Pickleball Paddle Maintenance & Cleaning Guide

Are your pickleball paddles in good playing condition? Pickleball paddles are essential to playing the game, and they need routine cleaning and maintenance to work their best. In this guide, you’ll learn how to properly clean and maintain your pickleball paddles so they’ll last a long time and keep you ready to play!

Pickleball paddles are the key piece of equipment, and they typically have hitting surfaces made from carbon fiber, fiberglass, or other materials to create power and spin. If you’ve noticed your pickleball paddles have been looking a little dingy or that the spin is off, it’s time to clean them! Keep reading to learn the best methods to maintain your pickleball paddles. Pickleball athlete and Hollywood’s favorite coach, Matt Manasse, also contributed his expertise to this article.

The hitting surface is the most important part of the paddle to clean, since it affects the spin and overall performance. Remember not to submerge the paddles in water or use harsh chemicals that can leave behind a sticky feeling and lead to more debris buildup. Use one of the methods below (rubber eraser, damp cloth, or baby wipes) to clean the debris and dirt off of the surface.

If you have fiberglass, graphite, or other paddles, you may think you can just rinse them with water, but that’s incorrect. Water is not good for paddles, at least not directly. Dampen a microfiber cloth with lukewarm water, wipe down the paddle surface, then let air dry. This helps remove sweat, dirt, dust, and other debris without causing water damage. This can be done after each game for any paddle type.

An extra step for cleaning carbon fiber paddles is to use a non-abrasive rubber eraser — either a carbon fiber cleaning block or a belt sander rubber eraser. Simply hold the paddle in one hand and use the other hand to erase on the paddle face from top to bottom to remove dirt and residue. The eraser method will remove the buildup of pickleball fibers as well.

Now that you know the best materials to clean the surface of your paddles, check out the tips below to maintain your paddle grip for effective gameplay. The paddle grip is another key part to clean since you hold it every game and sweat and dirt can build up.

After playing, take time to wipe off the paddle grip with a towel or damp cloth to prevent buildup that can affect your ability to hold the paddle correctly. When you’re in a pinch at the pickleball court, some players recommend using unscented baby wipes to clean and wipe down the paddles. Make sure you get baby wipes without harsh chemicals or scents. Harsh chemicals could leave behind a sticky residue that attracts more debris.

Overgrips are an additional wrapping for your paddles that go on top of the grip. If your hands get sweaty during gameplay or if you like extra cushioning, overgrips are for you! They help absorb extra moisture and make it easier to hold onto the paddles. When the overgrip loses its tackiness or cushioning, it can be replaced easily.

If you are cleaning and maintaining the surface and grip of your paddles, great! However, there is a final step to make sure your paddles last for many games to come. Cleaning and protecting the edges of your paddles is the next step to keep your paddles in top shape.

The edge guard of the paddles may seem like it doesn’t need to be cleaned, but it does! The edge guard also gets dirty over time, so make sure to wipe down the edges of the paddle while you clean the surface and the grip.

During pickleball play, it is normal to reach for the ball before it hits the ground and end up hitting the ground with your paddle. To keep your paddle from getting too scraped up, you can wrap the edges with edge guard tape.

If you have a lightweight paddle, you might struggle to get enough power behind the ball. It is recommended to add a strip of lead tape or tungsten tape to the lower outside edge of your paddle to increase the twist weight. The goal is to increase power without making the paddle too heavy to swing quickly. Experiment with placement of the tape to match your comfort level.

Improve your on-court performance by completing these simple pickleball paddle maintenance steps. Cleaning and protecting the surface, grip, and edges will allow you to enjoy your paddles for a long time!

After properly cleaning your paddles, you want to ensure they’ll be stored correctly to avoid any damage when you’re not using them. Follow these storage tips to help your paddles last as long as possible:

• Paddles should be stored in a cool, dry place. Avoid storage in extreme hot or cold temperatures, as the paddles can become disfigured.

• Place the paddles in a pickleball bag or paddle case if possible. Storing paddles in a case helps cushion them from other damage and helps them last as long as possible.

Ball fibers, dirt, or sweat can accumulate on pickleball paddles during games and practices, affecting their function. Routinely cleaning your pickleball paddles helps keep them in the best condition for playing, and there are several benefits of doing so. They include:

• Increased paddle durability

• Longer paddle lifespan

• Improved performance during gameplay

• Better tackiness, spin, and grip strength

• Reduced damage

With these benefits, you should want to keep your pickleball paddles clean and cared for so you can play your best on the court. With routine cleaning and care, pickleball paddles can last anywhere from one to five years, depending on how often they are used.

Now that you know how to keep your pickleball paddles clean and cared for, you can head to the court prepared. If you’re looking to replace old paddles or need pickleball accessories, Academy Sports + Outdoors has it all. Shop online or in stores today to get ready to play!