Knowing how to clean golf balls properly isn’t just about looks — it’s about performance. Dirt and debris trapped in the dimples reduce spin, throw off trajectory, and can quietly cost you 5 to 10 yards per shot. In this guide, you’ll find every method for cleaning golf balls at home, from a quick soap-and-water scrub to a deep OxiClean soak, plus what to do mid-round when you need a fast clean on the course.
Why Cleaning Your Golf Balls Actually Matters
Every golf ball has 300 to 500 dimples, and those dimples exist for one reason: aerodynamics. When dirt, grass, or mud fills those dimples, the ball loses the lift effect it was designed to create. The result? Less distance off the tee, reduced spin control around the greens, and inconsistent ball flight that makes it harder to repeat your swing. Studies from equipment manufacturers show dirty balls can travel 5 to 10 yards shorter than clean ones. It takes under two minutes to fix — here’s how.
How to Clean Golf Balls at Home: 5 Methods Ranked
There are many different ways to clean a golf ball. People have different methods such as putting them in the dishwasher.
To clean stained golf balls, the simplest method is to prepare a bucket of water and employ a washcloth or towel to apply either dish soap or car soap. This approach effectively removes the dirt on the surface of the balls without risking harm caused by acidic cleaning agents, which could potentially damage the outer cover.
For removing ink off golf balls, nail polish remover is a good option. There are following ways are describe to clean your Golf Balls.
There are many different methods to clean your used golf balls. Here is a list of the most effective ways to do it.
Method 1: The Soap and Water Method
To clean your used golf balls, one of the most reliable methods is to use soap and water. Follow this quick guide to learn how to do it properly:
Method 2: The Soaking Method
If washing your used golf balls with soap and water isn’t effective enough, you can try the soaking method instead.
Fill a bucket with hot water and add a cleaning agent such as white vinegar or ammonia. It’s advisable to do this outside if possible because both of these products have a strong scent that might be unpleasant for some people in your household.
Place all of your used golf balls into the bucket and allow them to soak in the hot water for at least 30 minutes. After sufficient time has passed, pour the golf balls into another bucket that’s filled with clean water. If you notice any sand or debris still clinging to the golf balls, use a brush with gentle bristles to remove these particles.
After cleaning each ball thoroughly, dry them off with a clean towel. Voila, your golf balls should appear brand new! You may allow them to air-dry in the sun for a few minutes if you wish.
Method 3: The Dishwasher Method
Hey, did you know that you can actually clean your used golf balls by putting them in the dishwasher? I’ve tried it a few times myself and it works wonders!
To get started, load up your dishwasher with the golf balls. The best place for them is in the utensil compartment where you’d normally put your knives, forks, and spoons. You could also pop the balls into a mesh bag and place them on the top or bottom rack of the dishwasher.
Once you’ve got the golf balls in place, fill the dishwasher with dishwashing liquid until the slot is full. Then, select the presoak option on your dishwasher to help the dishwashing liquid sink into the golf balls. Finally, run a regular cycle.
If your golf balls were particularly dirty or muddy, it may take a couple of cycles in the dishwasher before they’re completely clean. Don’t worry though, this is completely normal! After cleaning, dry the balls off with a towel or let them air dry outside for a few minutes.
Using the dishwasher is by far the quickest and easiest way to clean your dirty golf balls. It’s so satisfying to have a golf bag full of sparkling clean golf balls, and all it takes is a few cycles in the dishwasher.
⚠️ Important: Turn off the “Heated Dry” cycle. High heat can warp the outer cover on some golf balls and damage the core. Let them air dry after the wash cycle is complete.
Method 4: Use Nail Polish Remover
This method may get you into trouble with your wife or girlfriend, but it works great for removing stains from your used golf balls.
Are you aware that certain golfers employ a sharpie or permanent marker to label their golf ball before teeing off on the course? Though this may aid in distinguishing their ball during play, the ink can prove stubborn to remove from the ball’s dimples.
Fortunately, just a small amount of nail polish remover is sufficient to restore the appearance of your golf balls. In case you do not possess any nail polish remover, acetone can also serve the purpose. Wearing gloves is recommended during the process to safeguard your hands.
Take a cotton ball in nail polish remover or acetone and use it to vigorously rub the sharpie marks until they disappear after a few strokes.
Method 5: OxiClean or Hydrogen Peroxide Soak (For Deep Stains)
For heavily stained or yellowed balls, OxiClean or 3% hydrogen peroxide works better than dish soap alone.
What you need: OxiClean powder (or 3% hydrogen peroxide from a pharmacy), warm water, a bowl, a soft brush.
How to do it:
This method is especially effective for restoring the white colour on older balls and removing grass stains that warm water alone won’t shift. Don’t soak for longer than 30 minutes — extended exposure can affect the outer cover on some ball types.
How to Clean Golf Balls on the Course (Mid-Round)
Cleaning your ball during a round is completely legal — but only at specific moments. Here’s how to do it quickly and correctly.
Using the Ball Washer
Most courses have a ball washer mounted near the tee box. Insert your ball, pump the handle 3–4 times, and dry it with the attached towel. Takes about 10 seconds. This is the fastest clean you’ll get between holes.
The Wet Towel Method
Keep a small damp towel clipped to your bag. After retrieving your ball from the hole, give it a quick wipe before teeing up on the next hole. For stubborn mud, use your thumb with light pressure while wiping.
