The milder the cleaning product, the less likely you are to damage the rubber. Using a mild soap, like dish soap or castile soap, is a great place to start. [4] X Research source For a deeper clean, use a toothbrush instead of a sponge. Apply a few drops of dish soap or castile soap to your grips, then scrub them with a toothbrush. Once the grips are foamy, you can wash them off with water. [5] X Research source

Try another method if your rubber is black or another dark color and you want to avoid discoloring it. Baking soda can whiten your rubber if left on too long. [9] X Research source

You can find degreasers widely available in auto supply stores as sprays.

Ammonia cleaners in spray bottles, such as Windex, pose less of a risk to your health when accidentally inhaled after a spill. Choose this kind of cleaner over the full-strength liquid versions if you can. [11] X Trustworthy Source Nature Respected Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal Go to source Ammonia can remove the surface of damaged rubber, so it’s especially helpful if you’re dealing with a sticky grip problem. [12] X Research source

If you don’t have it on hand, you can find denatured alcohol at your local home supply store. Denatured alcohol is a strong cleaner, so be careful with how much you use. If you notice that the alcohol hasn’t evaporated after a minute or so, wipe it off with a paper towel to prevent it from harming the rubber. Treat denatured alcohol like you would when working with other strong cleaning chemicals, such as bleach. Aside from wearing rubber gloves, keep a window open if you’re cleaning indoors. [16] X Research source If methylated spirits come into contact with bare skin, immediately flush your skin with water for 15 minutes. [17] X Research source

Be careful when dealing with acetone, since it’s highly flammable and can cause eye irritation. Use gloves when you’re working with this chemical. [19] X Research source Be sure not to leave acetone on your rubber for too long. It can degrade rubber if it’s left on too long, so be sure to wipe it off quickly.

Lighter fluid is an excellent degreaser of rubber, but be careful! You’ll want to handle it with care and wash your hands thoroughly after using it. Keep any areas that are still wet with lighter fluid away from open flames. [21] X Research source Removing lighter fluid from your rubber is important, since it can degrade the rubber if you don’t wipe it off. Be sure not to skip wiping down your grips with a wet paper towel.