaning your pickleball paddle. If you don’t add cleaning to your routine, the paddle will lose its zest long before its time. Luckily, cleaning a paddle isn’t too challenging. Remember, never submerge the item in water because it may get stuck inside. Instead, use a damp, lint-free cloth to get rid of any dirt or debris that’s been accumulated. Next, wipe the paddle’s grip with a damp towel to remove dead skin and other particles that may be impacting your game.

Finally, be sure to store the paddle in a bag and never leave it outside. Whether we like to admit it or not, the elements can damage a paddle if they’re too extreme. Hot temperatures can soften the paddle, making it more difficult to hit the ball forcefully. On the other hand, cold weather will increase the likelihood of breaking or cracking. Don’t let Mother Nature ruin all the fun!

Cleaning probably never seemed so important. This simple task can change your entire pickleball performance. If you don’t regularly clean the paddle, you may need a new one sooner than you think. It’s not a huge deal if this happens, though! Why? Because Fromuth Pickleball has all the accessories you need (including paddles) to up your game. Perhaps obtaining a new paddle isn’t such a bad idea; after all, summer is just around the corner!


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