Most bocce equipment are rather sturdy and made to last. But that doesn’t mean you should just dump them in a corner of your storeroom or let them lie around. Even the best bocce gear can deteriorate if you don’t take enough care, regardless of the material. Be it the bocce balls, the scoreboard or any other equipment, it’s important to store them properly.
Without aftercare, your bocce gear can get damaged or grow mold. Therefore, they must be kept clean, dry and organized. Some equipment might need a bit of special care to stay functional, while others can work with just some cleaning. Let’s take a look at everything you should know about storing bocce equipment to make them last longer.
Why Do Bocce Equipment Need Maintenance?
Like with other sports, bocce equipment such as balls, measuring tools, scoreboards, accessories, and the court require some cleaning and fixing. When exposed to weather elements for long, materials like wood, rubber and natural resin can begin to rot and develop mold. Even metal, plastic and composite materials can corrode over time if simply left out without care. Which is why you should check and clean all bocce equipment before putting them away.
How to Clean and Store Every Bocce Gear
1. Bocce Balls:
As the most important part of the game, bocce ball sets require major care. Constant play can wear out the surface of the balls and cause them to lose their color and weight. Always check for signs of damage before packing them away. Then take a clean, slightly damp cloth and wipe off the balls to remove any debris. If they are made of wood, rubber or metal, wrap them up in clear foil, paper covers, or something similar to lock out moisture. Put the balls in the storage bag that came with the set and make sure they don’t bump into each other. Store the bag somewhere clean, dry and cool. Resin and plastic balls don’t do well in high temperatures, so keep them where it’s not too warm.
2. Tools and Accessories
In bocce, players may use ground tags, measuring tapes, calipers and more to mark and measure. They are meant for calculating the distance between the balls or setting up the court. Such tools can break pretty easily, so they should be kept carefully. Usually, these come in their own safety pouches or boxes that you may use to store them.
3. Scoreboards
Bocce scoreboards are generally quite large and can be difficult to keep indoors. They are exposed to rain, summer heat, chilling winds, and snow when left outside. Wooden scoreboards can get moldy whereas metallic ones can develop rust. Plastic scoreboards don’t break down very easily but can still get brittle. It’s advised to wipe down the scoreboard with a dry cloth, use a heat-insulating fabric as cover and store it indoors.
4. Portable Courts
If you have a portable bocce court for playing, you’ll have to clean and repack it as well. If it’s inflatable, you just need to let the air out and fold it. If it can be dismantled, you need to take it apart and keep the parts separately. Make sure not to get it wet after cleaning and store it in a dry place.
Final Thoughts
As long as you take good care of all your bocce equipment, they are sure to perform well in the long-term. Choose high-quality gear that’ll last for years with minimum maintenance, so you can play without worry. Get amazing bocce ball sets and accessories at All Things Bocce for both tournaments and casual play, and enjoy the game with your friends or family.