Spending the weekends bowling with your buddies is the perfect definition of fun. And if you are someone who likes bowling, you know that keeping the balls shiny and clean is crucial to getting control over your throws. The best bowling ball cleaners do much more than what wiping with a wet cloth does. With a proper cleaner, you have a say in how much smoothness you like in the balls. Whether you play a competitive game or bowl with friends just for leisure, you would enjoy the game only when you have better control over your throws. In this post, we have listed some of the best bowling ball cleaning liquids that you can choose from. So, bring one home and bowl your way to glory.

11 Best Bowling Ball Cleaners

1. Best Overall: Lane Ghost Bowling Ball Cleaner

This ball cleaner is part of the club of approved bowling ball cleaners and removes oil build-up, dirt, scuff marks, and belt marks from your ball. This cleaner has undergone various tests and has been reformulated to be one of the best bowling ball cleaners in the market. It restores the tack and prolongs the life of the ball, while ensuring that you throw a perfect hook everytime. It’s safe to use on all types of bowling balls and coverstock materials like plastic, urethane, and reactive resin. All you need to do is spray on the cleaner, leave it for 5 to 10 seconds and wipe it down with a towel to remove all dirt and oil. Irrespective of the type of ball you’re throwing, this ball cleaner will ensure that it’s always clean and in optimal condition. Pros

USBC approved Doesn’t leave a residue Comes with a cleaning towel Convenient to use

Cons

May not work well on scuff marks

2. Best Portable: Pyramid Monster Tac Ball Cleaner

This bowling ball cleaner is from a company founded by bowlers, for bowlers. It maintains the highest quality products possible at a very affordable cost. This ball cleaner is easy to apply, easy to remove, and keeps your bowling balls clean and ready for the lanes. It destroys oil and belt marks in a matter of minutes. This cleaner is safe for all bowling balls and is approved for use on all coverstock types. It does not contain any chemicals that can damage the lane, and it can be used for any lane, irrespective of the amount of oil on it. This cleaner restores the properties of your bowling ball’s surface to keep you at the top of your game, keeping your throws consistent. It comes in a size that can fit conveniently into your bowling bag. Pros

USBC approved Restores the tack Improves your game Comes in an easy-to-use spray bottle

Cons

Some may find its application a bit messy.

3. Best Easy-To-Apply: Storm Reacta Foam Bowling Ball Cleaner

This ball cleaner has a unique foam dispenser that allows you to apply it directly on to the bowling ball. This is innovative and cost-effective as you end up saving a lot of product. It is especially designed for reactive balls, and this one-step bowling ball cleaner restores that tack of your ball and gets it squeaky clean. This not only prolongs the life of your ball but also improves your game as it keeps your throws consistent and helps the ball stay on track. The bowling ball grips a little better and allows you to have a perfect shot as it stays straight for much longer and does not lose much power. It can also be used to polish the ball and remove some of the scratches and scuffs. Take a look at this video to get more information on the product. Pros

Long lasting Easy to apply Great for cleaning dirt and oil Easy to carry in a bag

Cons

May not work for belt marks

 

4. Best For Plastic: Hammer Remove All Ball Cleaner

If you need something to clean and revitalize the surface of your ball, this bowling ball cleaner is definitely worth a try. True to its name, this ball cleaner works wonders on dirt, oil, grime, and belt marks and removes them from the surface of the ball. It is so effective in cleaning bowling balls that it’s approved for use during competitions, and keeps them working like new. It polishes the surface of the bowling ball, leaving the ball tacky for a better backend hook, and keeps the ball on track. It works equally well on plastic and high-end urethane and reactive bowling balls. It’s convenient to carry in your bowling ball bag, and is also available in a 32 oz bottle. Pros

USBC approved Comes in a 8 oz bottle Easy to apply Comes with a free orange microfiber towel for cleaning

