4 Home Hacks On How To Clean A Wood Bat Without Any Cost!

Not having enough knowledge about how to clean a wood bat can cause the surface to get damaged. There are various methods for cleaning a wood bat, including using soap and water, Magic Eraser, specialized wood cleaner, and sandpaper. 

The fun fact is instead of expensive cleaning solutions, you can also try some homemade remedies to get rid of all sorts of dirt and grime. 

These can also help you bat to restore the lost shininess. However, it’s essential to avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive materials while cleaning. 

In this article, I’m gonna share my life hacks to clean wooden baseball bats. To make this discussion more helpful, I’ve also shared a guideline to clean the handle area separately.

4 Ways to Clean a Baseball Wood Bat

Here’s a simple guide to cleaning your wood bat, including two methods: using soap and water, and using a specialized wood cleaner.

“Regardless of the method you choose, I advise avoiding using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials on the bat. This can damage the wood. Stick to gentle, non-abrasive cleaning methods.”

Method 1: Cleaning a Wood Bat with Soap and Water

For minor stains, a warm water cleaning method works fine to clean dirt from your wooden baseball bat. Check out the below process to clean your bat at home. 

Required items for cleaning

• Mild dish soap
• Bucket of warm water
• Soft cloth or sponge
• Towel
• Rubbing alcohol (optional)
• Wood polish (optional)

Step 1

To start cleaning your wooden baseball bat, fill a bucket with warm water (between 90 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit) and add a small amount of mild dish soap to create a soapy solution.

Step 2

Now, take a soft cloth or sponge and dip it into the solution you made. Then wring it out until it’s damp.

Gently wipe the surface of the bat with a damp cloth and remove any dirt, grime, or stains.

Step 3

In case your bat has stubborn stains or grime that won’t come off with just soap and water, apply some rubbing alcohol. 

Simply apply the alcohol to a separate cloth and rub the affected area. 

Step 4

Once you’ve cleaned the bat, rinse it off with a clean, damp cloth. Finally, dry the bat thoroughly with a towel.

I like to apply a wood polish after the cleaning part is completed. It helps me restore the bat’s shine and protect the wood.

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Method 2: Cleaning a Wooden Bat with Magic Eraser

Magic Eraser is one of the baseball bat-cleaning hacks that became trending just after it launched. It’s needless to mention its effectiveness as many of the YouTubers also praise and suggest it for regular baseball bat cleaning. 

However, I didn’t get good results out of this cleaning sponge in terms of old pine tars. You’ll need the Orange Glo for such sticky dirt.

“I suggest buying their combo pack, which comes with both MagicEraser sponge and Orange Glo liquid cleaning solution for baseball bats. Though you may need to spend around $40, it’s worth a long-term investment for your bat. “

Required items for cleaning

• MagicEraser
• Orange Glo 
• Water
• Soft cloth or towel

Step 1

Prepare the MagicEraser sponge first. Wet it under the faucet or submerge it in a container of water until it’s completely wet.

Step 2

Apply a small amount of Orange Glo liquid wood cleaning solution to the surface of the bat. Use a soft cloth or towel to evenly spread the solution across the surface of the bat.

Use the damp MagicEraser to scrub the surface of your wooden bat. Depending on the pine tar or dirt type, you may need to put extra pressure while scrubbing. Focus on any areas with noticeable scuffs.

Step 3

Once you’ve cleaned the entire bat, use a soft cloth or towel to wipe down the surface and remove any excess moisture.

If you can’t tolerate the stinky smell, combine the pine tar, liquid, and sponge soup, and rinse the bat in your sink water. No need to worry. Baseball bats are usually made of maple wood, which is naturally water-resistant. 

Finally, allow the bat to air dry completely before using it again.

“Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using Orange Glo liquid wood cleaning solution.“

Check out: How To Clean Baseball Batting Gloves

Method 3: Cleaning a Wood Bat with a Specialized Wood Cleaner

If you can spend $20 I would suggest buying a baseball bat cleaner for the cleaning purpose. Since these are specifically produced for wooden bats, they don’t cause harm to the bats.

Another reason for buying this kit, you can easily remove old pine tar, ball marks, tape residue, and grip sticks effortlessly. Besides, this solution is made of citrus, hence, doesn’t leave a harsh chemical smell. 

Required items for cleaning

• Markwort clean up batter bat cleaner
• Soft cloth or sponge
• Towel

Step 1

Take a soft cloth or sponge and apply the cleaner to it. For light stains, apply a little cleaner. But for gunks, drip more of it to the cloth.  Also, if you’re using a sponge, flip it after applying the solution. 

Use a little force to wipe the surface of the bat with a cloth or sponge, making sure to cover the entire surface of the bat.

Step 2

After applying the cleaner, give it time to dry. This allows the cleaner to penetrate the wood and effectively remove any dirt, grime, or stains. I suggest following the instructions on the cleaner’s label. 

Step 3

When drying is done, rinse the bat thoroughly with clean water to remove any residue from the cleaner.

Step 4

Finally, dry the bat thoroughly with a towel and you’re now left with a grimeless new-like wooden baseball bat. 

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Method 4: Using Sandpaper to Clean a Baseball Bat

Sometimes, your bat might have more stubborn muddy spots and pine tars. In that case, applying method 1 won’t give you the best result. A little bit of sanding would be necessary. Follow the below guide:

Required items for cleaning

• Fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit)
• Soft cloth
• Wood polish (optional)
• Face mask for protection 

Step 1

Before starting with sanding, first, wipe down the bat with a soft cloth to remove soft dirt or debris. Since you’ll be sanding, don’t apply water.

