How To Clean Your Dartboard: A Guide to Proper Care and Maintenance

Your dartboard is the centerpiece of your darting experience. Much like caring for a prized instrument, keeping your board in optimal condition is key to consistent play and longevity. Consider the dartboard the heart of your darting domain—tend to it with care, and it will pump life into your games for years to come.

In the spirit of courageous competition, this guide will arm you with the knowledge to maintain your board like a true champion. We’ll explore the heroic feats of maintenance and care that enable your dartboard to withstand the rigors of play.

Master these simple techniques, and your trusty board will emerge victorious from every battle, ready for the next round.

Dartboard Materials and Lifespans

The first step in maintenance is understanding what your dartboard is made of. Dartboard materials fall into four main categories:

Bristle Dartboards

The most popular choice, bristle dartboards are made of sisal plant fibers compressed together. With proper maintenance, high-quality bristle boards like the Winmau Blade 5 can last well over 5 years.

Bristle dartboards have a “self-healing” quality—the tightly packed sisal bristles close up holes after darts are removed. This preserves the integrity of the playing surface for thousands of impacts over time.

Electronic Dartboards

Electronic dartboards feature a durable plastic playing surface built to withstand repeated strikes. They utilize internal sensors to automatically track scores and provide interactive games.

With basic care like occasional dusting and gentle wiping, electronic boards can deliver years of maintenance-free play. Just take care to avoid exposing these boards to moisture which can damage internal electronics.

Cork Dartboards

A traditional option, cork dartboards provide an affordable alternative to sisal bristle. However, cork lacks the natural resilience of bundled sisal fibers. Handle cork boards gently to maximize longevity, although they may require replacement sooner than other options.

Cork dartboards can serve well for practice sessions and recreational games, just don’t expect the staying power of a high-end bristle board. Take care not to expose cork boards to excess moisture which can warp and degrade the surface.

Wooden Dartboards

Wooden dartboards like the classic Manchester Log End board were popular in the early days of the sport. They require the most specialized care to maintain.

The porous wood must be regularly soaked in water when not in use to keep it from drying out and cracking or splintering. Then allow the board to partially dry before play.

With devoted maintenance, wooden boards develop character over time. But neglect will rapidly degrade the throwing surface. Be prepared to commit to a labor of love for preservation.

Key Maintenance Areas

Now that you know the most common dartboard materials, let’s explore key areas of maintenance and care for longevity:

Rotate for Equal Wear

Perhaps no tip is more vital for the life of your dartboard than rotating it regularly. Dartboards wear from repeated impacts concentrated in certain areas. For most players, the triple 20 segment sees far more action than other parts of the board.

Constant pounding in one area will quickly degrade the surface. By periodically rotating your dartboard, you distribute wear for much more even longevity.

For frequent players, rotate your dartboard at least once a month. Simply remove the numbered metal ring, turn the board so the next black wedge is at top, then replace the ring with the 20 segment aligned at the top.

For casual players, rotating every 2-3 months is sufficient. Just be sure to keep turning the board clockwise so all segments get time at the top under the 20. This minor effort pays huge dividends in the lifespan of your dartboard.

Keep Your Board Dry

You might think an occasional wipedown with a damp cloth could clean a dartboard nicely. Unfortunately, that innocent moist wipe spells disaster for many types of dartboards.

Exposing boards to water or humidity can have rapid detrimental effects:

• Bristle dartboards will expand as sisal fibers absorb moisture. Bulges, warping, and fiber loss results.
• Wooden dartboards will quickly warp and crack as water swells the porous surface.
• Electronic dartboards risk shorts and corrosion damage from moisture exposure.
• Even cork dartboards will suffer warping and mold growth if they get wet.

Save yourself misery down the road, and keep your dartboard dry under all circumstances. Never intentionally expose it to water or use liquid cleaners.

Instead, maintain it with:

• A dry cloth to wipe dust and dirt
• A gentle vacuuming to remove debris
• At most, a mildly damp soft cloth followed immediately by drying

Avoid humid locations, and shield your board from contact with moisture whenever possible. A dry dartboard is a happy dartboard.

