Is it true that putting tennis balls in the dryer will help restore their bounce?

Question

I just heard this and I'm wondering if it's just an "old wives tale" or if it actually works. If it works, how long and what kind of heat would you recommend, assuming you've tried it yourself?

Answer 1

Yeah it's an old trick. But if you start losing the bounce, the felt maybe gone too. So you're better off buying new balls really.

Answer 2

Yes, but it's temporary and only good for one more use, because after that they will be positively dead.

It's an old racketball trick too.  It lets you get one last use of them.  Supposedly the air gets hot inside and expands, making the ball bounce like new.  But it also affects the rubber, making the ball weaker.  So, after one more use, they're pretty much dead.

Microwaving them about 5-10 secs does the same thing quicker.

Answer 3

Um... never heard of that one before.  Just test it out with one worn out ball and see if it works and then if it does then chuck them all in.

Answer 4

with the cost of energy being so high, and its effects to the environment, even if it does work, i think you will still be better off just getting new ones...

Answer 5

I have to tell you that it doesn't really work well, and it smells. They only last for a short time and if you don't use them right away it doesn't work at all.

Please remember to donate all your used balls. I teach tennis and we divide our old balls among nursing homes for the bottom of walkers, schools for their gym and tennis programs, and for the bottom of chairs. They can keep on going way after their bounce is gone.