Lawn bowls is a popular game that involves rolling balls, known as bowls, toward a target on the playing green. Since this game is usually played outdoors, your bowls may get scuffed or accumulate grime and dirt during play. If your bowls get dirty, you can clean them with gentle soap and warm water. Polish your bowls regularly to maintain proper grip and a nice shine.
Removing Dirt and Grime
1. Use a wooden toothpick to clean the grips. Many lawn bowls have grips to help you hold the bowls more easily during gameplay. Dirt and grime can quickly build up in the grips, especially if your bowls have ring or groove grips. Before washing your bowl, chip any stubborn dirt out of the grips with a large wooden toothpick or skewer.
- Don’t use a metal toothpick or skewer to clean the grips. This could scratch up your bowls.
2. Wash the bowls in hot water with mild detergent. Once you’ve scraped any excess dirt out of the grips, soak your bowls in hot water and soap or a gentle detergent, such as laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid. Rub the bowls with your hands or a microfiber washcloth to dislodge any stubborn dirt.
- You can also use a steam cleaner, like those used to clean bowling balls, as an alternative to washing with soap and water.
3. Use mineral spirits to clean off tougher dirt. You can remove stubborn grease, dirt, and stains by wiping your bowls with a cloth soaked in mineral spirits. You may wish to do a spot test first to make sure the mineral spirits don’t damage the paint on your bowls.
- Mineral spirits are also known as white spirit, mineral turpentine, or turpentine substitute. You can purchase mineral spirits at a hardware or home improvement store.
4. Dry the bowls with a microfiber towel. Once your bowls are clean, you can either air dry them or wipe them dry with a soft towel or polishing cloth. If you use a towel, choose one made of soft microfiber so that you don’t scratch up your bowls.
- After the bowls are dry, polish them with some bowl polish and a polishing cloth, then put them away in their bag or carrier.