Table Tennis Racket Case

So, if you've followed my recommendation and bought a customised racket (part one) rather than a ready-made racket, and you've chosen your table tennis blade (part two) and table tennis rubbers (part three) to suit your style of play, and you've affixed your rubbers onto your blade (part four) ... you'll now need to consider ...

You can buy table tennis equipment from this supplier

There are two main ways that you can look after, and care for, your racket.

To protect your table tennis racket, make sure that you buy a good racket case (sometimes called a table tennis racket cover) to store it in.

This will keep it safe from damage such as liquid spills, dirt and sunlight.

An oblong shaped case (above) is better than a racket case shaped like a table tennis racket (right) because it will offer more protection to the edges of your racket.

Some of these cases can also hold a second racket as well.

A second method of caring for your racket is to use either a spray or a sponge to keep your rubbers clean (see important update below).

There are three major factors that determine the durability of your rubbers - tension, flexibility and friction.

The tension and flexibility of your rubbers will diminish over time, but you can minimise the loss of friction - i.e. the tackiness of the rubber surface which allows you to impart spin onto the ball - by following a regular cleaning routine.

Butterfly offer this non-flammable spray cleaner that's designed to return the rubber surface to its natural tacky state.

The pump feature is designed to help you to spray it more precisely onto your rubbers.

Alternatively, there are table tennis rubber cleaners which have a built-in sponge.

You use the sponge to wipe over the surface of your rubbers to restore its natural tacky state.

However, I don't consider either of these to be good value for money.

I just use a small, new, cleaning cloth with a small amount of tap water and lightly rub it over my rubbers to remove any build up of dirt and dust.

I believe that this is just as good as any cleaner you can buy - but you should try out different methods and use whatever you feel is best for you.

Important Update:

The rules of table tennis now state that you can no longer use any type of cleaner on your rubbers, except plain water.

Law 2.04.07 now states...

The racket covering shall be used without any physical, chemical or other treatment.

This means that there is a total ban on the use of all products which clean or improve the rubber. Table tennis rubbers must be used as they were when they were originally tested and authorised.

And you are solely responsible for your own racket, which must be free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Read the new rules on VOC free glue here.