So you just went out and purchased your very own table tennis set and you want to make sure you protect your investment for as long as you possibly can. Maintenance of your table tennis set is incredibly important and is unfortunately one of the most overlooked pieces of owning a set.
Did you know a dirty or dusty paddle will affect your game play? It’s true! The rubber is affected by the wear and tear. Keeping your paddle clean will keep your spin serves looking as tight as they were on day one.
So few people have a set they are unaware of how to take care of it, but now you will not be one of those people! While your friends keep going through paddles, yours will be looking crisp, clean and brand new with these simple methods. following this How to clean a ping pong paddle guide will help you to extend your paddle life.
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How to Clean a Ping Pong Paddle our guide
Water and Sponge
Using good old-fashioned elbow grease is the simplest way to keep your paddle looking and playing great. Dampen a sponge with warm water and start gently rubbing the paddle. Do not scrub to intensely as you may damage the paddle and all this hard-work will be for naught! If a build up of dust is present do not scrub harder, just let the sponge work. Continue this process until the paddle feels tacky again. Don’t forget about the handle! That’s just as important to clean. Be sure to let the paddle air dry to keep the rubber in working condition.
Also read, how to clean ping pong table ultimate guide.
There are also specialized sponges available just for cleaning table tennis paddles! It’s true! These may be less abrasive than some kitchen sponges and will allow for you to better treat the rubber and keep your paddles in better condition. These can be found online, but if you are not looking to spend the money, most kitchen sponges will do the job just fine!
Rubber Cleaning Solution
Your paddle is basically all rubber, and you are having difficulty keeping your paddle clean with the warm water and sponge technique and your paddle is not playing properly the next logical step is to go out and purchase some rubber cleaning solution. These are either going to be foams or sprays with different sit times. Be sure to look for one that prevents oxidation and aging. Even if they clean well, you do not want cleaning products to deteriorate your table tennis paddle. These solutions are much more effective in cleaning dirt, oil, and grime from your paddle and may be more necessary for players who play often.
These are cleaning solutions specifically designed to treat and cultivate your rubber table tennis paddle. The longer your rubber stays tacky and sticky, the longer you can use it, and if you are a good player you want to use the paddle you trust for as long as you possibly can.
Toothbrush Method
This one might sound a little gross, but it sure is effective. If you have an extra toothbrush from that last trip to the dentist in your old goodie bag, you can use it to get into the hard to reach places on your paddle that solutions and water may not be able to get too. The thin bristles are able to really get down to a level that water and sponges just are not capable of.
Remember, you don’t have to use your own! And we certainly don’t recommend that you do. Even if you are in pinch.
What Need to avoid when cleaning your paddle
Do not use detergent of any kind! Most cleaners are very abrasive and can cause damage to the rubber in your paddle. Be sure to only use approved rubber cleaning solutions or warm water when keeping your equipment in prime condition. Bleaches and alcohol should be avoided at all costs as well.
These industrial cleaners will dry out your rubber and will make it impossible for you to continue to use your paddle. You need to take excellent care of your rubber, otherwise your play will be adversely effected.
Best Practices
Your table tennis paddle is almost all rubber so extreme temperatures will adversely affect it! Be sure to keep it out of extreme heat and cold, so take your paddles out of the garage if it is not climate controlled. Always bring it indoors after outside play because the fresh air could adversely affect your table tennis paddle. Paddles need to be stored indoors in a dry area to keep them in pristine condition.
Be sure to always cover your paddle when it is not in use. Even indoors. This is to prevent the accumulation of dust, dirt, debris, and air from affecting the rubber.
Always wipe down the handle while cleaning as well. No one likes a gross handle and you are probably sweating and leaving skin oils all over it. It is really gross to stop and think about, so treat it like silverware. You would not just clean the part that food touched, you would clean the whole thing. Your table tennis paddle is not different.
Closing
This may seem like a lot of information and you probably didn’t know there were so many rules to keeping your table tennis paddle in pristine condition. That is only because so few things in our lives are solely made of rubber!
You made an investment in ping pong equipment, whether it be with your group of friends, or at your own home in your game room or den. You are going to want to keep this equipment as long as you possible can and you can do that.
You can do it either through warm water and a sponge. You can go out and purchase your own special sponges. You can use an old or extra toothbrush that is just hanging around your bathroom. You can go out and purchase rubber cleaner.
The most important thing is that you care for this equipment like you would any other piece of athletic or game room equipment.
I think now you can take care your paddle properly, and by following above method hope you paddle will support for long time, but if you paddle is too old then i recommended you to change it, because old paddle rubber give you less power and spin support. and you decide is to select new paddle then we cover a paddle guide where you find you all question how to choose a good ping pong paddle.
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