Part of being a bocce enthusiast is having your own bocce ball-playing set. It’s very convenient for when you’re itching for a game. Part of becoming a set owner is knowing how to care for your bocce ball set and keep it in tip-top shape.
Make sure you store your bocce ball set in a cool and dry place. You’d also want to clean the balls before and after games to make sure there is no buildup of dirt. Regularly inspect your balls for cracks, dents, and scratches. Avoid playing on hard surfaces and if you can, rotate a few bocce sets to prolong each set’s life.
Bocce ball sets often come with their own care and cleaning instructions. Combining those with our general guide here should do right by your playing set.
Why You Should Take Care of Your Bocce Ball Set
If you’re a huge bocce fan and have enjoyed a couple of games here and there, then you probably have your own bocce ball set.
Having your own set is a must for many fans. It also allows you to easily start a game if your hands are itching for a friendly game on a random afternoon.
Owning one isn’t all fun and games – also comes with responsibilities on strings.
As one proud owner of a playing set, you know how important your bocce ball set is. Even without a playing court and as long as you have a flat and even surface to play on, you’re good to go for more casual and relaxed games.
When you regularly use your bocce balls for games with friends and family, it’s inevitable that they end up dirty, scuffed up, and worn out.
When they start showing signs of wear and tear, it’s time to rethink how you take care of them.
Remember, a bocce ball set that’s well-kept and well-taken care of can make a world of difference in how games go.
Well-maintained bocce balls roll smoother, allowing you to accurately predict your shots when your competitive spirits are up.
Moreover, maintaining your bocce ball set will help it last longer. A long-lasting bocce ball set means more games you and your family can enjoy. This also means you won’t have to prematurely replace any playing component so that’s one less expense for you as well.
How to Care For Bocce Ball Set
Store in a cool, dry place
Proper storage of your bocce ball set is a must if you want to use it for more games in the future. Remember, proper ball upkeep will be for nothing if you don’t store them properly.
Most bocce ball sets come with a usually padded storage bag. If yours don’t, a sturdy box will do. Keep it in a cool and dry area, obviously, not outdoors where it’s vulnerable to extreme heat, cold, or rain.
Clean before and after games
You’d want to ensure that you clean your bocce ball set regularly, even if you’re just playing on a simple backyard bocce court. The best way to do this is before games (so it’s free from any buildup dirt and can roll smoothly) and after games (to prevent unwanted dirt buildup).
To clean your bocce balls, you need a soft cleaning cloth, a drying towel, mild and gentle soap, and warm water.
First, wet the balls with warm water. Add a few drops of the mild soap to the cleaning cloth and gently clean each ball. Focus on stubborn grime and dirt.
Then, rinse off any soap and dirt residue from the balls with warm water. Remember to dry the balls with a soft towel. Never leave them wet and air dry completely instead as this can cause moisture buildup and ruin the quality of the balls.
Regularly inspect the balls
It would be best if you regularly inspect the state of your bocce balls. Look for any irregularities, scratches, and dents on the ball’s surface material that could be affecting how it rolls and how each game goes.
Regular inspection will also let you know if the problem can be solved with a deep cleaning or if you would need to replace them entirely.
So on your next and future court maintenance schedules, check on your bocce balls as well.
Avoid playing on a bocce ball court with a hard surface
The court surfacing material can have a direct impact on not only your bocce ball experience but also on the balls.
Bocce ball courts with hard surfaces like concrete can easily damage your bocce balls. Throwing and tossing them to a hard bocce court surface can cause dents and scratches that can directly affect a player’s performance.
Playing bocce ball on softer court surfaces like grass and sand is more advisable.
Rotate the use of your bocce balls
If you have multiple bocce ball sets, it would be best to rotate your use of them. Don’t stick to using only one set as this increases the chances of ruining their quality. If you can, rotate the playing sets you’re using. This way, you can extend their life.
And if you don’t have multiple sets just yet, take this as an encouragement to get another bocce ball set.
Conclusion
Every bocce ball fan has their own playing set, or at least seriously considering getting one for their own entertainment. Bocce ball sets are important because even with just that, you can get a game going. That being said, it’s important for owners to know how to care for bocce ball sets so your pick of the best bocce ball stays in top shape.
Make sure you keep your bocce ball set in a cool and dry place, away from the extreme weather conditions of the outdoors. You should also clean the balls before and after the game to prevent unwanted dirt buildup. Inspect the balls for any cracks, dents, or dirt buildup that might be affecting your throws. If you can, avoid playing on bocce courts with hard surfaces like concrete and rotate multiple playing sets.
Depending on what bocce ball set you bought, care instructions could vary. Make sure to follow those along with our general guidelines above.
