How to Clean and Care for Your Tennis Bag - Featuring The Rocket
How to Clean and Care for Your Tennis Bag
Sweat, clay, grass and the occasional spilled water bottle take a toll on any tennis bag. A few minutes of care each month prevents odor, protects the structure and keeps your gear safe. Here is how to clean, deodorize, dry and store your bag.
Your care routine, in one place.
What to do, when to do it and how.
| Task | When | How |
|---|---|---|
| Remove damp clothes and shoes | Right after you play | Take them out promptly so moisture cannot breed bacteria or mildew |
| Air it out | When the bag is not in use | Unzip the compartments and let the bag breathe |
| Deodorize | Between matches | Slip in a small pouch of baking soda or cedar chips |
| Wipe the exterior | Monthly | Damp cloth and mild soap, no bleach or harsh chemicals |
| Spot-clean the lining | Monthly | Damp cloth, with extra attention to the Rocket Pocket and small compartments |
| Full clean, dry and store | End of season | Follow the storage checklist below |
The full routine takes a few minutes. Running through it each month keeps your bag looking, smelling and performing like new.
Clean it inside and out.
Start with an empty bag, then work from the outside in.
Keep odor out.
Moisture is the enemy. Damp clothes or sweaty shoes left inside any bag can breed bacteria and mildew, so take them out as soon as you get home.
- Slip a small pouch of baking soda or cedar chips into the bag between matches
- Unzip the compartments to air the bag out when it is not in use
- Wash removable accessories like grip towels often so they don't carry odor back in
Air-dry it, never heat it.
Heat can warp structural materials, damage zippers and weaken stitching.
Avoid long stretches in direct sunlight while the bag dries, which can fade the color.
Store it ready for next season.
When the season slows down, a little prep means the bag is ready the day you are.
- Clean the exterior and the lining
- Remove every item, including coins, tape and used grips
- Make sure the bag is completely dry
- Store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
Pro tip: cover the bag with a breathable dust cover or a pillowcase. It keeps dust off without trapping moisture.
Designed to make care easier.
The Rocket's high-contrast interior lining was engineered for easy spot cleaning, and its 1680D ballistic nylon shell stands up to regular wipe-downs. A damp cloth usually restores it.
Where most bags rely on a basic fabric lining, The Rocket has a ventilated shoe and wet-gear compartment with an antimicrobial lining. It keeps shoes and damp gear apart, limits odor buildup and helps them dry faster.
Advanced lining materials help The Rocket dry faster than standard bags. The ventilated shoe compartment and structured compartments promote airflow, reducing dry time and preventing that stale locker room smell.
The ballistic nylon shell resists tearing and abrasion, and self-mending YKK zippers keep compartments secure through years of storage and travel. The Rocket is backed by a 3-year warranty.
More from The Rocket.
Guides that pair well with a clean bag.
Keep the checklist in your bag.
Download the free Tennis Bag Care Checklist, a one-page guide to cleaning, odor control, drying and storage. Print it or save it to your phone.