How to Clean Golf Grips at Home

April 27, 2025 Charles C. Elliott

To perform better and be safe on the golf course, keep your golf grips clean. Grips that are grimy, to say the least, are going to cause inconsistent swings — and by the way, it can even be dangerous. Luckily, with the right materials and care, you can get your grips back to their tacky best! If you’re wondering how to clean golf grips at home, it’s easier than you think and can make a huge difference in your game.

Why Clean Your Golf Grips?

Golf grips accumulate oils, dirt and sweat from your hands over time which can make them slippery and worn. Not only does regular cleaning keep the form and prevent slipping, it prolongs grip life. As a rule of thumb, Golf Pride says you only need to clean your grips after every 5–10 rounds, depending on how often you play and the conditions you play in.

What You’ll Need

Mild dish soap (e.g., Dawn)
Warm water
A brush with soft bristles (an old toothbrush works great)
Bucket or sink
Clean, dry towel
Optional: Windex or rubbing alcohol to remove particularly stubborn muck

Step-by-Step Cleaning Process

1. Prepare the Cleaning Solution

The washing removes the dirt and debris from the sneakers. Place a little warm water into a bucket or sink, add a few drops of a mild dish soap or detergent, and mix until the water is bubbly. Do not use isopropyl alcohol or any other aggressive chemicals because they may destroy the rubber over time.

2. Scrub the Grips

Submerge your soft-bristled brush into the soapy water and scrub each grip from top to bottom. Concentrate on places that appear stained or disturbed. Be careful not to dip the grips themselves, as that would be allowing water to enter the shaft, leading to internal corrosion.

3. Rinse Thoroughly

Under warm water (not soapy), rinse each grip individually (do not dunk them as you do not want soapy water to get inside the shaft) with the club head pointed down. Be sure to remove any soap remnants so it does not feel slippery when playing.

4. Dry Properly

Each grip should be wiped down with a clean, dry towel. Let the grips fully dry out in the air before putting them back to use for best results.

Additional Tips

Just for corded grips — use a harder brush to clean in amongst the cords.

Rubber Grips — A soft brush or cloth will suffice.
Quick Touch-Ups: Just spray Windex on a cloth and wipe the grip. This should help clean dirt from the surface and bring back some tactility.
Skip the Harsh Chemicals: Avoid things like isopropyl alcohol that dry out the grip material and break stuff down.

Also Read: How to Properly Grip a Golf Club

When to Replace Your Grips

Regardless of the cleaning schedule though, grips will deteriorate as time passes. Indications the time has come for replacement:

Tackiness or slipperiness loss
Visible cracks or tears
Hardening or becoming slick

Golf Pride recommends replacing grips every year or more for frequent players for optimum performance.

Often unrecognized but easy to address, cleaning your golf grips can help improve your game. Using the steps above will help you keep your grips tacky and more durable so you have a more comfortable round and better grip on the course.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is it important to clean my golf grips?

Ans: Cleaning your grips helps remove oils, dirt, and sweat, keeping them tacky and improving their longevity.

2. How often should golf grips be cleaned?

Ans: It’s recommended to clean your grips every 5-10 rounds, depending on how often you play and the conditions.

3. What do I need to do to clean my golf grips?

Ans: You’ll need mild dish soap, warm water, a soft-bristled brush, a sink or bucket, and a clean towel.

4. Can I use strong chemicals to clean the grips?

Ans: Avoid using harsh chemicals like rubbing alcohol, as they can damage the material of your grips.

5. How should I clean my golf grips using a brush?

Ans: Dip a soft-bristled brush in soapy water and scrub each grip gently, focusing on stained areas.

6. Is it okay to dunk my grips in water?

Ans: No, don’t dunk your grippers to prevent water from entering the shaft and causing internal rust or damage.

7. What if my grips are really dirty?

Ans: If the grips are particularly dirty, you can use Windex or rubbing alcohol on a cloth to clean them before scrubbing.

8. How should I dry my grips after cleaning?

Ans: Use a dry towel to wipe your grips and let them air dry completely before using them again.

9. How do I clean grips with cords?

Ans: For corded grips, use a firmer brush to get into the grooves between the cords for a thorough clean.

10. What’s the best way to clean rubber grips?

Ans: A soft brush or cloth will be sufficient to clean the rubber grips without damaging them.