Alcohol for cleaning rubber

tim gerg Asked 1 month ago

The research I have done online seems to conflict about using alcohol on cleaning rubber, how do we know who is right?

Alois Rosario Answered 2 weeks ago

Hi Tim,

That’s a very good question, and one that a lot of players come across when looking for ways to care for their rubbers.

You’re right—there’s conflicting advice out there about using alcohol to clean table tennis rubbers. The reason for that is that not all alcohol-based products are the same, and not all rubbers react in the same way. Some players say it works well in the short term, giving the rubber a clean, grippy feel. But over time, alcohol can dry out the surface, reducing the rubber’s lifespan and elasticity, especially with modern tensioned rubbers.

Our general advice is to avoid using alcohol for regular cleaning. The safest and most consistent method is just using plain water and a soft sponge or cloth. That’s enough to remove dust, sweat, and grime without damaging the surface.

If you're looking for something a bit stronger occasionally, there are specialised table tennis rubber cleaners designed specifically for this purpose—those are a much safer option than general-purpose alcohol.

So how do we know who’s right? The safest approach is to go with what protects your equipment long-term, and that usually means being gentle. Manufacturers also tend to recommend avoiding alcohol, which is another good sign to stick with water or proper TT cleaners.