Any baseball that is used gets a little dirty, especially during professional games. Not only does it stain with marks, dust and grass, but those that are used in major and minor leagues are often intentionally covered in mud. All of this makes them lose their brilliance, even if this "magic" mud improves the players' grip. If you want to return the baseball to its original condition, you should use the proper cleaning techniques for the white leather it is made of.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: with a Pencil Eraser
Step 1. Purchase a pencil eraser
A regular eraser can remove most stains, including grass and friction stains on other surfaces. Using a small size eraser, such as the one found on the top of pencils, you can clean marks and smudges from specific areas of the ball. You can also use it to scrub dirt off the entire surface, but in this case you need to get a larger gum.
- You can use any model, including those made of rubber, vinyl or soft compound.
- Get one that is white or does not contain very strong dyes; rubbers dyed with bright shades, such as pink, can leave marks on the ball making the situation worse.
- Do not use this method on autographed balls, ink is likely to come off as easily as dirt.
- Do not "erase" fresh stains because you run the risk of smearing the material instead of lifting it. Blot excess liquid with kitchen paper and wait for it to dry.
Step 2. Grab the ball at the seams
This simple step prevents the dust and oil on your fingers from causing further stains as you go. Remember to wash your hands before starting and dust your work surface.
Step 3. Rub the gum on the points to be treated
Apply some pressure on the ball and move the eraser back and forth over the stains you want to remove, just like you would on a sheet of paper. Repeat this movement until the dirt or smudge disappears.
Method 2 of 4: with the Magic Eraser
Step 1. Purchase a Magic Eraser
This is a very common household cleaning product made with melamine foam. Although it has been on the market relatively recently, it has become quite popular and you can find it in every supermarket; it is perfect for quickly cleaning the entire surface of the ball.
It is particularly effective for removing all types of stains from white leather; remember, however, that this means that it can also erase the ink; therefore do not use it on an autographed ball
Step 2. Wet it
Put it under running tap water and squeeze it to remove excess moisture. Although it can also be used dry, it is more effective when wet; humidity promotes adhesion between the material and dirt, just as happens with wet rags which are more effective than dry ones.
You can also cut it into several pieces using scissors to increase the contact surface and make the most of its properties. The cubes are also easier to pick up while working on a small object like the baseball
Step 3. Rub the entire surface with the magic eraser
Melamine foam is a soft material with an extremely hard microstructure that acts as an abrasive cleaner; in other words, it cleans objects similar to a grinder by literally scraping away dirt and dust thanks to friction. Since the magic eraser does not retain its shape, you must maintain a firm grip and press hard; afterwards, a few horizontal movements are enough, just like the ones you would do to erase a pencil line from a sheet of paper. The eraser should lift dirt up pretty quickly, with just a few passes of its "magical" action.
Step 4. Spin the ball as you clean it
Turn it around in your hand and continue scrubbing the surface until you are satisfied with the result.
Avoid the seams as much as possible to avoid damaging or fraying them. Poor seams make the ball less aesthetically pleasing and reduce its durability. Remember that melamine foam has an abrasive action that while it does not damage white leather, it can thin the cotton in the seams and help break them
Method 3 of 4: with bleach
Step 1. Make a solution of diluted bleach and dish soap
Fill a glass halfway full with hot water and add the same amount of mild dish soap; then add a capful of regular household bleach and mix.
- You can replace this solution with many other leather-safe solvents, such as hairspray, denatured alcohol, and white vinegar.
- This method is perfect for getting rid of autographs, streaks and grass stains.
Step 2. Moisten a cotton swab with the bleach solution
Dip the cotton tip in it and squeeze it with an old rag or kitchen paper to remove excess moisture; the cotton swab must be slightly damp to clean the ball.
You can also use an old toothbrush or other similar water-resistant tool
Step 3. Scrub the surface
Move the cotton swab moistened with the bleach on the ball; repeat the sequence a few times until the stain disappears.
Be careful to avoid contact with seams or any prints; if the bleach touches the red thread, it causes it to discolour. The solution is also able to remove any print or logo from the ball
Step 4. Eliminate the cleaner
Wet a towel or cotton ball with tap water. Rub the entire ball or just the area you treated; repeat the process a few times, as it is important to remove all traces of bleach.
Step 5. Dry the ball with a cloth
If you have wet it heavily, do not wait for it to air dry as the skin can deform and crack; Instead, rub it with a clean, dry fabric.
Method 4 of 4: Dry Cleaning with a Specific Machine
Step 1. Put the various balls in the basket
Lift the latch and insert all the balls into the container. A machine of this type is able to rub dozens of balls in a few hours; if you have to wash several of them frequently, it is worth investing in such an expensive tool.
- With each load, choose balls that are covered in roughly the same amount of dirt. Those in better conditions wash faster than the really dirty ones, so dividing the "laundry" into homogeneous groups allows you to obtain better results.
- Consult the user manual of the machine to know the maximum number of balls that you can wash safely at each cycle; generally, there is no minimum number.
- This method is best suited for heavily used and dirty balls.
Step 2. Add the cleaner
These commercial machines use a rubbery material to dry clean the balls; in this way, the leather is not damaged and does not become impregnated with water.
This is basically the most efficient, automated and large-scale version of the eraser method
Step 3. Let the machine run for the length of time it takes to get the dirt off the balls
Put the basket back in the machine, start it and set the timer; the base rotates the basket full of balls and rubbery compound. If at the end of the program you are not satisfied with the result, you can start a second cleaning session.
- An hour "wash" is sufficient for lightly soiled balls.
- In cases of moderate dirt it takes two or three hours.
- The balls with encrustations and a lot of dirt must be left in the machine for up to 12 hours for satisfactory results; feel free to wait all night.
Step 4. Get the balls back
At the end of the program, remove the basket, open the lid and remove the balls; they should be white and shiny.
Leave the cleaning material in the drum for the next load. The granules can be used until they are completely worn, just like a normal pencil eraser
Advice
- Unfortunately, any cleaning process that restores the ball's original appearance also removes the ink from any signature that has been affixed. If you want to clean a signed ball, be very careful and stay clear of the sections you don't want to erase.
- If the ball gets too wet, it could become soaked and heavy; moreover, water can deform the leather and make it brittle.
- To restore the ball's aesthetic condition, rub it with white leather polish.
