How to Clean Lawn Bowls

Co-authored by Carolina Rodriguez and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: December 9, 2024 Approved

Lawn bowls is a popular game that involves rolling balls, known as bowls, toward a target on the playing green. Since this game is usually played outdoors, your bowls may get scuffed or accumulate grime and dirt during play. If your bowls get dirty, you can clean them with gentle soap and warm water. Polish your bowls regularly to maintain proper grip and a nice shine.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing Dirt and Grime

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1
Use a wooden toothpick to clean the grips. Many lawn bowls have grips to help you hold the bowls more easily during gameplay. Dirt and grime can quickly build up in the grips, especially if your bowls have ring or groove grips. Before washing your bowl, chip any stubborn dirt out of the grips with a large wooden toothpick or skewer.
- Don’t use a metal toothpick or skewer to clean the grips. This could scratch up your bowls.
2
Wash the bowls in hot water with mild detergent. Once you’ve scraped any excess dirt out of the grips, soak your bowls in hot water and soap or a gentle detergent, such as laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid. Rub the bowls with your hands or a microfiber washcloth to dislodge any stubborn dirt.
- You can also use a steam cleaner, like those used to clean bowling balls, as an alternative to washing with soap and water.
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3
Use mineral spirits to clean off tougher dirt. You can remove stubborn grease, dirt, and stains by wiping your bowls with a cloth soaked in mineral spirits. You may wish to do a spot test first to make sure the mineral spirits don’t damage the paint on your bowls.
- Mineral spirits are also known as white spirit, mineral turpentine, or turpentine substitute. You can purchase mineral spirits at a hardware or home improvement store.
4
Dry the bowls with a microfiber towel. Once your bowls are clean, you can either air dry them or wipe them dry with a soft towel or polishing cloth. If you use a towel, choose one made of soft microfiber so that you don’t scratch up your bowls.
- After the bowls are dry, polish them with some bowl polish and a polishing cloth, then put them away in their bag or carrier.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Polishing Your Bowls

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1
Get a specialized bowls polish. There are a variety of bowls polishing products on the market, including Grippo, Multigrip, and Crack-A-Jack. Purchase one of these products and apply it to your bowls to remove minor scratches and restore your bowls’ finish and shine.
- Some bowling greens and indoor bowls venues do not allow the use of certain bowls polishes. Check with your venue to find out what kinds of polishing products are allowed.
2
Apply the polish with a soft polishing cloth. Following the directions on the bowls polish packaging, rub the polish into the surface of your bowls with a soft cloth. You can purchase a specially made bowls polishing cloth or sleeve, or use any general-purpose microfiber polishing cloth.
- If too much polish builds up on the bowls, you can wash it off with soap and warm water. Reapply the polish once the bowls are dry.
3
Polish your bowls at least once a week. Your bowls will look their best and be easier to grip if you polish them regularly.^{[1]
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Research source} Polish your bowls at least once a week, or do it after every game to protect your bowls from abrasive grimy buildup.
- You should also polish your bowls every time you wash them.
4
Buff out marks or scratches with a polishing cloth or fine steel wool. If your bowls accumulate marks or scratches, you can remove or minimize them by polishing them with a polishing cloth or sleeve. For extra stubborn scuffs or scratches, lightly rub the area with a fine steel wool (such as 0000 grade).
- After buffing out a mark or scratch, polish your bowl as you normally would.
Tip: Lawn bowls can sometimes pick up color from other bowls when they bump against each other during a game. You can usually remove these marks by washing the affected bowl in soap and water, then polishing the bowl as usual.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What store-bought cleaner can I use to clean lawn bowls?

Carolina Rodriguez
Cleaning Specialist
Carolina Rodriguez is a Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Ecoverde Cleaning, based in the Washington, DC metro area. Ecoverde was born out of a desire to provide an eco-friendly cleaning option that competes with many traditional cleaning companies in the Washington, DC metro area. Through competitive pricing, attractive service plans, and friendly customer service. Ecoverde has built a strong residential and commercial customer base serving DC, Maryland, and Virginia, and has been named the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Washington DC. Carolina and her team specialize in residential and commercial cleaning services and use Green Seal Certified products. The team's cleaning technicians go through an extensive training process, learning about specific products, real-time cross-contamination, and how to use appropriate equipment for specific services. They also provide free cleanings to cancer patients through a non-profit organization, Cleaning For a Reason.

Carolina Rodriguez

Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners may damage the surface of the bowls. Before using any cleaning solution, it's recommended to perform a spot test on a small, inconspicuous area of the bowl to ensure compatibility. Additionally, avoid using abrasive materials such as steel wool or abrasive sponges when cleaning, as these can scratch the surface of the bowls and affect their performance on the green. When it comes to polishing, you can use steel wool to gently buff the surface of the bowls for a shiny finish. However, exercise caution to avoid applying too much pressure, as this could scratch the surface.

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Question

What type of paint would you use to re-paint the rings?

Community Answer

Valspar is a very good paint brand. They also have sealers and majestic colors.

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Question

Do I use enamel or acrylic paint to paint rings?

Gawainsmith

Community Answer

Acrylic is easier to clean, but doesn't leave a smooth surface. Enamel is smoother, and will generally last longer, but is hard to clean up if you want to change it or make a mistake.

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