Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and the facilities supporting it are expanding at an extraordinary pace. Community recreation centers, private clubs, HOAs, apartment complexes, schools, and municipal parks are all adding dedicated pickleball courts. But with that expansion comes a question that most facility managers and court owners do not think about until they start noticing problems: how exactly are you supposed to clean these surfaces?
It sounds simple. It is not. Pickleball courts are not just painted concrete or coated asphalt. They are engineered sport surfaces built with specific acrylic coating systems that contain embedded silica sand aggregates designed to deliver precise levels of texture, traction, and ball response. The cleaning methods that work perfectly well on a standard commercial floor, a parking deck, or even a gym floor can cause serious damage to these specialized surfaces.
This guide goes deeper than the basics. We are going to walk through the actual surface chemistry of modern pickleball court coatings, explain why that chemistry dictates specific cleaning methods, break down what the leading court surface manufacturers recommend, and give you a detailed maintenance protocol that protects your investment and keeps your courts playing the way they were designed to.
Understanding What Your Pickleball Court Is Actually Made Of
Before you can clean a pickleball court correctly, you need to understand what you are cleaning. Most facility managers think of their court surface as paint. It is not. It is a multi-layer acrylic coating system, and the distinction matters enormously when it comes to cleaning.
The Acrylic Coating System
Virtually all professional-grade outdoor pickleball courts in North America are surfaced with 100 percent acrylic emulsion coatings applied over a concrete or asphalt base. These coatings are water-based, UV-resistant, and formulated to withstand years of foot traffic, ball impact, and weather exposure. They are not household paints, automotive coatings, or epoxies. They are purpose-built sport surface systems engineered to specific performance criteria.
A typical court coating system consists of multiple layers. The process begins with an acrylic resurfacer applied directly to the prepared base to fill surface voids and establish a uniform foundation. On top of that, two or more coats of pigmented acrylic color coating are applied. These color coats contain factory-blended silica sand aggregates that create the textured surface players rely on for traction and the surface characteristics that determine ball speed and bounce.
The Silica Sand Factor
This is where cleaning gets technical. The silica sand embedded in the acrylic coating is not just sitting on top of the surface. It is integrated into the coating film during application. The size, shape, and distribution of these aggregates are specifically engineered by the manufacturer to produce a particular level of grip. Too much texture and players experience excessive shoe wear, fatigue, and skin abrasion from falls. Too little and the court becomes dangerously slippery, especially when wet.
Why this matters for cleaning: Aggressive cleaning methods, particularly high-pressure washing with the tip held too close to the surface, stiff-bristled power brushes, or harsh chemical cleaners, can strip these sand aggregates out of the acrylic coating. Once the sand is removed, the texture changes permanently. The court becomes slicker, ball response changes, and the surface will need to be recoated sooner than its normal lifecycle would require. What looks like simple pressure washing can take years off the life of a court surface.
Cushioned vs. Hard Court Systems
Some pickleball courts feature cushioned surface systems, which add multiple layers of rubber-granule-filled acrylic beneath the color coats. These systems provide shock absorption that reduces stress on players’ joints without significantly affecting ball bounce. Brands like SportMaster’s ProCushion system, DecoTurf, and Plexipave Cushion all offer multi-layer cushioned options.
Cushioned systems require even more careful cleaning than standard hard court surfaces. The rubber layers beneath the color coat can be compressed or damaged by excessive pressure, and harsh chemicals can degrade the rubber compounds over time, reducing the cushioning properties that players depend on.
What the Leading Manufacturers Actually Recommend for Cleaning
The pickleball court surface industry is dominated by a handful of well-established manufacturers. Their cleaning and maintenance recommendations are remarkably consistent, and for good reason: these companies have spent decades testing their products under real-world conditions and know exactly what preserves their coatings and what destroys them. Here is what they say.
SportMaster (PickleMaster System)
SportMaster is arguably the most recognized name in pickleball court surfacing. Their PickleMaster system is the official court surface of USA Pickleball, and it is installed on thousands of courts across the country. Their published maintenance manual provides clear guidance.
- General cleaning: Rinsing the court with water is usually sufficient for routine cleaning. Rain showers are considered natural cleaning events for outdoor courts.
- For visible stains: Apply a mild detergent and gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush. SportMaster specifically recommends a formula of four parts water, two parts trisodium phosphate (TSP), and one part household bleach when mildew is present. Alternatively, a neutral-pH cleaner can be used in place of TSP.
