Short answer: How to look after a dartboard: turn it every couple of weeks so wear spreads across the board, keep it completely dry, throw darts with sharp, smooth points and twist them out. Replace the board when darts stop holding in the most-used beds.
By Andy Gibson · Updated 20 October 2026
How do you look after a dartboard?
A bristle board is made of compressed sisal fibres. A dart parts the fibres as it goes in, and they close up again when it comes out. Board care is mostly about helping that happen: spreading the wear, keeping the fibres dry and not tearing them.
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Rotate the board regularly | Leave the 20 in the same spot for years |
| Keep it in a cool, dry place | Wet, spray or wipe it with any liquid |
| Use sharp, smooth points | Throw blunt or hooked points |
| Twist darts as you pull them out | Yank them straight out |
| Fit a surround | Let missed darts hit the wall and blunt |
Sources: Winmau's dartboard care instructions and Shot's board care guide.
How often should you rotate a dartboard?
Shot recommends about every two weeks for a board used a few times a week. Play most nights and turn it more often; play once a week and once a month is plenty.
Most of your darts land in a few places: the treble 20, the 20 segment and the bull. Turning the board moves those areas onto fresh fibres, so the wear spreads around the whole board instead of wearing one hole.
How do you rotate a dartboard?
- Take the board down and unclip or lift off the number ring.
- Turn the board a few segments, the same direction every time, so each part of the board takes a turn at the top.
- Refit the number ring with the 20 at the top and hang the board back on its bracket.
To keep the standard colours, with the dark 20 segment and its red double and treble at the top, turn the board an even number of segments: two, four or six. Odd turns work just as well for spreading wear, but the colours sit the other way round.
Rotation can't help the centre. The bull and 25 stay in the middle whichever way the board is turned, so players who play a lot of Cricket or bull-ups wear the centre out first (Winmau).
Only boards with a removable number ring can be rotated. Winmau's Blade boards, including the Blade 6, are made to be turned this way.
Can you clean a dartboard with water?
No. Winmau's instruction is that no liquids should ever touch the surface of a bristle board. Soaking or spraying a board to "close the holes" is a misconception. Sisal is a natural fibre that soaks up water, and Shot's advice is blunt: bad things happen when a bristle board gets wet.
Keep the board in a cool, dry place. Avoid damp garages and sheds where you can, and don't use cleaning sprays on or near it.
How do dart points affect a dartboard?
More than most players expect. Winmau says blunt, hooked or textured points (knurled or ringed) cause early board wear, because they tear fibres instead of parting them. Shot gives the same advice: points should be sharp and straight, not blunt or hooked, and should be checked regularly.
- Keep points smooth and sharp. A dart sharpener takes off burrs and restores the tip. Don't overdo it: Winmau notes points that are too sharp can bounce off the wires.
- Replace bent or damaged points. Most steel tip darts can be repointed. See repointing tools and dart points.
- Twist the dart as you pull it out. Winmau recommends it: a twist eases the point out without dragging fibres with it.
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What else makes a dartboard last longer?
- A surround. Darts that miss land in foam instead of the wall, so points stay sharp and don't damage the board on the next visit. See dartboard surrounds.
- A dart mat. Darts that drop out land on the mat rather than a hard floor, which saves the points.
- Hang it properly. Mount the board firmly on its centre bracket so it doesn't move as darts land, with the 20 at the top. The guide to the best dartboard covers height and throwing distance.
When should you replace a dartboard?
When it stops holding darts where you throw most. The usual signs:
- Darts drop out of the treble 20 or bull, or hang at an angle, even after rotating.
- The bull and 25 are worn through. Shot's advice when the bull wears out fast is simple: time for a new board.
- Bounce-outs increase because a wire is loose, bent or lifting.
- The board has been wet and has swollen or lost its shape.
How long a board lasts depends on how much you play, the weight of your darts and the condition of your points (Winmau), so there's no fixed lifespan. When it's time, the Winmau Blade 6 comparison sets out the differences between Winmau's current boards.
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Blade 6 Triple Core Carbon - Dartboard
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Frequently asked questions
How often should I rotate my dartboard?
About every two weeks if you play a few times a week, more often if you play most days.
Should you wet a dartboard?
No. Winmau says no liquid should ever touch a bristle board, and soaking or spraying it to close the holes is a misconception.
Why do my darts keep falling out of the board?
Usually the fibres in that area are worn. Rotate the board; if darts still fall out of the most-used beds, it's time for a new one. Blunt points can cause it too.
How do you remove a dart from a dartboard?
Hold it by the barrel and twist as you pull. It eases the point out without tearing the fibres.
How long does a dartboard last?
It depends on how much you play, your dart weight and the condition of your points. Rotating regularly makes a big difference.
Can every dartboard be rotated?
Only boards with a removable number ring. If the numbers are printed on the board itself, it can't be turned.
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