Okay, so the other day I was messing around with my tennis gear, you know, just checking everything was in good shape. And I got to thinking about the “varillas” – which, for those who don’t speak Spanish, are basically the rods or ribs that give an umbrella (or in this case, a tennis net) its shape and support. I figured I’d share my little maintenance routine, ’cause it’s pretty simple but makes a big difference.
Getting Started
First, I gathered everything I needed. This wasn’t much, just:
- My tennis net (obviously!)
- A damp cloth
- Maybe some mild soapy water (if things are really grimy)
- A dry cloth
The Cleaning Process
I laid out the net on a flat surface. My driveway works great for this. Then, I just went over each of the varillas one by one. I started by wiping them down with the damp cloth. This gets rid of any loose dirt, dust, or whatever else has accumulated on them.
For a couple of the varillas that had some stubborn, sticky spots, I dipped the cloth in the soapy water and gave them a gentle scrub. Nothing too harsh, just enough to loosen the gunk. Remember, gentle is key here! You do not want to damage the net with something too strong!
Drying and Finishing Up
After the cleaning, I took the dry cloth and wiped down each varilla again. This is important to prevent any rust or mildew from forming, especially if you live in a humid area like I do. I am also careful not to get water on the net part itself.
Once they were all dry, I just rolled up the net neatly and put it back in its storage bag. All done! It’s not rocket science, but keeping those varillas clean helps the net hold its shape better and probably makes it last longer, too. That’s all to say, my net looks perfect and ready for the next game!
That’s my quick and dirty method. If you have any additional tips, message below! I’d love to hear other advice, tips and tricks!
