The Best Way to Clean Baseball Bats and Batting Gloves

How to Properly Clean Baseball Bats and Gloves

To #TrainLikeAPro on the diamond, you need to take care of your equipment. This includes baseball bats and gloves, which may be the most important things in your arsenal (other than the ball). Having clean gear will help it last longer and make you feel more confident on game day.

To clean and maintain specialized equipment, you'll need to use the proper supplies and techniques. Bownet® has put together step-by-step guides for how to clean baseball and softball bats and gloves. These guides include tips for cleaning aluminum bats, wooden bats, fielding gloves and batting gloves. Whether you're working with the Bownet Hit Kit - a complete training system that lets you complete a full training session anywhere - or one of our pitching screens, both you and your equipment will be ready to #PlayAnywherePlayNow with these tips.

Cleaning an Aluminum Baseball Bat

  1. Mix a few drops of mild dish detergent into a large cup of warm water.
  2. Rub the solution on the bat using a clean microfiber cloth.
  3. Let the bat fully dry.
  4. Remove remaining ball marks and stains by rubbing them for a few seconds with a hard-bristle toothbrush or a foam stain-removing sponge. Be aware that rubbing for more than 10-15 seconds can leave small scratches.

How to Clean a Wooden Baseball Bat

  1. Wet a soft cloth with rubbing alcohol.
  2. Wipe the bat down with the cloth working from top to bottom. Do this after each day's use.
  3. If the bat has mold or rust marks, mix two tablespoons of baking soda with half a cup of warm water. Use a microfiber cloth to thoroughly scrub the bat with the mixture.
  4. Smooth out dings, scratches and other rough spots by rubbing them with another bat.
  5. Store the bat knob-up in a cool, dry place.

How to Condition a Baseball Glove

  1. Use a clean toothbrush to remove loose dirt, dust and residue.
  2. Add a quarter-size amount of shaving cream or manufacturer-approved leather cleaner to a damp microfiber cloth.
  3. Wipe the cleaner over the glove, remembering to get it into all the seams and crevices.
  4. Buff off any remaining cleaner with a dry cloth and let it dry.
  5. Apply an approved leather conditioner by massaging it in with a circular motion.

Best Way to Clean Batting Gloves

  1. Shake the gloves or clap them against each other to remove loose dirt and debris.
  2. Mix some warm water and a few drops of dish detergent in a small container.
  3. Rub the mixture over the glove using a clean microfiber cloth.
  4. Use a second cloth to soak up any excess moisture.
  5. If the gloves are also dirty on the inside, turn them inside out and repeat steps 3 and 4.
  6. Hang the gloves up away from direct sunlight to dry.
  7. Apply a small amount of an approved leather cleaner or conditioner as you would for your fielding glove.
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