Quick Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Your Board Games

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Board games go well with snacks and drinks. It’s fun to have a cool lemonade or a similar refreshment as you beat grandma at Ticket to Ride for the 50th time. What’s not so fun is when you get excited and knock that lemonade on all the little trains.

If your board games could use a good cleaning for any reason at all, read these tips. You’ll want to be prepared because the wrong cleaning methods could lead to further damage. Then, make sure you that your board games are well maintained to minimize damage in the future.

Cleaning Your Board Games

Before you clean your board games, you will need to gather a few materials. We recommend the following:

• Sponge
• Cloth or paper towel
• Mild soap
• Warm water
• Vinegar

While most board games have protective coverings on them, you will want to go slowly and be gentle with your cleaning process. Each board game is made slightly differently, and you never know if a cleaning method could damage it until you try it. To make sure all goes well, take these steps.

Step 1: Wipe down any residue.

If you’re cleaning up after a recent spill, make sure to wipe off any wet spots with a towel of some kind. Then, make sure your board and pieces are dry before attempting to clean. This way, you will have a better sense of what kind of cleaning you need to do with your pieces.

Step 2: Prepare a solution.

You will not want to place soap or water directly onto your board and pieces. Instead, place a small amount of soap and water (or vinegar if you have concerns about soap) directly onto a towel. Make sure to have your materials nearby so you can dip the towel again.

Step 3: Test a small area.

Again, it is difficult to know how a cleaning solution might affect your board game. Test a small area of the board first to see how your solution works. If there’s a spot on the board that is less vital to the game, start there. After it dries, you can then proceed to clean the rest of the board.

Step 4: Clean the board and other components.

Now you’re ready to clean your entire board. Gently wipe down the board with your solution and any pieces that also need cleaning. Cards will need extra care as they are more likely to receive water damage. Take your time with it.

Step 5: Dry.

You can dry your board game and components in one of two ways. First, you can wipe it down with a dry cloth. Second, you can leave it out to air dry. If you leave it out to air dry, make sure it is in a cool, dark space. It might be tempting to leave it in the sun, but that will discolor your components.

Maintaining Your Board Games

Once your board games are cleaned, there are several steps you can take to make sure they stay that way.

First, make sure your board games are stored properly so they do not get damaged when not in use. When storing your games, make sure all the components fit into the box and the lid is closed. You can also put your pieces into small bags or containers to make sure the pieces don’t get lost, scattered, or dusty. As an added bonus, you can put a dryer sheet into the box to give it a fresh smell.

The other benefit to storing your pieces is to maintain them during gameplay. Small bags or containers allow you to keep your unused pieces safe and protected while playing. That way, if there’s a spill, it will only affect the pieces out (if any of them). Similarly, you can put your cards into protective sleeves to minimize damage, too. Use this sizing chart for your cards to buy the right size.

There are steps you can take beyond the games to maintain your board games, too. Wash your hands before you begin each play. Keep plenty of napkins nearby if you are having snacks as you play. Furthermore, you might want to invest in some side tables for your treats so they do not sit next to your game. Then, when you go to put the game away, clear everything else first and wash your hands once more before putting everything in the box.

And if you play board games with kids, teach them all these tricks, too. They will learn the habit at an early age. Plus, making sure everyone in the family knows how to maintain the games will keep them available for playing that much longer.

How do you keep your board games clean?