Cons

May leave the ball sticky for a bit

5. Best Professional-Grade: That Purple Stuff Professional Grade Bowling Ball Cleaner

This ball cleaner enables bowlers to maintain their equipment in order to bowl and give their best performance. The bowling ball is bound to pick up grime and oil during the game, which affects your throws and your performance. This cleaner is especially formulated to help any bowler keep their bowling ball clean. Just apply it to a cleaning pad and wipe the ball with it for all the dirt and oil to disappear. This helps you to perform consistently while playing your favorite spins or hooks. It’s available in multiple sizes of 4 oz, 6 oz, and 1 gallon which includes an empty 8 oz bottle for easy dispensing. This video offers a more detailed explanation of the product. Pros

USBC approved Professional grade cleaner Convenient size to carry Easy application

Cons

Some might find the flip top cap inconvenient for applying the cleaner.

 

6. Best Fast-Acting: Ultra Tac Ball Cleaner

This ball cleaner comes in an 8 oz spray bottle and its reliable formula is suitable for all surface types and coverstocks. It increases the lifespan of the ball and ups your game. Its strong cleaning compounds easily remove belt marks, oil, dirt, and grime from your bowling ball’s surface— simply spray it on and wipe it off. It also removes slight scratches, adds and maintains a shine to bowling balls that may have dulled with use, and leaves the ball with the perfect amount of tack. A clean ball gives you more control and the ball stays on the track, so that you throw a perfect hook every time and improve your game. This effective ball cleaner can improve the lifespan and durability of your balling equipment. Pros

USBC approved Fast acting Convenient to use Available in a 4 oz bottle too

Cons:

May have a peculiar odor

 

7. Best Biodegradable: Ebonite Power House Clean N’ Dull Ball Cleaner

If your bowling ball needs heavy-duty cleaning, this cleaner is an effective and economical option. It comes in a small and sleek bottle, but a single spray can get rid of grime, oil, and small scratches, and also improve your backend motion. Its advanced emulsifier blend makes oil removal faster and more effective. It’s ideal to use on high-performance bowling equipment, as friction is significantly boosted to improve your game. It removes oil, dirt, and belt marks from the surface of your bowling ball surface and revives the natural tack of the ball’s surface, increasing its gripping power. Pros:

Biodegradable and environmentally friendly USBC approved Advanced formula Easy application Has a pleasant lime scent

Cons:

Some may find the consistency too thick.

 

8. Best Non-Toxic: Essential Values Bowling Ball Cleaner

This bowling ball cleaner removes oil buildup, grime, and belt marks from your ball while reviving the natural tack of the ball’s surface. This improves and adds consistency to your game. Approved by the USBC, it’s the best friend of both professionals and enthusiasts. It’s a perfect size to carry in your bowling bag, and just a few sprays after every game on the ball will ensure an optimal performance. It’s effective on all coverstock materials like plastic, urethane, reactive resin, and particle proactive. So, give it a try and improve your bowling game performance with this ball cleaner. Pros:

Professional grade Universal ball compatibility Safe and non-toxic formula Fast acting formula

Cons:

May make the ball a bit sticky

 

9. Best Compact: Neo Tac Hook-It Ball Cleaner

This ball cleaner comes in a 6 oz bottle and has a fun bowling pin shape. It effortlessly removes the dirt, grime, and oil rings from the particle and reactive bowling balls, getting them ready for the next shot. It also removes scratch and belt marks from the ball, which increases tac for greater hooks. This cleaner serves the dual purpose of cleaning and polishing, and enhances your performance on the bowling lane. The product is USBC certified, and you can use the cleaner during, before, and after the league without violating the set norms of the bowling game. Pros:

Easy to use Convenient to carry Versatile Sleek and compact design

Cons:

Does a better job of polishing rather than cleaning

 

10. Best Water-Based: Vise Bowling Ball Cleaner

This bowling ball cleaner cleans any bowling ball to give it a clean surface. It comes in an 8 oz spray bottle that is easy to carry in your bowling ball bag and is convenient to use. It’s a water-based cleaner, doesn’t have a strong smell, and cleans belt marks easily. It is safe to handle and safe for use on the coverstock of all types of bowling balls. This is the reason it has found its way into the finest pro shops and lockers of bowlers around the world. It removes lane oil, grime, and dirt, and also restores tackiness to the coverstock for an optimal performance. Pros:

