I understand that most bowling ball cleaners on the market are approved by USBC during competition but I'm wondering how many bowlers actually follow the rule and clean their bowling balls after every shot during league or competition? I just wait until after my session to clean my equipment for fear of some person not "in the know" starting an argument or complaint.

Following the rule of allowing balls to be cleaned does not meant hey have to be cleaned after every shot. Most don't, though you should wipe the oil off before it gets absorbed.

I have  had some senior bowlers tell me that it was illegal to clean your ball during the game. I pulled out the relevant passages from the rule book and let them read them.

On a side note, what's the difference between an anytime approved ball cleaner vs one that is approved before/after certified competition?

The ones approved for use ONLY before or after bowling USUALLY contain abrasive that change the surface of the ball, which is technically illegal. That is why they are not approved for use DURING bowling.

I understand why polishes, and cleaners with heavy abrasives that cut the surface down are not approved anytime but why is Clean N' Dull or Hook-it on the list.

I assume they were detected to contain some substance that changes the surface of the ball. At one time, both were approved for use DURING bowling.

Would it be safe to say that the cleaners which are approved anytime don't clean as well as ones which are only approved before/after competition?

No, it is not an absolute. One of the best cleaners, if not the best, is approved for use during bowling: LMB International Extreme High Performance ball cleaner. It is getting very hard to find right now. Other than it, Clean and Dull, Hook-It and DV8's Damn Good Hook (same as C & D) are the best cleaners on the market, in my opinion.

Thanks charlest for clarifying the ball cleaner situation for me. I've been cleaning my balls after each set with Powerhouse Power Wash after my small bottle of Ultimate Rejuvenator cleaner ran out, it were the only choices available when I stopped in my local proshop recently. I know they don't aren't really a deep cleaner but I suppose it's enough for my once a week 3 gm set of league.

I agree Hook-it is a great deep ball cleaner, I use to clean my balls with it after every set back in high school yrs ago. Couldn't really stand that grape-ish chemical scent it had though.

Would you say Clean & Dull is a less harsh smelling cleaner than Hook-it? If so, I think I'll order a 5 oz bottle once my Power Wash runs out. Thanks again!!

Quote from: JPbowling151 on September 10, 2016, 11:15:03 PM

Thanks charlest for clarifying the ball cleaner situation for me. I've been cleaning my balls after each set with Powerhouse Power Wash after my small bottle of Ultimate Rejuvenator cleaner ran out, it were the only choices available when I stopped in my local proshop recently. I know they don't aren't really a deep cleaner but I suppose it's enough for my once a week 3 gm set of league.

I agree Hook-it is a great deep ball cleaner, I use to clean my balls with it after every set back in high school yrs ago. Couldn't really stand that grape-ish chemical scent it had though.

Would you say Clean & Dull is a less harsh smelling cleaner than Hook-it? If so, I think I'll order a 5 oz bottle once my Power Wash runs out. Thanks again!!

Yes, Clean and Dull is less harsh smelling than Hook-It, but that is not the only concern when using these VERY strong cleaners. For a short time I used Hook-It after bowling, but as I came to realize just how strong it is, I take no chances any more. I feel neither should be used at the bowling alley, not with bare hands anyway.

Both are great cleaners, 2 of the 3 best on the market right now, but they are STRONG chemicals. Therefore, now, I only use them at home, in my basement, with a good pair of chemical resistant gloves. After using them, I always clean the ball with a wet paper towel (that's part of Clean and Dull's original TRUE instructions for use anyway) and then a dry one.

I agree when I use to clean my balls with Hook-it after my set it would leave my hands pretty sticky/tacky and it took some real scrubbing with soap in the bathroom to remove the stuff and smell from my hands. I suppose I'll put on some nitrile gloves when using C&D on the ball spinner every 20 gms or when needed.