How to Wash Tennis Balls

Tennis balls look and function better when they are kept clean. A muddy ball can bounce in odd ways because of how the mud throws off the weight distribution of the ball, and a stained ball is not as visually appealing as a brand-new one that is clean. Old balls do not need to be discarded; tennis balls can be reused over and over again if they are properly maintained. You can wash a tennis ball in seconds.

Things You'll Need

  • Sink or bin
  • Dishwashing detergent
  • Washcloth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill a bin or sink with warm water and a few drops of dishwashing detergent. The detergent is mild enough to help remove dirt and debris from the ball without damaging its surface or the cloth texture.

    • 2

      Rinse the ball thoroughly under the faucet. The water pressure from the faucet will remove a lot of the loose dirt on the ball.

    • 3

      Drop the ball into the sink or bin with water and detergent and scrub it with your thumbs to get rid of deep-seeded dirt.

    • 4

      Rinse the ball off again to remove any traces of soap. This especially important if the ball is used as a dog toy.

    • 5

      Dry the ball with a washcloth. The rough texture of the cloth will help remove any remaining debris from the surface of the ball as it dries it.