I know Simple Green leaves a residue that MUST be cleaned off. I would never suggest anyone use anything but a bowling ball-specific cleaner designed to clean bowling balls.
There are 2 general classifications of cleaners. One is those approved for use DURING bowling. They are generally water based and not as powerful as those approved for use BEFORE & AFTER bowling. My best DURING cleaners are Remedy, Knockout, Zapp-It, and Rejuvenator. To this group I have recently added LMB International (formerly Lane Masters) cleaner. From my personal test, this is actually better than pure acetone in cleaning balls.
For use BEFORE/AFTER are Clean and Dull and Hook-It. These are very powerful (in the class with LMB Int'l) cleaners and I would suggest using them every 3 - 4 outings unless you regularly use dull ball and on heavy oil. In that ase, you can use them after each outing.
In the long run, they are only slightly more expensive than cleaners NOT made for bowling balls, but are safer to use on a regular basis.
I would not bother using household alcohol as it is of little use in removing lane oil and serious dirt. not much more so than simple water.
Just so much garbage about Simple Green. You want to be a sucker and pay 10 bucks for a four ounce bottle of basically 98% water, go ahead. Quit trying to talk people into being sheep like you.
OP, search the threads. Want an excellent cleaner that does the job with no "residue"? One third Simple Green concentrate, one third 98% Isoporpyl Alcohol, and one third plain old water. Twenty people in my league use this after they saw me using it and asked what it was.
De-oil your ball? Put it in the dishwasher. NO heated dry, NO sanitize feature. Run it on normal cycle. 90 minutes later, take out, let dry. NO oil, NO damage to ball, NO muss, NO fuss.
It really is this easy. You will be amazed at how complicated and hard people will make this. Try what I said and use. If you aren't satisfied, use some other cleaner and method.
