DIY Network

Clean Sports Clean Sports From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-111

Today we're playing and kicking up dirt as we learn how to keep sports equipment in good working order and how to turn housecleaning into an aerobic workout. But first, a few questions from the audience.

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Q: How do you remove dirt and grass stains from athletic shoes?

A: If the stain is on the leather or vinyl part of the shoe, clean it with -- are you ready? -- molasses! Spread a layer of molasses on the stain and leave on overnight. The sulfur in the molasses will eat away the grass stain.

Q: What's the best way to remove grass stains from baseball uniforms?

A: Work old-fashioned, non-gel white toothpaste into the grass stain, then pretreat with laundry detergent and launder as usual.

Q: Is there an effective treatment for mildew in a child's wading pool?

A: Scrub with baking soda and a wet sponge, rinse and leave the pool in sunlight to dry.
Cleaning Golf Equipment

• Clubs Clean the club shaft with dry, fine-grade 0000 steel wool. Make sure the shaft surface is dry before using, otherwise the steel wool will scratch the surface. Wipe the club off with a damp cloth and rub dry with a clean, soft cloth.

• Grip Clean the grip with moisturizing (nondeodorant) bath soap on a damp cloth. Work up a lather and rub into the leather, rinsing the cloth when it becomes dirty. Repeat until the grip is clean. Soap the grip once more and do not rinse; buff with a soft cloth instead. This moisturizes the leather and will prevent it from drying out. For stubborn dirt and old stains, work in GOJO waterless hand-cleaner and wipe until clean. Wash with the moisturizing soap and dry.
  

  	Figure A
  	Figure B

• Gloves Put the glove on to retain its proper shape while cleaning. Work a moisturizing bath soap into the palm, being careful not to saturate the glove. Rinse, buff and dry flat, out of direct sunlight (figure A). To keep the fabric soft, put the glove on, apply a small amount of hand cream to it and rub into the fabric. Store in a self-closing plastic bag to maintain softness.

• Shoes Brush dirt and mud off the bottom of the shoes. Clean scrapes on the top of the shoes with white non-gel toothpaste or cuticle remover (figure B). The mild abrasive in the toothpaste cleans without damaging the shoes. Rinse and buff. Wash leather shoes with moisturizing bath soap. Clean cloth shoes with a damp microfiber cloth and treat with a good-quality water repellant.

• Golf balls Remove dirt by soaking the balls in 2 cups warm water and a cup of ammonia. When the balls are clean, store them in an empty egg carton. For easy identification, apply a dot of colored nail polish on each ball.

Table Tennis Tip: Take small dents out of ping-pong balls by dropping them in hot water for several minutes.

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