Maintain Your Darts

In the same way your equipment will influence your performance, the state of your darts directly impacts the longevity of your dartboard. As your primary tool of engagement with the board, well-maintained darts will minimize unnecessary wear and tear.

Inspect dart tips before each session, and sharpen them as needed to keep a smooth, rounded point. Over time, tips get bludgeoned into mushroom shapes, which mats down bristles rather than cleanly penetrating them. Burrs also develop which can snag and tear delicate materials with each removal.

A quick touch up with a dart sharpener before you play makes all the difference. Take care not to over-sharpen though—very sharp points create extra damage upon impact. Aim for an ideal middle ground of smooth and rounded but not needle-like.

Remove darts with a gentle twisting motion rather than harsh pulling to minimize fiber damage as well. And always store darts in a case or caddy rather than leaving them embedded in the board when not in play.

Well-maintained darts prevent excess punishment to your board and ensure fair play. Take good care of your tools, and they’ll take care of you in return.

Control Environmental Conditions

Dartboards don’t exist in a vacuum once hung on your wall. Environmental factors can impact the longevity of your gear. By controlling a few key conditions, you allow your board to exist in a protective bubble of perfection:

• Avoid direct sunlight which can cause fading of sisal fiber colors as well as drying and brittleness.
• Minimize bright lights like spotlights which degrade materials over time through light damage. Go for soft ambient lighting instead.
• Maintain cool, dry conditions as temperature and humidity extremes speed deterioration.
• Use dartboard backboard mounting which creates space between the wall and board. This allows air circulation and helps prevent warping.

Optional protective steps like installing a dartboard cabinet shields your gear further when not in active play.

With some reasonable environmental controls, you grant your prized board the sanctuary it deserves.

Specialized Care by Dartboard Type

While we’ve covered universal care tips, some boards have unique specialized needs:

Caring for Bristle Dartboards

To maximize the longevity of a sisal bristle dartboard:

• Rotate frequently – these boards need regular rotation to prevent uneven wear from concentrated impacts.
• Avoid water – moisture is the nemesis of bristle fibers causing swelling and bulges.
• Replace metal number rings – the original rings can bend and damage sisal over time.
• Clean gently – use super mild damp cloths and minimize abrasion.
• Check spider wires – broken or loose wires impede play and damage the board.

With some TLC, a quality bristle board like a Blade 5 can still be going strong after 5+ years.

Caring for Electronic Dartboards

To preserve your electronic dartboard:

• Wipe down gently – use dry cloths to remove dust and dirt. Avoid abrasives.
• Check power cords and connections – damage here can knock out electronic operation.
• Keep dry – moisture and liquids damage sensitive internal electronics.
• Update firmware – keep your software up to date for best performance.
• Test battery compartments – replace leaking or damaged batteries immediately.

With basic care, electronic boards provide years of maintenance-free enjoyment.

Caring for Wooden Dartboards

To maintain a wooden dartboard like the Manchester Log End:

• Soak regularly – wood dries and splits rapidly if not soaked in water when not in use.
• Allow to partially dry before play – excess moisture makes darts stick into the wood.
• Check for cracks – inspect for splintering cracks and sand down as needed.
• Apply linseed oil – replenish drying wood with a linseed oil treatment.
• Rotate for even wear – distribute shots across the surface to prevent weak spots.

Wooden boards demand meticulous care but reward you with vintage charm. Are you up for the crusade?

Dartboard Maintenance Essentials

To recap, uphold your board through:

• Rotation – nothing prolongs dartboard life more than rotating it frequently.
• Dryness – moisture is the enemy – keep your board crisp and dry.
• Dart maintenance – sharp, smooth, and burr-free darts prevent unnecessary damage.
• Controlled conditions – avoid extremes of light, humidity, and temperature.
• Proper mounting – give the board airflow and support through backboards.
• Specialized care – tailor maintenance to your board’s unique needs.

With the courage to maintain your gear like a champion, your trusty dartboard will emerge victorious from every battle.