How to Clean a Tennis Court

One of the advantages to hard court tennis surfaces is that they are almost maintenance-free. However, once in a while, the court will need some attention. A thorough cleaning to remove surface dust, dirt and mildew helps extend the life of the court, keeps it safe for players and improves its appearance. The process of cleaning the court does not require professionals. With a few basic supplies and equipment, your tennis court will look new again.

Remove all court benches, trash cans, water jugs, balls or anything that will interfere with the cleaning process. Remove any debris, leaves, sand, pebbles, twigs, trash, dead insects and ball fuzz with a push broom or a leaf blower. Start in the center of the court and push or blow the debris to the outer edges. Dispose of the debris.

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Sprinkle the detergent on the court and suds down everything using a hose with a high power nozzle. It is best to do one side of the court at a time. Scrub the court's surface with the push broom, taking care not to miss the lines. Be careful not to apply too much pressure; scrubbing too hard could damage the surface. Rinse the surface and repeat the process on the other half. Allow the court to dry. Check the court for areas containing mildew or mold.

Take a 5-gallon bucket and mix a solution of bleach and water (2 parts water to 1 part bleach) to apply to areas with mold or mildew. Protect your hands with rubber gloves. Dip a smaller bucket into the mixture and pour it on the court's surface. Scrub the area with a push broom for about one minute. Thoroughly rinse by hosing down the area. Repeat this process if the mildew or mold remains, otherwise move on to the next area. Continue until all mildew or mold spots have been removed.

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Allow the courts to dry thoroughly before playing on them. Wipe down the court benches with water and an old rag before returning them to the court. Periodically, check the courts for the return of any mold or mildew and attend to the areas as needed.

Tips

Instead of a hose with a high pressure nozzle, you can use a medium duty (2000 to 2600 PSI) pressure washer.

Warnings

It's a good idea to wear rubber boots when you're using the bleach solution to clean mold or mildew.