USBC approved Easy application Convenient size Available in 32 oz size as well

Cons:

May not polish the ball as effectively

 

11. Best Versatile: Kegel Revive Ball Cleaner

This is quite the perfect ball cleaner because we know that all cleaners leave small traces of residue, and this product has capitalized on that. Residue on the ball changes its surface energy, and this cleaner not only does a great job of cleaning, but also changes the surface energy of the bowling ball. A bowling ball has a strong attraction to the lane conditioner. When you use this cleaner on your bowling ball, it lowers its surface energy. This lower surface energy decreases the attraction of the ball’s surface to the lane conditioner. As a result, it reduces the amount of conditioner that is absorbed into the cover and also reduces dirt buildup. It not only cleans the oil and dirt off bowling balls but also takes off belt marks, leaving your ball feeling like new. This great product comes in a convenient 8 oz bottle and increases the performance and lifespan of your bowling ball. Pros

USBC approved Easy to use Performs in both hot and cold conditions Is compatible with all types of bowling balls

Cons

Some may find the size too small

  With so many different cleaning options available, you might not always know exactly which features are the most vital when choosing one for yourself. Along with our review, we’re here to give you a few tips on what to look out for.

Key Features To Consider When Choosing A Bowling Ball Cleaner

USBC approved:

Bowling balls are regulated by the United States Bowling Congress who test products and give approval whether they can be used for professional competitions. They check whether the cleaner changes the finish of the ball, whether it makes the ball have a duller or slicker surface, or whether it has any harsh abrasives that may affect the surface of the ball or lane. While it may not matter in the case of a casual player, a professional player will definitely need to look for this sign before the product can be used, or might be penalized. A USBC-approved certificate assures that the bowling cleaner is in compliance with the norms set by them, and the impact of the cleaner on the ball and on the lane surface.

Size of the bottle

A small-sized ball cleaner is definitely more practical to carry in your bowling bag, but a larger bottle is more economical and gives you value for your money. A larger bottle is also ideal for those who want to use it over the course of a season.

Utility

Some ball cleaners are designed only for cleaning the grime and oil ring on your bowling ball, while others are designed to also remove scuff marks and scratches. The latter are more practical, as you don’t have to worry about buying 2 different products, and you always have a shiny bowling ball. Some ball cleaners also remove the grime and oil, and retain the ball’s grip so that the bowler can grip and throw the ball as it was before cleaning. They ensure the consistency of performance while playing. To remove oil from the ball, it’s best to look for an emulsifying compound.

Versatility

There are ball cleaners that can clean as well as polish. You also have cleaners that are suitable for all types of bowling ball coverstocks. Then, there are cleaners that can be used to clean the ball in the ball spinner as well as by hand. A versatile cleaner is worth the price because of the advantages it offers.

Frequency of playing

If you are a professional bowler or like to spend all your leisure time in the bowling alley, you will obviously need to get a really good bowling ball cleaner. The ball cleaner should be able to work with any cover stocks.

Environmentally friendly

Many cleaners are harsh on the environment and you can usually tell whether the solution contains harmful chemicals from the scent itself. If you are environmentally conscious, there are a lot of biodegradable cleaners that will let you clean your bowling ball without harming the environment.

Smell:

Although this might seem very insignificant, a strong smell coming from your bowling ball can actually throw you off. Some people may also be allergic to some of the chemicals used in ball cleaners that result in a strong scent. A good bowling ball cleaner should not have an overpowering smell.

Why Trust MomJunction?

Our team of skilled writers and readers bring you this list of the best bowling ball cleaners after analyzing and comparing several products and considering user reviews and ratings. Most of these cleaners help restore the shine on the ball and come in bottles that are portable and easy to use. We have described the features of each product in detail and listed the pros and cons to help you make an informed choice.

USBC approved. easy to use (spray-based). convenient to carry. compatible with a variety of materials. non-toxic.

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