- For mold and mildew: A solution of two parts household bleach to one part water, applied and gently scrubbed with a soft brush, then rinsed thoroughly.
- Pressure washing: Permitted, but with significant cautions. SportMaster advises using surface pressure washers rather than wand-style units, because surface washers distribute pressure evenly and eliminate the striping effect that wand tips create. If using a wand, never hold the tip too close to the surface. Excessive pressure will strip sand aggregates from the coating.
- Critical rule: Only clean the court when it is visibly dirty. Avoid over-washing. Frequent scrubbing and pressure washing can strip the sand texture and cause premature wear.
- Frequency: Monthly cleaning is suggested as a baseline. Shaded areas and corners where organic debris accumulates should be monitored more frequently for mold and mildew growth.
California Sports Surfaces (DecoTurf and Plexipave)
California Sports Surfaces manufactures DecoTurf, the surface that was used at the US Open for over four decades, and Plexipave, another widely installed acrylic system. Their courts use a similar multi-layer acrylic approach with silica sand texturing. Their maintenance guidelines align closely with SportMaster’s.
- General cleaning: Use a mild detergent and soft-bristled brush. Rinse thoroughly.
- Mold and mildew: A mixture of four parts water to one part bleach, gently scrubbed onto the affected area.
- Frequency: Monthly cleaning recommended as a preventive measure, with more frequent attention in humid or shaded environments.
- Standing water: Courts should be checked monthly for standing water and puddles, known in the industry as “birdbaths.” These are defined by the American Sports Builders Association as any area where water more than 1/16 inch deep remains after drainage has ceased. Standing water causes staining, promotes mold, and can lead to coating adhesion failure.
Nova Sports USA (Novaplay, Novacushion)
Nova Sports USA produces a range of 100 percent acrylic sport surfaces used on pickleball and tennis courts across North America. Their surfaces are certified as environmentally preferred and are known for vibrant color retention and UV resistance. Cleaning recommendations follow the same core principles: mild detergent, soft bristles, no aggressive pressure washing, and routine debris removal to prevent organic growth.
The Common Thread Across All Manufacturers
Despite differences in product names, system configurations, and marketing, every major acrylic court surface manufacturer converges on the same set of cleaning principles.
- Use only soft nylon or hair-type bristle brooms and brushes. Never use stiff wire or abrasive bristles.
- Use only mild, neutral-pH detergents. Avoid acids, solvents, and harsh alkaline cleaners.
- Rinse thoroughly after any detergent application.
- Limit pressure washing to only when necessary, and use surface-style washers when possible.
- Never hold a pressure washer wand tip closer than 12 inches to the surface.
- Remove organic debris, leaves, pine needles, and standing water promptly to prevent mold and staining.
- Clean only when visibly dirty. Over-cleaning is as damaging as under-cleaning.
The Five Most Common Cleaning Mistakes That Damage Pickleball Courts
Knowing what to do is important. Knowing what not to do might be even more important. These are the mistakes we see most often, and every one of them costs the court owner money in premature resurfacing.
1. Using a Standard Pressure Washer at Full Power
This is the number one destroyer of pickleball court surfaces. A standard consumer pressure washer operating at 3,000 PSI or higher with a zero-degree or 15-degree nozzle tip can blast silica sand aggregates out of the acrylic coating in a single pass. The damage is immediately visible as lighter-colored streaks or patches where the texture has been stripped. Once the sand is gone, the only fix is a full recoat.
The right approach: Use a surface pressure washer, also called a rotary surface cleaner, that distributes pressure evenly through rotating jets under a shroud. If you must use a wand, drop the pressure below 1,500 PSI, use a 25-degree or wider fan tip, and maintain at least 12 inches of distance from the surface at all times.
2. Using Acid-Based Cleaners
Muriatic acid, phosphoric acid, and other acid-based cleaners are commonly used in concrete and masonry cleaning. They have no place on an acrylic-coated pickleball court. Acid attacks the acrylic binder that holds the coating together, softening the film, degrading the color, and weakening adhesion to the base. Even a single application can cause irreversible damage.
3. Cleaning with Stiff-Bristled Brushes or Power Brooms
A floor machine with a stiff nylon or polypropylene brush designed for scrubbing warehouse floors will tear into an acrylic court surface. The abrasion strips sand, scores the coating, and creates an uneven texture that affects play. Only the softest available brush heads should ever be used on an acrylic sport surface.
