The baseballs used in professional games will be a little dirty.Baseballs in both the major and minor league are coated with mud on purpose, because they are subject to scuffs, dirt, and grass stains.The baseball's shine may be taken away, but the special mud gives the ball a better grip.If you want to restore a baseball to its original bright state, you should use techniques that are appropriate for the white leather it's made from.
Step 1: Buy a pencil.
Most stains from white leather can be removed with a pencil.A small eraser on a pencil top can be used to clean up a small mark on the baseball.It can be used to remove dirt from the entire surface.If you want to clean the entire ball, you should get a larger eraser.You can use rubber, vinyl, and art gum erasers.Try to find an eraser that is free of intense colors.It's worse if your ball is rubbed off by the bright colored erases.Don't use this method on a signed baseball.The ink will be removed by the eraser just as easily as it will dirt.Don't use this method on stains that are still wet because it can spread the stain.Wait for the liquid to dry with a moist paper towel.
Step 2: The ball should be touched by the seams.
If you have any dirt or oils on your fingers, you will not be able to smudge the ball while you work.You should wash your hands before you start working.
Step 3: The ball has a dirty spot.
The eraser should be pressed against the ball.Rub the eraser over the spot you want to clean, just as you would a piece of paper.When the dirt or marks are gone, repeat this motion.
Step 4: Purchase a magic tool.
Melamine foam is used to make magic erasers, a popular type of household cleaning product.Magic erasers can be found at your local grocery store.When you want to clean the whole surface of the ball, use a magic eraser.Magic erasers can be used to remove all types of stains from white leather.Keep in mind that ink stains as well.Don't use a magic wand on a ball.
Step 5: The magic eraser is wet.
Put your pencil under the tap to remove excess water.Magic erasers can be dry, but they are more effective with water.It's easier for dirt to cling to in the same way that a wet paper towel is more effective than a dry one.You can cut your magic eraser with a pair of scissors.You will get more use for your money by increasing its surface area.While working on a small object like a baseball, the smaller size will make it easier to grip.
Step 6: Rub the surface of the ball.
Melamine foam can be used as an abrasive cleaner.In other words, magic erasers clean surfaces in a way that is similar to a sander.Because magic erasers don't hold their shape, you will need to press them down fairly hard.As you erase pencil from paper, make a few back-and-forth motions.It will need a few passes to lift the stain.
Step 7: As you clean, tilt the ball.
Rub the surface until it is clean, then turn the ball in your hand.You don't want to ruin the stitching on the ball by rubbing it too much.The look of the ball will be ruined byayed seams.Remember that the foam cleans.While it shouldn't hurt the leather of the main part of your ball, the thinner cotton stitching can be more prone to damage.
Step 8: Make a solution of bleach and detergent.
If you want to add a gentle dish detergent, fill a glass with warm water and then add it.Drop in a capful of bleach and stir.There are a number of leather-safe solvents that you can substitute for this solution.Enhancing agents include rubbing alcohol and white vinegar.The method works best for removing autographs.
Step 9: Put a cotton swab in a container of bleach.
You can squeeze the excess off with a paper towel or an old rag.You just want the surface of the ball to be moist.An old tooth brush can be used to hold water.
Step 10: The cotton swab can be wiped over the stain.
The cotton swab should be rubbed with bleach over the surface of the ball.You should see the stain lift away when you do this a few times.Avoid contact with the stamps or the seams.The red stitches will be discolored if the bleach touches them.If you scrub over the stamps, the solution will remove them.
Step 11: The bleach should be wiped off of your ball.
It's a good idea to wash a towel or cotton ball with tap water.Go over the spot you bleached or wipe down the entire ball.This is done a few times.All residual cleaning solution needs to be removed.
Step 12: Your baseball needs to be toweled dry.
Don't allow your baseball to air dry if you've significantly cleaned it.Air drying can warp and crack leather.Rub the baseball with a dry towel.
Step 13: The drums have balls in them.
The baseballs need to be poured into the container.Baseball balls can be cleaned in a few hours.An expensive baseball cleaning machine might be a good investment if you need to clean many balls on a regular basis.Break the balls into groups to get the best results.Determine the maximum number of baseballs you can safely load by reading your machine's owner manual.The machines don't usually need a minimum number.This is the best way to clean baseballs.
Step 14: The compound should be added.
Baseball cleaning machines use a dry rubber compound to clean the balls.It will not waterlog the balls and will preserve the leather.This method is an automated version of the pencil eraser method.
Step 15: Allow the machine to run for a long time that matches the amount of balls' dirt.
The drum should be on the machine.The machine needs to be turned on and set a timer.The base will move the drum full of balls.If your baseballs are not clean at the end of the run, you can restart the machine again.It takes roughly an hour to clean lightly-scuffed balls.It can be done in two to three hours.It can take as long as 12 hours to thoroughly clean baseballs caked in dirt.Leave these loads to run overnight.
Step 16: Take your balls.
Remove the drum when the cycle is over.The balls need to be removed from the lid.They should be bright white.For the next load of balls, leave the cleaning compound in the drum.Just like a pencil eraser, these rubber chips can be used until they are completely worn away.