5 Useful Tips for Taking Care of Your Badminton Racket

Your racket is your most essential piece of badminton equipment and finding the right one for your strengths and weaknesses can be a lengthy process. 

So, once you find that perfect racket, you’ll want to take the proper steps to keep it in top-notch shape. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how to protect and maintain your badminton racket for the long haul.

How to Take Care of Your Badminton Racket

Along with your body, your badminton racket is one of your most valuable tools on the court. And just like your body works best when it’s kept in tip-top shape, so does your racket.

With that in mind, the tips below can help you take care of your racket so you can keep it in pristine condition for as long as possible.

1. Store Your Racket in a Dry and Safe Place

Moisture can cause slight changes to the shape of your racket, so it should always be clean and dry before you put it away. It’s also strongly recommended that you don’t put a headcover on your racket while it’s damp. Instead, you can wipe it with a cloth or let it sit out in a safe place indoors to dry.

Although it’s tempting to let your racket dry off in the sunshine, don’t leave it in a hot place for too long. The carbon graphite frame on many badminton rackets can easily become warped with too much heat. 

Finally, always store your racket in a safe area where it won’t be bumped into or tripped over. After all, you don’t want someone stumbling over it and damaging it!

2. Replace Your Strings Right Away

It’s best to replace your strings at the first signs of damage. That’s because unbalanced string tension can pull at your frame unevenly and even warp your racket head. Beyond that, frayed strings can cause the shuttle to bounce off improperly from your racket’s sweet spot.

Side note: When you replace strings, remember not to keep your string tension too high because it can damage the racket frame.

3. Replace Your Grommets When They Appear Worn Down

You might not think a little plastic piece like a grommet can affect the functioning of a racket — but it does. If a grommet breaks, it can leave your string sitting directly on the frame. And a high-tension string can cut into your frame when the grommet is broken. 

Moreover, when a string sits directly on your racket frame instead of inside the grommet, it’s more likely to break. Strings in this position can also change your racket’s head shape due to uneven tension.

All this to say that if any grommets on your racket look worn down, make sure to replace them!

4. Replace Your Grips At Least Once Per Month

It’s essential to replace your racket grips before they get too worn or old. Grips collect sweat and moisture that can slowly damage the handle on your racket, so it’s recommended to replace them at least once per month. 

Beyond that, be sure to wrap your grips around the handle properly. An incorrectly wrapped grip can also cause handle damage or an awkward hand position when you play.

5.  Avoid Hitting Anything Except the Shuttle

Tapping your racket on the floor, clashing with your doubles partner, and just generally banging your racket around should be avoided if possible. All of these things will lead to paint chips on your racket and could crack the frame. 

Unfortunately, cracks in the frame usually mean you’ll need to replace your racket soon. The larger the crack, the less time your frame probably has left.

You can temporarily fix a crack with superglue if you can’t quite afford a new racket yet. But this isn’t a long-term solution — and at some point, you’ll need to take the leap and purchase a new one.

All in all, just try to avoid using your racket to whack anything besides the shuttle. 

Caring for Your Badminton Racket: The Takeaway

A badminton racket that has been properly taken care of is just one more factor that can boost your game. Without proper badminton racket maintenance, you might wind up with warping, string tension inequalities, and poor shots later on.

Luckily, the tips in this post will help you ace your racket care routine so you can keep it in excellent shape for many years. With proper care, you won’t need to worry about buying a replacement any time soon!

If you’re interested in learning more about badminton equipment, be sure to check out this post on nine essential pieces of badminton gear.