Quick Rules Reminder
Under the Rules of Golf, you may clean your ball when you lift it on the putting green, take relief from a penalty area, or declare it unplayable. You may NOT clean it mid-hole without a specific rule applying — doing so results in a one-stroke penalty. When in doubt, mark your ball first and check with your playing partners.
How to Remove Stains and Marker Ink from Golf Balls
For stubborn brown or green stains that normal soap won’t shift, try white vinegar undiluted — soak for 30 minutes, then scrub with a toothbrush. The mild acidity breaks down organic matter without damaging the cover.
For permanent marker and pen ink (common when you’ve numbered your balls), apply a small amount of acetone nail polish remover to a cotton ball and rub the marked area directly. The ink lifts within seconds. Rinse immediately with water after to avoid any surface dulling.
For scuff marks and surface abrasions, unfortunately no cleaning method will fix these — scuffs are physical damage to the urethane cover. If the scuff is deep enough to affect flight, retire the ball.
What NOT to Do When Cleaning Your Golf Balls
Although the four techniques we mentioned for cleansing your pre-owned golf balls may be effective, there are certain things that should be avoided. Numerous cleaning products available have the potential to induce significant corrosion, which can irreparably damage your used golf balls. The following are some guidelines to steer clear of when cleaning your golf balls.
Acidic Chemicals
While some chemicals are mild and won’t harm golf balls, be cautious of highly acidic substances. Using harsh chemicals could potentially smooth out the dimples on the ball. The causing a significant negative impact on its performance during play, which is something to avoid.
Sitting in Water Too Long
Although it’s okay to let your golf balls soak in warm water for a minimum of 30 minutes, do not let them remain submerged for an extended period. You must avoid your used golf balls from getting waterlogged since this can have an impact on their performance when struck while playing golf.
Leaving Them in the Sun
It’s absolutely alright to allow your golf balls to dry out a bit under the sun once you’ve washed them. Nonetheless, don’t leaving them outside to bake under the scorching sun for prolonged hours, as the intense heat can harm the outer covering of the golf balls.
Stiff Brushes
Using a brush to clean your extremely dirty golf balls is acceptable, but be careful not to use a brush with stiff bristles as it can cause many scratches on your golf balls. Even small scratches can impact a golf ball’s distance and trajectory.
Undiluted Bleach
It is not advisable to use undiluted bleach when cleaning your golf balls as it may lead to harm. While bleach can assist in restoring your old golf balls to a pearly white hue, it is crucial to mix it with water. A small amount of bleach can have a significant impact!
Buying a Ball Washer
Using a ball washer on the course can be quite handy. However, most ball washers come at a high cost, and many golfers don’t have the spare space to keep one at home. Thankfully, there are plenty of low-cost DIY solutions available that can clean your golf balls just as well as a pricey commercial ball washer.
How Often Should You Clean Your Golf Balls?
At minimum, wipe your ball down after every hole using a damp towel. A full clean at home — soak, scrub, rinse — should happen after every round if you play on wet or muddy courses, or every 2–3 rounds if conditions are dry.
If you notice your ball has yellowed or has marks that won’t come off with a quick wipe, that’s your cue for the deep OxiClean or hydrogen peroxide method.
As a general rule: if you wouldn’t putt with a dirty clubface, don’t play with a dirty ball. Dirty dimples affect your game more than most golfers realise.
Conclusion
Keeping your golf balls clean is one of the simplest and most overlooked ways to improve your game. Whether you go with a quick warm-water scrub or a full OxiClean soak, the goal is the same: clean dimples, consistent flight, and more predictable performance off the tee.
The best method depends on how dirty your balls are. For a quick clean before a round, warm soapy water and a brush takes under 5 minutes. For deep stains or yellowing, go with the hydrogen peroxide or OxiClean soak.
Now that your balls are spotless, make sure the rest of your gear is in top shape too. Check out our guide on [how to clean your golf clubs to keep your whole bag performing at its best.
FAQs
Yes, you can put golf balls in the dishwasher on a gentle warm cycle. Place them in the cutlery basket or on the top rack. The key rule: always turn off the “Heated Dry” setting. High heat can warp the outer cover or damage the core. Let them air dry naturally instead.
After every round is ideal — or at least every 2–3 rounds for casual play. During a round, wipe your ball down with a damp towel after every hole. If your balls are yellowing or stained, that’s a sign they need a deeper soak with OxiClean or warm soapy water.
Yes. Dirt and debris in the dimples disrupts airflow around the ball, which reduces lift, affects spin rate, and can take yards off your shots. Clean dimples allow the ball to fly on a more consistent and predictable trajectory. It’s one of the easiest and cheapest performance upgrades a golfer can make.
Yes, but only at certain moments. Under the Rules of Golf, you may clean your ball when you lift it on the putting green, when you take relief from a penalty area, or when the ball is declared unplayable. You cannot clean it mid-hole without a specific rule allowing it — doing so is a one-stroke penalty. A ball washer at the tee box is always a safe option.
Use a small amount of acetone-based nail polish remover on a cotton ball and gently rub the marked area. Alternatively, rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) also works on most ink without damaging the ball’s surface. Avoid scrubbing too hard — light circular motions are enough. Rinse and dry after removing the ink.