I have always cleaned my bowling balls with rubbing alcohol as I was told that was the best way to clean them. I was told by a proshop employee that it will harm the coverstocks of today's equipment. He told me to use a mixture of 1/3 alcohol, 1/3 degreaser, and 1/3 water. Any thoughts on this?

Regarding denatured alcohol, the fact that it's approved for use, should not be confused with the idea that it's recommended.

Yes, it is an ingredient in some of the approved ball cleaners on the market, but that's after it's been diluted with other ingredients.  It hasn't been that many years since it was on the non-approved anytime list. 

Maybe it's safe, but perhaps it's a bit harsh over a period of time, too.  You assume any risk there.  Maybe it should be diluted with Diet Coke (but then it'll really be toxic).

I use the 1/3 Simple Green, 1/3 water, and 1/3 alcohol mixture. I used to use straight Simple Green for one pass, then follow with another of plain water. I remember reading people here talking about SG possibly leaving a residue, so I switched. Maybe the alcohol helps with any residue, but I'd have to guess that my balls have a little more grip/tack after cleaning now. The down side is that you can see that the mixture seems to remove some of the polish after several cleanings.

Ah, old Cleanndull. Stuff was AMAZING.

Pro Series Simple Green MAX is cheap and the best bowling ball cleaner I have ever found.

I'm not talking the regular Simple Green you find at Home Depot. No, this stuff, made by the same company, is way better. When I get done using this cleaner, my ball is very tacky and rag has a lot of dirt and oil on it. You may have to order it online.

Use it straight from the spray bottle, do NOT water it down.

Plus, this stuff is safe for the environment.

I see the Pro Series Simple Green MAX  at online stores but Simple Green doesn't even reference it as a product on their site.

edit***

It is on the Simple Green Canadian site.

http://canada.simplegreen.com/ca_products_ps_max_en.php

Pro Series Simple Green MAX is cheap and the best bowling ball cleaner I have ever found.

I'm not talking the regular Simple Green you find at Home Depot. No, this stuff, made by the same company, is way better. When I get done using this cleaner, my ball is very tacky and rag has a lot of dirt and oil on it. You may have to order it online.

Use it straight from the spray bottle, do NOT water it down.

Plus, this stuff is safe for the environment.

FYI.  Only the "Concentrated Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner" is USBC approved.

http://simplegreen.com/products/all-purpose-cleaner/

From USBC:
"The version that is approved is known as the “original formula”.  The outside of the bottle simply says: “Concentrated Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner”. I have attached a photo of the bottle that we tested."

There are no banned USBC chemicals in Simple Green MAX so it is legal.

Pro Series Simple Green MAX contains no ammonia or alcohol, is VOC compliant, and is non-flammable and non-abrasive. Most importantly, it's non-toxic and readily biodegradable, to ensure care is taken with our environment.

I think the USBC views it differently and I don't think it is legal according to them.  Perhaps they will put it on their approved list though. 

But here is some more info for you.  There is a stronger version of the Pro Series Simple Green Max.  Simple Green Pro HD is 4 times stronger than the Pro Series Simple Green Max

From Simple Green:  "Pro Series Simple Green Max is available in both the US and Canada. It was readily available at Canadian Tire up until recently which is why we marketed on the Canadian website. It is primarily available online in the US. The product is a 25% solution of Simple Green Pro HD (1:3 dilution ratio).

Pro Series Simple Green Max is basically a ready to use version of Simple Green Pro HD, which is our strongest and best degreaser that is available on the retail market. Simple Green Pro HD is safe for polyester, polyurethane, urethane and epoxy. Because application processes and product can vary, we do still recommend spot testing on all of these surfaces. The original Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner is a different formula than Simple Green Pro HD or Pro Series Simple Green MAX. "

I put in a request to the USBC to look at the Simple Green Pro HD and add it to their list of approved cleaners.

Simple Green Max and Simple Green Pro HD both have this warning.

WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer (trace Diethanolamine).

Where did you see that? I don't see it on the MSDS or SDS.

They are both listed as hazardous on the MSDS though.

"This product is considered hazardous (Eye Corrosive/Irritant – Category 2B) by the 2012 OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)"