How Do You Clean Pickleball Grips?

Pickleball paddle grips can get dirty quickly, especially if you play regularly. Most people do not think of cleaning their grips, so they buy new ones when needed. Little do they know that they can clean their current grips to make them last longer.

Cleaning a pickleball paddle grip is simple; gently scrub the grip using a damp microfiber cloth sprayed with glass cleaner. Leave the grip to dry after scrubbing it. Consider applying an overgrip when your grip is worn out. Apply a replacement grip when adding overgrips is no longer an option.

Like everything, pickleball paddles will suffer from wear and tear over time. But players can do several things to extend their paddle’s lifetime and maintain quality. Cleaning the pickleball paddle grip is one of the things that players can do regularly to improve their pickleball experience. However, people often neglect this task despite its easiness. 

How To Clean Your Pickleball Paddle Grip

Your pickleball paddle grip is bound to get dirty after just a few sessions on the court. Players who use white-colored grips quickly notice their brand-new grips turn grey due to the accumulated sweat and dirt.

If you do not play pickleball regularly, then perhaps you can get away with not cleaning your grip, but for players on the court every other day, cleaning the paddle’s grip is important. 

The best way to clean your grip is to use a damp (lint-free) microfiber cloth and a glass cleaner. Go ahead and spray some of the glass cleaner on the microfiber cloth and gently scrub the grip dirt away. Take this opportunity to clean the rest of your pickleball paddle; leave it to dry once you are done. Avoid using heavy cleaning solutions since they can leave unwanted residue on the grip. 

If you have been using your grip for a while and cleaning it no longer yields any noticeable positive results, then it is time to replace your grip.

Replace Your Pickleball Paddle Grip When It Is Worn Out

Eventually, a pickleball paddle grip will be no good even if its owner cleans it regularly. The grip will become slippery due to being worn down, putting the paddles wielder at a disadvantage. The player will be craving that feeling of playing with a fresh grip that feels like holding a pillow and does not give them blisters. 

The Two Types Of Pickleball Paddle Grips

One can choose between two types of grips once cleaning a current paddle grip is no longer an option. Depending on what your grip feels like, you should choose either a replacement grip or an overgrip.

Use An Overgrip To Cover Your Current Paddle Grip

An overgrip is a grip that covers your existing grip. Once you have put on an overgrip, the paddle handle feels more cushioned and comfortable in your hand.

Some players buy overgrips in bulk, so they always have them ready in case they suddenly need them mid-game. Professionals and players who play pickleball regularly can find themselves in situations where they need a new grip mid-game. Fortunately, overgrips are not expensive, so most players can afford to have them in reserve.

If you do not know how to put on an overgrip, you can always go to a pickleball club or store where there will be someone to do it for you. However, if you plan on becoming a pickleball regular, you should take the time to learn how to put on this grip. Putting these grips on a paddle is far from difficult and easy to learn.

Putting on an overgrip is similar to taping something up. Follow this guide on how to do it.

  1. Start at the bottom of the handle. Position the grip tape at the bottom of the handle and hold it firmly with your thumb. 
  2. Slowly wind it around the handle. Keep the grip tight as you pull it around the handle, overlapping a sixteenth inch. You can adjust tightness and overlap based on your preference. Do this until you reach the top of the handle. 
  3. Cut the tape at an angle with scissors. Once you have reached the top, cut the grip at an angle using a pair of scissors and hold it down.
  4. Use electrical tape to finish. Take the piece of electrical tape that should come with the grip packaging and stick it on the top of the handle to keep your grip secured to the paddle handle. 

Use A Replacement Grip When Your Grip Feels Thin

Use a replacement grip when your entire grip needs to be replaced. Your entire grip should be replaced when it feels thinner than before and no longer feels comfortable in your hand. 

A replacement grip is more expensive than an overgrip. Still, it becomes essential once adding another overgrip to your paddle handle is no longer an option after months of wear and tear. Replacement grips are often better quality than overgrips, which is why professionals use them more often than amateurs. 

Putting on a replacement grip is similar to putting on an overgrip but with extra steps. 

  1. Remove all the grips from the handle. Make sure to clear the handle of any grip material or dirt.
  2. Give the handle a clean when it is bare. Use a wet cloth to clean the handle before putting on the new grip and leave it to dry.
  3. Apply the replacement grip. Apply the replacement grip on the handle in the same manner that you would apply an overgrip.
  4. Use electrical tape at the end. Take the piece of electrical tape to stick the grip to the handle.

Replacement grips generally last for a long time, but this depends on the frequency and intensity of play.

How To Keep Your Pickleball Paddle Clean 

Cleaning your pickleball paddle clean is not the only maintenance needed to slow down your paddle’s wear and tear.  

Pickleball paddles are durable but need some care and avoidance of certain environments to maintain their quality. Here are a few things pickleball players should consider doing.

  1. Clean the paddle surface. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your paddle surface to maintain its integrity.
  2. Store your pickleball paddle indoors. Paddles kept outside or in the trunk of a car will suffer more from wear and tear.
  3. Avoid exposing paddles to water. Paddle surfaces trap water inside of them when submerged, compromising the paddle’s quality.
  4. Avoid exposure to extreme cold or heat. Pickleball paddles are sensitive to extreme cold and heat, so avoid exposing them to such conditions. 
  5. Do not clash paddles. High-fiving with your paddles after winning a point damages your paddle, so use your hands or fists instead. 

Conclusion

Cleaning a pickleball paddle grip is a quick and easy process that is worthwhile. Unfortunately, it is also easy to forget about it, but players who do remember to clean their grips can benefit from having a paddle whose grip will last longer and give them a better feel. 

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