Are Shammy Pads and Microfiber Towels Better Than Your Old Cotton Rag?

If you’ve been bowling for any length of time, you’ve probably done it. You grab whatever towel is handy, that old cotton rag you keep in your bag or the one you grabbed from the laundry, and give your ball a quick wipe between shots. It seems fine. The ball looks cleaner. You throw your next shot and move on.

But here’s what’s really happening. That cotton rag is often working against you.

The Real Problem with a Basic Cotton Rag

It's true, cotton absorbs some oil. But it mostly just moves it around on the coverstock. It smears the oil instead of lifting it out of the tiny pores in reactive balls. Over time that leftover oil and any little bits of lint from the rag start to build up. Your ball loses the clean, consistent reaction it had when it was new. You start seeing it roll early, lose backend, or just feel “dead” by game three or four.

A lot of bowlers blame the ball or the lanes. Sometimes the real culprit is the rag they’ve been using for years.

What Shammy Pads Do Differently

Shammy pads (the leather ones and the synthetic versions) are built for this exact job. The material has a texture and absorbency that actually pulls oil out of the ball instead of pushing it around. It’s soft on the coverstock but effective at grabbing what’s sitting on the surface and what’s worked its way into the pores.

Most shammy pads are compact and easy to grip. You can give the ball a solid wipe on the return or in your hand without it slipping. They stay effective for a long time. Many bowlers rinse them out or just keep using them until they’re truly loaded with oil. No lint left behind means your ball surface stays cleaner and more consistent from shot to shot.

If you're looking for a shammy, these are a few of the most popular shammies with bowlers today: 1) Bowling.com Leather Shammy Pad, 2) Storm Shammy Aqua, 3) Hammer Black Widow Shammy Pad, 4) Hammer Purple Shammy, 5) Brunswick Reactivate Shammy Pad

Why Microfiber Towels Beat Cotton Too

Microfiber towels work on a different principle. The fibers are split so fine they create a huge amount of surface area. Instead of just soaking up oil like a sponge, they trap and hold onto it. That means less smearing and better overall cleaning, especially when the ball has a heavier layer of oil on it.

They’re also great after a full session when you want to give the whole ball a proper wipe-down. They wash up easily, dry fast, and don’t hold odors the way a cotton towel can after a few oily uses. Plenty of bowlers carry one microfiber towel specifically for deeper cleaning and a smaller shammy pad for quick in-game wipes.

If you're looking for a microfiber towel, let us suggest some of the most popular ones with Bowling.com customers: 1) Bowling.com Microfiber Towel, 2) Classic Economy Microfiber Towel, 3) Vise See-Saw Microfiber Black, 4) Brunswick Microfiber See-Saw Assorted, 5) Vise See-Saw Microfiber Red

How This Actually Helps Your Game

When your ball stays cleaner, you get the reaction the manufacturer designed into it, shot after shot, game after game. You’ll notice:

• More predictable skid and breakpoint instead of early roll or dying out
• Better carry on hits because the ball is hitting the pins with the energy it should
• Fewer “something’s off with my ball” moments during league or practice
• Your reactive equipment stays usable longer before it needs resurfacing or replacement

It’s one of those small changes that removes a variable. You stop fighting your own gear and can focus on your shot, your adjustments, and actually enjoying the night.

How to Use Them Right

• Keep a dedicated ball towel (or two) in your bag, separate from the one you use for your hands or shoes.
• For a quick in-game wipe with a shammy pad: Just give the ball a firm, even wipe as it comes back. Cover the whole surface. You don’t need to scrub hard.
• For a microfiber towel after play or on heavier oil nights: Use it dry first, or pair it with a light cleaner if the ball feels really loaded. Some bowlers like a see-saw motion with a larger towel for full coverage.
• Rinse or wash when they get loaded. Most shammy pads and quality microfiber towels hold up well to repeated use and don’t need constant replacement like a cotton rag that’s always saturated.

What to Look For When You’re Ready to Upgrade

You don’t need the most expensive option. Look for:

• Good absorbency and a material that feels like it’s grabbing rather than just wiping
• Dual-sided or generously sized pads/towels so you’re not constantly flipping or folding
• Something that fits comfortably in your hand or bag (round pads are popular for a reason)
• Easy care: Either rinse-and-wring or machine washable depending on which style you prefer

Many bowlers end up with both a shammy pad for quick work and a microfiber towel for after-session cleaning. They complement each other well.

Common Customer Questions About Towels

Can’t I just keep washing my cotton towel?

Washing helps, but the basic action of cotton on a reactive coverstock still tends to smear more than it lifts. You’ll keep fighting the same buildup issues.

How often should I actually clean my ball?

Quick wipe with a shammy or microfiber between most shots or whenever it feels oily. A more thorough cleaning every few games (or after every session on heavy oil) keeps the reaction consistent.

Is this really worth buying something new?

Most bowlers who switch notice the difference in consistency within the first night or two. When you think about what you’ve already spent on balls, shoes, and league fees, a good shammy pad or microfiber towel is one of the cheapest ways to protect that investment and shoot better scores.

You can find a solid selection of shammy pads and microfiber towels right here at Bowling.com. Grab one (or both), toss it in your bag, and see what a clean ball feels like when it’s actually rolling the way it’s supposed to. Your scores, and your frustration level, will thank you.

Bowling Towels and Shammies Frequently Asked Questions