4. Letting Organic Debris Sit
Leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, tree sap, bird droppings, and pollen may seem harmless, but they are the primary food source for mold and mildew growth on acrylic court surfaces. The coatings themselves do not support fungal growth, but organic matter trapped on the surface absolutely does. A shaded court with a layer of decomposing leaves can develop black mold in a matter of weeks, and once mold stains penetrate the coating, they can be very difficult to remove without aggressive methods that risk damaging the surface.
5. Ignoring Standing Water
Low spots on a court, commonly called birdbaths, are more than an inconvenience. Standing water collects dirt, pollen, and organic matter, creating concentrated deposits that stain the surface and promote mold. Prolonged water contact can also soften the acrylic coating and compromise adhesion, eventually leading to peeling. Birdbaths should be reported for repair, and standing water should be removed with a squeegee or soft-bristled push broom after every rain event.
A Professional Cleaning Protocol for Pickleball Courts
Based on manufacturer guidelines and our own experience maintaining sport surfaces, here is a complete cleaning protocol broken down by frequency.
After Every Use or Daily (High-Traffic Courts)
- Blow or soft-sweep the entire court surface to remove loose debris, leaves, dirt, and litter.
- Squeegee or broom-push any standing water off the court, especially from low areas.
- Inspect for and remove fresh organic material: bird droppings, tree sap, food spills, or drink spills. Clean these spot areas immediately with a damp soft cloth and mild detergent.
Weekly
- Inspect the full court surface for early signs of mold or mildew, especially in shaded areas, corners, and along fencing.
- Remove any debris that has accumulated in expansion joints, perimeter drains, or along the fence line where wind deposits material.
- Check nets, posts, and court furniture for debris accumulation that could transfer to the court surface.
Monthly
- Perform a full wet cleaning of the court using a mild neutral-pH detergent solution and soft-bristled equipment.
- For outdoor courts with mold-prone areas, apply the manufacturer-recommended bleach solution (typically 2:1 or 4:1 water to bleach), scrub gently, let sit for a few minutes, and rinse thoroughly.
- Inspect the court for cracks, birdbaths, peeling, or surface wear. Document and report any issues that require professional repair.
- Clean and inspect court drainage systems to ensure water is flowing away from the court properly.
Biannually (Every Six Months)
- Schedule a professional pressure washing using surface-style washing equipment at appropriate pressure settings.
- Conduct a thorough inspection of the full court system: surface condition, line visibility, crack status, drainage function, and net hardware.
- Clear any vegetation encroaching from the perimeter that could deposit organic material onto the court.
Every 5 to 8 Years
- Plan for a full court resurfacing. The standard lifecycle for acrylic sport coatings is five to eight years depending on usage intensity, climate, and how well the surface has been maintained between cycles. A well-maintained court consistently reaches the upper end of this range. A poorly maintained court can need resurfacing in as little as three to four years.
Indoor Courts: A Different Set of Rules
While outdoor courts benefit from wind and rain as natural cleaning agents, indoor pickleball courts do not. Indoor courts accumulate dust, shoe scuff marks, body oils, sweat, and beverage residue that outdoor courts shed naturally. Manufacturer guidelines for indoor courts include frequent dry vacuuming or dust mopping to control particulate buildup, and at least one thorough wet cleaning per year with a mild detergent solution and soft-bristled equipment.
For facilities with indoor courts built on gymnasium floors, the surface type may differ from the standard acrylic-on-concrete model. Wood-floored courts and courts with modular tile or rubber surfaces each have their own specific cleaning requirements. Always confirm your surface type and follow the appropriate maintenance protocol.
Why Court Cleaning Is a Specialized Service
The theme running through every section of this guide is the same: pickleball court surfaces are engineered systems, and cleaning them requires knowledge of the specific materials, manufacturer guidelines, and techniques that protect their performance and lifespan. A general janitorial team with a pressure washer and a bucket of all-purpose cleaner can do more harm than good if they do not understand the limitations of acrylic sport coatings.
Professional cleaning for pickleball courts means understanding surface chemistry, owning the right equipment, training staff on the specific do’s and don’ts of acrylic maintenance, and approaching each court as the specialized asset it is. The difference between a properly maintained court and a neglected one is not just cosmetic. It is the difference between a five-year resurfacing cycle and an eight-year one. For a facility with multiple courts, that gap can represent tens of thousands of dollars in avoided costs.
