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The lifespan of your table tennis paddle can be prolonged if you know the right cleaning techniques. It's neither too difficult nor does it demand advanced skills. You can easily clean your paddle with water or specialized cleaning solutions. Give it a try!
Selecting the right table tennis paddle for your practice is already challenging. If not used correctly and not cleaned properly, the paddle will deteriorate quickly, failing to deliver the right technique. To clean your table tennis paddle properly, pay attention to the following issues.
Rinsing your table tennis paddle with water after usage
The sponge of a table tennis paddle collects dust, powder from balls, sweat, hair, and many other things. When the surface of the rubber accumulates too much dust and dirt, it becomes less adhesive. The ball will start slipping off the rubber surface, making it difficult for you to execute powerful spins consistently.
You need to remove all of these from your rubber surface.
The cheapest way to clean your table tennis paddle is to use a little water and a kitchen paper towel or a clean cloth to wipe the surface. This only takes a minute, and the rubber will dry very quickly.
Avoid using too much water. Doing so will wet the sponge and sometimes even the blade. That's not a good idea at all!
Just a little water and a quick wipe will remove most of the dirt clinging to your rubber surface. You should do this after every play session.
Water can be used to clean the rubber surface. However, for the handle, you can use alcohol to moisten a cloth and gently wipe away any dirt. Once the handle is clean, you should wait for the alcohol to evaporate completely before storing the paddle.
If you want your paddle to always look and feel like new, you should clean them thoroughly after each use.
Cleaning with spray and sea foam
A bit of water will help remove most of the dirt on your rubber surface, but not everything.
Once a week or before a match or tournament, you should clean your table tennis paddle more thoroughly using a biological spray and a sponge. This will remove dust and dirt that water alone may not clean.
However, you should not overuse biological spray. The chemicals in the spray can deteriorate the rubber on the table tennis paddle faster. Spraying once a week is sufficient.
A bottle of biological spray is not expensive (5-10 pounds) and will last a long time. You can try finding these specialized cleaning solutions on Amazon or at specialized equipment stores.
Note: Absolutely do not use alcohol-based solutions and cotton fabric to clean the rubber surface of your paddle. This method can significantly accelerate the deterioration or damage of the paddle surface.
Purchase Table Tennis Paddle Covers
The main purpose of table tennis paddle covers is to keep your rubber surface free from dust and protect them when not in use.
Regular cleaning alone isn't enough; you need to use paddle covers when not in use to prolong the longevity of your paddle's quality.
The rubber surface of a table tennis paddle is highly prone to scratches. Without proper covering and protection, your paddle's rubber surface is at greater risk of damage.
You can purchase any paddle cover. This isn't really crucial. You can buy a cheap table tennis paddle cover, and they all work just fine.
If you're truly concerned about keeping your table tennis paddle safe, you can invest in an aluminum case. Your paddle will be nearly perfectly protected.
Rubber Protective Gear
Another option is to purchase rubber protectors. These are thin, transparent sheets that you can cut to the shape of your rubber surface.
After playing, some players will clean their rubber surface and then apply a layer of rubber protector. This ensures that nothing sticks to the rubber surface.
Similar to paddle covers, using rubber protectors also helps maintain the cleanliness of your table tennis paddle, keeping it free from dust and providing general protection when not in use.
Clean your paddle after each play and protect them in specialized carrying cases when not in use
Some tips for cleaning and using your table tennis paddles
All table tennis paddle rubbers deteriorate over time and will eventually need replacement. But you can make your rubber last longer and more durable by taking care of them. Cleaning table tennis paddles doesn't really cost much. So try to keep your paddles clean.
You can explore more tips for caring for your table tennis equipment or find a professional coach to help you improve your game by downloading them here to get guidance from LEEP's PTs.
Posted by: Tien Thuan Dang
Keyword: Are you aware of how to properly clean your table tennis paddle?