Step 2

Sanding will cause debris to flow all over your room. So, putting a face mask on is required, especially if you’re allergic to dust. 

Afterward, use fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit) to sand the surface of the bat, moving in the direction of the wood grain. Sand vertically to maintain a smooth transition throughout the bat surface. 

Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this can damage the wood. You just want to lightly sand away any rough or uneven areas.

Step 3

Once you’re done with sanding, wipe it down again with a soft cloth to remove sawdust. If you want wet the cloth slightly with water and then use it for the wipe.

Just like method 1, if you want, apply wood polish to the bat to restore its shine.

Check out: How to Clean Catchers’ Gear?

How Do You Clean a Wooden Bat Handle?

Unlike the barrel area, the handle part requires a little different approach, especially if you’re using a grip or tape. Here’s how to clean a wooden bat handle:

Required Items

• Soft cloth or towel
• Warm water
• Mild soap or bat grip cleaner
• Grip removal tool (optional)
• New bat grip or tape

Step 1: Remove the old grip or tape

Before beginning any further, first, you need to remove the old grip or tape from the handle. You can use either a grip removal tool or peel it off with your fingers.

Step 2: Prepare the cleaning solution

Next, create the cleaning solution with warm water and mild soap. You can also use a bat grip cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions or apply any of the above 4 methods for the cleaning solution. 

Step 3: Dampen a soft cloth or towel

Wet a cloth, sponge, or towel in the solution to make it damp.

Step 4: Clean the handle

Use the damp cloth now to wipe down the handle of the bat. Pay special attention to any areas where the dirt or grime build-up is excessive or strong.

I suggest scrubbing those areas with a soft-bristled brush. Be sure to apply only light pressure to avoid damaging the wood.

Step 5: Wipe the handle dry

Once you’ve cleaned the handle, use a separate dry cloth or towel to wipe away any excess residue of the solution or dirt. Allow the handle to air dry completely before applying a new grip or tape.

“Since you’ve washed the handle with water, I would suggest letting it dry for an hour under the sunlight. “

Step 6: Add a new grip or tape 

When the handle is dry, you can apply a new grip or tape according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to wrap it tightly and evenly to ensure a good grip.

While applying grip, always ensure not exceeding your league-recommended bat weight and handle guidance. 

Step 8: Apply grip enhancer (optional)

If you want, you can apply a grip enhancer to the handle after cleaning. Grip enhancers come in various forms, such as grip spray or pine tar, and can help you improve the bat’s grip.

Check out: How to Clean a Baseball Helmet?

5 Tips and Home Remedies for Cleaning Baseball Bats!

Except for the above methods, you can try these secret home hacks to clean all sorts of dirt from your baseball bat.  

1. Baking Soda for Natural Cleaning 

You might be surprised to know that baking soda is an excellent natural cleaner and can remove stubborn stains. 

To remove deep stains or discoloration, create a paste mixture of baking soda and water. Apply it to the surface of the bat with a soft-bristled brush or sponge. 

Let the paste sit for a few minutes. Then scrub the bat clean and rinse it with water. Dry with a towel.

2. Spot Cleaning with Vinegar

Another easy and effective way to remove dirt and stains from wood surfaces is household vinegar. 

For tougher stains or buildup, you just need to mix vinegar and water equally to make a mix. Apply the solution to your bat’s surface. Now let the application dry for 15-20 minutes. Lastly, wipe the bat clean with a soft cloth. 

3. Lemon Juice for Cleaning Bat Regularly

Not for serious stubborn specks of dirt, but you can use lemon juice for regular bat maintenance. It can remove soft spots, leaving a refreshing fragrance. As a result, your bat storage area never feels stinky to your guests. 

To get started, mix lemon juice and baking soda to create a paste. Spread the paste to the bat’s surface and rub it gently with a soft cloth.  

When it’s done, hang your bats on the wall or any open area to let them dry. 

4. Petroleum Jelly for Restoring Bat’s Shine 

Yes, petroleum jelly isn’t only popular among baseball players to use on gloves. But also you can use it to bring back the lost shininess of your wooden bat. 

Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the bat’s surface. Buff it with a soft cloth. 

5. Cleaning with Linseed Oil

Linseed oil is another natural wood conditioner that can help restore the luster and protect the wood. And the same goes for wooden baseball bats. 

If you’ve got this oil at home, use it occasionally on your bat surface after cleaning following any of the above methods. 

Simply apply a small amount of linseed oil to a soft cloth and rub it on the surface of the bat. Follow the direction of the wood grain while applying. Allow some time (30 minutes) to soak the oil in the wood. Then wipe off any excess with a clean cloth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water bad for wood bats?

Most of the wooden bats are made of maple wood. This wood has natural resistance against water. So, I don’t think water can do any harm to typical baseball wood bats. 

How often should I clean my wood bat?

It’s wise to clean your wood bat after each use to prevent the buildup of dirt and grime. This required nothing but a soft cleaning. However, if you’re one of the lazybones, at least clean it once a month. 

Wrapping Up

Whether you want to sell your baseball bat on the secondary market or just want it to be brand new every time you go to practice, in both cases, your bat represents your image. 

So, keeping your bat spotless is unavoidable to protect your personality. Hopefully, this article on how to clean a wood bat helped you in this regard. 

More about baseball bat maintenance:

How to Clean a Baseball Bat? | Clean Your Bat Within a Minute

How To Clean Baseballs | Keep Your Baseballs in Top Shape